House of Solar

OK, folks.  This is the Moment we’ve been waiting for. 
 
It looks like all the pieces are in place for a big push on the Solar Investment Tax Credit extensions.  Here’s what’s up:
 
+   You may recall that the Senate passed –by 88 to 8!- an extension bill titled S. 2821 “Clean Energy Tax Stimulus Act of 2008″ 
+   Last Thursday, the House Ways and Means Committee passed H. R. 6049 “Energy and Job Creation Act of 2008″.
 
Both measures extend the tax credits.  The Senate’s bill has already passed.  With passage of HR 6049 in the House, the only remaining barriers will be reconciliation of the two measures.  So, Let’s Get these measures PASSED!
 
Tomorrow, May 20, has been designated as a Day of Action for the solar industry and all its friends and supporters.  This is the time for all those e-mail blasts that you have been preparing.  Time to hit the GO button. 
 
What you say comes from you.  Show your sense of what’s important and why.  This is my version- use it or write your own.  The basics are enough: 
 
“Dear Senator/ Representative [ name ]:  This country has been addicted to oil for too long.  It is time to change course.  If we want a strong economy in this country in the future when oil is more constrained and more expensive than it is today, we simply must invest in the cleanest, most available energy source available - solar technology.
 
The solar energy industry has been growing but that growth is at risk.  The solar investment tax credits are crucial to continuing the current rate of investment by both large and small investors.  Already investors are slowing their plans — new companies and expansion of existing companies, and all the jobs that accompany those expansions, all this is at risk now, as investors see the pending end of the ITC. 
 
I work with an innovative startup company that hopes to be part of the new solar economy.  If the solar investment tax credits are allowed to expire, our company –like many others–will be forced to grow much more slowly.  New jobs will be delayed if not canceled outright.  So will all the energy benefits that could otherwise be captured by solar customers: the benefits of replacing expensive oil and fossil fuel with clean, fixed-price solar energy. 
 
These investments in solar are small compared to the enormous benefits they bring.  Please vote now to pass the extension of the Solar Investment Tax Credits.  Thank you, [   your name  ].  ”
 
 
 When you write is critical.  Please send something tomorrow if you can.  Please circulate this call to action through your lists
 
Here are some resources.  Use what you need, but don’t get buried in detail or reinvent the wheel.  Keep the message simple, short and direct. 
 
+  Call to Action from the three lead groups: SEIA, VoteSolar and Sierra Club.  This resource guide contains sample call scripts and e-mails –  http://www.seia.org/Resource%20Guide_National%20Action%20Day_May20.pdf  Feel free to modify any of these to fit your situation. 
+  List of all the tools and support letters and fact sheets anyone could possibly need — http://www.seia.org/itc.php

Thanks Team

Tim Padden

www.houseofsolar.com