Silicon Valley clean-tech companies expect to benefit from stimulus bill

[jpak]

http://www.mercurynews.com/ci_11568850?source=most_emailed

As President Barack Obama and Congress hammer out an economic stimulus package expected to be in the $825 billion range,
Silicon Valley clean-tech leaders are heartened by an energy agenda that starts with an emphasis on "smart grid" technologies that encourage energy conservation.

That agenda will add jobs and bring dollars to several Silicon Valley companies, they say, especially those making smart-grid components, solar panels, electric cars and green building materials.

It's "a good start," said venture capitalist Pascal Levensohn, whose portfolio includes clean-tech investments. "There is a lot of optimism."

Details of the new stimulus package are still being worked out, but talks suggest that about $60 billion will be applied toward promoting clean, efficient "energy independence" and creating jobs in the process.

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