Members of Congress are not in Washington this week, but all eyes remain on them to help our economy recover. That's why it's shocking that Congress has so far failed to act on a common-sense measure before it that would ensure clean energy can continue to grow at a record pace. Tens of thousands of clean energy jobs hang in the balance.
Congress is holding the fate of more than 40,000 jobs in the clean energy industry in its hands -- right now -- as they hem, haw, and delay deciding whether to renew critical energy financing provisions such as the Production Tax Credit (PTC) for onshore wind, the "1603" grants that have created jobs in the solar sector, access to the Investment Tax Credit (ITC) for offshore wind projects, and credits for efficient manufacturing, homes, and appliances.
These much-needed incentives will ensure we continue to create jobs at record levels in the wind and solar industries, as well as providing much-needed support to sectors of our economy that were hardest-hit by the recession, such as manufacturing and home construction.
According to the American Wind Energy Association, the U.S. wind industry employs more than 75,000 people, and there are more than 400 manufacturing facilities in 43 states. The tax credit for that industry means they can not only keep these jobs, but also create almost 100,000 more jobs in the next four years.
The failure by Congress to extend the PTC as part of last week's payroll tax bill compromise -- and make a dependable commitment to clean energy -- has already dried up orders for new wind turbines and created a crisis where thousands of layoffs are imminent. At a time when we can least afford job losses, Congress is creating this problem by its failure to act, and Congress can solve it.
In the solar industry, the Solar Energy Industries Association says this about another program at risk:
The 1603 program enabled solar installers to develop 22,000 projects across the United States, with an average of $153,000 in private sector investment generated by each project. These projects were developed primarily by small businesses that created jobs and new economic opportunity in the U.S. The expiration of the program is putting many of these companies at risk.
We urge clean energy supporters in the House and Senate to redouble their efforts and take swift action to prevent mass layoffs and stabilize financing conditions for the clean energy sector and create jobs. Those blocking these field-leveling incentives in Congress can expect to bear direct responsibility for the loss of thousands of good paying American clean energy jobs.
Congress cannot continue to put growing American industries and clean energy jobs in jeopardy. It's irresponsible, unnecessary, and it will put America at a disadvantage, as other countries sprint ahead of us in the race to the clean energy future.
Tell Congress to step up, make a commitment to clean energy jobs, and ensure this industry continues to grow.
Follow Mary Anne Hitt on Twitter: www.twitter.com/maryannehitt
It seems that is the only explanation for the GOP actions and failure to act.
THey seem more focused on the 5,000 potential KXL part time jobs than the 40,000 real jobs in jeopardy because the GOP doesn't believe in investing in America just selling America and investing in their 'friends' (oil) companies.
I just got word from that the University of Louisville, right in Mitch McConnel's back yard, is developing processes to get "drop in" biofuels from biomass - such as various seed crops and algae. This is the best way to fight the oil company monopoly. But of course, the oil companies do not want competition.
Vote GOP and you will give up all you earn for a tank of gasoline. That's guaranteed.
But don’t worry about (some of) those workers: while the company ran down the executives stayed busy, awarding themselves 20% pay raises, raising their salaries to about $400,000 each.
I wonder if you even realize that success is possible and that failures are part of the process?
Its called conquer the world.
re are no arguements to the costs
FACTS.
Take off all the subsidies and you wont see one solar panel in 80% of the us
Nor windmill in all the US.
We will survive with your fears or without nthem
Stop asking hard questions.
Just one example. I am sure there are more.
How do you know his grandson isnt capable for the first response.
Really worth a read.
http://ktwop.wordpress.com/2011/11/23/subsidies-for-electricity-production-in-the-us-show-that-renewables-are-far-from-commercialisation/
http://www.instituteforenergyresearch.org/2011/08/03/eia-releases-new-subsidy-report-subsidies-for-renewables-increase-186-percent/
www.pacenow.org
One wonders what we are waiting for to help ourselves. The only thing that I have seen lately that gives any hope is at the State level in Ohio , where a ballot initiative (The Ohio Clean Energy Initiative) is gathering signatures to go in the ballot next November asking for 13 billion dollars in ten years to be invested in renewable energy. I hope they get the support they deserve. At least they are trying.
The less they do the better for all.
We are sick of handing over our beautiful open spaces (and killing everything that lives on them) and tens of billions of our dollars and billions of gallons of our water to Chevron, BP, Goldman Sachs, Morgan Stanley, Bechtel, Halliburton, etc. so Gang Green can greenwash this deadly, overpriced, hugely expensive power!
Germany is the place that got it right, with over 80% of its solar power produced RIGHT WHERE IT IS NEEDED - ON ROOFTOPS, yet there has been nothing but cashing checks from Big Energy in exchange for greenwashing their wilderness slaughter around here. It is unforgivable.
NO more 1603 NO more PTC. It is past time for a generous FIT for projects under 100kW and PACE loans. Now that you are not on Chesapeake's payroll any longer, you can stop shilling for Big Gas (even through the Big Gas backdoors of Big Wind and Big Solar) and start doing what's right.