[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 56 (Friday, March 30, 2007)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E718]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   RURAL WIND ENERGY DEVELOPMENT ACT

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. EARL BLUMENAUER

                               of oregon

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, March 29, 2007

  Mr. BLUMENAUER. Madam Speaker, today I am proud join with my 
colleague, Representative Tom Cole, to introduce the ``Rural Wind 
Energy Development Act,'' which would provide an investment tax credit 
to individuals--homeowners, farmers, and small businesses--to offset 
the up-front costs of owning a small wind turbine.
  Small wind systems are electric generators that produce 100 kilowatts 
or less of clean and renewable energy to power homes, farms, and small 
businesses. With these small turbines, individuals can generate their 
own power, independent from the electric grid. These wind turbines will 
allow consumers to cut their energy bills and, at times, put power back 
into the grid. According to the American Wind Energy Association, a 
single wind turbine can provide $2,000-$4,000/year per megawatt or more 
in additional farm income.
  This legislation is necessary because there is no Federal support for 
small wind systems. The Federal Production Tax Credit (PTC) applies 
mainly to large utility-scale wind projects, not to individuals who 
want to install their own wind systems for on-site power. An investment 
tax credit for small wind systems will help provide stability and 
certainty for the industry to make the necessary investments to grow. 
It will also help consumers afford this pollution-free energy. In the 
2005 Energy Policy Act, residential solar systems received a similar 
investment tax credit and saw an increase of more than 20 percent in 
installations over the last year.
  Specifically, this bill would provide a tax credit of $1500 per \1/2\ 
kilowatt of capacity for small wind systems, which could be carried 
over for a customer unable to take advantage of the entire credit 
within a 1 year period. The bill also calls for a 3-year accelerated 
depreciation for wind property.
  I hope all of my colleagues will join me in supporting this important 
policy to promote wind power, which produces no harmful greenhouse gas 
emissions, involves no environmentally damaging natural resource 
extraction such as mining or drilling, and does not need fuel imported 
from foreign governments to run.

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