Renewed fight over renewables

Rep. John Shadegg (R-3) today joined with one Democrat and 158 Republicans in opposing the Renewable Energy and Job Creation Act of 2008, which passed on a vote of 263 to 160, and was immediately slammed for the vote by his Democratic rival for the CD3 seat, Bob Lord.

Shadegg claims his vote against the bill is not a sign that he opposes renewables; rather, he believes the legislation included "indefensible" tax breaks for some groups and tax increases for others.

"Regrettably," said Shadegg in a statement, "[the bill] would have increased taxes on individuals and American businesses by some $55 billion over a ten year period. Increasing taxes will neither produce more energy nor create new jobs. The legislation also extended an indefensible tax break to trial lawyers and Hollywood movie producers."

Shadegg went on to defend his renewable energy record. 

"I have long supported Federal tax credits for solar energy," he said. "In 2005, I voted to create a residential solar tax credit and extend the solar business credit.  In 2006, I voted to extend both of these tax credits.

"The last time Democrats brought the issue of extending the solar tax credits to the floor, it was entangled with provisions that would increase the cost of gasoline for American consumers. I refused then to vote for that legislation because of the tax increases, and I did so again today.

"Hopefully, the House Democratic leadership will bring up legislation to extend the solar tax credits, before they expire at the end of this year, without linking them to ill-advised tax increases.”

Read the full statement.

The Lord campaign fired back almost immediately, saying Shadegg was "lying" about his support for renewables and saying he was in the pocket of oil companies.

"He has been lying to us about his support for solar and renewable power," said the response put out by Lord's campaign manager Andrew Eldgredge-Martin. "The truth is that Shadegg is a solid vote for the oil industry in Washington so he can continue getting hundreds of thousands of dollars from the oil, gas, and energy companies."

Read Lord's response.

Eldredge-Martin cited an Arizona Republic article in which Shadegg claimed he would vote for renewable energy tax credits if presented in a separate bill.

Shadegg reiterated this stance in his statement today, claiming that his opposition wasn't to the tax credits, but to tax increases.