Da Governator "Pumps Up" Hayworth Solar Power Bill

Governor Schwarzenegger says extending tax credit helps terminate dependence on foreign oil WASHINTON, D.C. - California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger has put his full political muscle behind efforts to extend the Hayworth solar power tax credit by urging the state's entire congressional delegation to support legislation aimed at extending the solar tax credit for eight years. "It's great to have someone like Governor Schwarzenegger on our side," says Congressman J.D. Hayworth (R-AZ). "When Arnold speaks, people listen. He knows that we need to explore any and all avenues of creating more energy. California and Arizona have sunshine in abundance and we need to take advantage of this unlimited resource. Governor Schwarzenegger's endorsement will help this bill become law, perhaps this year." Schwarzenegger showed his support for the "Securing America's Energy Independence Act," or H.R. 5206, by sending letters to the entire California congressional delegation yesterday and called on Congress to "seize this promising opportunity to innovate and lead the way toward clean energy." The solar energy and fuel cell investment tax credits for homeowners and businesses are currently set to expire next year. The legislation would extend the tax credits until 2015. According to the Solar Energy Industries Association, a long-term credit extension would create approximately 55,000 solar industry jobs by 2015 and encourage states to invest billions of dollars in renewable energy infrastructure. Solar energy would displace 4 trillion cubic feet of natural gas under the bill, saving U.S. consumers $32 billion over equipment lifetimes, the organization claims. "Governor Schwarzenegger knows a win-win situation when he sees it," said Sean Seitz, President of the Arizona Solar Energy Industries Association. "The great thing about solar power is that it's manufactured, not drilled or mined. His support helps put California and Arizona in a position to promote a cutting-edge technology that will create thousands of new jobs and bring in billions of dollars in new investment."