$787 billion

According to the New York Times article, "The Stimulus Plan: How to Spend $787 Billion," the $787 billion stimulus plan has listed many opportunities for improving our environment, largely in part by increasing energy efficiency.

The largest portion devoted to energy conservation is a $14 billion tax cut for businesses. The plan promises to "extend production tax credit for wind energy facilities through 2012 and other renewable energy facilities through 2013. Allow renewable facilities to claim investment tax credit instead of production tax credit. Remove cap on investment tax credit for small wind property. Allow renewable energy producers to claim a 30 percent cash grant from the Treasury Department in lieu of the 30 percent investment tax credit." This is an excellent opportunity for businesses to invest in renewable energy and earn a tax incentive to help compensate for the possibility that these types of energy policies actually cost more than in the past.

As a double major in International Relations and Business Administration, I understand that businesses often need to be pressured to make environmental changes that bring a larger cost to their company. If they do not see an increase in their bottom line, then many businesses will not deem the new energy policy necessary. Therefore, the aforementioned tax cut, as well as the "30% investment tax credit for manufacturers of advanced energy property, which may include technology for the production of renewable energy, energy storage, energy conservation, efficient transmission and distribution of electricity, and carbon capture and sequestration," (totaling $1.6 billion) will help to drive businesses toward clean energy solutions.

I do feel that in order to make a change, businesses need to fully be behind the effort. Without big business supporting environmental change, all of our stuff will continue to be made, distributed, and disposed of in environmentally inefficient ways. However, I fully agree with Matt when he states that "People have to 1) know that these options are out there 2) know why it's important and 3) see and feel a connection with the effort." Currently, the American population is concerned with how the $787 billion stimulus plan will fix the economy. But we need to look at the big picture and understand that investing in the environment will ultimately save our economy as well. Hopefully the $20 billion designated for "green" jobs to make wind turbines, solar panels, and improve energy efficiency in schools and federal buildings will be brought into the public eye.