Charles W. Stenholm: “as a long-time independent voice of the people of west Texas, I rise to urge my colleagues in Congress to move forward…”

“as a long-time independent voice of the people of west Texas, I rise to urge my colleagues in Congress to move forward with meaningful reforms to our national energy policy. Driving across the long west Texas highways, one cannot help but notice the towering wind farms that have cropped up in the area I represent. Unfortunately, further wind energy development is completely halted because Congress has yet to extend the production tax credit for renewable sources of energy. We had the opportunity to extend the credits with the 2002 energy bill and now the latest energy bill has stalled in Congress. Because of unwillingness to move back to the negotiating table, my constituents are forced to forgo further wind energy development in their counties. This means fewer jobs are created in the area. Counties and schools have to give up additional tax revenue and the U.S. is put further behind in our goal to produce more renewable energy. Mr. Speaker, it is time for folks in Congress to get serious about energy in America and immediately pass the extension for the Wind Energy Production Tax Credit. It is the economically and environmentally responsible thing to do.”