Solar Power

Dear Solar Supporter, We have learned that leaders in Congress are planning to drop the renewable energy tax credit provisions, including the solar investment tax credit (ITC) extension, from the Iraq War Supplemental legislation.  The Speaker's office had previously indicated that the Iraq War Supplemental - which is must-pass legislation - would contain a long-term ITC extension.  This is a serious setback and requires an immediate response from the solar energy community. Spending $110 billion for energy security in Iraq, but not supporting energy security in the United States is upside down energy policy. Please let your members of Congress -  both House and Senate - know that you want support for domestic, renewable energy sources to be a priority. Studies show that if the Investment Tax Credit is not extended immediately, according to Navigant Consulting, 116,000 jobs and $20 billion in capital investment could be lost in 2009 alone. The extension of the ITC recently passed the Senate in the Cantwell-Ensign Amendment by a vote of 88-8. We have been asked by the Solar Energy Industry Association to tell House Speaker Pelosi and Senate Majority Leader Reid that the Iraq war supplemental must include a long-term extension of the ITC - for the future energy security of our country. Here's How You Can Help: Given that more than a quarter million jobs have been lost this year alone, please tell your U.S. Representative and your Senators that the Iraq War Supplemental must include a long-term extension of the ITC to generate jobs and promote energy security for Americans. Click here to find the phone numbers of their District offices. Congress needs to find a way to extend the renewable energy tax credit.  It can support this through the mechanism of the Iraq War Supplemental or by some other means.  But Congress must find a way to move us toward energy security and local green-collar jobs. Please contact your leaders in Congress and let your voice be heard. Then forward this email to your colleagues, friends, and others who support solar to urge them to do the same. Brad Collins Executive Director, American Solar Energy Society