Statement of Environment North Carolina Field Organizer Margaret Hartzell
“We are extremely disappointed that Senators Elizabeth Dole and Richard Burr opposed going forward with clean energy and a green economy 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.
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 urge Sens. Dole and Burr to stop blocking these essential provisions and to immediately extend these critical incentives that give a boost to the U.S. economy.”
