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Comment by Chandrashekar Tamirisa on October 1, 2009 at 6:07pm

Dear Mr. Tamirisa:

Thank you for contacting me in support of a renewable electricity standard. Passing legislation that promotes clean and sustainable energy sources is one of my top priorities in the Senate and I support a national standard for renewable electricity. A renewable energy standard (RES) would require utilities to generate a minimum percentage of their total energy output from clean, renewable sources, such as wind, biomass, geothermal, and solar.

On June 4, 2009, the Senate Energy & Natural Resources Committee completed work on the central title of a draft energy policy overhaul that included mandates for renewable energy and greater energy efficiency. This legislation will be part of a larger energy bill called the American Clean Energy Leadership Act of 2009. It would require that 15 percent of electricity come from renewable sources by 2021.

I believe that we can do better. In fact, I am a co-sponsor of the Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act (S. 435) which calls for a 25 percent RES by 2025. A 15 percent mandate, which is the standard that is likely to be included in the Senate clean energy and climate bill, would be a significant increase from the 3 percent of renewable electricity that Americans currently generate. Establishing this benchmark for renewable energy generation is an important first step in promoting national energy independence and reducing United States greenhouse gas emissions that contribute to global warming.

I also believe that a more robust renewable energy standard presents incredible business opportunities for American innovation in clean energy development. Finding ways to adapt to changing circumstances will jump start renewable energy and other 'green' industries such as solar, wind, and bio-fuels and create thousands of high-tech jobs around the nation. I am a member of the Senate Small Business Committee and I believe that businesses, both large and small will be part of the solution in reaching a new renewable electricity standard.

Finding ways to encourage energy production from renewable sources is a priority for me. In this spirit, I have supported legislation in the past that would encourage and increase electricity generated from renewable sources. In 2007, I co-sponsored Senator Jeff Bingaman's (D-NM) Renewable Standard Amendment to the CLEAN Energy Act of 2007 (H.R. 6), which called for at least 15 percent of the electricity produced in the United States to come from renewable energy sources by 2020. I also co-sponsored S. 590, the Securing America's Energy Independence Act of 2007, which would have amended the Internal Revenue Code to extend through 2016 the energy tax credit for solar energy property and qualified fuel cell property, as well as the tax credit for residential energy efficient property expenditures. Please be assured that I am continuing to work with my Senate colleagues to ensure that we pass a renewable electricity standard and take the important steps to addressing global warming.

Again, I appreciate the time you have taken to let me know of your concerns about this issue. Please do not hesitate to contact me in the future about this or any other matter of importance to you.

Please visit my website at http://cardin.senate.gov to sign up for my e-newsletter.

Comment by allen bauman on September 24, 2009 at 9:15am

A BETTER RESPONSE THAN BEFORE.......

A message from Senator Charles E. Schumer

Inbox X


Reply

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senator@schumer.senate.gov
to me

show details 11:48 AM (22 minutes ago)


Dear Mr. Bauman:

Thank you for writing in support of the use of alternative energy. I agree that America needs alternatives to fossil fuels like oil and coal and that, by shifting our energy resources from fossil fuels to renewable sources like wind and solar power, we will protect our precious environment and secure our nation’s energy independence. As Congress considered The American Renewal and Reinvestment Act (H.R. 1), I sought to include provisions that would promote the utilization of solar and wind energy, energy efficiency, as well as a 21st century electrical grid.

I am also sponsoring the Save American Energy Act to further help New Yorkers save energy and increase efficiency. The bill would require utilities to assist consumers in becoming more energy efficient, resulting in 15% retail electricity savings and 10% natural gas savings by 2020 through the adoption of simple, currently available energy efficiency measures. The utilities could comply with the bill through a variety of mechanisms, including working with States to design new building codes, offering discounts and rebates for energy star appliances, and by installing programmable thermostats, more efficient lighting and better insulation in homes and business.

New York is home to some of the country’s most innovative alternative-fuel technology companies. In addition to legislation promoting alternative fuels, I have also worked to bring federal research and development grants to New York businesses and universities that are developing new renewable energy technologies. For example, I have secured millions of dollars in federal funding for the world’s first in-stream turbine to harness the natural flow of rivers and tides to generate electricity. Using this money, the company recently deployed turbines in the East River. I am hopeful for the time when society can use technologies to realize the promise of clean, renewable, domestically-produced energy, because I firmly believe that alternative energy, clean energy technology and energy efficiency will take our nation’s energy security to the next level.

Thank you for contacting me about this important issue. Please do not hesitate to contact me again if I can ever be of assistance to you on this or any other matter.



Sincerely,

Charles E. Schumer
United States Senator

Comment by Chandrashekar Tamirisa on September 15, 2009 at 6:42pm

Dear Mr. Tamirisa:

Thank you for getting in touch with me again about the NAT GAS Act of 2009.

You have obviously given this a great deal of time and thought ‑‑ I've learned from hearing your views. I want to be responsive to the needs of all Marylanders when I make decisions. Information from people like you is essential if I'm to reach that goal.

Again, thanks for keeping in touch with me. Please let me know if I may be of assistance in the future.

Sincerely,
Barbara A. Mikulski
United States Senator

Please do not respond directly to this e-mail. The originating e-mail account is not monitored.

If you would like to get in touch with me again, please visit my Webform at http://mikulski.senate.gov/Contact/contact.cfm

Comment by Chandrashekar Tamirisa on September 15, 2009 at 6:40pm

Dear Mr. Tamirisa:

Thank you for getting in touch with me to express your views about your support of the Clean America Energy Leadership Act.

Your comments were helpful. I believe the best ideas come from the people, and they guide our actions here in Washington. I also want to be responsive to the needs of Marylanders, and information from people like you is essential if I'm to reach that goal.

If I can be of assistance in the future, or if there is any other federal issue on which you would like to comment, please feel free to let me know.

Sincerely,
Barbara A. Mikulski
United States Senator

Please do not respond directly to this e-mail. The originating e-mail account is not monitored.
If you would like to get in touch with me again, please visit my Webform at http://mikulski.senate.gov/Contact/contact.cfm

Comment by Leslie G. on September 14, 2009 at 4:59pm

Dear Ms. Greinstein:

Thank you for contacting me regarding the need to use and develop alternative fuels and energy-efficient technologies.

I believe the United States needs to become energy independent and reduce its greenhouse gas emissions, and I have been a staunch and consistent supporter of measures that increase the use of alternative sources of energy, including wind and solar power. I also voted numerous times to extend all current renewable energy tax credits.

We must develop new energy-efficient technologies in cars, appliances, and commercial buildings. I voted in favor of increasing fuel economy standards in cars and trucks, and I support the development of plug-in hybrid electric vehicles.

I appreciate the time that you have taken to be involved and informed about this matter. As we continue to discuss energy issues in the Senate, I will keep your views in mind. Please do not hesitate to contact me in the future.

Sincerely,
Senator Bill Nelson

P.S. From time to time, I compile electronic news briefs highlighting key issues and hot topics of particular importance to Floridians. If you'd like to receive these e-briefs, visit my Web site and sign up for them at http://billnelson.senate.gov/news/ebriefs.cfm

Comment by Chandrashekar Tamirisa on September 9, 2009 at 7:15pm

Dear Mr. Tamirisa:



Thank you for contacting my office to share your thoughts on the future of America's energy production. As your Representative, I am guided by the perspectives of my constituents and I appreciate you taking the time to convey your opinion with me on this important issue.



The nation's dependence on foreign oil is one of the single greatest economic, national security and environmental threats that we are currently facing. We must work to implement an energy plan that puts America on a path to energy independence, lowers energy costs, addresses global climate change and creates new green jobs.



I have called for greater investments in renewable energy sources, including wind, solar, and biomass, and the need for more reliable and affordable energy sources. With this goal in mind, I decided to support H.R. 2454, American Clean Energy and Security Act, which passed the House of Representatives on June 19, 2009. This critical legislation will increase national security by reducing dependence on foreign oil, revitalize our economy by creating new green jobs, and curb pollution that threatens the health of the Chesapeake Bay. However, importantly, this legislation will also boost clean, renewable domestic energy sources that will help bring stability to energy costs.



You may also be interested to know that I am a cosponsor of H.R. 1835, the New Alternative Transportation to Give Americans Solutions Act of 2009 (NAT GAS Act), which places an emphasis on the use of both compressed natural gas and liquid natural gas as a transportation fuel. This legislation incorporates the ideas of the T. Boone Pickens' Plan to wean our country off foreign oil and to lower energy costs. This bipartisan bill, which has been referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means; the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform; and the House Committee on Science and Technology, would create incentives for the use of natural gas, reducing both greenhouse gas emissions and our dependence on foreign oil. Please be assured that I will keep your thoughts and views in mind as we continue to work on energy legislation in the 111th Congress.





Please do not hesitate to contact me again in the future regarding issues that concern you. I believe that continuous communication with the residents of the First District is essential to helping me be an effective advocate for you in Congress. To stay informed, please visit my website at www.house.gov/kratovil.



Thank you again for contacting me and I look forward to hearing from you.



Sincerely,

Frank M. Kratovil, Jr.
Member of Congress

Comment by allen bauman on September 8, 2009 at 9:28pm

A very positive response from New York's junior senator:

September 8, 2009

Dear Mr. Bauman,

Thank you for contacting me about the need for a strong National Renewable Electricity Standard. I share your view on this issue and will work with my colleagues in Congress to pass S. 433, a bill which mandates that the United States meet a renewable electricity standard of 25% by 2025 (S. 433).

As we move forward on a path towards energy independence, we must make a commitment to conserving energy, increasing energy efficiency and investing in the research and development of clean, renewable fuel sources to power all sectors of the economy. New York is already a leader in this field, as it has an aggressive Renewable Portfolio Standard target of 25% by 2013. Consequently, New York State has the potential to become the market leader in the development of alternative sources of energy and the growth of a green economy. Our State is unique in that it has the foundation and capacity to develop substantial wind, solar, hydro and bio-fuel. Each of these emerging energy sources represents the potential to create countless permanent, green jobs. These jobs will be very diverse, ranging from construction of generation facilities and transmission infrastructure to the development of the high end technologies and equipment needed for the extraction, processing and transportation of these fuels.

This past December, as our economy was faltering, we imported almost 70% of the oil we needed to run our economy. We need to replace our dependence on foreign oil and focus on domestic, renewable sources of energy. Therefore, I am a strong proponent of President Obama's goal of achieving a national renewable electricity standard of 25% by the year 2025.

I will work with the schools and businesses in our state to increase the use of efficient, cost-effective sources of energy such as wind, solar and hydro-electric power. I will also work in Congress to stimulate investment in clean, renewable energy sources. I look forward to working with my colleagues to pass legislation that will help grow America's economy, break our dependence on foreign sources of energy, and begin to reverse global climate change.

Thank you again for writing to express your concerns and I hope that you keep in touch with my office regarding future legislation and concerns you may have. For more information on this and other important issues, please visit my website at http://gillibrand.senate.gov and sign up for my e-newsletter.

Sincerely yours,

Kirsten Gillibrand
United States Senator

Comment by Steve Messenger on August 27, 2009 at 12:45am

April 30, 2009

Thank you for contacting me regarding the New Alternative Transportation to Give Americans Solutions (NAS GAS) Act (H.R. 1835). I suppport increasing our domestic oil and gas supply, and utilizing alternative fuels to reduce our dependence on foreign energy sources and strengthen our economy. I appreciate hearing from you concerning this important issue.
H.R. 1835 would extend for 18 years the alternative fuel credits for natural gas used as a fuel for vehicles, as well as the purchase of natual gas-fueled vehicles and the installation of natural gas vehicle refueling property. The bill would also require that by no later than the end of 2014, at least 50 percent of new vehicles purchased by the federal government must be capable of operating on some form of natural gas.
I support a long-term extension of tax credits to spur private investment dollars into developing alternative-fueled vehicles. Without a long-term commitment from the government, businesses cannot justify risking investment in new alternative-fueled initiatives. Government purchase of these vehicles is also essential for increasing investment in this sector.
In its current form, the legislation strictly limits fuels derived from other sources. Petroleum or coal derived gases, including propane and butane, which brun cleanly like natural gas, are excluded. These gases would also reduce emissions compared to gasoline and diesel fueled vehicles.
While I support the goals of H.R. 1835, I believe we need to address a broader range of fuels in this legislation. The bill is currently pending before the House Way and Means, Oversight and Government Reform, and Science and Technology Committees. I look forward to working with my colleagues on improving this legislation and further discussing this issue should it come before the House for a vote.
Again, thank you for taking the time to contact me. Please feel free to contact me again in the future with issues that concern you.
Sincerely,
Bart Stupak
Member of Congress

August 20, 2009

Thank you...for contacting me about natural gas. I share your support for reducing our dependence on foreign sources of oil and gas.
I am deeply concerned about America's energy future. We need to find the balance between affordable energy and energy policies that do not harm the environment. I believe we can achieve both.
In the long term, we need to find ways to ensure energy independence in order to meet national security, economic, and environmental challenges. New technologies can advance our economy by creating new green jobs that utilize Michigan's engineering, manufacturing, and agricultural expertise, while protecting the environment.
Natural gas is a cleaner alternative to gasoline, diesel, or propane fuel. Aside from replacing transportation fuels, natural gas can be used to run our electric generators. I supported a tax credit which was signed into law that will extend the Alternative Refueling Stations Tax Credit. As future proposals regarding natural gas come before me in the Senate, I will keep your views in mind.
Thank you again for contacting me. Please continue to keep me informed about issues of concern to you and your family.
Sincerely,
Debbie Stabenow
United States Senator

Comment by allen bauman on August 25, 2009 at 9:46pm

PLEASE READ ENTIRE POST.

Below is a letter written to my Senators and Congresswoman. Within the letter is an article from the New York Times concerning underhanded Chinese tactics to become the world leader in solar panel manufacturing.

PLEASE READ THE ENTIRE ARTICLE AND SEND SIMILAR LETTERS TO YOUR SENATORS AND REPRESENTATIVES. I BELIEVE THIS IS AN IMPORTANT ISSUE AND MUST BE ADDRESSED BY OUR GOVERNMENT IMMEDIATELY. COPY AND PASTE IF YOU WANT TO THEN POST ANY RESPONSES YOU RECEIVE.

Allen Bauman
District Leader NY-04

The following article is from the New York Times. It is outrageous that China be allowed to use any back handed behavior necessary to capture the solar panel market without serious admonition from the American Government. As my Senator I insist that you light a fire under any and every agency involved in trade with China, contact the Chinese government and let them know in no uncertain terms that what they are doing is unacceptable and we will do what is necessary to protect this fledgling industry which I believe is critical to the future health and well being of the American economy. I am not a protectionist and I believe in global free trade, as long as there is a level playing field. I will also be sending this article to Senator Gillebrand and Congresswoman McCarthy imploring them to take action as well. It is my hope that you will meet with them and as many NYS Representatives as you can muster. This issue directly affects Long Island which has the potential to become a research, development and manufacturing center for solar technology. This also has the potential to affect upstate New York as well. Its a perfect lower wage, educated area which could benefit from new green industry. SUNY Binghamton is doing cutting edge research in this technology.


China Racing Ahead of U.S. in the Drive to Go Solar
Ryan Pyle for The New York Times

Suntech, China’s biggest solar panel maker, has reduced the price of panels sold in America to build market share.

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By KEITH BRADSHER
Published: August 24, 2009

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Ryan Pyle for The New York Times

Chinese companies like Suntech, above, plan to build assembly plants in the United States.
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WUXI, China — President Obama wants to make the United States “the world’s leading exporter of renewable energy,” but in his seven months in office, it is China that has stepped on the gas in an effort to become the dominant player in green energy — especially in solar power, and even in the United States.

Chinese companies have already played a leading role in pushing down the price of solar panels by almost half over the last year. Shi Zhengrong, the chief executive and founder of China’s biggest solar panel manufacturer, Suntech Power Holdings, said in an interview here that Suntech, to build market share, is selling solar panels on the American market for less than the cost of the materials, assembly and shipping.

Backed by lavish government support, the Chinese are preparing to build plants to assemble their products in the United States to bypass protectionist legislation. As Japanese automakers did decades ago, Chinese solar companies are encouraging their United States executives to join industry trade groups to tamp down anti-Chinese sentiment before it takes root.

The Obama administration is determined to help the American industry. The energy and Treasury departments announced this month that they would give $2.3 billion in tax credits to clean energy equipment manufacturers. But even in the solar industry, many worry that Western companies may have fragile prospects when competing with Chinese companies that have cheap loans, electricity and labor, paying recent college graduates in engineering $7,000 a year.

“I don’t see Europe or the United States becoming major producers of solar products — they’ll be consumers,” said Thomas M. Zarrella, the chief executive of GT Solar International, a company in Merrimack, N.H., that sells specialized factory equipment to solar panel makers around the world.

Since March, Chinese governments at the national, provincial and even local level have been competing with one another to offer solar companies ever more generous subsidies, including free land, and cash for research and development. State-owned banks are flooding the industry with loans at considerably lower interest rates than available in Europe or the United States.

Suntech, based here in Wuxi, is on track this year to pass Q-Cells of Germany, to become the world’s second-largest supplier of photovoltaic cells, which would put it behind only First Solar in Tempe, Ariz.

Hot on Suntech’s heels is a growing list of Chinese corporations backed by entrepreneurs, local governments and even the Chinese military, all seeking to capitalize on an industry deemed crucial by China’s top leadership.

Dr. Shi pointed out that other governments, including in the United States, also assist clean energy industries, including with factory construction incentives.

China’s commitment to solar energy is unlikely to make a difference soon to global warming. China’s energy consumption is growing faster than any other country’s, though the United States consumes more today. Beijing’s aim is to generate 20,000 megawatts of solar energy by 2020 — or less than half the capacity of coal-fired power plants that are built in China each year.

Solar energy remains far more expensive to generate than energy from coal, oil, natural gas or even wind. But in addition to heavy Chinese investment and low Chinese costs, the global economic downturn and a decline in European subsidies to buy panels have lowered prices.

The American economic stimulus plan requires any project receiving money to use steel and other construction materials, including solar panels, from countries that have signed the World Trade Organization’s agreement on free trade in government procurement. China has not.

In response to this, and to reduce shipping costs, Suntech plans to announce in the next month or two that it will build a solar panel assembly plant in the United States, said Steven Chan, its president for global sales and marketing.

“It’ll be to facilitate sales — ‘buy American’ and things like that,” Mr. Chan said, adding that the factory would have 75 to 150 workers and be located in Phoenix, or somewhere in Texas.

But 90 percent of the workers at the $30 million factory will be blue-collar laborers, welding together panels from solar wafers made in China, Dr. Shi said.

Yingli Solar, another large Chinese manufacturer, said on Thursday that it also had a “preliminary plan” to assemble panels in the United States.

Western rivals, meanwhile, are struggling. Q-Cells of Germany announced last week that it would lay off 500 of its 2,600 employees because of declining sales. It and two other German companies, Conergy and SolarWorld, are particularly indignant that German subsidies were the main source of demand for solar panels until recently.

“Politicians might ask whether this is still the right way to do this, German taxpayers paying for Asian products,” said Markus Wieser, a Q-Cells spokesman.

But organizing resistance to Chinese exports could be difficult, particularly as Chinese discounting makes green energy more affordable.

Even with Suntech acknowledging that it sells below the marginal cost of producing each additional solar panel — that is, the cost after administrative and development costs are subtracted — any antidumping case, in the United States, for example, would have to show that American companies were losing money as a result.

First Solar — the solar leader, in Tempe — using a different technology from many solar panel manufacturers, is actually profitable, while the new tax credits now becoming available may help other companies.

Even organizing a united American response to Chinese exports could be difficult. Suntech has encouraged executives at its United States operations to take the top posts at the two main American industry groups, partly to make sure that these groups do not rally opposition to imports, Dr. Shi said.

The efforts of Detroit automakers to win protection from Japanese competition in the 1980s were weakened by the presence of Honda in their main trade group; they expelled Honda in 1992.

Some analysts are less pessimistic about the prospects for solar panel manufacturers in the West. Joonki Song, a partner at Photon Consulting in Boston, said that while large Chinese solar panel manufacturers are gaining market share, smaller ones have been struggling.

Mr. Zarrella of GT Solar said that Western providers of factory equipment for solar panel manufacturers would remain competitive, and Dr. Shi said that German equipment providers “have made a lot of money, tons of money.”

The Chinese government is requiring that 80 percent of the equipment for China’s first municipal power plant to use solar energy, to be built in Dunhuang in northwestern China next year, be made in China.

Dr. Shi said his company would try to prevent similar rules in any future projects.

The reason is clear: almost 98 percent of Suntech’s production goes overseas.
Sign in to Recommend More Articles in Business » A version of this article appeared in print on August 25, 2009, on page A1 of the New York edition.

Comment by Marilyn on August 25, 2009 at 4:27pm

Sen. Arlen Specter has voiced approval of the extension of a commuter rail line from Philadelphia to Reading, Pennsylvania. During his comments, Sen. Specter expressed the need for reducing the smog in the area and the importance of reducing the United States' need for imported oil.

Thank you, Sen. Specter, for listening to the Pickens Plan Community.

Marilyn, PA southeastern
Pickens Plan Member since July 2008

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