04/10/2008 GAAS:172:08 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Print Version | Email / Share
Gov. Schwarzenegger Applauds Bipartisan U.S. Senate Support for Extending Renewable Energy and Efficiency Tax Credits
Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger issued the following
statement regarding the U.S. Senate's adoption today of an amendment by Senators
Maria Cantwell (D-WA) and John Ensign (R-NV) offering approximately $6 billion
in tax incentives for renewable energy projects, including an extension of the
solar investment tax credit. It also provides one- or two-year extensions of
credits for efficient homes and buildings and the manufacturing of several
efficient appliances.
"I applaud the strong, bipartisan show of support in the
U.S. Senate for extending the renewable energy and efficiency tax credits," said
Governor Schwarzenegger. "Our
future is clean technology, energy independence and green
investment. To help us get there, these kinds of renewable energy and efficiency
tax credits are critical.
This is exactly what government should be doing to
protect our environment and boost our economy at the same time. I once again
urge Congress to find a way to put a bill on the President's desk that he will
sign."
In 2006, the Governor signed his Million Solar Roofs
Plan into law, which will provide 3,000 megawatts of additional clean energy
and reduce the output of greenhouse gases by three million tons, equivalent to
taking one million cars off the road. The $2.9 billion incentive plan for
homeowners and building owners who install solar electric systems will lead to
one million solar roofs in California by the year 2018. Last October, the
Governor signed AB
1470 by Assemblymember Jared Huffman (D-San Rafael), the Solar Water Heating
and Efficiency Act of 2007, which provides incentives to attain the goal of
installing 200,000 solar water heating systems in the state by 2017.
These tax incentives will provide industry the time
needed to reach a large enough scale of renewable energy production to compete
with other traditional energy sources. Without them, these two programs will be
in jeopardy.
Governor Schwarzenegger has been active in urging Congress and President Bush to
extend the renewable energy tax credits, including the federal solar tax
credit:
- In March, the Governor called on the U.S. Senate to take action that would extend the solar tax credit set to expire at the end of this year.
- In February, the Governor issued a statement commending the House of Representatives for passing legislation to extend the federal solar tax credit.
- Last December, the Governor sent a letter to President Bush and Congressional leaders asking them to support legislation to enact a long-term extension of the 30 percent federal investment tax credit for solar projects.
