[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 160 (2014), Part 11]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 15462]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




        INTRODUCTION OF THE BRIDGE TO A CLEAN ENERGY FUTURE ACT

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                          HON. EARL BLUMENAUER

                               of oregon

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, September 18, 2014

  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 2014 would extend critical 
clean energy incentives to provide market certainty and to strengthen 
investment in that sector. For example, this extends the Production Tax 
Credit for wind energy through 2016, offering parity with 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 in the wind industry. The bill also provides 
a range of other important incentives, such as the Advanced Energy 
Project credit, which aids U.S. manufacturers across the clean energy 
industry.
  This bill supports thousands of jobs in clean energy industries, 
advances U.S. manufacturing, and supports our transition to clean, 
renewable energy. Most renewable energy investments are spent on 
materials and workmanship to build and maintain the facilities, rather 
than on costly energy imports. Renewable energy investments are usually 
spent within the United States, frequently in the same state, and often 
in the same town. Meanwhile, renewable energy technologies developed 
and built in the United States are being sold overseas, providing a 
boost to the U.S. trade deficit.
  It is in the national interest to cut pollution while growing our 
economy. Tax credits for clean energy and energy efficiency must be 
updated and extended. It is important to note that the fossil energy 
alternatives these industries are competing with have permanent tax 
incentives. We cannot continue to direct scarce tax dollars to 
industries that are a major contributor to climate change.

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