Instead, we have created a patchwork quilt of energy subsidies and tax credits that has bifurcated into two camps: Permanent tax credits for the fossil fuel industry and temporary credits and subsidies for the renewable energy industry.

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In successive administrations, the country has spent trillions in temporary tax credits and short-term "stimulus" to goose growth by the next election.

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Individual taxpayers, for their part, got some temporary new credits for the purchase of hybrid vehicles and the installation of energy-efficient windows and solar heaters.

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Instead, Burman suggested, the administration should enact some of the new tax credits on a temporary basis, say through 2010.

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The Senate Republican plan, which would extend the Bush-era income tax cuts for everyone, but would allow the 2009 credits and the temporary payroll tax cut to expire.

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The deal extends for five years some refundable tax credits that were intended as temporary stimulus in 2009 and 2010.

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"Manufacturing led the recovery last year, but partially due to temporary factors, " says Huether, who cited tax credits for purchases of homes and efficient appliances, the Cash For Clunkers program, and the stimulus package.

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