Byron Dorgan: “let me say with respect to wind energy, if the production tax credit isn't extended, the windmills will not stop…”

“let me say with respect to wind energy, if the production tax credit isn't extended, the windmills will not stop turning. We have very efficient turbines, but the projects that are already planned and ready to go simply will not happen. We won't have the initial capacity for wind energy because without the production tax credit, it will not exist. Let me make this point. If energy policy is analogous to a novel, then this is a chapter, and we might well decide this chapter ought to be rejected. I come to the conclusion that it is a chapter that is probably worthwhile and is a starting point. I want to at some point in the future amend it, change it, and improve it, but the choice for us is: Do we do nothing and pray that we don't have further blackouts or further price spikes, or, God forbid, a terrorist interrupting the supply of energy? Or do we enact the proposed legislation and consider it the first brick of a foundation by which we start to construct an energy policy that provides the best of what both political parties has to offer? I come down on the side of believing this ought to be advanced. There are a series of things I have explained that I believe are important in this legislation, so I will make one final point. Earlier, my colleague from Arizona talked about the cost of this bill. We have a $10 trillion to $11 trillion economy. This economy will only grow if it has a supply of energy.”