The Central Tabulator

McCain absence could end Ariz. project July 30, 2008

Barack Obama and John McCain have both spoken forcefully about the need to develop renewable energy resources, but their campaign-related absences from the Senate could help spell the death of a massive solar energy project in McCain’s home state of Arizona.

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) hopes to hold a vote this week on an extension of renewable energy tax credits that officials for the company behind the Solana solar plant say are necessary to make the project economically viable.

In June — with Obama, McCain and Sens. Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-N.Y.) and Edward M. Kennedy (D-Mass.) absent — a vote on the credits fell seven votes short of the 60 needed. Kennedy, who is undergoing treatment for a brain tumor, isn’t expected back in the Senate until September. Clinton, who supports the tax credits, is expected to be on hand for any votes this week.

Obama, who supports the extension of the tax credits, would supply one of the missing votes if he were in the Senate to vote. McCain, who hasn’t said whether he supports the extension, could be another vote in support. As the new leader of the GOP, he could bring other Republicans along with him. Source Article