Continues Efforts to Provide Tax Relief and End Dependence on Petroleum
Washington, D.C. –Representative Heath Shuler continued working to invest in clean,
renewable energy sources to create jobs and end America’s dependence on petroleum
today by supporting the Renewable Energy and Job Creation Act. The legislation, which
passed the House with bipartisan support, also provides important tax relief to middle
class families.
“After years without a real national energy policy, our nation is now facing a very serious
energy crisis. By meeting this challenge with investments in clean and renewable energy
sources we can end our reliance on petroleum and create thousands of good-paying jobs
in Western North Carolina,” said Rep. Shuler. “The economy of the 21st Century
demands that America be energy independent and the Renewable Energy and Job
Creation Act takes another step toward that goal.”
The Renewable Energy and Job Creation Act extends and expands tax incentives that
encourage investment in renewable energy, energy efficiency and conservation, and
carbon capture and sequestration programs. The failure to extend these tax incentives
could have resulted in the loss of over 100,000 jobs in the solar and wind energy
industries through the end of 2009.
Today’s legislation also provided tax relief to millions of hardworking American
families, including an expansion of the $1,000 refundable child tax credit and allowing
more homeowners to deduct up to $700 of their local property taxes from their federal
income taxes.
“Many American families are struggling right now, and this legislation provides them
with tax relief in a fiscally responsible manner,” Rep. Shuler said.
The Renewable Energy and Job Creation Act is paid for by closing loopholes that allow
corporations evade taxes by shipping jobs and investment overseas, so it does not add to
the nation’s debt.
###
Download: Rep. Shuler Votes for Renewable Energy and Job Creation Act
