Paul Tonko: “We are in a global competition, a global race on clean energy and innovation. In our efforts to win this race and ensure…”

“We are in a global competition, a global race on clean energy and innovation. In our efforts to win this race and ensure our place as the kingpin of the global economy for decades to come, we must support a secure, all-of-the-above domestic energy supply that includes both newly abundant traditional fossil fuels as well as clean, renewable energy, energy such as wind, solar, biomass, hydro, nuclear, and more. We simply cannot continue to rely on a single fossil fuel to power our economy. That is not wise, long-term policy. Today, I would like to highlight one of these abundant, job-creating clean energy sources: wind energy. One way to support this critical source of energy for our Nation is the Federal Production Tax Credit, the credit that keeps electricity rates low and encourages development of proven renewable energy projects. This credit expired at the end of last year and must be retroactively extended to foster job growth and promote a greener and cleaner environment for the next generations. The PTC, the Production Tax Credit, also creates jobs. In my district, the Capital Region of New York State, we are host to GE's Global Research Center and Wind Turbine Service Center. In 2012 alone, GE's wind division produced some 1,722 megawatts of power and provided a local capital investment of some $3.2 billion.…”