Senate okays solar and wind credit extensions

From an article on Capwiz.com:

If you've been wondering what happened to the bill introduced last week by U.S. Sens. Cantwell and Ensign that would, among other measures, extend solar investment tax credits for residential and commercial use, here's some up-to-the-minute news.

By a vote of 88-8, the Cantwell-Ensign language was successfully added as an amendment to the Senate's comprehensive housing bill (HR 3221). This bill passed the Senate on Thursday with an estimated $6.6 billion in tax credits allocated to renewables, and including a lifting of the $2000 cap on residential solar installation credits. . . .

And from a statement issued by the American Wind Energy Association (AWEA):

Following the 88 to 8 vote in the U.S. Senate on the addition of the Cantwell-Ensign amendment, which provides a one year extension of the renewable energy Production Tax Credit (PTC), to the Housing Stimulus Bill, the American Wind Energy Association (AWEA) released the following statement by Senior Director of Governmental & Public Affairs Gregory Wetstone:

“Today’s 88 to 8 Senate floor vote on the Clean Energy Stimulus Act is a testament to the strong support for renewable energy across the political spectrum. The American Wind Energy Association, on behalf of our more than 1200 member companies, commends the Senate for moving to extend renewable energy tax incentives. We are especially grateful to Senators Maria Cantwell (D-WA) and John Ensign (R-NV) and the many bipartisan cosponsors of this legislation who worked to move this bill forward. With 116,000 jobs and $19 billion in clean energy investment at risk from the looming expiration of renewable energy tax credits, the Senate has recognized the urgency of taking timely action to extend these incentives. . . .