Green Gina: The Stimulus Package and the Environment

President Barack Obama and the House are working out an $825 billion economic stimulus package. The good news for environmentalists is that renewable energy, energy efficiency, and electricity transmission are included. During his first weekly address, Obama said the stimulus will do more than just "boost employment...It's one that will invest in our most important priorities -- like energy and education and...a new infrastructure -- that are necessary to keep us strong and competitive in the 21st century."

Break-down of spending on the environment

$50 billion for renewable energy projects
$37.4 billion to Energy Department, most must be spent in 100 days (mostly R&D)
$32 billion for a new smart electrical grid (digital) which would reduce waste
$20 billion in tax cuts for renewable energy projects
$16 billion for repairing and retrofitting public houses in order to make them more energy efficient
$10 billion public transportation…but $32 billion for building new roads
$6 billion for weatherizing modest income houses
$2 billion in loan guarantees for makers of advanced vehicle batteries and battery systems