Senate Blocks Renewable Energy Incentives Again

July 31, 2008

 

Action Update

Senate Blocks Renewable Energy Incentives Again

Congress will recess for the month of August without extending tax incentives for renewable energy and energy efficiency – a critical piece of the solution to high energy prices. Twice the Senate failed to muster the 60 votes needed on two separate pieces of legislation containing the renewable energy and energy efficiency incentives.

It’s widely agreed that the continuation of the renewable energy and energy efficiency incentives is an important piece of the strategy to reduce our dependence on oil and natural gas, and lower energy prices.

Yet, the oil industry’s allies in the Senate have repeatedly voted the renewable energy incentives down because they oppose paying for these incentives by repealing any portion of the $18 billion in taxpayer subsidies for oil companies – even as ExxonMobil, BP and other oil industry giants post record profits.

Little Time Left
Congress has scheduled just three weeks of work after Labor Day before it adjourns for the year. If the Senate fails to approve the renewable energy and energy efficiency incentives during this time, the incentives will expire at the end of the year, and private investment in these industries will decrease dramatically. Navigant Consulting projects a loss of 116,000 jobs and $19 billion in investment in the wind and solar industries.

When you see your Members of Congress over the August recess, please thank those who voted to extend the renewable energy and energy efficiency tax incentives.

Ask Members of Congress who voted against the incentives to change their position and vote for them in September. Continued growth in wind and solar energy is more important than adding to oil industry profits!

How They Voted
The WORC delegation voted as follows:

House vote #344, May 21, 2008

Senate vote #190, July 29, 2008

Senate vote #192, July 30, 2008

Colorado
Allard – Nay
Salazar, Ken – Yea
DeGette – Yea
Udall – Yea
Salazar, John – Yea
Musgrave – Nay
Lamborn – Nay
Tancredo – Nay
Perlmutter – Yea

Idaho
Craig – Nay
Crapo – Nay
Sali – Nay
Simpson – Nay

Montana
Baucus – Yea
Tester – Yea
Rehberg – Nay

North Dakota
Conrad – Yea
Dorgan – Yea
Pomeroy – Yea

Oregon
Smith – Yea
Wyden – Yea
Wu – Yea
Walden – Nay
Blumenauer – Yea
DeFazio – Yea
Hooley – Yea

South Dakota
Johnson – Yea
Thune – Nay
Herseth Sandlin – Yea

Wyoming
Barrasso – Nay
Enzi – Nay
Cubin – Nay

 

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