For Immediate Release:
June 11, 2008
Contact:
Andrew Hug, 515-243-5835, or
AndrewHug@EnvironmentIowa.org
Senate Blocks Extension of
Clean Energy Program Critical to Iowa
Statement of Environment Iowa Advocate Andrew Hug
“We thank Senator Tom Harkin
for supporting the clean energy and a green economy today and are disappointed
that Senator Chuck Grassley, who authored this legislation in 1992 chose not to
support it 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 one of the most
critical clean energy programs available.
This loss is particularly
damaging to Iowa
which is home to six manufacturing plants producing wind turbine components.
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
would not only 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 thank Senator Harkin for
supporting these essential provisions that extend incentives that give a boost
to the U.S.
economy. Given Senator Grassley’s long leadership on this issue we hope that he
will work with his colleagues to resolve his objections to the bill in its
current form and press for it to be brought up again. ”
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Environment
Iowa is a
statewide nonprofit environmental advocacy group
