AIA Supports Federal Clean Energy Tax Incentive
WASHINGTON — The American Institute of Architects is among a coalition of more than 100 business, trade and advocacy groups that asked the Senate to extend a tax package that would create jobs and maintain green tax incentives.
Coalition members include about 50 manufacturers, 23 trade associates and 10 utilities. In the past, Congress extended the incentives in two-year increments.
The coalition proposed introducing extensions that are greater than two years for wind, solar and biomass projects to provide greater stability for investors to back new projects.
If the clean energy package were extended, tax incentives would be awarded for constructing energy-efficient buildings, investing in solar electric systems and retrofitting existing buildings to save energy.
“Our nation’s buildings account for 70 percent of our nation’s electricity use, and that’s why these incentives are vitally important to deploy energy-efficient designs, technologies and equipment,” says R.K. Stewart, former president of the AIA.
The extension of the package would add an estimated 15,000 jobs to the economy and the construction of green buildings, according to reports.
“Renewable energy sources like solar and wind are a proven economic engine for our country,” says Rhone Resch, president of the Solar Energy Industries Association. “They’ve created tens of thousands of green-collar jobs and billions of dollars in investment.”