Pass US Energy Bill, Renewable Energy Groups Say

WASHINGTON -- - In response to the President State of the Union address, some leading U.S. renewable energy organizations recently urged Congress to quickly resolve the issues holding up passage of comprehensive energy legislation and pass H.R. 6, the Energy Policy Act of 2003.

The directors of the organizations issued the following joint statement:

"On behalf of the renewable energy industries, we urge all members of Congress to continue working towards enacting broad national energy legislation. The Congressional debate indicated that there is strong bipartisan support for expanding renewable energy production and establishing a sound national energy policy. We urge all members of Congress to work with the President and the Congressional leadership to enact legislation that achieves these goals."

"It will be devastating for the renewable energy industries if Congress does not pass an energy bill this year. The energy legislation contains a wide variety of programs, initiatives, tax credits and other policies for the production and consumption of renewable energy and for greater energy efficiency. Without enactment of a bill early this year, new renewable energy investment will languish, which will have negative consequences for the economy, the environment and energy security."