[Congressional Record Volume 161, Number 169 (Tuesday, November 17, 2015)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1640]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




      INTRODUCTION OF BRIDGE TO A CLEAN ENERGY FUTURE ACT OF 2015

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                          HON. EARL BLUMENAUER

                               of oregon

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, November 17, 2015

  Mr. BLUMENAUER. Mr. Speaker, today I am introducing legislation to 
support the continued development of clean energy in the United States. 
The impacts of a changing climate are far-reaching, representing a 
threat not only to our ecosystems but to our national security as well. 
To help avoid the worst effects of carbon pollution, consumers must 
have a dependable supply of energy that is clean and renewable. That 
much of this energy--and many of the devices used to produce it--is 
American-made means that our country retains the innovation, export 
opportunities, and manufacturing jobs that are so important to a 
twenty-first century economy.
  The Bridge to a Clean Energy Future Act of 2015 extends critical 
clean energy incentives to provide market certainty and to strengthen 
investment in renewable technologies. In doing this, it will support 
thousands of jobs in clean energy industries, advance U.S. 
manufacturing, and enable our transition to clean, renewable energy.
  For example, this legislation extends the Production Tax Credit for 
wind energy through 2016, offering parity with the duration of the 
Investment Tax Credit enjoyed by solar energy investments, while also 
granting the solar industry access to credits at the start of a 
project's construction, as is currently available for the wind 
industry. The bill also provides a range of other important incentives, 
such as expanding the advanced energy project credit, which aids U.S. 
manufacturers across the clean energy industry.
  Strengthening the finance environment for the construction and 
development of renewable energy installations not only will help us to 
combat climate change and diversify our energy market, it will also 
strengthen the U.S. economy by creating American jobs, by supporting 
American manufacturers, and encouraging American innovation. From a 
strong base at home, American clean energy firms are also able to 
export technologies around the world, creating new markets for American 
expertise.
  This bill is more than fully offset by repealing incentives for 
fossil energy that are unnecessary and wasteful taxpayer giveaways to 
some of the most profitable companies in the world doing business in an 
industry that is a major contributor to climate change.

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