Alliance Calls on Congress to Wrap Up 'Unfinished Business' By Passing Energy-Efficiency Tax Credits in Stimulus Package.

WASHINGTON -- The Alliance to Save Energy strongly urged Congress to act today to extend tax credits for consumers who make energy-efficiency home improvements, noting that these tax incentives are major incentives for moving new efficient technologies into the commercial mainstream.

"Extension of energy-efficiency consumer tax credits that expired on December 31 was the principal piece missing from the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 that Congress passed last month," said Alliance President Kateri Callahan. "But today, the Senate Finance Committee has an opportunity to take care of this important unfinished business by including these tax credits in its economic stimulus package."

Noting that Finance Committee members Sens. Maria Cantwell (D - Wash.) and Olympia Snowe (R - Maine) have circulated a "Dear Colleague" letter calling upon the Senate to act quickly to extend tax credits for energy efficiency and renewable energy, Callahan said, "We urge the Senate Finance Committee to accept the recommendations of its members to extend energy-efficiency tax credits."

Callahan continued, "Energy-efficiency tax incentives are an integral part of our nation's energy policy. Extension of the consumer tax credits will result in lower energy bills and help our economy in a time of recession by encouraging investment in high-efficiency technologies. In addition, Congress must provide additional tax incentives to support businesses in their efforts to become more energy-efficient."

The Alliance to Save Energy is a coalition of prominent business, government, environmental, and consumer leaders who promote the efficient and clean use of energy worldwide to benefit consumers, the environment, the economy, and national security.