Representatives of various renewable energy sectors have recently called on Congress to “swiftly enact key policies to continue accelerated growth across the entire sector in order to add jobs and boost economic growth in 2010â€. During a press event last week, executives stressed that if these policies are not enacted, the renewable energy sector could face a downturn in investment and jobs in 2010.
They called for Congress to pass a strong national renewable energy standard (RES) with clear near- and long-term goals, along with expansion and extension of credit incentives, and comprehensive legislation. They said these policies will maintain American competitiveness and attract tens of billions of dollars of investment in clean energy production and manufacturing facilities.
The group cited a new study conducted by Navigant Consulting which reveals that a 25% by 2025 national RES would result in 274,000 more renewable energy jobs than a no-national RES policy scenario.
“The RES is the best way to provide the certainty that companies need to expand wind manufacturing nationwide,†said American Wind Energy Association CEO Denise Bode. “The importance of building a strong renewable energy manufacturing base in the U.S. cannot be overstated. The U.S. has a historic opportunity to fortify the clean energy economy but is committing unilateral economic disarmament by not giving itself the policy tools to do so.â€
“One of the fastest ways to create jobs in America is to invest in clean energy,†said Rhone Resch, president and CEO of the Solar Energy Industries Association. “These are quality jobs and they can’t be outsourced. From plumbers to electricians to construction workers, the solar industry created nearly 20,000 jobs last year with the support of the stimulus bill. We proved that we can create much-needed job growth now with the right policies in place. But we can only keep up that momentum if Congress enacts a jobs bill that promotes deployment of solar and other clean energy technologies.â€
“The United States has been the world leader in geothermal energy production and in the past years our industry has seen renewed growth, even despite the recession. This is a testament to the support of federal and state policies and highlights the potential for our country to continue to lead the world in geothermal production and technology,†said Karl Gawell, Executive Director, Geothermal Energy Association.
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