Community development corporation taps sun and rain; affordable…
22,000 new "green" jobs planned by 2020
Senator Troy Fraser announced his goal Monday
Updated: Thursday, 12 Mar 2009, 5:53 PM CDT
Published : Monday, 02 Feb 2009, 11:41 AM CST
AUSTIN (KXAN) - A bipartisan group of lawmakers, headed by Sen. Troy Fraser (R-Horseshoe Bay), announced their goal to pass a bill that encourages more solar power in Texas. Lawmakers insist legislation passed on green energy would create 22,000 green jobs by 2020. The Austin Chamber of Commerce believes tech jobs lost in the semi conductor industry could be transferred to solar energy jobs.
"The solar panel industry is an offshoot of semi-conductor chip manufacturing," said Jose Beceiro with the Austin Chamber of Commerce.
The lawmakers want to create an incentive program to encourage the use of solar power.
"You will get additional credit if you utilize resources in Texas that would create jobs here in Texas," said Sen. Kirk Watson (D-Austin). There is still no clear fiscal note on the legislation, though Sen. Fraser mentioned a 10 cent additional cost to energy uses per month to help fund the incentive program. Tom Smith with Public Citizen hopes laws passed will stop homeowners associations from preventing use of solar panels.
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