Wind Power Advocates to call on Senator Hutchison to Renew Tax Credits
With a key wind energy tax credit set to expire at the end of the year, student activists will gather outside the office of Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison to urge her to support extension of the tax credit in order to protect Texas jobs and the environment. An estimated 37,000 Americans employed by the wind industry could lose their jobs if Congress fails to act. Already, wind developer Vestas Energy has announced they’re closing their Houston office and laying off dozens of people over uncertainty about this tax credit.
37,000 American Jobs at Risk
WHAT: With a key wind energy tax credit set to expire at the end of the year, student activists will gather outside the office of Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison to urge her to support extension of the tax credit in order to protect Texas jobs and the environment. An estimated 37,000 Americans employed by the wind industry could lose their jobs if Congress fails to act. Already, wind developer Vestas Energy has announced they’re closing their Houston office and laying off dozens of people over uncertainty about this tax credit.
Texas leads the nation in wind energy, which generated about 8.5% of the state’s electricity last year. In 2011, wind energy in Texas employed about 9,000 people, reduced pollution equal to that of 3 million cars and avoided use of 9.5 billion gallons of water.
WHO: Student activists with Environment Texas
WHEN: Tuesday, September 18, 4:30 PM
WHERE: Sidewalk in front of lobby entrance of Senator Hutchison’s Houston office
1919 Smith Street
Downtown Houston, Texas
VISUALS: A group of students will hold signs urging Congress to renew the tax credit and will ask passersby to sign a petition
Authors
Luke Metzger
Executive Director, Environment Texas
As the executive director of Environment Texas, Luke is a leading voice in the state for clean air and water, parks and wildlife, and a livable climate. Luke recently led the successful campaign to get the Texas Legislature and voters to invest $1 billion to buy land for new state parks. He also helped win permanent protection for the Christmas Mountains of Big Bend; helped compel Exxon, Shell and Chevron Phillips to cut air pollution at four Texas refineries and chemical plants; and got the Austin and Houston school districts to install filters on water fountains to protect children from lead in drinking water. The San Antonio Current has called Luke "long one of the most energetic and dedicated defenders of environmental issues in the state." He has been named one of the "Top Lobbyists for Causes" by Capitol Inside, received the President's Award from the Texas Recreation and Parks Society for his work to protect Texas parks. He is a board member of the Clean Air Force of Central Texas and an advisory board member of the Texas Tech University Masters of Public Administration program. Luke, his wife, son and daughters are working to visit every state park in Texas.
