House May Vote on Economic Recovery Bill Wednesday; Senate Mark-up This Week

House Democrats are moving forward an $825 billion economic recovery plan bill that includes $77 billion for energy projects with the hopes of delivering a final bill to President Obama by President's Day recess. Last week the House Appropriations, Energy and Commerce and Ways and Means Committees passed the economic recovery package through committee. A House floor vote on the bill is slated for Wednesday.

The bill would provide $550 billion in direct investments and $275 billion in tax breaks, with a large percentage of those dollars going to energy projects and infrastructure construction and repair.   Energy project funding would include:

• $37.8 billion for energy efficiency;
• $27.8 billion for renewable energy; and
• $11.6 billion for public transit and clean transportation.

Numerous environmental groups have shown concern that over three-quarters of the bill's transportation funding is for highway infrastructure and there is no provision to ensure that this funding will be used to repair existing roads and infrastructure over building new roads.

Two Senate committees are set to mark up a similar $825 billion legislative package this week.  The Senate Finance committee is scheduled to mark up their economic recovery legislation on Tuesday, legislation that includes more than $32 billion in energy tax incentives.  One key area the Senate bill differs from the House package is lacking a provision that allows wind, solar and other renewable energy projects to receive Energy Department grants rather than federal tax credits to help fund projects.  Additionally, the Senate Appropriations Committee may mark up as early as tomorrow the $365 billion portion of the bill that contains $51 billion for projects that are designed to develop alternative energy technology and significantly expand renewable energy use. The bill could go to the Senate floor as early as next week. Read more on E&E Daily