Tucson lawmaker votes against adjournment
WASHINGTON - U.S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords today voted against adjournment of the 110th Congress and pushed congressional leaders to pass legislation to help end our nation's dependence on foreign oil and spur economic development by advancing the use of clean, renewable sources of energy like solar.
Both the House of Representatives and Senate have passed bills that would extend critical renewable energy tax credits. But despite extensive negotiations, the two chambers remain divided over differences between their respective versions.
"This is a major failure of the 110th Congress," Giffords said. "Finding viable, common sense solutions to the energy challenges confronting our nation is essential. I voted against adjournment because we must address this issue. The Speaker of the House and Majority Leader of the Senate should keep Congress in session until we do."
"This is not the time to go home," Giffords said. "Our economy is in danger and investing in renewable energy is one of the best ways we can stimulate innovation and create new jobs."
Giffords, a member of the House Science and Technology Committee, supports legislation that includes an eight year extension of renewable energy tax credits, a provision that is widely viewed as critical for the solar energy industry in Arizona and across the country. Without congressional action, the tax credit is scheduled to expire at the end of 2008.
"No one should underestimate the profound implications this legislation could have on Arizona's beleaguered economy," said Giffords. "Without it, we risk derailing plans for the world's largest solar plant southwest of Phoenix " a $1 billion facility that will provide power to 70,000 homes in this, the second-fastest growing state in the nation."
According to a recent independent study, extension of the renewable energy tax credits for eight years could lead to 440,000 jobs and attract $232 billion in investment nationwide.
"The sun beats down on Arizona virtually every single day. It is clean, it is free and it is Arizona's most abundant natural resource. We need to harness the sun's awesome power and put it to work for us in our homes, schools and businesses," Giffords said. "The American spirit of innovation and creativity is unrivaled. Time and again we have shown the world how we can turn a crisis into an opportunity to think and work our way out of problems. I am confident that this is one of those times. By investing in clean, renewable sources of energy like solar, we are investing in our future. We are building the foundation of an America that is one giant step closer to real energy independence. But it will not happen without extending renewable energy tax credits. Congress needs to act now."