Renewables Leader to Washington, D.C.: More Than 300,000 Jobs Are Not ‘Ridiculous’

A renewables energy leader is strongly urging Wash., D.C. lawmakers to ensure the clean energy industry – particularly wind and solar jobs – is included in the next phase of federal stimulus spending to defend against the economic impact of the coronavirus pandemic. Provisions for the wind and solar industries specifically were eliminated in the $2 trillion emergency bill approved on Thursday.

Chairman and CEO John Billingsley heads both Tri Global Energy (www.triglobalenergy.com), the premier wind development company, and Sunfinity Renewable Energy (www.sunfinity.com), a leading solar EPC company (engineering, procurement, and construction) for residential and commercial solar systems. “Together, wind and solar energy represent hundreds of thousands of well-paid jobs, billions of dollars in spending and tax revenues, and just as importantly, clean, renewable power for a better world,” Billingsley said. “President Trump tweeted about ‘the ridiculous Green New Deal’ and Republicans accused Democrat lawmakers of holding up the overall package with green initiatives, but this isn’t a political issue, it’s economics that is just as valid as airlines, hospitality and many other important American industries.”

Billingsley stressed that support for the wind and solar industries comes without the need for an immediate loan or grant. “Tax credits have been in place that help enable projects ranging in size from utility-scale wind and solar projects to solar systems for individual homeowners and small businesses,” he said. “Those tax credits have expiration dates, and we’re now facing significant potential delays due to COVID-19. Congress can support the clean energy industry simply by extending the safe harbor provisions, essentially freezing tax credits in place, and eliminate uncertainty and enable projects to move forward. Also, allowing developers to receive direct pay equal to the value of the credits helps ensure the availability of tax equity.

“We want to continue helping to fuel the American economy and the American way of life, and we’re asking for our leadership in Congress to support us in that mission,” Billingsley said. “It’s the right thing to do.”

ABOUT TRI GLOBAL ENERGY

Tri Global Energy is an independent utility-scale renewable energy originator and developer in the U.S. The company is the leading wind developer in Texas and among the premiere wind developers in the U.S. It has successfully developed more than 3,500 MW that currently is in financing, construction or operation.

Founded in 2009, Tri Global Energy helps to improve communities through local economic development generated by developing and commercializing renewable energy projects. The company currently develops and owns utility-scale wind and solar energy projects in Texas, Nebraska, Illinois, Indiana, and Virginia. Tri Global Energy is headquartered in Dallas with regional offices in Lubbock, Texas; El Paso and Forreston, Illinois and Hartford City, Indiana. For more information, visit Triglobalenergy.com.

ABOUT SUNFINITY RENEWABLE ENERGY

Sunfinity Renewable Energy (www.sunfinity.com) is a provider of clean solar energy. The company offers customers a clean energy alternative to traditional energy by providing solar power directly to homeowners, businesses and other organizations for less than they spend on their current utility bills. Sunfinity gives customers control of their energy costs to protect them from the rising rates of electricity and makes switching to solar energy easy by offering turnkey solar system services to customers, from design, permitting and installation to monitoring and maintenance.