[Congressional Record Volume 160, Number 32 (Wednesday, February 26, 2014)]
[House]
[Page H1943]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                               WIND POWER

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from New 
York (Mr. Tonko) for 5 minutes.
  Mr. TONKO. Madam Speaker, we are in a global competition, a global 
race on clean energy and innovation. In our efforts to win this race 
and ensure our place as the kingpin of the global economy for decades 
to come, we must support a secure, all-of-the-above domestic energy 
supply that includes both newly abundant traditional fossil fuels as 
well as clean, renewable energy, energy such as wind, solar, biomass, 
hydro, nuclear, and more.
  We simply cannot continue to rely on a single fossil fuel to power 
our economy. That is not wise, long-term policy.
  Today, I would like to highlight one of these abundant, job-creating 
clean energy sources: wind energy.
  One way to support this critical source of energy for our Nation is 
the Federal Production Tax Credit, the credit that keeps electricity 
rates low and encourages development of proven renewable energy 
projects.
  This credit expired at the end of last year and must be retroactively 
extended to foster job growth and promote a greener and cleaner 
environment for the next generations.
  The PTC, the Production Tax Credit, also creates jobs. In my 
district, the Capital Region of New York State, we are host to GE's 
Global Research Center and Wind Turbine Service Center. In 2012 alone, 
GE's wind division produced some 1,722 megawatts of power and provided 
a local capital investment of some $3.2 billion.
  If we are serious about helping the private sector create quality 
jobs that will put purchasing power back in the hands of the middle 
class, we must support wind power as one part of our overall energy 
policy and strategy.
  Madam Speaker, today, I renew my support for wind power and the 
almost 2,000 jobs this clean energy source generates in my home State 
of New York, a number that is growing by the day, and a group whose 
work every day is helping to grow our economy, clean the air we breathe 
and the water we drink, and make us truly energy independent.

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