[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 114 (Thursday, July 14, 2016)]
[Senate]
[Pages S5141-S5142]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 EXTENDING ADVANCED ENERGY TAX CREDITS

  Mr. CARPER. Mr. President, I wish to enter into a colloquy with the 
senior Senator from South Carolina in regards to the bipartisan efforts 
to extend the investment tax credits for advanced energy technologies.
  As you know, the investment tax credit incentives for fuel cells and 
other small alternative-power technologies--including microturbines, 
combined heat and power, small wind, and thermal energy--in section 48 
of the Tax Code expires at the end of this year. These advanced energy 
technologies are finally transitioning from development to 
commercialization and are playing a critical role in making energy in 
this country more resilient, reliable, and less vulnerable to fuel 
price hikes.
  For example, fuel cells, which I know well from being produced in my 
home State of Delaware, are already being used to provide reliable 
power to first responders, manufacturers, and retail companies. Fuel 
cells ensure critical facilities continue to have electricity, even 
when grid power is unavailable. Fuel cells are U.S. invented, U.S. 
manufactured, and run on U.S. natural gas. This technology is a win-win 
for energy security, job growth, and the economy.
  As you can imagine, these emerging alternative-energy companies 
require predictable tax credits beyond the end of 2016 for R&D, 
capitalization, and cash flow reasons. Delays in extending these tax 
credits could put hundreds of manufacturing jobs in my State, in my 
friend from South Carolina's State, and thousands of jobs across the 
country at risk.
  At the end of last year, it seemed our message about the urgency of 
extending all of these section 48 tax credits was heard loud and clear. 
During negotiations on the year-end tax extenders

[[Page S5142]]

package last December, there was bipartisan agreement to extend all of 
the section 48 tax credits through the end of 2021. Unfortunately, due 
to a simple case of human error, the extension of these tax credits was 
accidentally excluded during the final drafting of the tax legislation. 
Solar and wind were extended as part of the agreement, but five other 
small alternative-power technologies were inadvertently excluded.
  This mistake was identified within hours of the bill text being 
released, but unfortunately, due to time constraints and the desire to 
move expeditiously, House and Senate leaders determined that 
modifications to correct this mistake were not possible at the time. 
Instead, there was a bipartisan agreement to work together to address 
this mistake early in 2016.
  Let me say to my colleague, I know we have missed some opportunities 
to get this issue resolved, but I would welcome the opportunity to work 
with him, his staff, and other colleagues to find ways to get these 
advanced energy credits extended. I believe we still have opportunities 
to get this done, but we cannot afford further delays. Would the 
Senator be willing to work with my staff and me?
  Mr. GRAHAM. I want to thank the senior Senator from Delaware for 
raising this important issue. I would be happy to work with him on this 
issue because, as my friend and colleague from Delaware knows, my State 
of South Carolina is already seeing firsthand the benefits these 
advanced energy technologies are having on the local economy. As my 
friend from Delaware mentioned, this is a bipartisan and bicameral 
effort, and I believe we can find a way to get this done.
  Mr. CARPER. I would like thank the senior Senator from South Carolina 
for his support and thank my colleagues on both sides of the aisle, in 
both Chambers, that are working so hard to get this issue resolved as 
soon as possible this year. I thank the Senator.

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