Republicans and Democrats
rarely agree on anything these days. But there's one proposal that both
commands bipartisan support and can generate new American jobs during this
tough economy.
The Production Tax Credit
helps level the playing field for clean-energy entrepreneurs competing with
subsidized fossil-fuel companies.
It backs the innovative wind
energy companies here in America
that helped build a manufacturing base that didn't exist only five years ago.
This tax credit supports our
nation's transition away from dirty fuels that harm our health and our air.
The wind power industry has already created 75,000 good
American jobs, making it a critical part of the clean energy economy.
More than 400 American manufacturing plants build wind
components. Wind-powered electricity grew by 25 percent in the past year.
Wind is popular too. Nearly
two-thirds of those surveyed in the latest United Technologies/National
Journal Congressional Connection Poll agree with President Barack
Obama that Congress should renew this tax credit.
This progress toward a
cleaner energy mix will stall unless Congress renews this tax credit, which
expires at the end of 2012. The wind industry predicts that half of all wind
jobs will be lost if our lawmakers drop the ball.
Already we're seeing foreign
wind power companies, once committed to developing in America , moving
back overseas. And domestic companies, uncertain about government action, are
already discussing layoffs.
We need more jobs to rebuild
the economy. Replacing fossil fuels with cleaner energy will save us money in
the long run while protecting our health and reducing pollution.
Republicans and Democrats
alike favor the Production Tax Credit, but the House Republican leadership
won't bring the issue up for a vote.
Whether they're holding it
hostage for the benefit of their big-polluter backers or just failing to make
it a priority, the result is the same: American families will lose their
livelihoods.
It's time to stand up to
those who are protecting dirty outdated dinosaurs and putting new innovative
American jobs at risk. Congress must pass the Production Tax Credit before it's
too late.
Dave Hamilton directs the
Sierra Club’s Clean Energy Program, which recently launched a Wind Works campaign. www.sierraclub.org/windworks
Distributed via OtherWords (OtherWords.org)
Distributed via OtherWords (OtherWords.org)