Statement of Environment America
Energy Advocate Ben Schreiber
“We are extremely disappointed that all but three Senate Republicans opposed
going forward with clean energy and a green economy today.
America
needs more clean and efficient energy options.
Time and time again, the American people have expressed strong support
for efforts to jumpstart the clean energy revolution. The Senate has once again pulled the rug out
from under a critical clean energy program.
As one of the fastest growing industries in the U.S.,
the clean energy industry is a shining light in an otherwise lackluster
economy. Unfortunately the renewable
energy production tax credit and the solar investment tax credit are set to
expire at the end of this year, and investors are beginning to pull out of
projects. Unless Congress and the
President act soon as many as 75,000 jobs could be at risk according to the
American Wind Energy Association.
The clean energy incentives not only would stimulate the economy in the
short-term by continuing job creation and spurring investment, but also would
help solve global warming and promote long-term development and growth in the
clean energy technology industry.
We urge the Senate Republicans to stop blocking these essential provisions
and to immediately extend these critical incentives that give a boost to the U.S.
economy.”
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Environment America
– a federation of state environment groups – is the new home of U.S. PIRG’s
environmental work.
