WASHINGTON, DC -- Rhone Resch, president and CEO of the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA), today released the following statement after the introduction in Congress of a bipartisan bill to create parity when it comes to Master Limited Partnerships, which are often used to create investment incentives in energy projects.  The bill was introduced by Sen. Chris Coons (D-DE), along with Sen. Jerry Moran (R-KA), Sen. Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) and Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-AK):

"This bill is an important step toward leveling the playing field between clean, renewable energy and long-entrenched energy sources in America, by providing the solar industry with access to private capital in the same manner enjoyed by the oil and gas industry for almost 30 years. Today, the U.S. solar industry employs nearly 120,000 Americans, with solar deployment growing and consumer costs dropping.

“Senator Coons' MLP proposal would build on this success, and SEIA applauds him for putting forward an idea that has the potential to attract private sector investment for critically-important solar projects.  This bill represents smart public policy, and solar represents a clean, safe, affordable and inexhaustible supply of energy for our nation. We look forward to working with Senator Coons and other stakeholders on this important issue.”

More Resources:
- 2013 SEIA Policy Priorities: http://www.seia.org/research-resources/2013-policy-priorities-federal-state
- U.S. Solar Market Insight: 2012 Year-in-Review: http://www.seia.org/research-resources/us-solar-market-insight
- SEIA Comments to Ways and Means on Comprehensive Tax Reform, April 15, 2013: http://www.seia.org/research-resources/comments-house-ways-means-committee-working-group-energy-tax-reform

About SEIA®:
Established in 1974, the Solar Energy Industries Association® is the national trade association of the U.S. solar energy industry. Through advocacy and education, SEIA and its 1,000 member companies are building a strong solar industry to power America. As the voice of the industry, SEIA works to make solar a mainstream and significant energy source by expanding markets, removing market barriers, strengthening the industry and educating the public on the benefits of solar energy. www.seia.org

Media Contacts:
Jamie Nolan, [email protected], 202.556.2886
Ken Johnson, [email protected], 202.556.2885

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