On the recordNovember 30, 2012
One of the many challenges that Congress will face during the ongoing negotiations of the fiscal cliff is whether or not to renew the wind production tax credit, which expires at the end of this year. Investing in renewable energy is key to creating new jobs, reducing our dependence on foreign oil, and promoting economic growth. In Pennsylvania, the wind industry supports 4,000 jobs and powers 180,000 homes, including in the Pittsburgh area. The uncertainty surrounding the looming deadline to renew the PTC has already forced some companies to lay off employees, and if we let it expire thousands more hardworking Americans will be out of work. Two wind farm projects in western Pennsylvania were already canceled this year. This is an issue on which both sides can come together to do what is right for our country. Letting the PTC expire would damage the competitiveness of the United States and the global economy, so I urge my colleagues to extend this vital job-creating tax credit before it expires. ____________________
