Washington, DC --- Today, Dr. Raul Ruiz (D-Palm Desert), joined by U.S. Representatives Jon Runyan (R-NJ) and Earl Blumenauer (D-OR) sent a bipartisan letter signed by 60 Democratic and Republican members to the House Committee on Ways and Means advocating for renewable energy in tax reform. The letter is endorsed by the American Wind Energy Association, the Solar Energy Industries Association and the Geothermal Energy Association.

“Renewable energy is a critical area of economic growth for California’s 36th district and the rest of the country,” said Rep. Ruiz. “We have to work together to advocate for renewable energy jobs, domestic manufacturing and American energy independence.”

In addition, the letter has garnered support from the Managing Director of the Coachella Valley iHub Joe Wallace, the renewable energy company Greenleaf Power with a biomass plant in Mecca, and the solar company BrightSource Energy with the Palen project in California’s 36th district.

Joseph Desmond, Senior Vice President of Marketing and Government Affair for BrightSource Energy said, “As Congress considers tax reform, policymakers have the opportunity to enact thoughtful, long-term renewable energy tax policy that will help ensure U.S. leadership in clean energy. We greatly appreciate Congressman Raul Ruiz's leadership on this important issue and look forward to working with him to support the continued growth of the solar industry.”

Below is the text of the letter:

Dear Chairman Camp and Ranking Member Levin:

As the Committee on Ways and Means debates tax reform we urge your continued support for renewable energy. With an estimated 3.4 million green jobs in the U.S., which include renewable energy jobs, the industry needs policy certainty to continue to create jobs, grow domestic manufacturing, and produce sustainable, American-made energy.

The race to develop renewable energy is widely considered one of the most important areas of economic growth for the 21st century. According to Bloomberg New Energy Finance, investment worldwide in renewable energy totaled over $244 billion last year. While investment in a number of countries has increased in recent years, the United States saw a 34% decrease in renewable energy investment last year due to policy uncertainty. Maintaining policies in the tax code that promote investment in and deployment of renewable energy technologies will help ensure that the American consumer continues to benefit from renewable energy innovations while also reaping the benefits of a diverse energy economy.

Sources of renewable energy like wind, solar, biomass, geothermal, landfill gas, hydropower, and hydrokinetic energy are critical to America’s energy future. And renewable energy manufacturing, services and products apply the technological innovations that will continue to allow the industry to grow. In 2012, the wind energy industry grew by 28%, setting a new installation record and supporting 80,000 American jobs. Likewise, the U.S. solar market grew by 76% and supported 119,000 American jobs. We must work together to ensure that the United States leads the way. As you develop tax reform legislation, we urge you to include policies that promote America’s renewable energy economy.

Sincerely,

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