Lucas,
A lot is at stake for both dirty and clean energy in the current budget negotiations.
Eliminating subsidies for the oil and gas industry and extending an important tax credit for wind are among the top energy items on the table.
Tell Congress to eliminate harmful and unnecessary handouts to the dirty energy industry and extend tax credits for clean energy.
When you are making decisions about the budget for yourself or your family, you likely consider what is essential and what isn't, but you probably also will consider how beneficial the expenditure is to you or how the expenditure reflects your values.
The White House and the GOP should be approaching the budget negotiations the same way.
Here's a closer look at how this approach applies to energy related cuts and expenditures.
Oil and gas subsidies:
1. Essential? No. Repealing these special tax breaks won't discourage oil production in the U.S. because the high price of oil provides all the incentive oil companies need.
2. Beneficial? No. Oil industry tax credits have not lowered gas prices, but rather have further enriched some of the most profitable corporations in the world.
3. Reflects our values? No. These handouts give dirty energy an unfair advantage over developing clean-energy technology and alternative fuels.
4. Eliminating oil and gas subsidies would save the government $41 billion over 10 years.
Wind production tax credit:
1. Essential? Yes. It is an effective tool to keep electricity rates low and encourage development of proven renewable energy projects.
2. Beneficial? Yes. The credit has supported the creation of 500 wind manufacturing facilities across 44 states.
3. Reflects our values? Yes. It levels the playing field for clean sustainable domestic energy.
4. Making this investment in clean wind energy would cost the government a little more than $1 billion a year — far less than current incentives for dirty energy.
Shifting toward a clean and sustainable energy future is in the best interest of our public welfare, economy and environment.
It is non-negotiable.
Tell your representative and senators to support the elimination of dirty energy handouts and the extension of tax credits for clean energy.
Thanks for all you do.
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Sincerely,
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