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U.S. SENATE, REVERING HISTORY, VOTES FOR THE PAST

Yesterday, the U.S. Senate dealt a losing hand to all those who believe in solar power as a vital component of our energy future.

By a vote of 59-40, just one vote short of the number needed to cut off debate, the Senate failed to include a tax title in the 2007 energy bill that would have provided investment and production tax credits for renewable energies.

Many people have worked long and hard this year to secure a government commitment of support for solar and other nascent renewable industries, including solar citizens like yourself, Congressional Democratic leadership, environmental and conservation groups, industry associations, and scientific bodies.  And although representatives and senators were left in no doubt about the importance of the legislation to America's future, the peculiarities of the American way of politics trumped common sense and hope.  Senators from states where the oil and gas industry lobby is strongest voted to continue support for the industry, even though the proposed tightening of tax breaks would have amounted to only 1%-2% of its net profits.  To see which senators voted against the tax title measure, check the list at the end of this message.  (Look closely and you'll find one Democrat who voted 'nay', and one presidential candidate who failed to vote at all).

Late yesterday evening, the Senate finally voted on what was left of the bill.  Absent investment tax credits, production tax credits and a national renewable electricity standard (RES), the bill sailed through by a vote of 85-12.  It will now go back to the House, then on for signature by President Bush.  And what the President signs will contain CAFE standards for automobile mileage standards, a renewable fuels mandate, and provisions for energy efficiency in federal government departments.  For renewables, there is practically nothing.

The timing of the vote may strike historians as curious in years to come;   half a world away in Bali, attendees at the UN global warming conference were working toward final agreement on long-term measures to mitigate climate change while the U.S. Senate was rewarding the oil and gas industry for its long-term support.

That renewable energy development in America has suffered a setback is not in question.  But reports of its death have been greatly exaggerated.  Congressional Democrats have stated that they intend to resurrect the RES and tax credit issues in their next session, perhaps in a separate, dedicated bill.  And lobbyists for renewable industries have vowed to keep up pressure on legislators from now until the November elections.

For all those solar citizens who took the time this year to call, fax or e-mail their legislators over this issue, we say a loud and heartfelt "THANK YOU!"  And yes, you were heard.  In the week before Thanksgiving, the House of Representatives took the tax title off the table;   the uprush of public outrage caused by this maneuver forced the lower
chamber to restore the funding in short order.  Did this matter, given the final result?  It certainly did, because now no-one on Capitol Hill can be in any doubt that renewables have a high level of support among their constituents.  This should impact Congress' decision-making as an election year unfolds.