NECA Member Offers Insight, Expertise on Green Technology Economic Impact to House Small Business Committee
The U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Small Business yesterday heard testimony from Randy Rema, a small business owner and member of the National Electrical Contractors Assn. (NECA), on the rapidly converging trends of rising energy prices, an economic slowdown and growing consumer interest in green building technology.
Rema was invited to speak on NECA's behalf at the committee's hearing on "The Role of Green Technologies in Spurring Economic Growth."
"As public and consumer awareness of alternative energy and the need to efficient energy solutions has grown, electrical contractors’ responsibilities have expanded considerably to meet this demand. The House Small Business Committee knows that NECA and its member contractors can offer unique insight and expertise on the growing green building market, as well as the importance of continuing to invest in renewable energy technologies through tax credits," said Lake Coulson, NECA executive director of government affairs.
NECA member Randy Rema testifies at hearing of House Small Business Committee, July 10. At the hearing, Rema answered the committee's questions on how he expects electrical construction projects in alternative and renewable energies to increase his company's bottom line, and the investment in solar power he has made himself.
"This year we have contracts worth $2 million for solar panel installations, which represents almost 25 percent of our total business," Rema reported to the committee. "For 2009, I can project an additional $2 million worth of opportunities for those seeking building retrofit and other investment in green energy technologies. For my small business, this amounts to the employment of at least eight new electricians, plus support staff, with the possibility of even greater employment opportunities at competitive wages."
Rema doesn't just help his customers achieve their green building goals – he's made his own investment in green technology. "Just last year, I […] invested in my company’s infrastructure and retrofitted our roofing system with a $212,000 solar panel unit," he said. "I had projected a 20-year payback on the system, but with increasing energy costs and the potential to sell off extra power through potential utility buyback programs, I believe my investment will exceed my earlier predictions."
Rema pointed out to the committee that while he had made a personal investment in green technology, in terms of his company's infrastructure and expanding customer service, our national investment in green technologies would lose significant momentum if tax credits intended to spur investments in renewable energy and energy-efficient building were allowed to expire. Such incentives encourage development in green building technologies, create new jobs, and stimulate a lagging construction market.
"Green opportunities for electrical contractors will contract if the renewable energy tax incentives, such as the commercial building tax deduction, are not extended," Rema said. "If there is an action item I might leave you with it would be that you please ask your Senate colleagues to support H.R. 6049 so that these renewable energy incentives are extended."
The full text of Mr. Rema's testimony to the Committee can be found below, along with other links related to the July 10 hearing. Reporters or editors interested in interviewing Mr. Rema or Lake Coulson, NECA executive director of government affairs, should contact Beth Margulies, NECA director of public relations, 301-215-4526 (direct), 240-461-4769 (mobile) or email beth.margulies@necanet.org.
NECA is the voice of the $130 billion electrical construction industry that brings power, light, and communication technology to buildings and communities across the U.S. NECA’s national office and 119 local chapters advance the industry through advocacy, education, research and standards development. For more information, visit www.necanet.org.
Contact Information
Beth Margulies, Director, Public Relations
301-214-4526, beth.margulies@necanet.org
