Dear Editor:
The U.S. solar industry is thriving and now employs more than 100,000 Americans at 5,000 companies across all 50 states. The industry just enjoyed its best quarter ever and grew by 140 percent in the last year, despite a stagnant national economy. Here in Central Missouri, you are seeing solar systems popping up all over.
The key driving force behind this unprecedented growth - the 1603 Treasury Program - is set to expire Dec. 31, and Congress should act now to extend it.
The 1603 program has spurred $23 billion in private sector investment and helped start 22,000 energy generation projects in every state. A one-year extension of the 1603 program would support 37,000 additional solar jobs in the U.S, according to an independent analysis by EuPD Research.
The 1603 program has the support of a coalition of more than 760 companies, small businesses and organizations who recently called on Congress to extend the program. And more than eight out 10 Americans from across the political spectrum support federal incentives for solar like 1603, according to recent polling.
Congress should stand with the American people and extend the 1603 program to ensure a robust solar energy industry into the future.
Movie title
Grade: grade here
Cast: cast here
Director: director here
Rating: rating here
Running time: minutes
Showtimes and Ticket Info