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"There's no denying that much of our national electrical infrastructure needs serious attention, and that it's work that creates jobs," Ehmann said. "With the economic stimulus package, we also have the opportunity to invest in alternative energies and energy-efficient buildings that will help create jobs, conserve fuel, and cut our energy costs."

Ehmann pointed out to the committee that national investment in green building and energy conservation was necessary to make a real difference in the economy and environment. He urged the committee to make building construction part of the economic stimulus package and to extend federal incentives for renewable energy sources.

"I have witnessed first-hand the effects of what happens to jobs, to business growth and to the economy when these incentives are suspended or reduced," Ehmann said in his testimony. "If the cost of market entry is not addressed and the investments are not made to incentivize the renewable energy markets, I assure you that the electrical contracting industry, as well as numerous other industries, will become stagnant or contract, which means job loss and reduced business revenues.

"It is absolutely critical to fund and expand federal programs for renewable energies market: they are the vehicle to creating economic stimulus and provide our nation with the chance to build a new energy economy," Ehmann said. "These extensions would provide the necessary predictability in a marketplace that often suffers from projects delayed or put on hold because of the temporary nature of renewable energy tax incentives," Ehmann said in his testimony.

In addition to handling traditional electrical construction work as senior project manager for O'Connell Electric Co., Ehmann is a certified installer of photovoltaic panels for Rochester Solar Technologies, the alternative energy division of O'Connell Electric. He currently serves on NECA's Energy Solutions Task Force.