Clean energy and energy efficiency would be big winners if Congress adopts President Obama's new budget, a prospect that doesn't seem likely in this partisan, election year environment.

With many House members staunchly opposed to clean energy, it remains to be seen how much President Obama can accomplish.Nevertheless, the chief executive's plans provide a window into his view of the road ahead for the country. As such, President Obama's priorities are noteworthy because they would increase clean energy programs by 13 percent while ending $4 billion in tax breaks and subsidies for the oil and gas industry.

The spending blueprint would increase financing for the Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, part of the Department of Energy, to $2.3 billion from $1.6 billion. DOE's advanced research program would increase to $350 million from $275 million.

The president also called for resuscitation of cash grants, which expired last New Year's Eve, to wind, solar and other renewable energy companies. The new budget proposal also would extend the production tax credit for the wind power industry that is set to expire at the end of this year.

In addition, President Obama's budget template provides inducements for construction of commercial buildings that are more energy efficient, promotes stricter fuel-efficiency standards for all automotive vehicles, and supports a new Department of the Interior program to permit renewable energy projects on federal land.