Washington, DC–(ENEWSPF)–May 24, 2012. Today, President Obama visited a manufacturer of wind turbine blades in Newton, Iowa to call on Congress to renew the Production Tax Credit (PTC) for wind energy. The PTC helps level the playing field and is critical for providing the certainty that the wind industry needs for continued growth. While the wind industry today employs approximately 75,000 Americans, if the PTC is not renewed, half of these jobs will be lost.
A recent poll shows that almost two-thirds – 64 percent – of Americans agree with President Obama that the PTC’s vital job-creating benefits should be continued.
In response, Michael Brune, President of the Seirra Club, issued the following statement:
“The Sierra Club applauds President Obama for his continued effort to double down on a clean energy economy. By supporting the critical Production Tax Credit for wind energy, the President is showing his commitment to creating thousands of American jobs while keeping our families healthy.
Wind power already provides 20 percent of Iowa’s electricity and is on track to produce 20 percent of the nation’s electricity by 2030. Yet some in Congress would rather throw tax giveaways at billionaire big polluters who are raking in huge profits while pedaling dirty energy that makes our kids sick.
There’s no reason big polluters should get any more of our money when we have the opportunity to support a clean energy economy that creates new jobs while also protecting our air, our water, and our families. Iowans know it, President Obama knows it, and the vast majority of Americans agree – extend the critical production tax credit, let the wind blow and help our economy grow.”
Source: sierraclub.org
