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From: Sustainable Energy Network

News Release

100 BUSINESSES, ORGANIZATIONS URGE CONGRESS TO SUPPORT RENEWABLE ENERGY TAX INCENTIVES, HIGHER VEHICLE FUEL EFFICIENCY STANDARDS, AND A MANDATORY RENEWABLE ELECTRICITY STANDARD

LETTER SENT AS CONGRESSIONAL LEADERS CONSIDER DROPPING KEY SUSTAINABLE ENERGY PROVISIONS FROM PROPOSED NATIONAL ENERGY LEGISLATION

WASHINGTON DC -- In a letter delivered today to leaders of the U.S. Senate and U.S. House of Representatives as well as Members of key congressional committees, 100 businesses and organizations urged that any national energy legislation include several key sustainable energy provisions.

These include a fuel efficiency standard of at least 35 mpg for cars and light trucks by 2020; extension and expansion of key renewable energy tax incentives; and a mandatory national standard of at least 15% of the nation's electricity generated from renewable sources by 2020.

"The rapidly worsening threat of global climate change, the economic and national security risks posed by rising oil prices and energy imports, and the on-going environmental and safety concerns associated with nuclear power all call for increased national support for sustainable energy policies," according to the letter's signers, which also included more than two dozen individuals.

"A national energy strategy that truly addresses [these] multiple challenges ... will necessarily need to be far more comprehensive ... and far more aggressive ... than suggested by these initial measures. ... Nonetheless, these preliminary actions would represent steps in the right direction..."

Ironically, the letter is being delivered at the same time as congressional leaders are reportedly contemplating dropping all three of these core provisions from the national energy legislation now under consideration by both the U.S. Senate and the U.S. House of Representatives.

The full text of the letter and list of signers follows.

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The Sustainable Energy Network is an informal network of 500+ organizations, businesses, and individuals founded in 2006 to promote rapidly expanded use of renewable energy and energy efficient technologies as alternatives to climate change, energy imports, and nuclear power.

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SUSTAINABLE ENERGY NETWORK 8606 Greenwood Avenue, #2 Takoma Park, MD 20912 301-588-4741

PLEASE SUPPORT THESE KEY SUSTAINABLE ENERGY PROVISIONS IN PENDING NATIONAL ENERGY LEGISLATION

November 14, 2007

U.S. Senate U.S. House of Representatives Washington, DC

attn: Energy Policy Staff Members

Dear Senator, Representative:

We - the undersigned 100 businesses and organizations, plus more than two dozen individuals - are writing to urge that national energy legislation now under consideration include a broad range of measures to aggressively promote renewable energy technologies and improved energy efficiency.

The rapidly worsening threat of global climate change, the economic and national security risks posed by rising oil prices and energy imports, and the on-going environmental and safety concerns associated with nuclear power all call for increased national support for sustainable energy policies.

At the least, the following provisions should be included in any energy legislation enacted by the U.S. Congress.

AUTOMOBILE FUEL EFFICIENCY STANDARDS:

First, fuel efficiency standards for cars and light trucks must be substantially improved. The U.S. Senate's energy bill calls for a standard of 35 mpg by 2020. This is well below what has been technically and economically achievable for many years; it is below that now in force in Europe; and it falls far short of what will ultimately be needed.

For example, studies suggest that using hybrid technologies, the fuel economy level could be raised to 55 miles per gallon and with fuel cell technologies, they could approach 80 miles per gallon.

Nonetheless, a target of 35 mpg represents a significant improvement over the current fleet-wide average of approximately 25 mpg and should be supported as a positive first step.

RENEWABLE ENERGY TAX INCENTIVES:

Second, any national energy legislation should extend and expand existing renewable energy tax incentives, particularly the production tax credit for renewable power plants, Clean Renewable Energy Bonds, and the investment tax credits for commercial and residential solar and fuel cell technologies. These tax incentives are vital to ensure continued, dynamic growth in the production of electricity using renewable energy resources and should be given longer-term extensions (e.g., eight years).

The existing mix of tax incentives - many of which are scheduled to expire by the end of 2008 - really should be seen as only a beginning in the shift in federal funding away from fossil fuels and nuclear power to sustainable energy technologies. Extension of existing sustainable energy tax incentives is an absolutely necessary, but only initial, step in that process.

NATIONAL RENEWABLE ELECTRICITY STANDARD:

Third, a minimum national standard should be set for producing electricity from renewable energy sources. The House energy bill calls for a standard of 15 percent of the country's electricity to come from renewable sources by 2020. At best, this should be viewed as a minimal goal.

Already 25 states plus the District of Columbia have approved renewable electricity requirements with many setting targets far more aggressive than the proposed federal standard. For example, California is seeking 20% by 2010 while Minnesota, Hawaii, and Colorado are mandating 20% by 2020. Internationally, even more aggressive standards have been set by the member nations of the European Union; Germany is now aiming for getting 27 percent of its electricity from renewables by 2020 and at least 45 percent by 2030.

Ideally, a renewable electricity standard should be designed to support and promote the environmentally-responsible deployment of the full portfolio of renewable energy technologies including solar, wind, geothermal, biomass, and water power. A federal standard should also advance energy efficiency - as provided for in the House bill and already in place in Nevada, North Carolina, and Pennsylvania.

To the extent that the House approach sets a lower-than-necessary standard and may not promote the full spectrum of sustainable energy technologies, it could be improved. Nonetheless, it is a positive step that should be supported.

A national energy strategy that truly addresses the multiple challenges posed by climate change, energy imports, rising oil prices, and nuclear safety will necessarily need to be far more comprehensive than suggested by these initial measures. Moreover, we believe that energy initiatives far more aggressive than those now under consideration will need to be acted upon by the U.S. Congress in the very near future.

Nonetheless, these preliminary actions would represent steps in the right direction and accordingly we urge your support for measures to improve automobile fuel efficiency, to set minimum national standards for electricity production from renewable energy sources, and to extend the tax incentives needed to expand the nation's renewable energy industries.

We appreciate your attention to these views.

Sincerely,

ORGANIZATIONS:

ABUZZ Media Robert Andruszkiewicz, Producer/Director Albuquerque, NM

Anacostia Watershed Society Robert E. Boone, President Bladensburg, MD

Applied Consulting Inc. Bill Womble Spokane, WA

Aqua Sun International Greg Hanson Minden, NV

Artha Sustainable Living Center LLC Chamomile Nusz, Program & Marketing Director Amherst, WI

Bergey Windpower Mike Bergey, President Norman, OK

Beyond Nuclear Paul Gunter, Director of the Reactor Oversight Project Takoma Park, MD

Bioprocessing & Industrial Value Added Program Ronald L. Madl, Ph.D., Director Manhattan, KS

BioTour Fernando Ausin, Strategic Outreach Coordinator Alan Palm, Co-director Ethan Burke, Co-director Jenny Sherman, Documentarian and Public Relations Coordinator

Bob Lawrence & Associates, Inc. Bob Lawrence, President Alexandria, VA

Boston Power Supplies, Inc. Lee A. Hebert, President & Inventor Scotland, CT

Burlington Electric Department Barbara Grimes, General Manager Burlington, VT

Canton Advocates for Responsible Expansion, Inc. Jane Latus, Vice President Canton, CT

Cape & Islands Self-Reliance Corp. Richard Lawrence, Director of Special Projects North Falmouth, MA

Capital Communications Phanes Solar Jason P. Schmidt Helena, MT

The Carmel Group, LLC Elizabeth C. Battocletti, President Reston, VA

Center for Energy Research Peter Bergel, President Salem, OR

Charlotte Area Green Party Kathryn Kuppers, Clerk Charlotte, NC

Chesapeake Solar LLC Richard E. Deutschmann, PE; Chief Executive Officer Jessup, MD

The Chewonki Foundation W. Donald Hudson, Jr., President Wiscasset, ME

Chris Fried Solar Chris Fried, President Vineyard Haven, MA

Citizen Power David Hughes, Executive Director Pittsburgh, PA

Citizens Regional Transit Corp. Gladys Gifford, President Buffalo, NY

Citizens Resistance at Fermi Two Keith Gunter Livonia, MI

Clean Air Now James J. Provenzano, President Los Angeles, CA

Coalition for a Nuclear-Free Great Lakes Michael Keegan Monroe, MI

Community Environmental Council Tam Hunt, Energy Program Director/Attorney Santa Barbara, CA

Connecticut Coalition Against Millstone Nancy Burton, Director Redding Ridge, CT

Don't Waste Arizona, Inc. Stephen M. Brittle, President Phoenix, AZ

Don't Waste Michigan Alice Hirt Holland, MI

Don't Waste Michigan - Sherwood Chapter Kathryn Barnes Sherwood, MI

Earth Healing.Info, Inc. Al Fritsch Ravenna, KY

Eco-Eating Dan Brook San Jose, CA

Energy Corridor Business Park Stephen Lipworth Houston, TX

Environment Washington Bill LaBorde, State Director Seattle, WA

Environmental and Energy Study Institute Carol Werner, Executive Director Washington, DC

Environmental Energy Solutions Joel N. Gordes West Hartford, CT

Finger Lakes Citizens for the Environment Linda Ochs, Director Waterloo, NY

Galveston Houston Association for Smog Prevention Matthew Tejada, PhD, Executive Director Houston, TX

Global Possibilities Casey Coates Danson, President Los Angeles, CA

Grandmothers for Peace/San Luis Obispo County Molly Johnson, Area Coordinator San Miguel, CA

Great Northern Solar Christopher LaForge Port Wing, WI

Greenhome Solar, LLC. Johnny Murphy Viroqua, WI

Hawaii Solar Energy Association SunEarth Inc. (CA) Inter-Island Solar Supply (HI) Rick Reed, President SunEarth, IISS, HSEA Honolulu, HI

Healing Ourselves & Mother Earth Jennifer O. Viereck, Director Tecopa, CA

Houston Renewable Energy Group Mike Ewert, President Seabrook, TX

Hudson River Sloop Clearwater Manna Jo Greene, Environmental Director Poughkeepsie, NY

Independent Power Systems Sarah Ray, Project Coordinator Bozeman, MT

Institute for Environmental Research and Education Rita Schenck, Executive Director American Center for Life Cycle Assessment Vashon, WA

Jews Of The Earth Daniel Ziskin, President Denver, CO

JL Szatkowski, Consulting Engineer James L Szatkowski, PE, NSPE Boise, ID

Kansas Natural Resource Council Larry Erickson, President Topeka, KS

KyotoUSA Tom Kelly, Director Berkeley, CA

Los Alamos Study Group Greg Mello, Executive Director Albuquerque, NM

Louisiana Solar Energy Society Jeff Shaw - Director Baton Rouge, LA

Motorworks Clean Vehicles, Inc. NY Dealer for Miles Automotive Electric Vehicles Gary Birke Westbury, NY

Nebraska Renewable Energy Association Robert Byrnes, President Oakland, NE

Nevada Conservation League Scot Rutledge, Executive Director Las Vegas, NV

Nevada Nuclear Waste Task Force Judy Treichel, Executive Director Las Vegas, NV

New Community Project David Radcliff, Director Elgin, IL

New York Solar Energy Industries Association Christine Donovan, Executive Vice President Endicott, NY

North American Water Office George Crocker, Executive Director Lake Elmo, MN

North East Arizona Energy Services Company Larry E. Bell, President Concho, AZ

Nuclear Information & Resource Service Michael Mariotte, Executive Director Takoma Park, MD

Nuclear Watch South Glenn Carroll, Coordinator Atlanta, GA

Oasis Montana Inc. Chris Daum, President Stevensville, MT

Occidental Arts and Ecology Center Philip Tymon, Administrative Director Occidental, CA

Ohio Partners for Affordable Energy Dave Rinebolt, Executive Director and Counsel Findlay, OH

Oregon PeaceWorks Peter Bergel, Executive Director Salem, OR

Paradigm Design, LC Michael Almon, Co-Owner Lawrence, KS

People's Action for Clean Energy, Inc. Judi Friedman, Chairperson Canton, CT

Prairie Island Coalition Bruce A Drew, Steering Committee Minneapolis, MN 55410

Precursor Systems, Inc. Aviv Goldsmith Spotsylvania, VA

Public Citizen's Energy Program Tyson Slocum, Director Washington, DC

PvH Communications Phil von Hake Morrison, CO

R.A.Energy International,Inc. Qadwi Bey, Chairman/CEO Cleveland, OH

Ramblumtick Bikes LLC Samuel KT Hall, Owner Missoula, MT

Redwood Alliance Michael Welch Arcata, CA

Renewable Energy Long Island Gordian Raacke, Executive Director East Hampton, NY

RenewNews Mark Hayward, Founder and Administrator Pittsburgh, PA

Salem Financial, Inc. J. Peter Lynch, President South Salem, NY

San Luis Sustainability Group- Architects Santa Margarita, CA

The Shalom Center Rabbi Arthur Waskow, Director Philadelphia, PA

Sharp Electronics Corporation, Solar Energy Solutions Group Christopher O'Brien, VP, Strategy & Government Relations Huntington Beach, CA

Sierra Geothermal Power Gary R. Thompson, P.Geo; President & CEO Olympia, WA

Sierra Solar Systems Jonathan Hill, Owner Grass Valley, CA

Solar Energy Industries Association Rhone Resch, President John Stanton, VP Gov. Affairs Washington, DC

Studio Nova A Architects, Inc. Stuart Magruder, AIA, LEED Los Angeles, CA

SUN DAY Campaign Ken Bossong, Executive Director Takoma Park, MD

Sustainable Energy Resource Group Bob Walker, Director Thetford Center, VT

Sustainable Winchester Carolyn Starrett, President & Founder Winchester, MA

Tri-Valley CAREs Marylia Kelley, Executive Director Livermore, CA

Valley Watch, Inc. John Blair, President Evansville, IN

Virginia Solar Council Al Sobel, President Alexandria, VA

Voices Opposed To Environmental Racism Donald Keesing, Coordinator Takoma Park, MD

Washington Public Interest Research Group Blair Anundson, WashPIRG Program Associate Seattle, WA

Waverly Light and Power Glenn Cannon, General Manager Waverly, IA

Western N. C. Physicians for Social Responsibility Lewis E. Patrie, MD, Chair Asheville, NC

Winter Sun Design Chris Herman, CBD, Owner Edmonds, WA

Wisconsin Energy Conservation Corporation Janet Brandt, Executive Director Madison, WI

INDIVIDUAL SIGNERS:

* affiliation provided for identification purposes only

Joy Blackwood Hyattsville, MD

Sara Cate, MD, MPH Yakima, WA

Ellen M. Garduno Edmonds, WA

Sabodh K. Garg, Ph.D. Del Mar, CA

Jesse Gore Cunningham Research * Nashville, TN

Mark Haim, Co-founder Missourians for Safe Energy * Columbia, MO

(Mrs.) Leah R. Karpen Asheville, NC

Carol and John Kimmons Whitwell, TN

Peter and Valerie Lynch South Salem, NY

Elizabeth C. Moore Lakewood, CO

Giulio Negrini Carlstadt, NJ

Michael T. Nelson Redwood City, CA

David Nemtzow Santa Monica, CA

Mark Reback Los Angeles, CA

Deborah Reilly Vashon, WA

Ellen Rubinstein Portland, OR

Gladys Schmitz Mankato, MN

Ms. Beverly Smith Cottonwood, AZ

Carolyn Treadway Normal, IL

Molly Tsongas Philadelphia, PA

Rose Marie Williams, MA, Jerry Williams New Paltz, NY

Jessica Williams, Todd Leland Highland, NY

Justina Williams Astoria, NY

Mark Wilson Columbus, OH

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