Post by ivory on Dec 9, 2007 20:05:16 GMT -6
Yesterday -
December 7, 2007
Washington, DC, USA: House Passes Energy Bill; Solar Industry Starts Calling Their Senators
The solar industry earned a major victory yesterday when the House passed the Energy Security and Savings Act of 2007 and the Clean Renewable Energy and Conservation Tax Act of 2007 (H.R. 6) that includes a $21 billion tax package. Recent lobbying by solar industry proponents has directly resulted in the successful passage in the House of the industry’s top priority, extension and improvement of the solar investment tax credits.
The solar investment tax credit and other tax provisions in H.R. 6 are as follows:
· Provides an eight-year extension (through December 31, 2016) of the existing 30 percent Investment Tax Credit for businesses under Section 48 of the tax code.
· Removes the prohibition barring utilities from using the section 48 Investment Tax Credit.
· Provides the ability for commercial filers to claim the Investment Tax Credit against the Alternative Minimum Tax (AMT).
· Provides a six-year extension (through December 31, 2014) of the existing 30 percent Investment Tax Credit for residential solar electric and solar water heating property, and raises the cap on the credit for solar electric property to $4,000.
· Provides the ability for personal filers to claim the Investment Tax Credit against the Alternative Minimum Tax (AMT).
The energy bill now is now under negotiation between the Senate, House and the President.
Rhone Resch, Solar Energy Industries Assocation (SEIA) said, “Today, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and her colleagues gave the American people exactly what they are demanding – a fundamental shift towards production of clean, domestic renewable energy. With the solar incentives in this legislation, we estimate solar power will provide 50 percent of all new electricity generated in the U.S. within eight years. The growth of solar energy markets will create tens of thousands of high-tech jobs throughout the nation, improve energy security, and save American taxpayers billions in energy costs."
“This historic bill, shifts the U.S. from 20th century energy policy to the 21st century. The $21-billion tax measure reinvests unnecessary oil and gas subsidies into carbon-free renewable technology such as solar. Now, all eyes are on the Senators who must decide if they stand with the 80 percent of Americans who want clean energy and a more secure America or if they will stick with more of the same. American voters are watching.”
Several members of Republican leadership have said that they will vigorously oppose the tax package because it increases taxes on the oil and gas industry and includes a 15 percent national Renewable Electricity Standard (RES). However, the $21 billion tax package is smaller than the roughly $32 billion tax plan Republicans successfully blocked from the broad Senate energy bill approved in June. Democratic Senators have expressed varying degrees of confidence that the bill has the 60 votes needed to pass.
A repeat of the intensive solar industry lobbying activity (reported in the tens of thousands) that took place two weeks ago is now required. This will be a defining moment for the short term prospects of developing a national US solar market.
This morning the Senate did not attain 60 votes on the House-passed Energy Security and Savings Act of 2007 and the Clean Renewable Energy and Conservation Tax Act of 2007 (H.R. 6). Republican leadership effectively organized opposition to the bill, citing as objectionable (1) the increase in taxes on the oil and gas industries in the tax package and (2) the 15 percent national Renewable Electricity Standard (RES). These provisions have also drawn a veto threat from the President.
The tax title is of key importance to the solar industry because it contains extensions of the commercial and residential ITC for eight and six years, respectively.
With the Senate actions this morning considered as a negotiating maneuver, SEIA expects that negotiations will take place between the House and Senate this weekend to develop a compromise bill that can pass the Senate and be signed by the President.
SEIA explains now is the time to call on Republican Senators to pass the energy bill. A busy Senator phone line will simply mean another solar proponent is on the line. Any queue, though, will be worth the wait.
SEIA is targeting Republican senators because Democrats are expected to support the bill. SEIA says forward their message to business colleagues, employees, family, and friends. To locate Senators’ phone numbers, go to: capwiz.com/re-action/go/GENenergyvotecall.
Talking Points:
"I work for (name of company) in your state (describe the company).
The solar investment tax credits are critical to our company’s business and must be part of the energy bill this year!
The solar tax credits would decrease energy costs, increase energy independence, and create more jobs in your state.
We need you to vote in support of an Energy Bill, which includes the solar tax provisions. Support the tax title."
SEIA is the national trade association of solar energy manufacturers, dealers, distributors, contractors, installers, architects, consultants and marketers. Established in 1975, SEIA works to expand the use of solar technologies in the global marketplace.
Further details about: Solar Energy Industries Association
www.solarbuzz.com/News/NewsNAGO346.htm
Winners are:
=========
01> LDK
02> JASO
03> SPWR
04> FSLR
05> STP
06> CSIQ
07> SOLF
08> ESLR
09> ENER
10> WFR
11> YGE
Energy: China becomes the world's largest solar power market:
www.ccchina.gov.cn/en/NewsInfo.asp?NewsId=9010
December 7, 2007
Washington, DC, USA: House Passes Energy Bill; Solar Industry Starts Calling Their Senators
The solar industry earned a major victory yesterday when the House passed the Energy Security and Savings Act of 2007 and the Clean Renewable Energy and Conservation Tax Act of 2007 (H.R. 6) that includes a $21 billion tax package. Recent lobbying by solar industry proponents has directly resulted in the successful passage in the House of the industry’s top priority, extension and improvement of the solar investment tax credits.
The solar investment tax credit and other tax provisions in H.R. 6 are as follows:
· Provides an eight-year extension (through December 31, 2016) of the existing 30 percent Investment Tax Credit for businesses under Section 48 of the tax code.
· Removes the prohibition barring utilities from using the section 48 Investment Tax Credit.
· Provides the ability for commercial filers to claim the Investment Tax Credit against the Alternative Minimum Tax (AMT).
· Provides a six-year extension (through December 31, 2014) of the existing 30 percent Investment Tax Credit for residential solar electric and solar water heating property, and raises the cap on the credit for solar electric property to $4,000.
· Provides the ability for personal filers to claim the Investment Tax Credit against the Alternative Minimum Tax (AMT).
The energy bill now is now under negotiation between the Senate, House and the President.
Rhone Resch, Solar Energy Industries Assocation (SEIA) said, “Today, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and her colleagues gave the American people exactly what they are demanding – a fundamental shift towards production of clean, domestic renewable energy. With the solar incentives in this legislation, we estimate solar power will provide 50 percent of all new electricity generated in the U.S. within eight years. The growth of solar energy markets will create tens of thousands of high-tech jobs throughout the nation, improve energy security, and save American taxpayers billions in energy costs."
“This historic bill, shifts the U.S. from 20th century energy policy to the 21st century. The $21-billion tax measure reinvests unnecessary oil and gas subsidies into carbon-free renewable technology such as solar. Now, all eyes are on the Senators who must decide if they stand with the 80 percent of Americans who want clean energy and a more secure America or if they will stick with more of the same. American voters are watching.”
Several members of Republican leadership have said that they will vigorously oppose the tax package because it increases taxes on the oil and gas industry and includes a 15 percent national Renewable Electricity Standard (RES). However, the $21 billion tax package is smaller than the roughly $32 billion tax plan Republicans successfully blocked from the broad Senate energy bill approved in June. Democratic Senators have expressed varying degrees of confidence that the bill has the 60 votes needed to pass.
A repeat of the intensive solar industry lobbying activity (reported in the tens of thousands) that took place two weeks ago is now required. This will be a defining moment for the short term prospects of developing a national US solar market.
This morning the Senate did not attain 60 votes on the House-passed Energy Security and Savings Act of 2007 and the Clean Renewable Energy and Conservation Tax Act of 2007 (H.R. 6). Republican leadership effectively organized opposition to the bill, citing as objectionable (1) the increase in taxes on the oil and gas industries in the tax package and (2) the 15 percent national Renewable Electricity Standard (RES). These provisions have also drawn a veto threat from the President.
The tax title is of key importance to the solar industry because it contains extensions of the commercial and residential ITC for eight and six years, respectively.
With the Senate actions this morning considered as a negotiating maneuver, SEIA expects that negotiations will take place between the House and Senate this weekend to develop a compromise bill that can pass the Senate and be signed by the President.
SEIA explains now is the time to call on Republican Senators to pass the energy bill. A busy Senator phone line will simply mean another solar proponent is on the line. Any queue, though, will be worth the wait.
SEIA is targeting Republican senators because Democrats are expected to support the bill. SEIA says forward their message to business colleagues, employees, family, and friends. To locate Senators’ phone numbers, go to: capwiz.com/re-action/go/GENenergyvotecall.
Talking Points:
"I work for (name of company) in your state (describe the company).
The solar investment tax credits are critical to our company’s business and must be part of the energy bill this year!
The solar tax credits would decrease energy costs, increase energy independence, and create more jobs in your state.
We need you to vote in support of an Energy Bill, which includes the solar tax provisions. Support the tax title."
SEIA is the national trade association of solar energy manufacturers, dealers, distributors, contractors, installers, architects, consultants and marketers. Established in 1975, SEIA works to expand the use of solar technologies in the global marketplace.
Further details about: Solar Energy Industries Association
www.solarbuzz.com/News/NewsNAGO346.htm
Winners are:
=========
01> LDK
02> JASO
03> SPWR
04> FSLR
05> STP
06> CSIQ
07> SOLF
08> ESLR
09> ENER
10> WFR
11> YGE
Energy: China becomes the world's largest solar power market:
www.ccchina.gov.cn/en/NewsInfo.asp?NewsId=9010