Wind Credits Split Republicans

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http://www.dailyyonder.com/wind-credits-split-republicans/2012/02/12/3755


Wind turbine near Rock Port, Missouri.

The wind industry's hopes for extending a key federal subsidy got a sharp jolt in recent weeks.

Some Republicans inside and outside Washington, along with the conservative U.S. Chamber of Commerce, have broken with many in their party to take a pro-green stance on the production tax credit (PTC) for wind projects. Wind operators say the 20-year-old subsidy allows them to compete with conventional fuels and supports thousands of jobs. It expires at the end of this year.

The American Wind Energy Association told InsideClimate News that federal support for wind has always been bipartisan, but Republicans are feeling pressure to speak out because of what's at stake.

"Manufacturing jobs are on the line," said Ellen Carey, a spokesperson for the trade group. Lawmakers are "hearing from their constituencies who are employed in this industry."

Last week two GOP governors, Terry Branstad of Iowa and Sam Brownback of Kansas, sent a letter to the 20-member House-Senate committee that is negotiating a deal to extend the payroll tax holiday, asking members to fold a four-year PTC extension into the deal. Iowa ranks No. 2 in the nation for installed wind capacity behind Texas. Kansas is fourteenth but first in turbines under construction.