[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 129 (Thursday, July 31, 2008)]
[House]
[Page H7634]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  EXTEND RENEWABLE ENERGY TAX CREDITS

  (Ms. GIFFORDS asked and was given permission to address the House for 
1 minute.)
  Ms. GIFFORDS. Madam Speaker, I rise today to address the urgent issue 
of extending the renewable energy tax credits. These tax credits are 
due to expire this year. As we all know, their extension is critical to 
the young renewable energy industry in our Nation.
  The House has passed extensions four separate times, and I applaud my 
colleagues for doing so. But our job is not done. I urge our colleagues 
in the Senate to work with us to pass a responsible extender bill 
quickly.
  Solar power and other renewables are poised to be one of the biggest 
opportunities of the 21st century. Yet unlike our foreign competitors, 
we still haven't made a firm national commitment to this industry.
  America can do better. We have always looked to the future, imagined 
a better world, and then partnered with the private sector to build it: 
railroads, the highways, the Internet as well. Government support was 
critical to every one of these technologies in its earliest stages. 
Renewable energy is no different.
  I refuse to believe that we cannot get this legislation passed. I 
call on the leadership to pass it immediately. There's no time to 
waste.

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