North American Windpower: Senator To Push Congress Every Morning For Wind Energy PTC Extension

Senator To Push Congress Every Morning For Wind Energy PTC Extension

by NAW Staff Wednesday June 13 2012

Sen. Mark Udall, D-Colo., one of the most vocal congressional supporters of an extension of the production tax credit (PTC) for wind energy, is stepping up his PTC push.

Udall - who co-sponsored a bipartisan bill in March to extend the PTC for an additional two years - says he will open every morning's Senate session with a speech urging his colleagues to review and extend the PTC. He will also discuss how the PTC affects each state and the implications of failing to pass the tax credit.

"It is one thing for Congress to take the time to consider a new proposal and have an open, honest debate, but the production tax credit is widely supported, will create jobs and has already helped our economy grow," Udall said in a statement.

"Until Congress acts, businesses here and across the country will shed jobs and take our economy backward,” he added. “Americans have had it with dysfunction and inaction on Capitol Hill. It is unacceptable for Congress not to pass this commonsense and badly needed piece of legislation. I plan to remind my colleagues of that every morning until the production tax credit passes."

Udall noted that the PTC has helped attract clean energy businesses to invest in the U.S., including Vestas, which created almost 2,000 jobs in Colorado with its manufacturing facilities in Pueblo, Windsor and Brighton.

With Congress failing to act on the PTC, investors have held back millions of dollars in capital and declined to make any new commitments - which is set to cost Colorado and the nation thousands of jobs throughout the wind energy sector, Udall said, adding that the PTC is necessary for the U.S. to stay competitive.

"While Congress refuses to act, China and other countries are stepping into the breach,” Udall said. “Failing to pass the wind production tax credit effectively exports jobs, investment and business opportunities overseas. Congress needs to act to keep the United States an open marketplace for these innovative energy industries.

“The United States belongs on the cutting edge of renewable energy technology and on a path to secure our energy independence,” he continued. “Congress can affirm that by passing the wind production tax credit."

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