The Obama administration and Congress quickly took steps to address the nation's economic crisis early in 2009. As job losses mounted, numerous proposals circulated as to how best to stimulate the economy, repositioning the United States for sustainable economic growth. Investing in clean energy research, development and deployment can solidify America's status as an economic power while creating jobs, improving our national security and protecting the planet.

In February, the Senate took up H.R. 1, The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. The $787 billion package included nearly $80 billion in clean-energy investments, by far the largest down payment in renewable technology in American history. Included in this funding were resources to rebuild the national electricity grid to promote efficiency and accommodate next-generation technology, tax credits for clean energy businesses, weatherization of low-income homes and investments in cleaner transportation like high-speed rail. Together, these investments would preserve 390,000 jobs and reduce oil consumption by 15 million barrels of oil per year.

On February 13, the Senate passed the H.R. 1 conference report by a vote of 60-38 (Senate roll call vote 64). YES IS THE PRO-ENVIRONMENT VOTE. The House passed the conference report on the same day, and the President signed the bill into law on February 17.