For more on the financial crisis, check outGlobeSt.com's Webinar, "Wall Street In a Freefall—TheWinners and Losers."

For once, Wall Street red ink may help the future becomedecidedly greener--thanks to the US government, which isencouraging sustainable energy in both its economic bailout packageand through a Department of Energy program.

In order to attract recalcitrant congressmen to approve the$700-billion Wall Street bailout bill that had been rejected inlate September, various earmarks and sweeteners were included thatensured its passage on Oct. 3. But perhaps none will have a moreenduring benefit than rolling the Energy Improvement and ExtensionAct of 2008 into the bill, thereby extending credits for renewableenergy use. The result could decrease the price and thus increasethe use of solar panels and other renewable energy sources in newconstruction.