High fives in the office as we learned about the Senate passing a bill to extend the renewable energy tax credits.  OK, not just passed, but overwhelmingly supported:  88 to 8 voted to amend the comprehensive housing bill to add a 8-year extension to the commercial ITC, and a 1-year extension to the residential.  (And disappointing to see that all 3 presidential candidates opted out of the vote... that's politics... but I digress).  We're that much closer to keeping the clean train on track. 

The industry is really relying on some continued economic support for clean energy - and for good reason.  These incentives are the best way to give solar and other renewable industries the foothold they need to build a market and encourage the development of new technologies that can eventually drive prices down without subsidies.  Why would innovators push for advancing technology if there's no market to sell it in?

The big difference between the House and Senate versions is how the extended incentives get paid for.  While the Senate side hasn't yet explained where the money will come from (and maybe that's why there wasn't much opposition), the House has consistently pushed for paying for the ITC by diverting subsidies from the oil and gas industry.  I'm sure that will be an issue to wrangle between both sides of the aisle, but if it's stealing from Peter to feed Paul, Peter is the Goliath with gout and a life sentence; maybe it's time to perform some triage and start supporting our future.