GLUMAC - Engineers for a sustainable future

Neal Lurie, Director of Marketing & Communications, American Solar
Energy Society

Federal incentives for solar, wind, geothermal, and other sustainable technologies are set to expire this December.

That means these sustainable energy sectors, some of the most promising and strategically important industries in America, are at risk of losing Federal support - unless we act now.

The facts are clear. Solar energy, wind, geothermal, energy efficiency, and other sustainable energy technologies are key components in powering green-collar jobs, promoting energy independence, and tackling climate change. At a time when fossil fuel costs continue to rise, the costs for renewable energy continue to fall.

But legislation to extend these sustainable energy tax incentives (H.R. 5351) is currently stalled in the Senate and time is running out.

The best way to break this stalemate is for grassroots supporters of solar, wind, geothermal, and others to stand together and take action.

Here's how you can help:

1) Contact your Senators to urge them to extend the renewable energy and energy conservation tax incentives to help generate green collar jobs, promote energy independence, and strengthen national security.

Click here to find the contact information for your Senators via Vote-Smart.org (simply enter your zip code on the left side and click 'go').

2) Submit a brief letter to the editor of your local newspaper to encourage others to urge their Senators to extend the renewable energy and energy efficiency tax incentives. One key point to highlight: Failure to promptly extend renewable energy tax incentives puts 116,000 solar & wind industry jobs and $19 billion in energy investment at risk.

3) Encourage your friends to get involved with the steps listed above to help end the stalemate in the Senate.

This is a critical time for supporters of solar energy. And your help is needed now more than ever. We can create a sustainable energy economy, but only if we work together.