Susan Collins of Maine is one of the small handful of Republican senators negotiating on the stimulus bill. She wants to shave $100 billion from it before she'll get on-board. One of the big cuts she's demanding: $5.5 billion to make federal buildings more energy efficient.
What is she smoking? One of the big goals of the stimulus is to spend money now on things that will create jobs, AND IN THE LONG RUN, WILL SAVE THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT AND TAXPAYERS MONEY. (You know that whole saying about an ounce of prevention...)
More money in the federal budget goes to heating and cooling bills than any other expense. Yes, you're reading this correctly. Making federal buildings and military installations more energy efficient will create jobs, save us money, wean us off our oil dependence, and help the environment. Read the chapter in Greasy Rider about the example the Fort Knox Army Base is setting in this regard.
Talk about cutting off your nose to spite your face...
