“The renewable energy and energy efficiency trade associations and organizations stress the urgent need for the passage of comprehensive climate and energy legislation to provide the framework and stability that businesses need to invest in manufacturing facilities, create jobs, and maintain our nation’s competitiveness in the global energy sector,” say the Alliance to Save Energy (ASE), American Wind Energy Association (AWEA), Biomass Power Association (BPA), Business Council for Sustainable Energy (BCSE), Geothermal Energy Association (GEA), National Hydropower Association (NHA) and Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA).
On clean energy policy, legislation should contain a minimum of five elements:
- A strong renewable electricity standard (RES) and Energy Efficiency Resource Standard (EERS);
- Sensible and effective transmission policies;
- Targets and funding for strengthened building energy codes and compliance, and enhanced appliance efficiency standards;
- A building efficiency information disclosure program; and
- An extension of the convertible tax credit provision in ARRA, and incentives for residential, commercial, and industrial retrofits.
“Time is not on America’s side and we risk losing American jobs if we fail to pass legislation that provides the hard targets needed to strengthen our industries,” the statement warns.
Opinion poll shows support for renewable energy
It cites a recent national opinion poll conducted by bipartisan pollsters, which showed that 67% of US voters think Congress is focusing too little on increasing renewable energy sources and 56% disapprove of the job members of Congress are doing on renewable energy.
The poll showed that 77% of Americans support a strong RES, with strong support extending across party lines to 65% of Republicans, 69% of Independents, and 92% of Democrats.
“Voters from all parties support these policies because they recognize that more renewable energy and energy efficiency will immediately lower emissions, strengthen our energy security, and protect against wild spikes in the price of electricity,” the groups explain.
Lawrence Berkley Laboratories has released a report showing that 100,000 jobs have been created under the convertible tax credit in the last 9 months.
“We remain committed to achieving comprehensive legislation and stand ready to work with the US Senate on a bill that includes the important renewable energy and energy efficiency voters want,” the statement concludes.
