Chris Van Hollen

Some of cleantech's most famous names are weighing in on U.S. lawmaker Chris Van Hollen's proposal for a bank with the sole purpose of financing cleantech projects in the United States.

The ringing endorsements? "Imaginative" and "creative," according to an e-mail Van Hollen's office sent out today.

Another imaginative, creative bank

A U.S. lawmaker from Maryland today took the first step to create a bank with the sole purpose of financing cleantech projects in the United States.

Democratic Rep. Chris Van Hollen introduced the Green Bank Act of 2009, which would create a bank initially capitalized with $10 billion funded through the sale of bonds. The tax-exempt government-owned bank would then be able to offer financing to clean energy and energy efficiency projects within the country's borders.

The name GreenBank is already taken by a commercial bank in Tennessee with roots dating back to 1890.