Energy
Over 100 years ago Western New York learned how to turn water into energy. Hydropower spurred incredible job growth in our region and revolutionized manufacturing. Brian believes that we can learn from our history and that by reducing our dependence on foreign oil and innovating with clean energy technologies made right here in America we can power our homes, businesses, and nation’s infrastructure systems in a way that sustains us for the next 100 years. Brian has consistently fought on behalf of Western New York families to keep the economic benefits of the Niagara Power Project in Western New York. He has also fought against harmful speculative trading practices that drive up the price of gasoline and increase big oil profits. In both Western New York and Washington, DC, Brian has helped to preserve HEAP funding for struggling seniors and families, who should never have to make the choice between heating their homes and putting food on the table.
More on Energy
Standing outside of SolarCity’s new solar panel manufacturing site currently under construction in Buffalo, Congressman Brian Higgins (NY-26) discussed the recently approved extension of the Solar Investment Tax Credit (ITC) and the impact it will have on Western New York.
“The solar tax credit builds confidence into the market to encourage consumers, both homeowners and commercial developers, to choose solar and with that increase in demand comes growth in the industry and the jobs that support it,” said Higgins.
Congressman Brian Higgins (NY-26) spoke on the House floor to urge Congress to extend the Solar Investment Tax Credit (ITC) as part of the Tax Increase Prevention and Real Estate Investment Act 2015. The bill seeks to promote economic growth by extending tax provisions that have expired or will expire in the near future. Higgins, with Rep. Richard Hanna, also led on a bipartisan letter sent to House leadership calling for the extension.
Congressman Brian Higgins (NY-26) led a coalition of more than 90 members of the House of Representatives in calling for the extension of the Solar Investment Tax Credit and Production Tax Credit as a means to advance economic opportunity and support the growth of clean energy.
Congressman Brian Higgins (NY-26) spoke on the House Floor today about the importance of extending the Solar Investment Tax Credit. If Congress does not act to extend it, the credit will expire in 2016.
Since its passage in 2005 as part of the Energy Policy Act, the Solar Investment Tax Credit has been extended twice, for one year through the Tax Relief and Health Care Act of 2006 and for eight years through the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act in 2008.
Congressmembers Brian Higgins (NY-26) and Richard Hanna (NY-22) introduced legislation targeted at providing critical data on the benefits of solar net metering. Under the bill, the U.S. Department of Energy is tasked with conducting a study on the practice that allows residential solar customers to sell excess energy produced back to the grid at retail rates.
The federal government will be launching a pilot program to provide training to veterans seeking jobs in the solar industry and Congressman Brian Higgins (NY-26) is urging the U.S. Department of Energy to designate the Niagara Falls Air Reserve Station as one of the sites.
Congressman Brian Higgins (NY-26) is asking the U.S. Department of Energy to conduct a full Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) to assess a proposal which could transport liquid nuclear waste from Ontario, Canada to a location in South Carolina crossing the Peace Bridge and traveling through Western New York.
“Actions by the New York Power Authority today advanced an acceleration of the cash payments totaling over $13 million to the City of Niagara Falls provided for under the 2005 relicensing of the Niagara Power Project. This serves to meet the immediate needs of Niagara Falls but the City deserves much better.