Supporting a Federal Renewable Energy Portfolio Standard and Extending the Renewable Electricity Production and Investment Tax Credits
Adopted at the in 2014
WHEREAS, the nation faces unprecedented energy challenges, including rapidly escalating energy costs, over dependence on foreign sources of energy, and critical choices about energy resources that will affect the nation's future economic well-being and security; and
WHEREAS, strategic federal renewable energy policies are critical to positioning America to be competitive in the global economy, increase American energy independence, build livable and sustainable communities, drive investment in new, clean energy solutions and create new, local jobs, aiding in our national economic recovery; and
WHEREAS, the solar energy sector now employs almost 120,000 Americans across all 50 states, having grown by 13.2% in 2012; and
WHEREAS, commercialization of 2nd & 3rd generation of Bio-fuel energy is expected to generate 800,000 new jobs 610,000 indirect new jobs and 190,000 direct new jobs by 2022 in the US; and
WHEREAS, sustained growth in the renewable energy sector and commensurate job increases requires a reliable federal renewable energy policy framework; and
WHEREAS, over 1,060 mayors have signed the U.S. Conference of Mayors Climate Protection Agreement, pledging their commitment to reducing their communities greenhouse gas emissions by 7 percent from their 1990 levels; and
WHEREAS, the U.S. Conference of Mayors has endorsed a national goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 80 percent from 1990 levels by 2050; and
WHEREAS, according to the 2011Clean Energy Solutions for America's Cities report commissioned by the U.S. Conference of Mayors found that one-quarter of U.S. cities (25%) have set specific targets for increasing their use of renewable energy; and
WHEREAS, successful local government programs could be expanded or replicated throughout the country, thereby resulting in nationwide reductions in energy use which will increase our nation's energy independence and competitiveness while improving our national and global environment; and
WHEREAS, the federal government, by supporting renewable energy deployment, would demonstrate its commitment to help solve some of the most important issues facing the nation energy independence, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, improving the environment, and creating thousands of jobs; and
WHEREAS, local governments have successfully utilized their American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant funds to implement local strategies that create jobs, save energy, promote renewable sources, and cut greenhouse gas emissions; and
WHEREAS, renewable electricity production tax credits and business energy investment tax credits have proven successful in spurring the development and deployment of renewable energy throughout the US; and
WHEREAS, the Renewable Electricity Production Tax Credit for wind production ended on December 31st 2013; and
WHEREAS, the production tax credit for other forms of renewable electricity expired on December 31st 2013; and
WHEREAS, the Business Energy Investment Tax Credit expires December 31, 2016, NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the U.S. Conference of Mayors calls on Congress and the Administration to adopt an aggressive national renewable energy portfolio standard, and extend the renewable electricity production tax credit through at least 2020 and the business energy investment tax credit through at least 2022.