FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 30 January 2008Contact: Josh Dorner, 202.675.2384 Senate Stimulus Plan to Include Green Jobs, Energy Provisions Renewables Tax Incentives Key to Thousands of Jobs, Strong Growth Washington, D.C.--After a bipartisan push by more than 40 Senators, theSenate Finance Committee has included key green jobs and renewable energyincentives in its version of the economic stimulus package.* The $5.5billion package includes short-term extensions of key renewable energy taxincentives due to expire at the end of 2008--including the Production TaxCredit (PTC), Investment Tax Credit (ITC) for solar, clean energy bonds,and other measures designed to promote energy efficiency. After beingapproved 14 to 7 in today’s Finance Committee markup, the package is headedfor a final vote on the Senate floor as soon as possible. A recent study by the Blue-Green Alliance shows that a strong investment inrenewable energy could create over 820,000 new jobs and bring billions ineconomic growth. More information can be found atwww.sierraclub.org/bluegreenjobs. Statement of Carl Pope, Sierra Club Executive Director "Senators from both sides of the aisle have lined up in support of thismeasure because they understand that a strong renewable energy industry isessential to a strong economy and a clean environment. This industry isrunning white hot and provides a beacon of hope in these times of growingeconomic darkness. These incentives have already helped to create tens ofthousands of green collar jobs, revitalized communities, and stand tocreate hundreds of thousands more. "These incentives put us on the road toward the clean energy future byjumpstarting the renewable energy industry but we will soon run out of gasif these incentives are allowed to expire. "As recent history demonstrates in sharp relief, failing to extend thesekey incentives immediately will stifle this important industry, result inthe cancellation of clean energy projects nationwide, throw thousands ofhardworking Americans out of work, and stop the march of clean energy asthe need to fight global warming becomes increasingly urgent. Lettingthese incentives expire will also put America further behind foreigncompetitors at a time when we are just starting to see the power of the newenergy economy as it takes hold and brings jobs and clean energy tocommunities across the country. "Similar renewable energy incentives have been included in past economicstimulus bills and the specific provisions included in this package morethan meet the test of timely, targeted, and temporary. "We urge the full Senate to quickly approve this package in order to sendit to conference with the House and then to the President’s desk as soon aspossible. Doing so will ensure that America’s renewable energy industrycan continue to power forward toward the new energy future and providetoday’s troubled economy with a much-needed lift." -----Background: *Senators who have expressed support for the inclusion of the renewableenergy incentives include: Cantwell, Snowe, Wyden, Smith, Klobuchar, Kerry,Sununu, Sanders, Dole, Boxer, Johnson, Allard, Salazar, Mikulski, Stabenow,Murray, Dorgan, Brown, Bayh, Clinton, Collins, Specter, Menendez, Thune,Feingold, Dodd, Levin, Obama, Brownback, Coleman, Murkowski, Feinstein,Schumer, Stevens, Lautenberg, Leahy, Akaka, Kohl, Roberts, Grassley,Bingaman, and Domenici. Two concrete examples of renewable energy creating jobs: Games and Pennsylvania--Many areas of Pennsylvania have been decimated bythe collapse of the steel industry. Gamesa, a wind turbine company, hasinvested tens of millions of dollars in three factories in Pennsylvania,beginning in Fairless Hills. These factories provide hundreds ofPennsylvanians with good-paying, union jobs. Maytag and Iowa--After being bought by a competitor, Maytag’s headquartersand factory in Newton, Iowa were shuttered in December--costing the smallIowa town some 1,800 jobs. TPI Composites of Rhode Island announced inNovember that by June it will open factory to manufacture wind turbineblades for GE. This investment will create 500 jobs and help supply theMidwest with wind turbines--creating local tax revenues and investment,providing farmers across the Midwest with the opportunity to receivethousands in annual income for each turbine on their land, and deliveringclean, renewable energy to millions of consumers. # # # - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - To unsubscribe from the IOWA-TOPICS list, send any message to: [log in to unmask] Check out our Listserv Lists support site for more information: http://www.sierraclub.org/lists/faq.asp Sign up to receive Sierra Club Insider, the flagship e-newsletter. Sent out twice a month, it features the Club's latest news and activities. Subscribe and view recent editions at http://www.sierraclub.org/insider/