Advocacy Project: Letter and Fact Sheet

PART ONE:

December 6th, 2010
Representative Steve Kagen
House of Representatives
1232 Longworth HOB
Washington, DC 20515

VOTE YES ON ON H.R. 5856 WASTE-TO-ENERGY ACT OF 2010

The proposed bill is to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to provide for an investment tax credit for waste-to-energy facilities. This will be used in order to reduce the amount of municipal solid waste in the United States. The bill will find alternative ways to use municipal solid waste to reduce the amounts in landfills and help decrease its effects on the environment. I believe that this tax to fun waste-to-energy facilities will have a dramatic positive impact on the environment and should be passed through congress.

In California alone 42 million tons of waste are disposed of in landfills each year. 43 million tons of waste are recovered and are recycled or used to make energy already but the affects of increasing this number could be catastrophic. With minimal processing of the waste materials these products can be turned into alternative forms of energy. With further funding for waste-to-energy facilities the impact of municipal solid waste on the environment will greatly decrease. This will also lead to less dependancy on other forms of energy and allow the U.S. to be less dependant on other countries for resources.

Opponents of this bill might say that a tax increase is not something that the American population will want. During this time of recession they may say that loss of landfill jobs and an increase of taxes may hurt these families further. However, jobs will not be lost but created with the new facilities that are created through this tax credit. Also, if Americans can see that if they spend a little more money now the future of the United States of America will be more independant when we do not have to rely as much on other countries for our sources of energy. We hope that you understand that this is the best course of action for not only America's future but the future of the rest of the world. Please vote yes to H.R. 5856. If I can provide further information please let me know.


Danielle Rein

PART TWO:

Facts about Municiple Solid Waste and Waste-to-Energy Facilities

What is Municiple Solid Waste?

• Waste generated in households, commericial establishments, institutions and light industries. Examples include: food waste, plastic, cans, glass, etc.

What are Waste-to-Energy Facilities?

• Facility where municiple municipal solid waste is converted into a useable form of energy, usually via combustion. Examples include: incineration, gasification, fermentation, and anaerobic digestion.

10 Major Benefits of Municipal Waste to Energy Process

• Fossil Fuel dependence is reduced
• Energy is produced domestically
• Stability in availability and pricing
• The local community and economy benefit from these facilities
• More space in landfills available
• There is an unlimited amount of municipal waste
• Green house gas emissions are significantly reduced
• This energy generation is environmentally friendly
• Municipal waste to energy promotes recycling
• Municipal waste to energy plants are strictly monitored