Washington, D.C., June 19, 2007 – The Alliance to Save Energy today commended the Senate Finance Committee for adopting key energy-efficiency tax incentives for consumers and businesses. The Alliance urged the full Senate to adopt the package without diminishing its scope and urged the House to follow suit – or to do even better.

“By extending valuable energy-efficiency tax incentives, the Senate Finance Committee has signaled its recognition that these benefits for consumers and businesses need a longer timeframe to achieve market transformation and put a significant dent in the nation’s excessive energy use,” said Alliance President Kateri Callahan. “For construction of new buildings, in particular, it is imperative to extend the tax incentives for multiple years to allow enough time for planning and construction,” Callahan said.

“We urge the full Senate to adopt the energy-efficiency tax package in its entirety and urge the House Ways and Means Committee to equal or improve upon the Senate package when it takes up energy-efficiency tax incentives tomorrow,” Callahan added.

Key provisions adopted by the Senate’s tax-writing committee include:

• A two-year extension, through 2009, of the consumer tax credits for energy-efficiency home improvements;
• Tax incentives for manufacturers of energy-efficient dishwashers, clothes washers, and refrigerators;
• A three-year extension, through 2011, of tax incentives for builders of energy-efficient new homes; and
• A five-year extension, through 2013, and at an increased value, of tax incentives for builders and owners of energy-efficient commercial buildings.