On Jan. 8, President Obama announced that $2.3 billion in tax credits would be aimed at promoting "green jobs." The funds, which come from the $787 billion Stimulus Bill approved by Congress in 2009, will provide credit for investments at 183 manufacturing facilities across 43 states in clean-energy technologies, including solar energy, wind turbines, and electrical grid improvements. Officials said the projects are expected to create more than 17,000 jobs.

 According to President Obama, the fund "will help close the clean-energy gap that has grown between America and other nations while creating good jobs, reducing our carbon emissions, and increasing our energy security."