[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 47 (Wednesday, April 10, 2013)]
[House]
[Page H1869]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                SECURITY IN ENERGY AND MANUFACTURING ACT

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from 
Arizona (Ms. Sinema) for 5 minutes.
  Ms. SINEMA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to introduce the Security in 
Energy and Manufacturing Act of 2013.
  This bill will extend the Advanced Energy Manufacturing Tax Credit 
program. The program provides a 30 percent tax credit, or a grant in 
lieu of a tax credit, to companies that are constructing, expanding, or 
retrofitting their facilities that manufacture renewable energy.
  We have seen our manufacturing base erode as a result of increased 
global competition. Not only will the SEAM Act help us rebuild our 
manufacturing industry; it will also provide an opportunity to do so 
while exploring responsible energy production. Energy innovation is 
quickly becoming one of the world's largest industries; and countries 
all over the world are purchasing billions of dollars' worth of wind 
turbines, solar panels and other green technologies. I want to see 
these products made in the United States and for our country to remain 
competitive.
  We know this program works. The first allocation of funding was 
extremely successful in leveraging private capital, and that led to the 
investment of over 180 energy manufacturing facilities across 43 States 
in our country. The number of wind turbines and their workable 
components made in the U.S. has more than doubled since then, and that 
is just one aspect of the renewable energy field.
  Expanding this program also means creating additional high-tech, 
high-wage manufacturing jobs in our own backyard. Companies like 
Tempe's Monarch Power could expand and increase the creation of 
innovative products, ranging from energy generation to energy storage, 
even a mobile renewable power system--all while remaining affordable. 
We must partner the power of American innovation with the potential of 
American production. My bill encourages just that.
  In my home State of Arizona, renewable energy enjoys broad bipartisan 
support. Democrats and Republicans, including Barry Goldwater, Jr. and 
our own Governor, Jan Brewer, have advocated for solar and renewable 
energy because they know that the future of our State and the future of 
our country depend on it. I stand today with a broad coalition of 
leaders from my State who have a long history of supporting energy 
innovation as a smart investment for America.
  We have the opportunity to restore U.S. manufacturing jobs, to help 
our country remain competitive in the manufacturing industry and to 
invest in a wide range of clean energy production. I ask that the body 
join me in supporting the SEAM Act of 2013.

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