SWANA Joins Renewable Energy Business Alliance

The Solid Waste Association has joined with representatives of other renewable energy industries to advocate for an extension and increase of the tax credits for these energy sources, included in the American Jobs Creation Act, H.R. 4520, which was signed into law by President Bush on October 22, 2004. SWANA has led a long-standing effort to advocate for tax credits for landfill gas (LFG) and waste-to-energy (WTE) projects.

The Renewable Energy Business Alliance is made up of several associations with an interest in renewable energy. Among the associations in the alliance are: American Wind Energy Association, Geothermal Energy Association, Integrated Waste Services Association, Solar Energy Industries Association, American Public Power Association, National Rural Electric Cooperative Association, USA Biomass Power Producers Alliance.

Once the new Congress is in session, the group hopes to advocate for an increase and extention of tax credits on behalf of all renewable energy sources, including wind, solar, and geothermal, as well as LFG and WTE. The group believes renewable energy can provide the United States with energy security, job growth, fuel diversity and environmental benefits.

"We are pleased to be a part of this alliance," commented John H. Skinner, Ph.D., SWANA's Executive Director and CEO. "Renewable energy stands to help alleviate the United States' dependence on foreign oil, as well as provide cleaner alternatives to traditional fuel sources. Landfill gas alone has the potential to provide enough energy for over a million households, but an extension and increase of these tax credits is needed before these projects can get off the ground."