As originally published in the Delaware County Daily Times on January 18, 2018.
To the Times:
U.S. Rep. Patrick Meehan, R-7 of Chadds Ford, should be congratulated for his successful push for tax reform. The corporate tax cuts and 100 percent expensing provision will help American businesses immeasurably.
As a clean energy advocate, I would like to particularly thank Congressman Meehan for fighting to include tax credits that benefit renewable resources. The House-passed bill included a number of “orphaned” tax credits for solar energy, qualified fuel cell, small wind energy property, microturbine, combined heat and power, and thermal energy property. Unfortunately, these credits were dropped from the final bill.
These credits should be reconsidered in separate legislation this year as the clean- energy sector is a robust job creator, particularly for skilled labor and good-paying jobs.
Pennsylvania Reps. Ryan Costello, Charlie Dent and Lloyd Smucker also have a solid track record on clean energy and job creation. I urge them to join Congressman Meehan in supporting efforts to craft a new bill that would add the orphaned tax credits.
Heather Reams, Managing Director, Citizens for Responsible Energy Solutions Forum, Washington, D.C.