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Jun. 18, 2008
Copyright © Las Vegas Review-Journal

Bill to lift solar power halted by Republicans

By JOHN G. EDWARDS
REVIEW-JOURNAL

The solar energy industry is poised to pump billions of dollars into the Nevada economy and create thousands of jobs -- but advocates say the Senate on Tuesday shot down a bill needed to give the sun power industry a jump-start.

Republicans for the second time in a week prevented the Senate from taking up a tax bill providing more than $50 billion in renewable-energy credits and tax breaks for families and businesses.

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    • The vote Tuesday to move to the legislation was 52-44, eight short of the 60 votes needed. Only five Republicans voted to end the filibuster against action on the bill; others objected to the Democratic plan to pay for the tax relief by making some hedge fund managers and multinational corporations pay more taxes.

    Opponents argued that tax relief should not be matched with what they regarded as tax increases.

    Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., voted for the renewable-energy tax credits but switched to oppose the bill because of provisions that allow him to bring back the bill later for another vote.

    "Just as they have done with every opportunity to strengthen our weakening economy and lower record gas prices, Republicans today said no to helping businesses invest in renewable energy," Reid said following the vote.

    Sen. John Ensign, R.-Nev., said he voted against the bill because it contained tax increases to offset the cost of the tax benefit for renewables, and a controversial "tax earmark" for New York.

    Ensign said Democrats should abandon the bill in its present form.

    "The Democrats' plan has failed five times now," Ensign said. "Instead of continuing to push a partisan bill doomed by a veto threat, we should work together to achieve a bipartisan solution on renewable energy."

    Ensign got into a fight with the solar energy industry last week when lobbyists criticized his opposition to the Democrats' bill.

    Ensign said he supported tax breaks for renewables but not in a bill that raises other taxes to offset the costs. The bill that failed on Tuesday raised $54 million mainly by curtailing a deferred compensation scheme employed by financiers and hedge fund managers.

    On June 10, the vote to move to the bill was 50-44, 10 short.

    "The entire industry has ground to a halt waiting for the elected officials to work this out for us," said Chris Brooks, director of the renewable-energy division of Bombard Electric Co. and vice president of SolarNV, a chapter of the American Solar Energy Society.

    The number of Bombard electricians working on solar power projects has dropped to 20 from 95, as clients became pessimistic about the bill.

    Bombard Electric is involved in $100 million in solar power projects that will be shelved if the renewable tax credit isn't extended beyond its current Dec. 31 expiration, Brooks said.

    Other big solar projects already are canceled, he said, because the client didn't believe the project could be completed by year-end and qualify for a 30 percent investment tax credit.

    It's not too late for homeowners to get up to $2,000 in tax credits by installing solar panels before year's end, Brooks said.

    The Bureau of Land Management has applications for proposed solar power plants capable of generating 10,000 megawatts of electricity, more energy than the state consumes today, according to an industry analyst who spoke on condition of anonymity.

    The projects, if all completed, would bring $50 billion in investment to the state and create 20,000 jobs over an eight-year period.

    Already announced are 22 announced solar thermal projects, ranging from three already in operation to others planned in the desert Southwest. They would generate 4,900 megawatts of electricity, according to the Solar Industry Association of America.

    The Associated Press contributed to this report. Contact reporter John G. Edwards at jedwards@reviewjournal.com or 702-383-0420.

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    Pffft! wrote on June 18, 2008 02:52 PM: "If the Democrats truly cared to use solar power, they would push a bill that did not contain a bunch of add ons not related to getting solar power jump started."

    That's one smart statement. I guess Republicrats could have sponsored the same.

    But we all know (hopefully MOST of us at least) really how much our "representatives" are looking after the best interests of those they "represent," right? This stupid, couterproductive bickering between both sides of "The Incumbent Party" is really wearing thin. First and foremost in EVERY politician's (don't be fooled, now!!!) mind is how to further their own career. Second is how to further the power reserves of their party. Third is how to hook up their "crew" that they made promises to to get to where they're at. Isn't it nice that We The People aren't even in the top 3 concerns of our own "representatives?"

    You're right! It's NOT nice! Does it make you angry or a little sick, or do you just hear your game console or reality show calling you???


    jl wrote on June 18, 2008 01:51 PM: Yes, how dare the Democrats seek to balance a bill's costly tax credits with closing loopholes for wealthy hedge funds and multinationals. Just add it to the deficit.


    ths wrote on June 18, 2008 08:34 AM: It is proven that lower taxes do not stimulate an economy in a trickle down economics as Bush thinks it does. Balance budgets do and that means taxing people fairly. Clinton did it with smart tax structure and controling spending.

    Tax incentives to generate new development is proven to work.

    So lets get close to balancing the budget and tax incentives on key items is key. Ensign get on board.


    Jack wrote on June 18, 2008 08:05 AM: Every bill the democrats put forth contains a new tax for someone. Unless you are independantly wealthy you work for someone who has to pay that tax. Unless you own production and farms, you buy from someone affected by any new tax. You thus can watch your wage go down or your prices go up. If the Democrats truly cared to use solar power, they would push a bill that did not contain a bunch of add ons not related to getting solar power jump started. I do not care who is getting taxed, adding taxes to a bill that could revolutionize our lives and get rid of the crippling dependance on Muslim Oil is irresponsible of the Democrats.
    Push a bill to get solar on board without adding your taxes, show some true bipartisan spirit....but oh no...gotta tax those rich while we are at it. Dingy Harry does it again...now we all lose!


    Tom Atriedes wrote on June 18, 2008 07:49 AM: "Good thing we have John Ensign looking out for our best interests because Harry could care less about the earmarks." Right, because your hedge funds need to be protected?

    This bill would fairly tax the hedge fund managers (who often pay less in taxes than their secretaries) and use that money to support something that benefits all of us.

    Good thing Ensign is protecting us from that.

    Tim, when will people like you begin to see how pervasive your false consciousness has become? You support Republican tax policies that don't benefit you at the expense of public initiatives that could benefit you.


    0u812 wrote on June 18, 2008 06:53 AM: If you want to build and sell something to the public use your own money. Everytime a Corporation wants to build, they ask government for money which belongs to the people and the people must pay high prices for something they already paid for thru taxes that was given to Corporations and others.


    tim wrote on June 18, 2008 05:20 AM: Your headline should read "Bill to Lift Solar Power and TAX EARMARKS Halted by Republicans". Good thing we have John Ensign looking out for our best interests because Harry could care less about the earmarks. This bill should get defeated five more times until they remove all earmarks and have a bill that is 100% committed to Solar and nothing else. Wake up Washington!