Issue Position: Energy

Issue Position

Congressman Hodes is working towards an affordable energy plan for the 21st century

"By decreasing fossil fuel consumption and developing renewable energy, we can create clean energy jobs in New Hampshire and across the country, reduce our dependence on foreign oil, and improve our public health and environment,." -- Congressman Paul Hodes

Creating Green Energy Jobs and Promoting Energy Independence :

Congressman Hodes voted for the American Clean Energy and Security Act, which creates clean energy jobs and represents another step forward to wards American energy independence. This legislation would create over 7,600 green collar jobs in the Granite State alone, and would invest in alternative energies, like biomass, that are plentiful throughout New Hampshire.

Congressman Hodes is proud to support this historic green jobs and American energy independence bill. It will reduce carbon emissions by 83% by the year 2050, it will create millions of jobs in domestic energy industries, and it will help end the dependence on foreign oil that endangers our national security.

We must not continue our failed energy policy that has cost New Hampshire families more, pollutes our environment, and funds our enemies. Congressman Hodes has been a strong proponent of alternative energy that is plentiful throughout New Hampshire like wind, and biomass. By investing in locally produced alternative energies like wood pellets, we can create green collar jobs in New Hampshire and bring new industry to economically distressed communities throughout the North Country.

Congressman Hodes also worked to make sure that the bill included proper oversight for revenue generated by the cap and trade program. Provisions in the bill based on his legislation would require biannual studies to ensure that revenue from the cap and trade program goes to wards growing a clean-energy economy, including new green collar jobs and lower energy costs for working families.

Providing biomass tax credits:

Congressman Hodes introduced the American Renewable Biomass Heating Act to assist families in purchasing biomass heating and hot water equipment. This legislation extends and expands existing renewable energy tax credits to provide families with a real incentive to switch to renewable biomass heat and save on energy bills.

Biomass is a clean, renewable form of energy that is plentiful throughout New Hampshire . It will help create new industry and jobs throughout New Hampshire and it will help reduce energy costs for Granite Staters while protecting our environment.

In 2007, Congressman Hodes introduced legislation to establish the first ever tax credit for families to install biomass heating systems. On January 1, 2009, a residential tax credit became law to help more families afford biomass stoves. Biomass is broadly defined in the credit to include plant-based fuels that can be found in every region of the . A recent MIT study suggests that heating homes with biomass results in a 75% reduction of carbon emissions compared to using heating oil.

The American Renewable Biomass Heating Act would expand the existing tax credit to include biomass stoves, furnaces and boilers. It would also extend the credit through 2013, and increase the maximum amount of the credit to $6,000, to compensate for the initial costs of installing biomass heating equipment.

Helping American schools run on biomass:

Congressman Hodes helped to author a provision in legislation creating energy efficient schools that would allow schools to use biomass to power and heat their buildings. Equipping schools to use biomass, combined with other energy saving technologies could create over 130,000 new jobs across the country.

To create a 21st century energy policy, we must make changes in how we power our buildings in both the private and public sector. This important provision will help our schools become part of the 21st century solution by using a clean energy source that is plentiful throughout New Hampshire .

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