A story in Friday’s SustainableBusiness.com News alerted us to a new bill in Congress supporting solar power:

“U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) and U.S. Congressman Dave Camp (R-MI) announced the Solar Manufacturing Jobs Creation Act, which aims to encourage more U.S. companies to produce solar equipment in the US, creating jobs and investing in the clean energy economy.

“Currently, a 30 percent Solar Investment Tax Credit (SITC) exists for the investment in or installation of solar power technology. Under the Solar Manufacturing Jobs Creation Act, equipment and facilities used to manufacture solar power technology would be added to the eligible property list for the SITC. These technologies include solar cells, silicon, evacuated tubes, and flat-plate solar collectors.”

According to the article, the bill will be co-sponsored by Senator Robert Menendez (D-NJ) and Senator Michael Bennet (D-CO) — both states with well-developed solar programs, allowing them an (earned) advantage in putting such a measure to use. (The same goes for Michigan, home of both Senator Stabenow and Congressman Camp.)

The moral of the story: State governments that do the early heavy lifting in making commitments to renewable energy are the ones that will reap the benefits when the Federal government enacts its incentives.

via New Solar Bill Provides Incentives for US Manufacturing.