World Wildlife Fund

Learn More About:  Push for the Many Benefits of Clean Energy

* The Issue and Latest Status

Now is the time to urge Congress to extend tax incentives that encourage individuals and businesses to install renewable energy systems and build energy-efficient buildings (see below for the full list of incentives).

These incentives were established as part of the Energy Policy Act of 2005. Every time one of these incentives is claimed it reduces the need for energy production from fossil fuels.

Unfortunately, some of these vitally important tax incentives have already expired and all of them will expire by the end of this year. Losing the incentives would place more than 116,000 jobs in the wind and solar industries alone at risk. In addition, more than $19 billion in clean energy investments may be diverted to other nations with more stable investing climates. The tax incentives must be extended immediately to sustain one of the most rapidly expanding areas of the American economy, to maintain their huge contributions to reducing greenhouse gas emissions, and to reduce the pressure to drill. 

The issue has been held up in the Senate by months of wrangling over how to pay for the incentives, but clearly the relatively small investment needed is justified by the huge long-term benefits that will result.

In just a few weeks, Congress may adjourn for the year. Please act now.

* What's at Stake

 “Clean energy” refers to renewable resources, such as wind, solar, and geothermal, and to increased energy efficiency of buildings and appliances.

Increasing our nation’s use of clean energy has many benefits, including

* reducing our dependence on foreign oil,

* keeping dangerous greenhouse gases out of the atmosphere,

* maintaining the existing ban on drilling in fragile coastal and marine habitats and iconic landscapes such as the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, and

* putting us on the road to a real solution to high gas prices—one that is sustainable and doesn’t threaten our environmental heritage.

It doesn’t make sense to keep drilling: In the same time that it would take to get newly-drilled oil to market, our nation could make clean, safe, renewable energy available at a large scale and for the long-term.

* How You Can Help

- Call your senators or send them an email urging them to immediately reauthorize the clean energy tax incentives. 

- Send your friends an e-card urging them to take action.

* Learn More

See below for a list of the tax incentives that will expire without congressional action.

Learn more about WWF's work to slow climate change. 

Thank you for adding your voice to this campaign. Please urge your friends and family to join this effort also. 

Sincerely,

Richard Moss
Vice President and Managing Director
Climate Change
World Wildlife Fund

Key Efficiency & Renewable Energy Incentives That Must be Extended Immediately

Renewable Energy Production Tax Credit a tax credit of 2 cents per kilowatt-hour for production of electricity from renewable sources such as the wind, geothermal and biomass.  The credit expires at the end of 2008.

Investment Tax Credits for Solar and Fuel Cell Technologies a tax credit for 30 percent of the cost of residential solar and fuel cell systems up to certain amounts depending on the technology and a tax credit for 30 percent of the cost of commercial solar and fuel cell systems.  These credits expire at the end of 2008, and need to be extended for eight years on the commercial side, and at least one year on the residential side with the $2000 cap removed.  A similar credit should be provided for small wind systems (100 kW or less) used to power individual homes and businesses.

Energy Efficient Commercial Buildings Tax Deduction a tax deduction of $1.80 per square foot for buildings that reduce energy consumption by 50 percent compared to a national model energy building code.  The deduction expires at the end of 2008.  Certain changes need to be made to the deduction such as increasing the amount to $2.25.

Manufacturer Tax Credits for Efficient Appliances tax credits of various amounts to manufacturers for the production of high efficiency appliances.  This credit expired at the end of 2007.

Clean Renewable Energy Bonds bonds that provide financing for renewable energy projects developed by public power providers and electric cooperatives.  $2 billion in bonds should be authorized, along with key technical modifications to the program, such as reforming the allocation methodology and definition for public power utilities.

Energy Efficient New Home Tax Credit an income tax credit of $2,000 for new homes that are at least 50 percent more efficient than required by the residential model energy code and the same amount of credit for new manufactured homes that are at least 30 percent more efficient than required by the model code.  The credit expires at the end of 2008.  The credit needs to be modified so that rental homes can qualify for the incentive.

Energy Efficiency Upgrades to Existing Homes a tax credit of up to $500 per taxpayer for energy efficiency retrofits to existing buildings and the purchase of efficient heating and cooling equipment.  The tax credit expired at the end of 2007.  A few changes need to be made to the tax credit such as adding certain equipment that are eligible to obtain the incentive.