AWEA Statement on House Vote on Bill with PTC Extension

Washington DC February 27, 2008; Following the 236 to 182 vote in the House of Representatives on a bill that includes an extension of the renewable energy production tax credit, the American Wind Energy Association (AWEA) released the following statement by Senior Director of Governmental & Public Affairs Gregory Wetstone:

The American Wind Energy Association, on behalf of our more than 1200 member companies, is grateful to House Leadership and the members of the House Ways and Means Committee for moving quickly to extend renewable energy tax incentives. With 116,000 jobs and $19 billion in clean energy investment at risk from the looming expiration of the widely popular renewable energy tax credits, it is clear that prompt Congressional action on the Renewable Energy and Energy Conservation Tax Act of 2008 is essential to one of the fastest growing areas of the American economy.

We focus our attention now on the U.S. Senate where we look forward to working with wind and solar energy supporters on both sides of the aisle to forge a bipartisan renewable tax credit extension. Such an effort is critical to our success in moving the bill through the Senate and all the way into law.

Extension of the renewable energy tax incentives will be welcome news to the millions of Americans across the political spectrum who overwhelmingly support clean, home-grown wind and solar energy. Renewable energy can lower home energy bills, strengthen our energy security, create tens of thousands of new manufacturing jobs and reduce global warming pollution even as we meet growing electricity demand.

AWEA is the national trade association of the U.S. wind energy industry. The association's membership includes global leaders in wind power development, wind turbine manufacturing and energy, as well as a broad range of component and service suppliers. More information on wind energy is available at the AWEA Web site: www.awea.org