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Dear Co-op America Member, You know all about our programs like Responsible Shopper and the National Green Pages™; now allow me to introduce you to Solar Nation. Much like our Green Festivals, established in partnership with our ally Global Exchange, we established Solar Nation in partnership with a number of allies, such as Vote Solar and the American Solar Energy Society, with the goal of making solar energy a significant part of America's energy future. If you're concerned about climate change, energy security, good local jobs, air pollution, community health, clean water (or any number of other issues), the advancement of solar energy in the US provides a solution for you. The next step in making the solar future happen is to rally Congress to approve the Securing America's Energy Independence Act, which will extend solar tax credits to homeowners for the next eight years, and offer robust credits of $1,500 per half-watt — giving taxpayers a big incentive to go solar. Check out our latest editorial to find out more about the solar tax credit bill, and then click through to the Solar Nation site for a way you can take action today. For a brighter future, P.S. For more ways to take economic action and make a difference, check out our latest community investment of the month and our list of actions for World Fair Trade Day coming up on May 12. Action: Tell Congress to Pass Solar Energy Tax Credits 
When Congress reinstated federal tax credits for solar energy in the 2005 Energy Bill, they were actually turning back the clock. Robust tax credits for solar energy had already been created nearly 30 years before by the Carter administration, only to be discarded during the Reagan years, setting the solar industry back, as the demand created by the tax credits dried up. History will repeat itself unless Congress acts to extend the 2005 federal solar tax credits, which were set to expire at the end of 2007. Our latest editorial tells you about bills working their way through the House and Senate right now which will not only extend the tax credits to 2016, but will also lift the cap on the 2005 credit, offering much more money to homeowners who choose to go renewable. Solar Nation is making it easy for you to contact Congress and tell them to pass these tax credits. Visit the Solar Nation site today, input your ZIP code, and send a letter right now to your representative, urging action on solar tax credits at the federal level. News: World Fair Trade Day is May 12 
Plan ahead to take action on World Fair Trade Day this year, and spread the word about an economic system that puts people and the planet ahead of profits. Our list of ways to celebrate gives you lots of ideas, from asking your local coffee shop to start carrying Fair Trade, to assembling a Fair Trade house party – and we point you toward the resources you need to get started. The Fair Trade marketplace is broader than ever – coffee, tea, chocolate, fruit, sugar, and much more. Visit our Fair Trade site to learn more and plan ahead now for May 12. Resources: Community Investment of the Month 
Good news for community investors who wish to direct their investor capital toward communities in need. Community Capital Management just launched a new "share class" for the community development mutual fund they manage, so now individual investors can now purchase shares in the fund directly from its distributor, SEI Investments Distribution, Co. Capital from investment in this fund (the CRA Qualified Investment Fund) finances a range of community development activities like affordable housing, affordable healthcare, job creation and job training, and environmental restoration. For example, one recent bond provided financing to the Hurricane Housing Recovery Plan of Charlotte County, Florida, which funds mortgage opportunities for residents who were affected by Hurricane Charley in 2004. (For more information, visit the Community Capital Management Fund's Web site.) |
April 24,
2007
(member advertisement) All of Co-op America's editorials are available for reprint. Contact our online editor for permission, and forward this e-mail to others who would be interested in reprinting our op-ed on federal solar energy tax credits. (Please feel free to post our editorials to your blog or Web site as well, and if you do, let us know.)  Thanks to the following Co-op America members who posted our 7 Ways Your Investments Can Fight Climate Change to their blog or Web site: |
