HOUSE REPUBLICAN BACKS WIND INCENTIVE

House Republican leader advocates for wind tax credit extension

Jonathan Crawford, June 20, 2012 (SNL)

“An extension of the production tax credit for wind energy is needed as the nation looks to diversify its energy sources and avoid an over-reliance on any one type, House Majority Whip Rep. Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., said…McCarthy, who launched the House Energy Action Team in 2011, said he has communicated his support for an extension of the production tax credit to the House Republican leadership, but his efforts have failed to gain any traction. McCarthy's support for the extension puts him at odds with some Republicans who believe more of a focus should be on controlling government spending and budget deficits.

“Although congressional inaction has stymied multiple efforts to extend the production tax credit, supporters are hoping it will be renewed in this fall's lame-duck session or by early 2013. The wind industry has pushed to have the measure tucked in with various pieces of legislation, such as the payroll tax deal, but to no avail. Industry groups argue that failure to pass an extension has already led to layoffs, with as many as 10,000 jobs expected to be lost by the end of the year.”

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“…McCarthy said he supports an extension to the production tax credit as part of an all-of-the-above energy strategy…[but] that does not mean the federal government should give short shrift to other forms of energy…Congressional Republicans have criticized President Barack Obama for punishing coal…[with] new U.S. EPA clean air regulations…[that could] restrict construction of new plants…Heather Zichal, deputy assistant to the president for energy and climate change…said the president understands that coal will play a critical role for the nation into the future…[but] an all-of-the-above strategy should not come at the expense of public health…” [Rep. Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., and Majority Whip:] "If we are going to get energy independent, we are not going to get there one way…[and] one resource is not going to last forever, so you want to have the bridge to the next technology …I don't think the government should pick the winners and losers. It should set a framework where the best ideas win, where science gets to determine…[but] I don't like the idea that people use the term 'all of the above' and then are opposed to a pipeline or are opposed to anything below…"

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