[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 161 (2015), Part 12]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 16339]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




             HONOR THE WORKERS AT THE MAPLE RIDGE WIND FARM

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. ELISE M. STEFANIK

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, October 21, 2015

  Ms. STEFANIK. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the workers at the 
Maple Ridge Wind Farm in my district. Many of their employees recently 
visited Washington, calling on Congress to pass policy that drives more 
clean energy solutions. Not only does the Maple Ridge Wind Farm supply 
the electricity needs for 96,000 homes in upstate New York, but since 
it became a part of the community in 2006, it has also provided $8 
million a year in tax revenues to Lewis County. What has this meant for 
the community? Well, at Lowville Academy and Central School, they have 
been able to add 11 positions to the payroll, add 10 advanced placement 
classes and keep other important programs such as art and music, all 
thanks to the added tax revenue from the wind project. This has been a 
remarkable advantage for this school district and the surrounding 
community. I want to thank the 35 employees--all of whom are local to 
upstate New York--who keep the Maple Ridge Wind Farm operating. I urge 
my colleagues to support clean energy incentives, like the Production 
Tax Credit, which has not only helped the U.S. become the leader in 
wind energy, but at a local level, drives private investments that can 
have such a positive impact on our rural communities.

                          ____________________