Solar Energy Bills in Congress
Suzanne
remove the $2,000 cap on Federal tax credits for all residential and
commercial solar and fuel cell equipment and extending the credit for
an additional 8 years.
This is an important step in encouraging more renewable energy on a
large scale across the US. Please see the information I have copied
below, which contains links to the Solar Energy Industries Association
website for sending a message to your congressman.
Solar Action Network Alert - Tell Congress to Make the U.S. a Solar
Leader
Background:
The Energy Policy Act of 2005 (EPACT 2005) was signed into law by
President Bush on August 8, 2005. This was the first Federal major
support for solar energy in 20 years, including a 30% tax credit for
installing solar energy systems that has resulted in strong growth in
solar energy over the last two years. Unfortunately, the tax credits
will expire in 2008, unless we are able to extend them now with your
help..
The newly introduced "Securing America's Energy Independence Act" is
bi-partisan legislation (introduced in the House as HR. 590 and the
Senate as S. 590) that would make America's energy future better by
making solar energy more affordable.
Specifically, the bill extends the 30% federal investment tax credit
for another 8 years, modifies the distributed photovoltaics incentive
to $1500 per half-kw of capacity, removes the $2000 residential cap
and provides alternative minimum tax relief (view all the bill details
at http://seia.org/ITC_One_Pager.pdf).
ASES, following deliberation by its Policy Committee and Board, fully
supports the extension of this tax credit for another eight years.
This extension is critical to developing the solar industry and the
technology that will foment a rapid and full scale transition toward
an appropriate and supportable energy path.
The current energy policy of the United States is unsustainable in
either the long or short-runs. We need to turn the country around, and
the Securing America's Energy Security Act will ensure that solar
energy becomes a major source of power in the years to come.
ASES therefore recommends the following when communicating with your
Senators and Representative.
Primary themes:
The nation needs a bold, dynamic and sustainable energy policy-a
policy that supports and encourages the development and
commercialization of sustainable energy sources like solar, wind,
geothermal, biomass. It must also be a policy that supports reducing
the demand for electricity, heating and cooling energy and liquid
fuels.
To continue policies that accelerate our nation's transition to
renewable energy by extending the 30 percent solar tax credit to 2015
by co-sponsoring legislation that accomplishes this, such as the
"Securing America's Energy Independence Act.
Our need at this time is to encourage co-sponsors to sign onto this
bill, "Securing America's Energy Independence Act".
Options for your personal action:
1. Telephone the local offices of your members of congress.
2. Use the themes attached as a template and email or fax a letter to
your Representative and Senators. You can find contact information for
them at www.vote-smart.org
Vote Solar has an easy-to-use webpage that will let you email your
Senators and Congressman. Click on the attached link and fill out the
form:
http://votesolar.org/action-alerts/act-now.html
Thank you for letting your voice be heard.