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The outlook for wind on Capitol Hill is appearing brighter several weeks after plans surfaced to slash the renewables budget by 80% to $15 million. The US Congress is trying to cut government spending, while President Bill Clinton has proposed a higher wind budget of $49 million. On August 1, the full senate approved a wind budget of $42 million after a last minute amendment adding $10 million. The House of Representatives has approved only $20 million in wind appropriations, but that amount may be doubled with a so-called adder of $44.7 million for renewables that was included in another amendment. Any differences between the final budgets of the House and the Senate must be ironed out in conference.