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Congressman Garamendi Introduces 'Make It In America' Clean Energy Bill to Create American Jobs Now

January 26, 2011

WASHINGTON, DC – Congressman John Garamendi (D-Walnut Creek, CA), a member of Democratic Whip Hoyer’s Working Group to Make It In America, today introduced legislation that will help grow America’s clean energy sector and create good jobs. In line with President Obama’s call at the State of the Union to develop practical strategies to create American jobs now, Congressman Garamendi’s bill requires that all clean energy goods and equipment purchased with federal money must be made in America.

"President Obama reminded us at the State of the Union that the American people want Congress to work together to create the jobs millions of Americans desperately need," said Congressman Garamendi. "When we invest American taxpayer dollars in clean energy, we must make sure our limited resources are wisely utilized, creating good jobs right here in America. The more we Make It In America, the more American manufacturers can compete in the global marketplace."

America’s middle class is struggling as we work to recover from the Great Recession. The bottom 50 percent of income earners in the United States now collectively own less than 1 percent of the nation’s wealth. 61 percent of Americans "always or usually" live paycheck to paycheck. Only the top 5 percent of U.S. households have earned enough additional income to match the rise in housing costs since 1975, while a staggering 43 percent of Americans have less than $10,000 saved up for retirement. Meanwhile, 12,000 to 20,000 jobs are lost every month to outsourcing.

"America is a beacon of hope, a global powerhouse and the land of opportunity," added Garamendi. "We must rebuild our once robust manufacturing sector, repower our factories and assembly lines, hire the working men and women of this great nation, and restore America’s once prospering middle class."

The Manufacture Renewable Energy Systems: Make it in America Act would create American jobs by ensuring that taxpayer dollars are spent on American-made renewable energy systems, including solar, wind, geothermal, and biofuels. Phased over a four year period, the bill requires the federal government and any state government buying renewable technologies with federal funds to purchase renewable sources of energy grown, produced, or manufactured with 100% American content. It also requires any company taking advantage of the Investment Tax Credit and the Production Tax Credit to buy 100% American content within four years after the bill becomes law.