Democratic senators said after meeting with President-elect Barack Obama ’s advisers that progress is being made on an economic recovery bill, with lawmakers’ ideas in such areas as energy tax credits gaining traction.

Senators have emphasized that they would like to see the stimulus or recovery bill include more funding and tax breaks for renewable energy and conservation programs than the Obama team had originally proposed. To that end, several senators said discussions have moved from including $10 billion worth of credits in the package to $20 billion to $25 billion.

“They’re moving in our direction,” said Environment and Public Works Committee Chairwoman Barbara Boxer , D-Calif.

Charles E. Schumer , D-N.Y., and Energy and Natural Resources Chairman Jeff Bingaman , D-N.M., said part of the discussion on the energy provisions is whether it would be better to move at least some of the proposals as a separate bill.

Bingaman said his preference is to put as much as possible in the stimulus bill. “I think the general rule is to do all you can when you can,” he said.

For a full version of this story and the latest coverage, please visit CQ Politics.