In the past few months I've posted a few times about the Energy Bill that is pending in Congress.  As concerned citizens we are attempting to get this passed before the end of this year – the vote will likely be this week or next week.  The House passed the solar industry's desired version of the bill in June, and Senator Pelosi has assured us she has the votes to push it through again.  However, the challenge is in the Senate.

The added complication here is there are three energy issues – the extensions to the solar Investment Tax Credit (so-called ITC), a proposal to create a national Renewable Portfolio Standard (so-called RPS), and an increase in fuel economy standards for cars (so-called CAFÉ).  The ITC is critical for the solar industry and for REgrid Power (the company I work for) because without an extension soon, commercial solar projects will start to dry up, which will cause a slow-down in  business and will also keep prices high because there will be no national market for solar.  The RPS would help this, but it is secondary to extending the ITC.

The CAFÉ standards are something I support but they are not central to the purpose; however, it is likely that a bill supporting solar will only pass if all three of these issues pass together.  The key to making that happen is to get 60 votes in the Senate for it, and the key to that is 2 or 3 key swing vote Senators.  Read the description below at SEIA for a more detailed analysis.

Here's what you can do to help:

1. Call Sen. Boxer and Sen. Feinstein's offices and register your support for the Bill.  Mention that solar power creates energy independence, which means reducing our dependency on imported fuels such as natural gas to be burned by power plants.  Feinstein and Boxer already support the bill, but your call is needed so they know the overwhelming support this bill has in California.

2. If you have any connections to the three states listed below – New Hampshire, Nevada, and Tennesee (such as family connections or where you grew up or your distant uncle lives there), then call the Senators in those states as well and urge them to support this important bill.  Be sure to mention your connection to that state and how solar power can create jobs and energy independence for their state as it has in California.

3. If you have any friends, family, or myspace buddies who would also be willing to call or who have connections in these states, then forward this to them and ask them to help by calling as well.

This is an important effort to support renewable energy at a critical time. Remember that even early in the morning at 7AM, it is already 10AM in Washington, DC, so you can make the calls before you go to work or school. If you click on the link below, it will take you to a website where you can look up the phone numbers of the Senators.

Thank you for your support for this important effort for our future. Let's let our Senators know how important this bill is to us as Americans.