On the other side of the coin, it was a relief to see that the huge $50 billion opportunity offered to nuclear energy and "clean" coal was excised, as well as an apparently $2 BILLION earmark for FutureGen, another coal promotion.

Here are some linx etc on this:

http://www.ens-newswire.com/ens/feb2009/2009-02-12-094.asp

This elimination of the $50 billion "nuclear pork" provision, money that could also have gone to "clean" coal, both at the expense of conservation and alternative energy, is crucial, as it was arguably the single most noxious positive provision of the whole 'stimulus' package. Also of note was the eliminiation of a $2 billion earmark for "clean" coal for FutureGen.

On the latter, see: http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2009/02/futuregen-clean-coal-earmark-removed-from-stimulus.php

This is not to be an uncritical cheerleader for the Obama Administration; there are TONS of issues on which authentic progressives must hold his feet to the fire. But such issues as the $40 billion slash in state aid can be pursued independently, after the MAJOR stimulus bill victory is signed