[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 168 (Friday, November 4, 2011)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2011]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  INTRODUCTION OF A BILL, THE AMERICAN MICROTURBINE MANUFACTURING AND 
                  CLEAN ENERGY DEPLOYMENT ACT OF 2011

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. LINDA T. SANCHEZ

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Friday, November 4, 2011

  Ms. LINDA T. SANCHEZ of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to 
introduce a bill, the American Microturbine Manufacturing and Clean 
Energy Deployment Act of 2011.
  This bill builds on the great American tradition of innovation and 
manufacturing. It will help our country create new high-paying jobs, 
promote investment in the clean energy economy, and reduce air 
pollution and greenhouse gas emissions.
  The bill would accomplish these goals by establishing a 30 percent 
investment tax credit for microturbines, thereby granting parity with 
other renewable and fuel cell technologies. Microturbines, which have 
been supported by research and development funding from the Department 
of Energy, are small, ultra low emission gas turbines that produce 
usable efficient thermal energy and clean electrical power. While used 
most often in commercial buildings, microturbines have a wide range of 
applications, including renewable power, hybrid electric buses, trucks, 
and cars.
  Over 90 percent of the world's microturbines are manufactured right 
here in the United States by American workers for American companies. 
And of the U.S. manufacturers, one is located in Southern California 
and employs a number of my constituents. Another manufacturing facility 
is located in New England. American microturbine companies enjoy a 
robust export market, which means customers across the globe are 
increasing energy efficiency and reducing pollution and their carbon 
footprint. But sadly, the domestic market is weak. Why? Because our 
incentive structure has failed to encourage the adoption of this 
readily available clean energy solution. This must change, and my bill 
will help increase deployment in our own country.
  Where microturbines are deployed in the United States, there are 
numerous success stories. In the spirit of bi-partisanship, let me 
highlight one in my home state. The Ronald Reagan Presidential Library, 
which many of us have visited, deploys sixteen 65-kilowatt 
microturbines that provide onsite electricity. In addition, the waste 
exhaust from the turbines heat the facility's water supply and is then 
run through an absorption chiller to provide air conditioning to the 
Air Force One Pavilion. This innovative approach not only enhanced the 
environment around the library by eliminating the need to construct 
additional power lines, but it also saves the facility over $300,000 
per year in utility bills.
  We have the opportunity to help businesses and families across the 
nation save energy and preserve the environment. And, by enacting the 
American Microturbine Manufacturing and Clean Energy Deployment Act, we 
will create thousands of jobs. According to a recent survey of the 
microturbine industry, estimates are that the enactment of a 30 percent 
tax credit could immediately create over 2,000 new jobs. During the 
first year of the new tax credit, enough new microturbines could be 
deployed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by an estimated 170,000 
tons of CO2. These numbers will only increase the years 
after the tax credit is enacted. While the potential of this energy 
technology is huge--eventually representing tens of thousands of jobs 
in the U.S. alone--deployment has been held back by the lack of 
incentive support.
  Mr. Speaker, two of the most overarching public policy goals of the 
Congress and the country are to create jobs and promote energy 
efficiency and independence. I strongly believe that microturbine 
technology is a key component in our efforts to meet these challenges. 
This is an American-invented technology and an American-dominated 
industry. We should keep it that way. I urge our colleagues to join me 
in supporting this clean, innovative American industry.

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