Environment North Carolina Statement on Senate defeat of clean energy incentives:
“We are disappointed that Congress missed the opportunity tonight to include crucial renewable energy and energy efficiency tax incentives in the Senate economic stimulus package.
As one of the fastest growing industries in the U.S., clean energy is the shining light in an otherwise lackluster economic outlook. Unfortunately many of the tax incentives – namely the renewable energy production tax credit and the solar investment tax credit -- are set to expire at the end of this year. Unless Congress and the President act soon, the bright light of the clean energy industry will likely be extinguished for the short term, and potentially costing the U.S. economy as many as 75,000 jobs according to the American Wind Energy Association.
The clean energy incentives included in the amendment defeated today 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 urge Congress to make haste in extending these critical incentives and give a boost to a bright light in the U.S. economy.”
