Evangelicals Successfully Petition Congress on Wind Energy
Congress Votes to Renew Wind Tax Credit Following Nationwide Campaign
Contact: Rachel Johnson, 540-672-8673, rjohnson@eleisongroup.com
WASHINGTON, Jan. 8, 2013 /Christian Newswire/ -- More than 30,000 evangelicals and Catholics in swing congressional districts signed a petition to Congress in support of wind energy following a nationwide campaign by the Good Steward Campaign (GSC) and Evangelical Environmental Network (EEN). The petition, which framed renewable energy as a serious concern for people of faith, was met with success when Congress voted to extend the Wind Tax Credit.
"Extending the Wind Tax Credit is good policy for the future of this country," says Rev. Dr. Paul de Vries , spokesperson for the Good Steward Campaign. "In the two decades since it was enacted, this credit has created tens of thousands of jobs that cannot be outsourced. And unlike other energy sources, wind energy does not give off toxic emissions such as mercury, which causes brain damage in the unborn."
The advocacy campaign consisted of emails in favor of extending the Wind Tax Credit sent to 9 million moderate/conservative evangelicals and Catholics in targeted regions across the country. Emails were signed by prominent pastors and military leaders who stated that extending the Wind Tax Credit is in our moral and national security interests, and will create jobs and grow our economy.
"You can't put a price on the health of our children and wind power is a step in the right direction when it comes to energy and pollution," said Rev. Mitch Hescox, President & CEO of the Evangelical Environmental Network.
The Good Steward Campaign is a grassroots campaign targeted toward young evangelicals and people of faith, mobilizing them around climate change and promoting a clean energy economy. The Evangelical Environmental Network is a ministry that seeks to equip, inspire, disciple and mobilize people on the issue of creation care.
The Wind Tax Credit, formally known as the Production Tax Credit, was included as part of the fiscal cliff package passed through both the Senate and House of Representatives at the beginning of the New Year.
