Pep Rally in Support of Solar Energy in Oregon

Join concerned Oregon residents and members of the solar industry to promote policy that encourages the growth of solar energy in Oregon.

Wednesday, June 1st, 2011

We have a crisis on our hands for both renewable energy and conservation projects in Oregon.  Though still a work in progress, the co-chairs' state budget for the 2011-13 biennium includes $10 million for ALL tax credit programs, and word has it that it breaks down as follows:

Biomass collector credit- $4MM
Film & Video - $3MM
Business Energy Tax Credit (renewables & conservation, not manufacturing) - $2MM

Residential Energy Tax Credit (renewables & conservation) - $1MM

To put this into perspective:

BETC for renewables alone (2009-11 biennium) - $300 million
BETC for renewables and conservation (2011-13 biennium) - $2 million

RETC expenditures ('09 and '10) - $34 million  (solar accounted for $7 million last year alone)
RETC budget (2011-13 biennium) - $1 million

Given the current budget proposal, the RETC will be gone by July of this year, and we'll have nothing for the next 23 months.  The BETC faces the same fate - one project could account for the proposed allocation.  How will ODOE even begin to pick winners and losers?   

During this difficult economic time we need to foster our green industries not create legislation that will lead to thousands of lost jobs. We would all like to see the solar industry become less dependent on state tax credits but changes must be gradual and well thought out or we risk killing the livelihood of  the renewable industry in Oregon.

Please take action!

• Join us in Salem
• Contact your state legislators by writing a letter and following up with a phone call or an in-person visit. Here is a great link to tips for visiting your Congressperson
• Contact the Governor's office to share your story and express your dismay that leadership is turning its back on Oregon's green economy