Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. (Inclusion of funding for green initiatives).

Dear Mr. Shand:

Thank you for contacting me about the inclusion of funding for green initiatives in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. I appreciate hearing from you about this important issue.

The American Recovery and Reinvestment Plan, H.R. 1, was passed by Congress and signed into law by President Obama on February 17, 2009. This comprehensive stimulus package totals $787 billion in tax cuts and new spending to help bolster our ailing economy.

I am pleased to report that the final version of the bill includes many investments in green initiatives. The bill provides $5 billion for the Weatherization Assistance Program and changes the eligibility requirements to accommodate a larger number of deserving individuals and businesses. In addition, it directs $4.5 billion toward the development of "Smart Grid" technology for more efficient energy transmission nationwide and $100 million toward worker training activities. The bill also contains funding for Renewable Energy loan guarantees that provide investments in hydropower and cutting-edge biofuel projects aimed at producing transportation fuels which will substantially reduce life-cycle greenhouse gas emissions.

Again, thank you for your continued interest in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. As a senior member of the Appropriations Committee, I worked to ensure that the stimulus bill included the priorities important to Vermont. You can read my full statement on passage of this bill at: http://leahy.senate.gov/press/200902/021309b.html

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PATRICK LEAHY
United States Senator
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