8th District Congressman Hails Bipartisan Passage of Legislation That Gives Tax Incentives to Spur Green Energy Jobs

(Bristol, PA) – Kicking off his Memorial Day district work period, Pennsylvania Congressman Patrick Murphy (D-8th District) announced the bipartisan House passage of legislation that will deliver green energy jobs both locally and nationally. At the green energy hub in the Keystone Industrial Port Complex, Rep. Murphy cited the economic and security needs of the future and praised the tax credits in the House bill that will spur green collar job growth. Murphy was joined by Chris Chang from AE Polysilicon, Falls Township Supervisor Jonathan Snipes, Nathan Willcox from Penn Environment and local workers. Standing at a Wind Power Component Staging Area for Gamesa, they hailed the House of Representatives’ passage of the Renewable Energy and Job Creation Act which will create green energy jobs locally and nationally if signed into law. The bill passed the House by a bipartisan majority and will increase the production of renewable fuels and renewable electricity. It extends critical tax credits for research and development as well as business investment. It also extends and expands tax incentives for renewable electricity, as well as for plug-in hybrid cars, energy efficient homes, buildings, and appliances.

“Thanks to the bipartisan bill we passed last week, even more companies will be able to join Gamesa and AE Polysilicon in jump-starting our local economy and helping us finally achieve energy independence,” said Congressman Patrick Murphy. “These green collar jobs are what we need to revitalize our local economy hurt by the loss of manufacturing jobs that made this region so strong. We will spur innovation and create jobs.”

“At a time when families are paying record gas prices, we need to do everything we can to reduce our dependence on foreign oil and give folks a break at the pump,” added Murphy.

“With help from Congressman Murphy, the Pennsylvania government has significantly increased the practicality of solar and renewable energies,” said Chris Chang from AE Polysilicon. “With the help of tax credits and incentives, we and the industry partners are well positioned to significantly reduce the cost of solar, improve the renewable energy industry’s viability and create green jobs.”

“Last week’s vote by Congressman Murphy and the U.S. House of Representatives in favor of providing a wide array of renewable energy tax credits and incentives was a victory for Pennsylvania’s economy and environment,” said Nathan Willcox, PennEnvironment’s Energy and Clean Air Advocate. “I want to thank Congressman Murphy for his leadership in promoting clean, renewable energy – not only with his important vote last week, but with many other votes and actions he has taken while in office to help secure a new energy future for Pennsylvania and the nation as a whole.”

About the Renewable Energy and Job Creation Act

The Renewable Energy and Job Creation Act passed the House with wide bipartisan support. It provides nearly $20 billion in tax incentives for investment in renewable energy, energy efficiency and conservation. The bill will also spur job growth by extending some expiring tax provisions, including the research and development credit.

To reduce our dependence on foreign oil and to protect the environment, the Renewable Energy and Job Creation Act would increase the production of renewable fuels and renewable electricity, and encourage greater energy efficiency. It extends and expands tax incentives for renewable electricity, energy and fuel from America’s heartland, as well as for plug-in hybrid cars, and energy efficient homes, buildings, and appliances.

Failing to extend some of these provisions could have significant consequences for American workers. A recent study showed that allowing the renewable energy incentives to expire would lead to about 116,000 jobs being lost in the wind and solar industries through the end of 2009.

The legislation is fiscally responsible, does not add to the national debt and closes loopholes allowing corporations and executives to avoid U.S. taxes by shipping jobs and investment overseas.

For Immediate Release, May 27, 2008
Contact: Adam Abrams, (202) 225-4276