Political Quotes

“Mr. President, I would like to speak on Amendment No. 133, offered by Senator Heitkamp of North Dakota. The amendment is a sense of Congress that the renewable electricity tax credit should be extended for 5 years. While I supported the amendment, I would like to express my concerns regarding the consideration of this amendment at this time. I have been an outspoken supporter of renewable energy for many years. In fact, I first authored the wind production tax credit in 1992 to drive this renewable energy technology. I have worked for many years to provide as much certainty as possible to grow the domestic wind industry. Iowa has seen an enormous investment in wind energy manufacturing and wind farm development. I know firsthand the boom-and- bust cycle that exists for renewable energy producers when Congress fails to extend these critically important tax incentives. But I also know this credit won't go on forever. It was never meant to, and it shouldn't. In 2012 the wind industry was the only industry to put forward a phaseout plan. A number of my colleagues here in the Senate have been working to construct a responsible, multiyear phaseout of the wind tax credit. That is why I am somewhat puzzled by an amendment that suggests a 5-year extension of this credit. It seems disconnected with reality.…”