On Monday, March 31st, the American Wind Energy Association (AWEA) and the Governors’ Wind Energy Coalition will host two brief teleconference calls on the importance of extending the Production Tax Credit (PTC) and Investment Tax Credit (ITC). These calls will coincide with efforts by Senator Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), the new Chairman of the Senate Finance Committee, to revive an array of tax incentives that expired in December 2013. The PTC and ITC were among those that expired.
At 10:00 am EST (9:00am CST/ 7:00am PDT), wind industry leaders and manufacturers will discuss the success of the tax incentives and their importance to ensuring the long-term growth of wind energy development in the United States.
Following this call, at 11:00am EST (10:00am CST/ 8:00am PDT), leaders of the Governors’ Wind Energy Coalition will discuss the importance of the tax credits to the states and the release of the governors’ new letter in support of their extension. Governors Dennis Daugaard (R-SD), Jay Inslee (D-WA), Terry Branstad (R-IA), and John Kitzhaber (D-OR) signed the letter.
Teleconference #1: Wind Industry Leaders
Who: Tom Kiernan, CEO, American Wind Energy Association
Mark Albenze, CEO Wind Americas, Siemens Energy
Terry Royer, CEO and President, Winergy Drive Systems Inc.
When: 10:00 am EST/ 9:00 am CST/ 8:00 am PST, Monday, March 31, for 30 minutes
Where: Teleconference Number Available Upon Request
Teleconference #2: Governors’ Wind Energy Coalition
Who: The Honorable Dennis Daugaard, Governor of South Dakota
Margaret Hoffman, Energy Policy Advisor, Governor John Kitzhaber (D-OR)
Larry Pearce, Executive Director, Governors’ Wind Energy Coalition
When: 11:00 am EST/ 10:00 am CST/ 9:00 am PDT, Monday, March 31, for 30 minutes
Where: Teleconference Number Available Upon Request
What: Telephone press conference on the renewable energy Production Tax Credit and Investment Tax Credit and new letter in support of its extension, signed by Govs. Daugaard (R-SD), Inslee (D-WA), Branstad (R-IA), and Kitzhaber (D-OR).
Why: Economic stakes surrounding the proposed extension of the tax credits are high for states and companies involved in wind energy, including farmers and ranchers for whom it is a drought-resistant cash crop; communities benefiting from an influx of local taxes; and a U.S. manufacturing sector that has recently been the source of up to 30,000 jobs, making 72% of wind turbines in the USA.
About Governors’ Wind Energy Coalition
The Governors’ Wind Energy Coalition is a bipartisan group of the nation’s governors who are dedicated to the development of the nation’s wind energy resources to meet America’s domestic energy demands in an environmentally responsible manner — while reducing the nation’s dependence on imported energy sources and stimulating state and national economic development.
Through its multi-state coordinated efforts, the Coalition is engaged in several national initiatives: encourage sound national policy and legislation for the development and distribution of wind-generated energy; communicate and demonstrate the value and benefits of wind energy to consumers, energy companies and policy makers; share state best practices in wind and renewable energy policy development; create an environment of support for those who wish to develop responsible wind energy resources; and support development of infrastructure for the expansion of wind energy across the United States. For more information, visit www.GovernorsWindEnergyCoalition.org
