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Thursday, August 2, 2007
8/2/2007: U.S. House Votes Tomorrow On Solar!!

SUPPORT SOLAR ENERGY -- CALL YOUR REPRESENTATIVES NOW!

Tomorrow (Friday, August 3, 2007), the House is expected to vote on two bills critical to the future of the solar industry:

(1) H.R 2776 - the Energy Tax Bill, which provides for an eight-year extension of the business solar Investment Tax Credit (ITC), elimination of the $2,000 maximum dollar limitation on the residential ITC, and the ability for taxpayers who fall under the Alternative Minimum Tax to claim the ITC.

(2) H.R.3221 - the Energy Bill, containing several key provisions that would expand the use of solar in the US (see below for full details on the provisions).

The final House vote on both the Energy Tax Bill and the Energy Bill are expected to be very close!

While a lot of attention has focused on other provisions of these bills, this is a critical moment for the solar tax credits. If Congress fails to pass the tax credit bill this year, the partisan gridlock expected in Washington next year due to a Presidential election could mean that the credit would expire.

Your help is needed now! Please call your Representative today and urge him/her to vote to support the Energy Tax Bill, HR 2776, and the Energy Bill (HR 3221).

Talking Points:

- I work for (name of company) in the Congressperson's district (describe the company)
- I strongly encourage the Congressperson to support solar by voting in favor of H.R. 2776, the energy tax title, and H.R. 3221, the energy bill
- This bill would greatly benefit our company's investment in solar energy and create more jobs in your district
- I hope that the Congressperson will continue to champion solar by voting for this bill

To locate your Representative's phone number, go to www.congress.org and type in your company's Zip Code. Alternatively, you can reach your Representative's office through the Capitol Switchboard at 202-225-3121.

Details of Legislation

Solar Provisions in H.R. 2776, the Renewable Energy and Energy Conservation Tax Act of 2007

- Provides an eight-year extension of the existing 30 percent Investment Tax Credit for businesses under Section 48 of the tax code
- Provides the ability for corporate and personal filers to claim the Investment Tax Credit against the Alternative Minimum Tax (AMT)
- Removes the prohibition barring utilities from using the section 48 Investment Tax Credit
- Provides no extension of the existing 30 percent Investment Tax Credit for homeowners under Section 25 of the tax code, but eliminates the existing $2,000 maximum dollar limitation
- Provides up to $2.4 billion in bonding authority for the issuance of Clean Renewable Energy Bonds

Solar Provisions in H.R. 3221, the New Direction for Energy Independence, National Security, and Consumer Protection Act

- Title III - Small Business Committee Sec. 3005: Provides grants, subject to appropriation, and authorizes technical assistance to small businesses to assist them in evaluating the suitability of using solar energy resources.

- Title IV - Science and Technology Committee Sec. 4301- 4308: The Solar Energy Research and Advancement Act of 2007, provides funds, subject to appropriation, to support the research, development, and commercial application of solar energy technologies. Special emphasis is placed on concentrating solar power thermal storage research, solar lighting and cooling and advanced photovoltaic technology development.

- Title VII - Natural Resources Committee
o Sec. 7302: Directs the Bureau of Reclamation to inventory lands under its jurisdiction for suitability for solar energy development projects.

o Sec. 7304: Establishes a Strategic Solar Reserve Program that seeks to identify lands under the Bureau of Land Management's jurisdiction that can accommodate up to 25 GW of solar energy development. Provides favorable terms and conditions for permitting, leasing and site identification.

- Title IX - Energy and Commerce Committee
o Sec. 9072 - 9075: Authorizes the Department of Energy, subject to appropriation, to assist state, county, local government, schools, universities, airports and other qualifying entities, to provide technical assistance to increase the deployment of solar energy systems.

o Sec. 9086: Authorizes 25 year federal power purchase agreements for solar energy (current maximum duration is 10 years).

o Sec. 9321- 9328: Authorizes heightened cooperation between the U.S. and Israel on innovative energy technologies, including solar.

For more information about both bills, click on the House website -http://majoritywhip.house.gov/whip_pack/.

***
Credit SEIA:
This post was taken directly from the SEIA Action Alert dated 8/2/2007
(SEIA Action Alert 8/2/2007: House Tax and Energy Votes Tomorrow!!)

posted by Rob Powell @ 1:36 PM 1 Comments

1 Comments:
At August 03, 2007 , alex rivera said...
We are very fortunate to have the SEIA looking after everyone!


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