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September 3, 2008

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Ulman, Cardin, Sarbanes and O’Malley Join to Urge Immediate Congressional Support for Renewable Energy Legislation

ELLICOTT CITY, MD -- Howard County Executive Ken Ulman, U.S. Senator Ben Cardin, U.S. Congressman John Sarbanes and Maryland Governor Martin O’Malley met today in Howard County at the site of the old New Cut Road Landfill and urged Congress to get back in session and take immediate action in support of vital renewable energy legislation. S. 3335 will extend investment tax credits for installing solar energy and building wind turbines and other energy-efficient systems beyond the current deadline of December 31, 2008.

Howard County has plans to install solar panels at the former landfill site to offset electrical use at nearby Worthington Elementary School, making it Maryland’s first solar-powered school. In order to take advantage of the tax credits, Howard County would need to complete the installation and have the system produce energy prior to December 31 – a deadline that will be difficult to meet.

“Extension of federal tax credits is critical to making renewable energy projects like this a reality,” said Executive Ulman. “I see renewable energy in John McCain’s commercials, but his complete failure to vote in support of incentives means we lose the opportunity to actually see renewable energy in our communities.”

“Passage of this tax credit bill is critical because it levels the playing field for alternative energy sources such as solar power,” said Senator Cardin. “Oil companies benefit from significant tax breaks; it’s past time to give investors in renewable energy the same incentives that can lead us to energy independence.”

“Investing in clean renewable energy should receive bipartisan, if not unanimous support in Congress. It’s unfortunate that a small group has blocked legislation to extend these policies,” said Congressman Sarbanes.

“The State of Maryland is quickly becoming a national leader in renewable energy, but we need a strong federal partner that invests in solar and alternative energy sources to secure America’s energy future,” said Governor O’Malley.

On July 30 the renewable energy bill was defeated for the eighth time. John McCain missed that critical vote – in fact, he has missed all eight votes on the legislation.

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