Mitt Romney confirms he would end US wind power subsidies

[RitchieRich]

Source: The Guardian

Mitt Romney looks set to declare war on America's wind energy industry, further emphasising the dividing line between the presumptive Republican presidential candidate and President Barack Obama on energy issues.

Romney's campaign confirmed this week he wants to end long-standing tax credits for wind farm projects when the incentives come up for review later this year.

The pledge means the popular production tax credits (PTCs) – which have helped drive a surge in new wind energy investment in the US, making it the second largest wind energy market in the world after China – would be allowed to expire at the end of this year if the Republicans secure the White House in November.

Shawn McCoy, a spokesman for Romney's Iowa campaign, told the Des Moines Register earlier this week that Romney would "allow the wind credit to expire, end the stimulus boondoggles, and create a level playing field on which all sources of energy can compete on their merits".

He added that wind energy would still be allowed to "thrive wherever it is economically competitive, and wherever private sector competitors with far more experience than the president believe the investment will produce results".

Romney's campaign later confirmed he planned to allow the tax credits to lapse, stressing that he favours an energy policy environment where technology-specific incentives are removed.

However, green groups, renewable energy industry insiders, and Democrats were all quick to point out that Romney's desire for a level playing field on energy policy does not extend to oil and gas, where he has pledged to retain up to $40bn of subsidies and tax breaks that President Obama wants to see phased out.

Read more: http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2012/aug/02/mitt-romney-end-us-wind-subsidies?INTCMP=SRCH

[awoke_in_2003]

1. This country is so ass backwards...

that half of it would cheer this. Meanwhile, millions of Germans laugh at us.

[allan01]

2. re:Mitt Romney confirms he would end US wind power subsidies

and yet again a candidate and a party dosent say how they are going to solve the budget fairly. meh. maybe we should take a way all the oil tax breaks and subsides and watch them whine .

[libinnyandia]

3. My Congressman, Steve King, as crazy as he is, is a big supporter of wind energy. I'm looking

forward to hearing his reponse.

[Jessy169]

11. Charles Grassley is very pissed off at Romney

As are a number of other Republicans due to Mitt coming out with this position on wind power. There was an article earlier this week that I posted here, where Charles the asshole Grassley was complaining that Mitt did not consult him first. Just did a Google on the subject, and it looks like Team Mitt is firing back now at Grassley. Squabbling between Republicans is so entertaining to watch.

[jwirr]

19. That makes sense NW Iowa is loaded with wind towers. And most of the people are in favor of it.

[MrSlayer]

4. That's the Koch payback.

Just as the Iran war would be Adelson's.

Mittens just kissed any chance he had in Iowa goodbye.

[Maineman]

14. I hope you are right. This should wipe out his chances throughout the midwest - KS, NE, SD, ND.

Those states have constant wind.

But so many of the inhabitants are true believers in the religion of Republicanism that they are will probably cheer for Romney's position.

[Aquavit]

17. Minnesota, too

There's a lot of power that could be had from wind, especially in western MN. And yet the Rethugs could very possibly win my home state. I just don't get it...

[Blue Meany]

5. Subsidizing pollution and global warming: what could go wrong? n/t

[jade3000]

6. Ridiculous argument

Is the statement "create a level playing field on which all sources of energy can compete on their merits" meant to be a joke? I know it's not, but I feel like that there ought to be a requirement that political campaigns not outright lie. There is no level playing field in capitalism.

[ThomThom]

26. so will he cut-off the money to the oil industry to level the field

he doesn't understand what government is suppose to do on it's best day
he has no respect for government
he should never be in charge no republan should (oh did I for get the "ic" in their name)

[LiberalFighter]

27. I guess he wants the oil robber barons to receive the wind power subsidies.

[Chemisse]

31. And why do we need a level playing field anyway?

Let the clean, renewable energy sources surge ahead!

[jade3000]

32. Yep, let's tilt that playing field

Green jobs, green energy ... Improves the economy, lessens negative impact on the environment ... What's not to like?!

[Roy Rolling]

7. two sides to the issue:

Wind Industry: "stand up on your own two feet you lazy hippies"
Oil Industry: "here's your check for $40 billion to help you compete fairly"

[mbperrin]

13. Yes, thanks for pointing out the huge subsidies for DECADES that oil companies get,

including Exxon, the most profitable company of any kind in the world, which got $4 billion last year, presumably to help the tiny infant industry get on its feet against huge furrin competitors.

There is no answer to sincere prayer. Mittens is still able to speak.

[RitchieRich]

8. and, why didn't I see this in any US media?

very possible I didn't see it, but sad that I had to go to the UK for US news.
Also, I LOVE The Guardian. It's my new site where I mainly interract- replacing NPR and DU

[Lasher]

9. Channeling Saint Ronnie

who took the solar panels off the White House as soon as he moved in.

[Trillo]

10. Rmoney is in Roil's well?

favours an energy policy environment where technology-specific incentives are removed

[treestar]

12. The free market does not naturally protect the environment

in any way, which explains why right wingers want to deny that there is any environmental problem.

[SoapBox]

15. All as California has now met a 20% renewable energy level...

ya...like CA has done a bad thing.

Mittens, I used to swear that Bush was the little "Damien" but now it looks like you would be "Damien II".

[grantcart]

16. He has lost his mind.

Even if that is what you want to do it you don't tell people.

Are they not aware that tens of thousands of rural farmers pick up extra money with wind turbine placements?

Really these guys have to get off the golf course.

[goclark]

34. He could not find his mind, it's too late

for that now.

He is worse than GW.

[thecrow]

18. How can he do anything to

"end long-standing tax credits for wind farm projects when the incentives come up for review later this year"?

Where does he get the power to do that? Even if he god forbid "wins" the election, he will not be pResident for months.
Maybe he's going to change all that, too? I heard rich people can do anything they want.

[Flatulo]

20. No biggie really - just another trillion dollar market

handed to the Chinese on a silver platter. And why shouldn't they dominate wind the same way they now dominate solar? They did it the old-fashioned way; stolen technology, slave labor and shoddy materials and workmanship funded by billions in gov't subsidies.

Soon their shitty wind turbines will be dotting out landscape everywhere. Rejoice - the free market has spoken.

[polichick]

21. Oh yeah, big oil subsidies for decades but...

...wind shouldn't get any.


Take a flying leap Rmoney!

[riverbendviewgal]

22. As expected nothing on CNN

about romney to end wind subsidies

[ThomThom]

23. well ..... he just brought the wind energy market to halt

first he messes with foreign policy now crashes an industry
What could he do if he was in charge?

[Lone_Star_Dem]

24. Oddly, this is pitting Texas energy producer against Texas energy producer.

It's no secret Texas leads the nation in wind energy. It also leads the nation in oil and gas reserves and production.

Texas is also mulling about the new instillation of a mega offshore 300 turbine wind farm facility which they bill as being able to, "meet the energy needs of millions." Their claims are that at full power the 300 5- to 6-megawatt turbines will exceed the power produced by each nuclear reactor at the South Texas Project nuclear plant. It so happens it's also in the path of the most important migratory flyways in the Western Hemisphere.

I'm interested in how this latest revelation by Romeny is going to be received in the state. One camp is going to be ecstatic to still get their preferential treatment, while the other is going to livid to learn they could lose the credits they've been relying on.

[xxqqqzme]

25. When are the oil 'incentives'

set to expire? 'Level playing field' is code for 'whatever my big donors demand'.

[GreenTea]

28. Yet Romney & republicans will continue to give BILLIONS every year to the big OIL corporations via

Last edited Thu Aug 2, 2012, 05:37 PM - Edit history (2)

our tax dollars (subsidies). Oil that's pollutes emissions, when drilling, site abandonments, safety & environmental concerns are not even considered....only corporate profits - purposely over priced and by gouging people at the pumps - While discouraging clean more efficient alternative energy sources incentives - yet the OIL corporations have been receiving our tax dollars in corporate welfare for over a hundred years - even though the oil corporations are the most profitable of corporations in the world.

[Flatulo]

29. Danish giant Vestas Wind Systems will most likely pull all their R&D out of the States now.

That's 2300 high-paying engineering and technical positions, not to mention the accompanying support personnel like admins, buyers, manufacturing, IT, etc.

When I was working there last year all the talk was about losing subsidies and the resultant pullout.

Thanks a fuck-ton, Mitt.

Just another of several thousand good reasons to keep Mr. O in office. All the other reasons have a common thread- Mitt is just on the wrong side of every single issue that matters to the middle class.

[adigal]

30. My apolitical husband just said we should have windmills all over the country

And solar panels on every house. Since 1980.