U.S. Senate Rejects Amendment To Extend Section 1603 Program

An amendment proposed by Sen. Debbie Stabenow, D-Mich., that would have extended the U.S. Department of Treasury's Section 1603 program and other renewable energy tax incentives failed to receive approval from the U.S. Senate.

Stabenow's legislation sought to revive the Section 1603 program and other incentives via an amendment to the Surface Transportation Bill (S.1813), legislation focusing on highway improvements. Her amendment - known as amendment #1812 (Energy Tax Extenders) - needed to receive 60 votes in order to be included in S.1813. However, it received just 49 votes. (The full vote breakdown, by senator, is available here.)

"We cannot allow a tax increase on American businesses that are creating clean energy jobs in America," said Stabenow in a statement when she introduced the legislation. "These entrepreneurs are inventing new technology, hiring workers, and producing cutting-edge new products that save consumers money and reduce our dependence on foreign oil."

See who voted against it: http://www.solarindustrymag.com/e107...p?content.9893

This is huge (as in hugely bad) for solar in the US. 4 democrats voted against.