Ex-Im to finance more clean energy exports

The appropriations omnibus bill just passed through Congress “recommends that the Export-Import Bank provide 10 percent of its financing capacity to promote the export of clean energy products and services.” This was a recommendation by many groups, including the Center for American Progress:

Having supported more than $400 billion dollars of U.S. exports during the past 70 years, the Export-Import Bank is one of the most powerful tools at the U.S. government’s disposal for spurring innovation and economic growth.

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But in yet another backward-looking strategy typical of this administration:

In fiscal year 2006, Ex-Im promoted $1.8 billion in traditional fossil fuel exports but only $9.8 million in renewable energy exports.

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As CAP notes:

This new provision is an important first step toward shifting this ratio in favor of the industry that has the greater growth potential: clean energy.

Kudos to all concerned (and yes, 10 percent is not enough, but it is a start — and it beats the heck out of 0.5 percent).

This post was created for ClimateProgress.org, a project of the Center for American Progress Action Fund.