How the Bailout Benefits the Environment

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Everyone knows the $700 billion bailout package is a boon for Wall Street. But it turns out green consumers stand to benefit too. According to Fortune and the Environmental News Network, the legislation includes a number of perks for the eco-friendly, including:

—A 30 percent tax credit for homeowners who install solar panels after December 31, 2008.

—A $1,000-per-kilowatt tax credit for homeowners who install wind power, with a cap of $4,000.

—Tax credits of $3,000 or more for the purchase of fuel-efficient, plug-in hybrid vehicles.

—Incentives to grow renewable fuels such as biodiesel and renewable diesel at home.

The bill also supports big businesses that go green. A 30 percent solar investment tax credit has been extended to 2016, and utility companies including PG&E and Southern California Edison can now claim this credit for large-scale solar power projects.

—Nikki Gloudeman

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BEFORE YOU CLICK AWAY!

“Lying.” “Disgusting.” “Scum.” “Slime.” “Corrupt.” “Enemy of the people.” Donald Trump has always made clear what he thinks of journalists. And it’s plain now that his administration intends to do everything it can to stop journalists from reporting things they don’t like—which is most things that are true.

No one gets to tell Mother Jones what to publish or not publish, because no one owns our fiercely independent newsroom. But that also means we need to directly raise the resources it takes to keep our journalism alive. There’s only one way for that to happen, and it’s readers like you stepping up. Please help with a donation today if you can—even a few bucks will make a real difference. A monthly gift would be incredible.

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