Washington, D.C – Speaker Nancy Pelosi issued the following statement today on the Making Work Pay tax credit, which goes into effect tomorrow. The tax cut, in which most working families will receive $800 a year through reduced payroll deductions, is part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act that Congress passed and President Obama signed into law last month:“The Making Work Pay tax cut will put more money in workers’ paychecks each week, helping to jumpstart our economy and provide some much-needed relief to Americans who are having a difficult time making ends meet. Congress passed the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act one month after President Obama took office, giving workers across the country one of the fastest tax cuts in our nation’s history.

“Putting more money directly into the hands of 95 percent of working Americans is only the beginning. This week, Congress will pass a budget blueprint for America that cuts taxes for middle-income Americans by $1.5 trillion, cuts the deficit by two-thirds, creates new jobs through investments in health care, clean energy and education, while cutting spending to its lowest level in a generation.

“With the Making Work Pay tax credit, President Obama and Congress have made clear that American families are at the top of our agenda.”

TRENTON – Gov. Jon S. Corzine today signed into law three Assembly Democratic measures designed to improve energy efficiency, expand solar and wind energy production and promote solar energy usage in new homes.

The first bill (A-1558) sponsored by Assemblywomen Linda R. Greenstein, Bonnie Watson Coleman and Pamela R. Lampitt promotes the installation of solar energy panels in newly constructed homes.

“We can vastly improve the quality of life for all New Jersey families by encouraging investment in solar energy systems in all new houses,” said Greenstein (D-Middlesex/Mercer). “Sound public policy and environmentally responsible practices can come together to provide dividends for generations.”

The new law requires a developer of 25 or more residential units to offer to install a solar energy system when a prospective owner enters into negotiations, provided installation of such a system is technically feasible as determined by the Department of Community Affairs in consultation with the Board of Public Utilities.

“We must reduce our reliance on increasingly expensive fossil fuels by making use of renewable energy resources that can save consumers money and reduce the burden on our precious natural resources,” said Watson Coleman (D-Mercer). “By using solar energy for heat and electricity we can significantly decrease dangerous greenhouse gases emissions.”

“Promoting solar energy can not only save homeowners money on utility bills and protect the environment, but also will create ‘green jobs’ in the construction industry,” said Lampitt (D-Camden). “In addition to meeting our future energy needs, alternative energy can be a real economic drive.”

The second measure (A-2550) sponsored by Assembly members Lampitt, Upendra Chivukula, Connie Wagner, Valerie Vainieri Huttle, Nellie Pou Greenstein will permit wind and solar facilities in industrial zones. The new law defines renewable energy facilities as any facility that produces electric energy from solar technologies, photovoltaic technologies or wind energy.

“We need to stop looking at wind and solar power as novelties and start viewing them as a viable, homegrown energy industry that can create new jobs here in New Jersey,” said Lampitt. “Actively promoting the expansion of alternative energy can be a win for communities, a win for the economy and a win for the environment.”

“This is an environmentally smart way to reinvigorate our economy and save money through renewable energy," said Chivukula (D-Somerset). "It makes sense on many levels and positions New Jersey for a strong future."

“This will help reduce our reliance on fossil fuels and redevelop industrial zones struggling in this global economic recession,” said Wagner (D-Bergen). “It’s smart environmentally and fiscally.”
“New Jersey should be encouraging renewable energy as we look to position our state to emerge stronger from this global economic meltdown,” said Vainieri Huttle (D-Bergen). “This helps do just that, and is a sound approach that will has the potential to benefit generations to come.”
“Many industrial areas need our help, and this is a sensible way to accomplish that while promoting renewable energy that is clearly the wave of the future,” said Pou (D-Passaic). “This approach will create jobs, help us save money and set us up to thrive once this global meltdown is over.”

“This bill will help boost our economy, help struggling industrial neighborhoods and promote renewable energy that will help end our reliance on foreign oil,” said Greenstein. “It’s smart policy all the way around.”

The final measure (A-2507) will authorize BPU to use monies from the Retail Margin Fund to provide grants for combined heat and power production, energy efficiency projects and programs promoting renewable and efficient energy.

“This will help to drive down escalating energy bills burdening New Jersey ratepayers during the current economic crisis,” said Chivukula. “Energy efficient appliances, newer equipment, technical audits and plant expansions will help to reduce energy consumption by commercial and industrial entities. These savings will translate into reduced energy bills for New Jersey consumers while furthering the Governor’s Energy Master Plan.”