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USA Business leaders urge solar power support

Business leaders urge solar power support
San Francisco Chronicle J ennifer A. Dlouhy, Hearst Washington Bureau September 25, 2009 The wide deployment of solar power across the nation hinges on federal policies that mandate renewable power and government spending to promote the technology, utilities and manufacturers told Congress Thursday…..

“America’s ability to develop thriving domestic renewable solar power depends on this,” said Stephanie Burns, the CEO of Midland, Mich.-based Dow Corning, which produces the polycrystalline silicon that is a component of solar panels.

Executives from Pacific Gas and Electric Co. and San Francisco-based NextLight Renewable Power joined Burns in urging the House Select Committee on Energy Independence and Global Warming to promote solar power with federal tax incentives, spending and policies

“The clean energy revolution will not happen magically,” said panel Chairman Edward Markey, D-Mass., who wants to see the nation transition from primarily fossil-fuel energy to renewable power sources. “We need to put in place … the right permanent policies on the books to ensure we complete this revolution.”

The executives urged Congress to sustain a production tax credit used to finance renewable projects and continue a new federal program that gives companies direct cash grants to pay for about 30 percent of the qualifying cost of such projects. So far this year, the federal government has committed to doling out more than $1 billion in the renewable energy grants that were authorized by the economic stimulus package.

The business leaders also urged Congress to establish a national mandate – similar to one in more than two dozen states – that forces utilities to derive a portion of their electricity from wind, solar, hydro and other renewable sources…………..

As Congress considers government investments in renewable power, lawmakers are also weighing an Obama administration request to slash tax incentives for the oil and gas industry.

Business leaders urge solar power support

September 26, 2009 - Posted by Christina Macpherson | 1, climate change, ENERGY, USA | renewableenergy, renewables