The rumors are flying that they are.

Gristmill: Bye, bye, Ms. Renewable Pie (their emphasis):

I've learned from concerned advocates that Democratic congressional leadership is considering stripping the production tax credits for wind and solar, along with the federal renewable portfolio standard, from the conference bill. Losing the RPS and the PTC would mean jettisoning basically every measure that the White House has complained about... If this happens, it will mean there's bupkis in the energy bill for renewable electricity, imperiling probably billions of dollars in solar and wind contracts that have been written with the expectation that the production tax credits will lower costs to investors and consumers.

Huffington Post: News Alert: If You Love Renewable Energy, It's Time to Freak Out

Pelosi and Reid are just about to do the stupidest thing imaginable: pull the rug out from underneath the blossoming renewable energy economy at the time when we need it most... As Adam Browning of Vote Solar put it "Thursday morning, Senator Reid and Speaker Pelosi decided to drop the renewable energy standard out of the energy bill and drop the tax title. No tax title means no extension of the investment tax credit for solar, and no extention of the production tax credit for wind. Let's see...nothing for solar, plus nothing for wind, hmmm, add no renewable energy standard, carry the zero...yep, that adds up to precisely nothing for renewable energy. Got that? Congressional leadership is moving an energy bill with nothing in it for renewable energy.

Remember, these stories are all second-hand rumors. They might not be true. Keep that in mind before judging Pelosi and Reid too harshly.

Then again, they started circulating last week. I had hoped that by now we'd see some "woops, it was all just a misunderstanding stories." No dice.

So... could the Democrats possibly be that stupid?

Well, there's one line of argument that says, no, its not possible:

That said, there may be another version to this story. Reid and Pelosi, knowing that there will be a knockdown dragout fight on the Energy Bill, may actually be unbundling the renewables from the fight, in order to allow easier passage befitting renewables bipartisan support... i'm not claiming insider knowledge here, as i'm not sure what's happening. I have spoken at length with Pelosi about the political and economic benefits of windpower, however, and know that she is a strong backer of the technology, and can't imagine her stabbing us in the back.

Uh, yeah.. the Democrats can't possibly be caving in... it must be an, uh, parliamentary maneuver.. yeah, yeah, its gotta be.

OK, folks, now its time to answer my title question. No, you don't get a poll, you get some homework. Pelosi and Reid's phones are already apparently ringing off the hook... keep them that way.

Make sure that the answer to my title question is "No, the Democrats can't be that stupid.. WE WON"T LET THEM."

Pelosi's offices number is 202- 225-4965 (fax 202-225-4188)

Reid's office's number is 202-224-3542 (fax 202-224-7327)

Once you call, you may discuss the following points amongst yourselves:

-Most Americans want to do something about Global Warming. Is removing subsidies for solar/wind smart politically?

-Will this help our international standing in the world?

-The solar and wind industries are growing rapidly. Will this help our international competitiveness?

-Will help Democrats in future negotiations with Bush/Cheney?

But please call, first. If you can't call tonight, call tomorrow. Call your Rep/Senator while you're at it.

(Update: Apparently, Pelosi and Reid's voice mailboxes are both full from calls received over the holiday weekend. Good. They won't be tomorrow.)