Wufoo

The opportunity exists today to develop vibrant renewable energy industries in the United States and Canada that create jobs and wealth by using our abundant domestic renewable energy resources. Our state, provincial and federal governments can encourage a rapid increase in the production and use of renewable energy by adopting Renewable Energy Payment (REP) policies that provide incentives to homeowners, businesses, utility companies, and investors to make the switch from fossil fuels to clean energy.

Renewable Energy Payments (REPs), (in Germany and elsewhere called feed-in tariffs--FITs), have proven to be the world’s most successful policies for delivering large quantities of renewable energy generation quickly and cheaply. They allow everyone to participate—homeowners, farmers, small and large businesses—by becoming a renewable energy producer, and do not require any state support or funding. The 15-20 year contracts, and established prices that are part of REPs create a stable investment environment and attract significant amounts of low-cost financing that reduce overall project costs. Investment in solar, wind, and other types of renewable energy will mean new wealth for our citizens by creating thousands of “green collar” jobs. These investments will directly benefit homeowners and the manufacturing, engineering and construction industries, as well as the farming and financial service sectors.

By increasing our shift from burning fossil fuels to using our own renewable energy, REP policies will improve our states’, provinces’ and nations’ energy security by lessening our reliance on imported fossil fuels. They will help each state, province and nation reduce their greenhouse gas emissions and achieve their long-term renewable energy goals.

Our federal, state, and provincial legislatures should enact these policies as quickly as possible to create a cleaner, healthier, and wealthier future for our current citizens and for future generations.