$3 billion made available for renewable energy

Renewable Energy Stimulus Grants will fund solar, wind, and biomass projects with direct payments, replacing tax credits to speed clean energy deployment, ease financing, create jobs, and help the U.S. double production in three years.

The Obama administration unveiled guidelines that will allow companies to apply for some $3 billion in government funds to boost development of renewable energy projects around the country, creating jobs.

The funding will help meet the White House's goal to double U.S. renewable energy production over the next three years and also provide companies with easier financing than many can obtain in the private sector where credit remains tight.

The money, from the economic stimulus package, will provide direct payments to companies in lieu of tax credits to support an estimated 5,000 biomass, solar, wind energy projects and other renewable energy production facilities.

The Treasury and Energy Departments announced the funding guidelines, part of broader grid modernization efforts, which would provide each project with an average $600,000.

Previously energy companies could file for a tax credit to cover a portion of the costs of geothermal and solar renewable energy projects. Under the new program, companies would forgo the tax credits in favor of an immediate reimbursement of a portion of the property expense, making funds available almost immediately.

"These payments will help spur major private sector investments in clean energy and clean-tech manufacturing and create new jobs for America's workers," said U.S. Energy Secretary Steven Chu.

U.S. Treasury Secretary Tim Geithner said the program "will provide additional stimulus to economies in urban and rural America."

Energy companies will be able to apply for the money in coming weeks.

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