Washington (March 29, 2011) - In a letter sent today to Republican and Democratic leaders of the House and Senate, CEOs of 34 renewable energy companies strongly urged support for the Department of Energy’s loan guarantee program in order to preserve billions of dollars of private sector investments that will build the nation’s domestic clean energy infrastructure.

The thirty-four CEOs representing companies from every renewable energy sector – solar, wind, geothermal, biomass and biofuel –have already invested tens of millions of dollars in projects that are being considered by the Department of Energy for loan guarantees. Without the loan guarantee program, the companies will be unable to begin construction of major commercial renewable energy projects. Without loan guarantees, America’s effort to compete with China, Germany and others in the clean technology marketplace will be undermined.

In their letter, the 34 CEOs noted: “The projects for which our companies have applied – all of which are ready to begin construction between now and September 30th of this year –represent more than $13.3 billion of investment in 28 states and will generate 15,600 construction jobs and 10,200 operating jobs as well as thousands of additional jobs for equipment and services provided by suppliers.”

According to the letter, sent to Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV), Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY), Speaker of the House John Boehner (R-OH) and Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-CA), “The loan guarantee program is a win-win-win for taxpayers, American clean technology and the communities and states where these investments are being made. The program’s real costs are paid for by the companies that submit applications, and each federal dollar of loan guarantees leverages $13 in private capital investment.”

Read the full letter here.