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Our friend Annie Carmichael of the Vote Solar Initiative is in celebratory spirits and the message she’s just sent has got us ready to uncork the bubbly. She wrote to tell us the U.S. Congress has just passed a long-term extension of the solar investment tax credit and the President has signed the bill into law.

We’re thrilled because we believe clean, renewable energy is the key to a more secure, prosperous and healthier future for ourselves and generations to come. In her message Annie wrote:

It's been a long road and we want to thank each of you for adding your voice to this campaign; the consistent public pressure saved this credit. We also want to give props to the hard working folks at the Solar Energy Industry Association who walked the halls of Congress day in and day out for two years rallying support for this vital tax credit. Thanks to all of you over 440,000 jobs will be created in the solar field in the next 8 years, and over $232 billion of investment will be pumped into our economy. Now that's economic stimulus.

To view previous posts on the topic of solar energy go to:

1. Going Solar & Getting Credit

2. Inspiring Sustainable Living

3. California Is Leading the Way on Solar Power

4. Congress Approves Taxing Big Oil to Support Alternative Energy