Call for national strategy to boost US clean energy exports

Rep. Matsui wants more support to help US clean energy firms crack foreign markets
A group of Democrats is seeking to set up a $15 million program to help clean energy manufacturers to boost exports.

Congresswoman Doris Matsui of Sacramento, along with members of the House Energy and Commerce Committee introduced a bill yesterday proposing the program that would require a new national strategy for clean energy exports.

The Clean Energy Technology Manufacturing and Export Assistance Act, as the bill is known, would help America gain ground on the likes of China and Germany in the world renewable energy market, the group claimed.

It would help US companies carve out more of the estimated $700 billion market for environmental goods and services.

The new bill came on the back of recent figures that put US clean energy exports at just $7.7 billion in total value from 2004 to 2008, compared to $19.6 billion for Germany’s exports and $22.7 billion for China’s renewable energy manufacturers.

Rep. Matsui said the US needed to be a leader in clean energy technology, rather than becoming dependent on foreign companies.

She said: ““This legislation will enhance the US standing in the race to clean energy by coordinating a national strategy to increase the competiveness of the U.S. clean tech industry here in the U.S. and in the international marketplace.”

Jobs

The group behind the bill said the increase of green technology exports could conceivably reach $40 billion a year, creating more than 750,000 jobs by 2020.

The key measure within the proposed bill is a $15 million fund from the Department of Commerce that would pay for the drawing up of a National Clean Energy Technology Export Strategy.

At present, only six of the top 30 global companies that lead in this sector are American owned” - Rep. Bobby Rush

This strategy would to help US firms find and navigate foreign markets for their goods and services.

It would also promote policies to foster innovation and investments to help lower production costs and increase productivity in the clean energy sector.

Bobby Rush, the Congressman from Illinois who chairs the House Commerce Trade and Consumer Protection Subcommittee, said: “At present, only six of the top 30 global companies that lead in this sector are American owned. This must change.

“This bill will help innovative US companies close this global gap. I’m committed to working with my colleague, Rep. Matsui, to do all I can to assure the passage of this legislation.”

Other co-sponsors of the bill include Congressman John D Dingell (D-MI), and Congresswoman Anna Eshoo (D-CA).