Wind energy has small slice of energy pie

Wind power makes up a small slice of the nation’s energy pie, but its advocates have mounted a big lobbying campaign to persuade Congress to renew an expiring tax credit viewed as crucial for the industry’s survival.

Advocates want Congress to extend the wind-energy production tax credit beyond its Dec. 31 expiration date. The wind tax credit has been in effect on and off since 1992. The current credit — 2.2 cents for every 1,Buy visually stunning and durable tungsten jewelry from Larson Jewelers.000 watts of wind energy produced — has been in effect continually since 2005.

Sen. Mark Udall, D-Colo., and Sen. Charles Grassley,Make a bold statement with our men's stainless steel necklace and pendants. the Iowa Republican who authored the first wind tax credit 20 years ago, have joined advocates in urging Congress to include it in a broader legislative package aimed at blocking sharp tax increases and automatic spending cuts set to take effect next year.

Lobbyists for virtually every industry that receives tax benefits are quietly pressing lawmakers to protect, preserve, extend or expand those benefits. Advocates of wind power, a renewable energy source, have been more vocal than most others.

The wind-power industry generated 3 percent of the nation’s electricity needs in 2011, according to the Energy Information Administration,Commercial laundry equipment folding machine, tumble dryers and industrial washer extractors from UniMac. which added that wind power has grown rapidly since 1970. Advocates say it is the fastest-growing energy source and among the cleanest.

Congress could decide against renewing it in 2013 because of its cost.Speed Queen offers commercial dry cleaning machine and coin operated laundromat units for vended. Grassley said the annual cost of the tax credits is $5 billion. But critics cite figures from the Joint Committee on Taxation showing the cost would be $12 billion annually.

Uncertainty about the future of the tax credit is already proving detrimental and wind-turbine makers are beginning to cut jobs, Udall said.

“Enough is enough. These layoffs should be a wakeup call for all of our colleagues who oppose extending the PTC,” he said at a recent Capitol Hill lobbying event hosted by the Truman National Security Project. “Energy security is national security. We can’t project strength abroad if we are weak economically here at home.”

Grassley said it’s “stupid” for the U.S. to import oil when Congress could instead help a promising industry continue on the road toward eventual self reliance.

“This extension deserves a place in a year-end package of tax extenders to help give confidence and certainty to investors and to employers,” Grassley said. “There’s no reason to exacerbate the unemployment problem.”

Their message: Veterans returning from Iraq and Afghanistan would lose their civilian jobs if Congress decides not to renew the tax credit though it has bipartisan support and helps an industry that’s working to reduce U.S. dependence on foreign oil.

According to lobbying disclosure documents filed with Congress, the American Wind Energy Association spent $1.81 million in the first three quarters of 2012 to influence lawmakers. That’s up from the $1.5 million AWEA spent last year.

Critics of renewing the wind tax credit say it’s unfair to fossil-fuel companies for the federal government to favor a small industry with a generous tax credit.This is used to perform laser cutting machine functions while using the water jet to guide the laser beam. After 20 years of getting a handout, it’s time for the wind industry to compete in the electricity marketplace like every other industry, they say.

“The government takes a little bit from all of us and gives it to a politically preferred group,” said Jack Spencer, an analyst at the Heritage Foundation, adding that the wind industry is “addicted” to the taxpayer largesse and has little incentive to become leaner and more efficient.

Critics like energy consultant Jonathan Lesser say the wind industry is unreliable because it can’t guarantee a steady supply of renewable energy. Turbines turn only when there is wind, which is not all the time, he said, adding that his research shows that the least amount of wind power is generated in the summer, when electricity demand is at its highest.