Statement of Environment New
Mexico Advocate Lauren
Ketcham
“At a time when Americans around the country are struggling with high gas
prices, the U.S. Senate today blocked a crucial package of clean energy tax
incentives (HR 6049) that will reduce our oil dependence, reduce energy costs, curb
global warming pollution and help shift our country to a new energy future.
We applaud Senator Bingaman’s support for these important incentives that
will help to stimulate New Mexico’s
clean energy economy, create high-paying green collar jobs and provide needed
predictability to the renewables industry as they plan future investment in the
Land of Enchantment.
We are disappointed that Senator Domenici voted against this measure. These
much-needed clean energy incentives would benefit disproportionately New
Mexico, with our abundance of solar and wind
resources, and help to ensure long-term employment in these fields.
Another bill, S. 3335, the Jobs, Energy, Families, and Disaster Relief Act
of 2008 contains new incentives for plug in electric hybrid vehicles that are
capable of achieving 100 miles per gallon.
If all vehicles were plug in electric hybrids, we could reduce our oil
consumption by 55%, nearly eliminating oil imports. At today’s gasoline prices, the average
American driver would save $1500 a year in fuel costs by switching to a plug in
hybrid.
The bill also extends incentives for investment and production of clean
renewable energy sources such as wind and solar energy. By diversifying our energy mix and reducing
our dependence on coal, natural gas and oil, these technologies will help
reduce consumer energy costs and are critical to jump starting the clean energy
economy we will need to solve global warming.
As one of the fastest growing industries in the U.S.,
the clean energy industry is a shining light in an otherwise lackluster
economy. Unfortunately the renewable energy production tax credit and the solar
investment tax credit -- are set to expire at the end of this year and
investors are beginning to pull out of projects. According to a recent study by
Navigant Consulting, failure to
promptly extend renewable energy tax incentives places at risk 116,000 jobs in
the wind and solar industries and more than $19 billion in clean energy
investment.
Finally, the bill extends incentives for money-saving energy efficiency
measures, including tax credits for weatherizing homes and purchasing more
efficient appliances.
There has never been a more important time jump start a clean energy
economy. Our current dependence on oil
is a major economic, environmental and national security threat. To solve this problem we need to dramatically
reduce oil consumption by shifting to more efficient vehicles, and giving
consumers alternatives to driving. We are
disappointed that the Senate rejected even this basic first step towards
reducing our dependence on oil.”
