[Congressional Record Volume 160, Number 32 (Wednesday, February 26, 2014)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E250]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  RENEW THE WIND PRODUCTION TAX CREDIT

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                            HON. JARED POLIS

                              of colorado

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, February 26, 2014

  Mr. POLIS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today as a member of the House 
Sustainable Energy and Environment Coalition to call on Congress to 
renew the wind production tax credit.
  The wind production tax credit incentivizes clean, domestic energy 
generation, and has been critical to enhancing America's renewable 
energy renaissance. Wind energy creates jobs, saves consumers money on 
their utility bills, and reduces carbon emissions.
  Wind energy, and the industry it supports, is important to Colorado. 
Wind power supplies over 800,000 Colorado homes and employs 
approximately 5,000 Coloradans. In addition, a thriving wind industry 
has brought over $4.2 billion in capital investments and provided land 
owners and communities with millions in land lease payments.
  Most Americans support renewable energy. In fact, thirty states and 
the District of Columbia already have renewable generation standards 
and seven states have voluntary goals. Colorado has capitalized on its 
tremendous wind potential by enacting one of the highest Renewable 
Portfolio Standards in the nation--30 percent renewable energy 
generation by 2020. Colorado utilities are ahead of schedule in 
achieving this goal and in doing so they are discovering that wind 
energy makes economic sense for their ratepayers and their investors.
  Last year I introduced the Renewable Electricity Standard Act with 
Representatives Ben Ray Lujan and Ann Kuster. This legislation would 
build on the success of state-based renewable energy standards by 
implementing a 25 percent renewable energy goal by 2025. Providing tax 
credits for renewable energy development is not just important for 
meeting these goals, but is also important to level the playing field 
with our energy industries that receive a myriad of tax credits and 
incentives.
  The wind production tax credit has fueled a thriving U.S. wind energy 
market. This tax incentive drives increased investments and stimulates 
the economy. As a former entrepreneur, I know that uncertainty about 
the production tax credit will slow wind energy deployment, put good 
quality jobs at risk, and cause capital investments to dwindle. That is 
why we must renew a long-term wind production tax credit.
  The wind production tax credit is essential to American jobs, 
economic growth, and the success of the wind energy industry. We must 
renew the wind production tax credit.

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