Washington (Platts)--14Jan2009

The number two Democrat in the US House of Representatives on Wednesday
said a major economic stimulus package containing billions of dollars in
spending and tax breaks for renewable energy and energy efficiency programs
could be voted on by the House by the end of January.

In a meeting with reporters, House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer said the
House Ways and Means and Appropriations committee are scheduled to vote on the
package next week.

If the bill passes the House, the US Senate must vote and any differences
between the two chambers must be resolved before the package can be sent to
the president. Democratic leaders hope the recovery package will become law by
mid February.

"We believe that energy independence and global warming should be
important components of this bill, not simply because of short-term economic
gain but because of the long-term economic health as well," Hoyer, a Maryland
Democrat, told reporters.

The leader said that he did not know how much would be included in the
bill for renewable energy tax credits, but said it would be in line with what
President-elect Barack Obama has said he wants to see.

Senators said last week that the president-elect had only proposed $10
billion in tax cuts for wind, solar and other industries, but after
negotiations over the weekend and on Tuesday they said numbers ranging from
$20 to $25 billion were being discussed.

The bill could also provide funding for weatherization, electricity
transmission, incentives for building efficiency and other energy-related
expenditures.

--Jean Chemnick, jean_chemnick@platts.com