[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 158 (2012), Part 12]
[House]
[Page 15980]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                  RENEW THE WIND PRODUCTION TAX CREDIT

  (Mr. ALTMIRE asked and was given permission to address the House for 
1 minute.)
  Mr. ALTMIRE. Mr. Speaker, one of the many challenges that Congress 
will face during the ongoing negotiations of the fiscal cliff is 
whether or not to renew the wind production tax credit, which expires 
at the end of this year. Investing in renewable energy is key to 
creating new jobs, reducing our dependence on foreign oil, and 
promoting economic growth.
  In Pennsylvania, the wind industry supports 4,000 jobs and powers 
180,000 homes, including in the Pittsburgh area. The uncertainty 
surrounding the looming deadline to renew the PTC has already forced 
some companies to lay off employees, and if we let it expire thousands 
more hardworking Americans will be out of work. Two wind farm projects 
in western Pennsylvania were already canceled this year.
  This is an issue on which both sides can come together to do what is 
right for our country. Letting the PTC expire would damage the 
competitiveness of the United States and the global economy, so I urge 
my colleagues to extend this vital job-creating tax credit before it 
expires.

                          ____________________