Wind Energy

Moran visits Siemens wind power factory, pushes PTC extension

U.S. Sen. Jerry Moran (R-Kans.) visited a Siemens wind turbines manufacturing plant in Hutchinson, Kans., Monday and expressed his intention to seek an extension of the federal wind energy production tax credit (PTC) by amending a transportation funding bill that is currently being considered in the Senate (see Bennet, Moran continue bipartisan push to extend PTC, Feb. 16).

According to the Hutchinson News, Moran said he and Sen. Mark Udall (D-Colo.) are also gathering signatures of other Senators on a bipartisan letter in support of a longer extension of the credit. Such an extension could come through a stand-alone "tax extender bill," though the timing for such a bill is uncertain. Added Moran, "We’re trying to get out front on this, to do it early because of uncertainty in the industry."

The Hutchinson plant now employs 350 workers and has brought new manufacturing jobs to a city and state that urgently need them (see video, Siemens nacelle factory comes to life, Hutchinson, KS), but those jobs could disappear if the PTC is not extended soon–turbines and other components require lead time for manufacturing, and with the credit scheduled to expire at the end of this year, the optimum time for an extension is as soon as possible.

Moran commented, "Our goal is to extend it [the PTC] long enough that there is certainty in the industry so it can develop on its own and we can gradually phase it out … There’s no doubt in my mind if we extend it that this is a job creator. More people will be working and paying taxes and helping get our financial house in order … There are members of Congress who feel we ought not to pick winners and losers, to let the markets decide. I believe it’s better to get this industry up and running, then let the country decide … rather than pull the rug out overnight."

Tom Gray, www.awea.org/blog/