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Top U.S. Polluters Closely Tied to Bush Fundraising, Policymaking

The nation's top polluters, as measured in terms of mercury, sulfur dioxide (SO2) and carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions, are power plants owned by corporations that are tightly allied with the Bush Administration in terms of both campaign contributions and pollution policymaking, according to a new study from two nonprofit and nonpartisan groups, the Environmental Integrity Project (EIP) and Public Citizen. The report concludes that sulfur dioxide and carbon dioxide pollution rose from 2002 to 2003, posing higher risks to Americans in terms of asthma attacks, lung ailments, premature death and, in the case of mercury, heightened risk of neurological damage to children. The new report, entitled America's 'Dirtiest Power Plants: Plugged into the Bush Administration,' ranks the top 50 polluting power plants for three pollutants. While the power plants represent only about 5 percent of the more than 1,000 such facilities in the U.S., the worst offenders dominate the industry's problem emissions: 43 percent of sulfur dioxide pollution; 31 percent of CO2 pollution; and 43 percent of mercury pollution. Since 1999, the 30 biggest utility companies owning the majority of the 89 dirtiest power plants examined in the study have poured $6.6 million into the coffers of the Bush presidential […]

Corporate/Energy Tax Bill Debate Under Way in Senate

Yesterday, the Senate started debating a corporate tax bill that includes a $13 billion energy tax package with provisions for renewable energy, alternative fuels, energy efficiency and energy production. The restart of the on-again, off-again debate on the underlying bill marks the fourth time the Senate has tried to take up the legislation over the past two months. The bill repeals the Foreign Services Corporation/Extraterritorial Tax Income Act that was declared illegal by the World Trade Organization, replacing the act with a new set of benefits for manufacturers and exporters. Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee Chairman Pete Domenici attached the energy tax language, which closely resembles the energy tax measure approved by the Senate Finance Committee a year ago, to jump-start the fortunes of his comprehensive energy bill. But if last week is any indication, the energy bill is on life support following a failed attempt to invoke cloture and end debate on the policy portion of Domenici's bill. That vote called into question whether energy legislation will be completed during this shortened election year, with many sources now predicting the issue will have to return next session, assuming Congress has the will to revisit energy following several years […]

USDA Announces $22.8 Milion for Renewable Energy Initiatives

Agriculture Secretary Ann Veneman announced the availability of $22.8 million in grants under the Renewable Energy Systems and Energy Efficiency Improvements program. This is slightly higher than last year, when $21.7 million assisted 114 applicants from 24 states develop or improve wind power, anaerobic digester, solar, ethanol and other bioenergy related systems or energy efficiency improvements. Applicants for the program must be agricultural producers or rural small businesses, U.S. citizens or legal residents, and have demonstrated financial need. Rural Development grant funds may be used to pay up to 25 percent of the eligible project costs. Eligible projects include those that derive energy from a wind, solar, biomass, or geothermal source, or hydrogen derived from biomass or water using wind, solar, or geothermal energy sources. Applications must be completed and submitted with a postmark no later than 75 days from today's publication of the offering in the Federal Register. Detailed information about program requirements and information on how and where to apply is included in the funding notice. Awards will be made on a competitive basis for the purchase of renewable energy systems and to make energy improvements. Website: [sorry this link is no longer available]