Washington, DC - Today, leading Members of the House Energy and Commerce Committee introduced the "Clean Energy Technology Manufacturing and Export Assistance Act of 2010" to boost the competiveness of U.S. clean technology industry in the U.S. and international marketplace. The bill is authored by Representative Doris O. Matsui (D-CA), and is co-sponsored by House Commerce Trade and Consumer Protection Subcommittee Chairman Bobby Rush (D-IL), Chairman Emeritus John D. Dingell (D-MI), and Congresswoman Anna Eshoo (D-CA).

The Clean Energy Technology Manufacturing and Export Assistance Act would create a $15 million Clean Energy Technology Manufacturing and Export Assistance Fund – to be administered by International Trade Administration within the Department of Commerce – to increase the competitiveness of an American-made clean technology industry.

The newly-created Fund would support the development, implementation, and sustainability of a National Clean Energy Technology Export Strategy, and serve to assist U.S. Clean Tech firms with export assistance in finding and navigating foreign markets to export their goods and services abroad. The Matsui legislation would help also strengthen America’s domestic clean tech manufacturing industry by requiring the Fund to promote policies that will reduce production costs and encourage innovation, investment, and productivity in the clean energy technology industry at home.

Currently, our nation’s clean tech industry is lagging behind many of its international competitors, particularly in exports abroad. According to a U.S. Senate Report released in January 2010, the U.S. clean technology industry exported about $7.7 billion in products and services last year compared to China’s $22.7 billion and Germany’s $19.6 billion increases in exports. Moreover, the Department of Energy has found that the increase in exports of green technology could reach $40 billion per year and could create more than 750,000 jobs by 2020.

"The U.S. must be the leader in manufacturing and exporting clean technologies, not one that becomes dependent on foreign energy products," said Rep. Matsui. "This legislation will enhance the U.S. 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. This legislation sends a strong message to businesses around the world that America is serious about being a leader on producing clean energy."

"Right now, the global market for environmental goods and services is estimated at $700 billion," said Chairman Rush. "This means that the future of the overall U.S. economy not only depends upon a vibrant domestic market but strong American leadership in the rapidly expanding green economy.  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 U.S. 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."

"I am proud to join with my friends, Representatives Matsui and Rush, in introducing this important legislation, the Clean Energy Export Act," said Chairman Emeritus Dingell. "It is part and parcel to the President’s goal of doubling exports in five years and gives wonderful incentive to American companies to design and manufacture the environmentally friendly technologies of tomorrow.  Initiatives such as the one proposed in this bill will help our country gain a competitive edge in the export of the technologies the rest of the world wants and needs."

"Clean energy technology will be a critical component of tomorrow’s economy, with the potential to create thousands of jobs and provide domestic energy without harming the environment," said Rep. Eshoo. "China and European Union nations realize this potential and are investing heavily in this developing industry.  We have two choices: invest now, make America #1 in the world, and help our companies succeed, or watch other nations corner the global market. The Clean Energy Technology Manufacturing and Export Assistance Act of 2010 will position our nation to compete and become the world leader in this increasingly competitive global marketplace."

"It is astounding that the United States actually has a trade deficit in clean energy, when American companies are among the most competitive in the world," said Ed Gerwin, Senior Fellow for Trade and Global Economic Policy at Third Way. "Third Way’s research has found that a prime reason for this is that promoting clean energy exports is often a back burner issue for the U.S. government.  The Matsui legislation puts this issue on the front burner, and would bring a national focus and needed resources to promoting these key exports."

"The U.S. has the opportunity to embark on an aggressive and sustained strategy to expand clean energy markets for domestic manufacturing and increase U.S. exports," added Lisa Jacobson, President, Business Council for Sustainable Energy. "The Council commends the leadership of Representatives Doris Matsui, Bobby Rush, John Dingell, and Anna Eshoo and looks forward to working with Congress as it considers this important piece of legislation."

KEY PROVISIONS OF THE CLEAN ENERGY TECHNOLOGY MANUFACTURING AND EXPORT ASSISTANCE ACT OF 2010:

The legislation would create a "Clean Energy Technology Manufacturing and Export Assistance Fund" administered by International Trade Administration within the Department of Commerce to ensure American clean energy technology firms have the information and assistance they need to be competitive both at home and abroad.

Specifically, the Fund would serve to require the International Trade Administration to:

1. Assist U.S. Clean Tech firms with export assistance and find and navigate foreign markets to export their goods and services abroad.
2. Enhance U.S. Clean Tech Manufacturing firms by requiring the Fund to promote policies that will reduce production costs and encourage innovation, investment, and productivity in the clean energy technology sector.  
3. Develop and Implement a National Clean Energy Technology Export Strategy.
    

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