This week: AWEA Blog - Reaction to PTC extension generally upbeat

Here are some highlights:

Editorial, Topeka (Kans.) Capital-Journal (“Wind energy tax credit good for Kansas”): “Kansas has been one of the leaders in wind energy development in recent years and the money generated for landowners, construction and plant employees has been significant. The wind energy industry invested nearly $3 billion in Kansas last year. Extension of the production tax credit could spark a rejuvenation of the industry in the state and provide additional economic benefits.”

Editorial, Denver Post (“A gust of fresh air on wind tax credits”): “Just when we thought there was little positive to be said about the wretched process that produced the “fiscal cliff” compromise, something worthwhile emerged. As it turns out, the deal includes a one-year extension of key tax credits for wind power production, an important support if the nation is to develop a broader renewable energy base.”

Kansas Gov. Sam Brownback (R) (“Brownback applauds wind tax break renewal,” Topeka Capital-Journal): “‘Gov. Brownback is pleased Congress recognized the positive impact the wind PTC has on creating jobs and growing the economy,’ said Brownback spokeswoman Sherriene Jones-Sontag. “As Congress struggled toward settlement with the White House, Brownback joined a 28-state Governors’ Wind Energy Coalition to advocate retention of the 2.2-cent per kilowatt hour incentive for utility-scale turbines. He said the tax credit inspired $3 billion in wind power investment in Kansas during 2012 and maintenance of the program was necessary to ‘continue to build wind energy and the jobs and electricity that [are] associated with it.’”

Will Oremus, Slate (“One Thing to Cheer About in the Fiscal Cliff Deal: Wind Jobs in Iowa”): “… [T]he deal will preserve for at least one more year the wind energy production tax credit, staving off cuts that would have severely undermined the nation’s fastest-growing energy source.”

Amir Kurtovic, St. Louis Business Journal (“Wind Tax Credit Extension Could Boost St. Louis Companies”): ” … [C]ompanies such as Emerson, electric component maker ABB and carbon fiber manufacturer Zoltek stand to gain business in 2013.
“Zoltek was already ‘well on the way to a record year in fiscal 2012? thanks to its growth in the wind energy industry, according to chairman and chief executive Zsolt Rumy. The extension of the Production Tax Credit will help Zoltek keep that momentum going in 2013, Rumy said. ‘This is definitely helpful because investors were holding back on projects to see what would happen.’”

Christina Williams, Sustainable Business Oregon (“Last-minute PTC extension cheers Oregon businesses”): “Iberdrola Renewables, which has about 400 Oregon employees, issued a statement Wednesday saying, ‘Extension of the renewable tax credits is good news for Iberdrola Renewables, the U.S. clean energy sector and the tens of thousands of Americans who are working in this field.’ …  “Vestas, the global maker of wind turbines that keeps its North American headquarters in Portland, said in a statement that the company was “pleased” to see the extension, even though its late timing would still result in a significant downturn in the number of wind energy projects developed in 2013.”