Federal Initiatives


Vote Solar leads a rally in D.C. to promote solar incentives

Vote Solar leads a rally in D.C. to promote solar incentives

In late 2008 we helped successfully extend the expiring 30 percent investment tax credit. The critical incentive is now locked in until 2016 and expanded for residential and utility system owners, effectively making solar installations, from small 1 kilowatt roof top systems and large-scale 250 megawatt solar power plants, a third cheaper. As part of that hard fight, Vote Solar prepared a white paper (PDF) on the opportunities for federal action.

Now the new administration has recharged federal leadership on renewable energy, and Vote Solar is busy helping shape strong provisions for solar.

 

 

 

Federal Policy Goals

Congress is currently debating the largest, most ambitious clean energy bill our country has ever seen.  House leadership combined three key initiatives into one colossal bill: global warming policy (cap and trade), national requirements for utilities to produce a percentage of their power from renewables (Renewable Portfolio Standard), and updates to our antiquated transmission system so it can take full advantage of all that renewable energy. In July 2010, the Senate decided to defer action on a parallel bill in favor of tackling a more specific response to the oil spill. But we expect that effort to be renewed in the new session. Vote Solar will continue working with our partners at SEIA to support strong solar provisions in that bill when it moves.

In the meantime, we have a number of targeted federal initiatives on the move:

Cities and counties throughout the U.S. are developing new finance programs that help Americans install solar and improve the efficiency of their homes and businesses.  Called Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE), these programs enable local governments bring new green jobs, energy bill savings, and environmental benefits to their communities.
Now the lending giants at Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac and their regulators at FHFA are trying to stop these programs in their tracks. They’re attacking a century-old local government right and throwing a massive wrench in American green job growth and investment. It’s time for legislative action.

Protecting PACE from Fannie & Freddie

Cities and counties throughout the U.S. are developing new finance programs that help Americans install solar and improve the efficiency of their homes and businesses.  Called Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE), these programs enable local governments bring new green jobs, energy bill savings, and environmental benefits to their communities. Now the lending giants at Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac and their regulators at FHFA are trying to stop these programs in their tracks. They’re attacking a century-old local government right and throwing a massive wrench in American green job growth and investment. It’s time for Congress to get PACE back on track. Learn more here.

Vote Solar lead for the PACE federal initiative is Shaun Chapman.

Empowering Community Solar Programs

There is also an effort underway to ensure that residents participating in community solar projects can take advantage of the 30% investment tax credit: Solar Uniting Neighborhoods Act (SUN Act) introduced by Senator Udall. Learn more here.

Vote Solar lead for the SUN Act is Peter Olmsted.

Extending the Treasury Grant Program

Congress authorized these cash grants in lieu of the commercial investment tax credit (ITC) as part of the Recovery Act – an effort to make the 30% federal incentive useful in an economy plagued by meager appetite for tax credits. To date, the grants have supported more than ten thousand jobs in solar alone. With tax equity still scarce and the program set to expire at the end of this year, let’s keep this effective green job driver in place through 2012.  Take action here.

Solar Funding in the Recovery Act

In 2009, Congress passed an economic stimulus package that included $32 billion in clean energy funding. Curious how much of that funding is available to your state? Click here – scroll down the page- to access the Department of Energy’s interactive “recovery funding” map.

Want more details on how the federal government plans to spend recovery dollars to promote renewable energy?  Our friends at the Solar Energy Industries Association are keeping track here.