Statement of Congressman Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) in support of The Renewable Energy and Job Creation Act (HR 6049)
Washington,
May 21, 2008 -
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. This bill continues the new Congress's steadfast commitment to driving a clean energy revolution in our country and stimulating near-term growth in our struggling economy.
Gas prices are up to around four dollars a gallon, climate change is a clear and present danger - we need to wean ourselves off of largely imported foreign sources of fossil fuel. This bill charts a new course - the right course. It provides critical incentives for accelerated energy production from wind, geothermal, and hydropower sources. It includes investment tax credits in solar and fuel cell properties and a number of other factors.
To give our economy a boost, the legislation contains pro-growth policies like the R&D tax credit and cuts taxes for millions of middle class families through a host of provisions including the expanded child tax credit.
Mr. Speaker, this is a pro-growth, pro-environment, forward-looking, and fully-paid-for package that helps move our country in a new direction. Our colleagues on the other side of the aisle continue to resist change. They had a monopoly on power in Washington for six years and did nothing and now they have become the party of no, veto, and the status quo. Let's move in a new direction. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Congressman Chris Van Hollen
