Wind turbines: Rep. Noem to visit technical school, discuss PTC extension

South Dakota Congresswoman Kristi Noem (R) is scheduled to visit Mitchell (S.D.) Technical Institute (MTI) this afternoon to tour the facility, which offers wind technician training, and host a roundtable discussion on the impending expiration of the federal wind energy Production Tax Credit (PTC), according to the Mitchell Daily Republic newspaper.

Noem, who is in her first term as a member of the U.S. House of Representatives, is a leading supporter of extending the PTC, and recently spearheaded a letter to House leadership from 18 freshman Representatives, 16 of them Republicans, urging that it be extended.  Both South Dakota Senators, Tim Johnson (D) and John Thune (R), also favor keeping the credit in place.

MTI expects about 70 students to be enrolled in its wind technology course this fall.  The institute began the program in 2009.  Recently, MTI President Greg Von Wald expressed concern about the effect of a possible PTC expiration on the program and the wind energy industry in the state.
Tom Gray, http://www.awea.org/blog