On February 17th, Congress cut a deal to extend the Payroll Tax Credit, which would provide much-needed tax cuts for the middle class. However, they excluded critical provisions for the clean energy sector, jeopardizing tens of thousands of American jobs.
In response, Dave Hamilton, Senior Director of Energy Policy for the Sierra Club, issued the following statement:
“By resolving the Payroll Tax Credit debate without extending key tax incentives for renewable energy, Congress has again put growing American industries and clean energy jobs in jeopardy.
“Sierra Club and other organizations have been working against the clock to gain passage of critical energy financing provisions such as the Production Tax Credit (PTC) and 1603 grants for renewable energy. These much-needed incentives would have continued to create jobs in the wind and solar industries as well as targeting hard-hit sectors such as energy efficient manufacturing and home construction.
“The failure by Congress to extend the PTC and make a dependable commitment to clean energy has already dried up orders for new wind turbines and created a crisis where thousands of layoffs are imminent. We urge clean energy supporters in the House and Senate to redouble their efforts and take swift action to prevent mass layoffs and stabilize financing conditions for the clean energy sector and create jobs. Those blocking these field-leveling incentives in Congress can expect to bear direct responsibility for the loss of thousands of good paying American clean energy jobs.”
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