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Klobuchar Votes for Senate Package of Alternative Energy Tax Credits

Klobuchar-backed Measure Passes Senate

September 23, 2008

Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar voted today to move the nation onto a cleaner, more secure energy path by extending a package of tax credits to promote clean energy.  The measure extends several tax credits that were set to expire. The credits, which will help create new jobs in America’s struggling economy, were part of legislation Senator Klobuchar originally introduced earlier in the year, the American Renewable Energy Act.

“These investments in the American economy will create new economic growth, and increase our energy security,” said Klobuchar.  “We must regain world leadership in renewable-energy research and investment – the market alone will not achieve the goal without clear standards and incentives from the federal government.”

Klobuchar has said that climate change is a pressing environmental challenge, but also an important opportunity for the United States to develop state-of-the-art technology and high-skilled jobs in renewable energy industries.

The measure creates incentives for private sector investment in renewable energy by extending key renewable energy incentives, like the Production Tax Credit.  The long-term credits for investments in wind, solar and fuel-cell technologies will provide businesses the clarity and certainty they need to make large-scale, forward looking capital investments in these technologies. 

Other key provisions include extending the tax credit for energy-efficient properties through 2014, a tax credit for qualified plug-in electric vehicles, and an extension for one year of the production tax credit for cellulosic biofuels.

Earlier this year, Senator Klobuchar sponsored two pieces of legislation to ensure the continuation of these job-creating and environment-saving extension measures.

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