Renewable Energy and Job Creation Tax Act of 2008

RENEWABLE ENERGY AND JOB CREATION TAX ACT OF 2008 -- (House of Representatives - September 26, 2008)

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Mr. THOMPSON of California. Madam Speaker, in my district, over 30 wineries and countless homes and businesses have already gone solar, and more are looking to do the same every day. We need to build on this momentum by extending the solar investment tax credit.

Solar business owners in my district are feeling the effects of not having this extension. Commercial and large residential sales of solar technology have ground to a halt because of the uncertainty over the solar investment tax credit extension. One local business owner told me that several wineries and small businesses have stopped plans to install solar technology because of this delay. Expanding solar is, first and foremost, about promoting renewable energy and fighting global climate change.

But this bill has a critical economic impact as well. 110,000 green jobs, new green jobs, will be created in the solar industry with this bill. The multiplier effect of economic growth by this bill will create an additional 330,000 jobs throughout our country in sectors outside of the solar industry. California alone will get over 200 of those jobs.

In these troubled economic times, we need to do all that we can to add jobs and move towards energy independence. I urge my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to support this vital bill which will move us one step closer to a strong, green economy. And don't forget it's paid for as well.

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