Last June as part of a contingent for SEIA’s "Solar Heating and Cooling Lobby Day," Dan, Kevin and I met with several congressional legislative aides on Capital Hill, including our own Senator Menendez’s staff educating them on the merits of solar pool heating and pledging our case as to why commercial solar pool heating should be included in the current 30% tax credit.

Yesterday, Senator Menendez introduced the "Solar Manufacturing Jobs Creation Act.” We are awaiting the bill's numerical designation. Section 3 of the bill contains the same language as in Senator Feinstein's previous version in the 111th Congress and would extend the 30% tax credit if businesses choose to add solar pool heating to their property's swimming pool.

We are moving forward to create a coalition of national organizations, representing the major commercial establishments in this country who have swimming pools as part of their businesses, who will simply "sign-on" at this juncture to support this effort. We already have commitments from the World Waterpark Association and the Association of Pool and Spa Professionals. We anticipate having the support of the International Health Racquet and Sportsclub Association, the American Hotel &amp; Lodging Association, the National Apartment Association and the Association of RV Parks and Campgrounds.

In addition to the fact that Sen. Menendez is a member of the Senate Finance Committee to which this bill will certainly be assigned, we have support from New Jersey’s Chris Smith, a long-time republican member of the House.

Senator Menendez’s legislation couldn’t come at a better time considering the recent antidumping and countervailing duty petition filed against Chinese PV manufacturers by U.S. manufacturers.

I think that the bill has a reasonable shot at passage sometime in the first half of 2012.

Dave Sizelove, President