Extend the Tax Credit for Wind and Solar Power 2008 Action of Immediate Witness

Because: Unitarian Universalists as a community of faith respect the interdependent web of all existence, of which we are a part;

Whereas: The 2006 UUA [Unitarian Universalist Association] General Assembly adopted the Statement of Conscience on Global Warming and Climate Change;

Whereas: Wind power and solar power partially replace electricity generation by coal-fired plants;

Whereas: Carbon dioxide generation by coal-fired electric plants is a major contributor to global warming and climate change;

Whereas: The current tax credit expires December 31, 2008;

Whereas: The Senate has delayed passing the tax credit extension due to disagreements about paying the cost of the credit;

Whereas: The Senate prefers to delay action until after the November 2008 elections;

Whereas: This delay has caused anxiety in the market, drying up new orders for solar and wind power projects;

Whereas: The solar and wind power industries are primarily small companies, which do not have the capital to survive a six-month period of inactivity; and

Whereas: The solar and wind power industries planned to generate 116,000 new jobs, but may instead lay off workers;

Therefore, be it resolved: The 2008 General Assembly encourages its member congregations to write or petition their senators to vote immediately to extend the tax credit for wind and solar power as proposed and passed by the House in HR 6049.