Urging the United States Congress to extend the expiring Clean Energy Tax Incentives that are spurring production of renewable energy and increase the use of energy efficient technologies and practices. In particular, urging Congress to pass an eight year extension of the solar Investment Tax Credit (ITC).

WHEREAS, The Solar ITC, and several other clean energy incentives, including the Renewable Energy Production Tax Credit, Energy Efficient Commercial Buildings Tax Deduction, Manufacturer Tax Incentives for Efficient Appliances, Clean Renewable Energy Bonds, Energy Efficient New Home Tax Credit, Energy Efficiency Upgrades to Existing Homes are set to expire on December 21, 2008; and

WHEREAS, Skyrocketing fuel prices are impacting Americans not only at the gas pump but in the cost of everyday commodities. These energy challenges, which grow more acute by the day will only be ameliorated by investing in energy efficiency and renewable energy technologies; and

WHEREAS, Solar and clean energy tax incentives are needed to bring the clean energy economy to scale; and

WHEREAS, If these incentives expire, 116,000 clean energy jobs and over $19 billion in economic investment opportunity could also be lost; and

WHEREAS, An estimated 1.2 million employment opportunities and $232 billion in new investment could be generated in the U.S. by the solar energy sector alone through 2016 if Congress extends the solar ITC for eight years; and

WHEREAS, Eight attempts to pass the eight-year solar ITC extension have failed due to Senate filibuster

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now therefore

RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, That it hereby urges the United States Congress to renew the Clean Energy Tax Incentives, including extending the solar ITC for eight years, to ensure increased production of renewable energy and increased use of energy efficient technologies and practices; and

FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this Resolution shall be forwarded to all members of the Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Delaware Congressional delegations as evidence of its grave concern about the nation’s energy future.

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