production tax credit (PTC)

wind energy in Iowa

When Warren Buffet's MidAmerican Energy announced the new investment, it gave full credit to the extension of the production tax credit for enabling it to expand its wind generating capacity.[read more]

After seeing the Production Tax Credit (PTC) extended through 2013 in the recent “fiscal cliff” legislation, the wind industry is now looking ahead to the tax reform debate. According to E&E Publishing several industry lobbyists are preparing for a renewed push for a longer-term extension of the PTC that would phase out over time.[read more]

Wikimedia Commons.

As part of the recent fiscal cliff deal, Congress authorized a one-year extension for the wind production tax credit (PTC) – welcome news for the industry that was largely overshadowed by the other terms of the bargain. But as The Washington Post writer Brad Plumer points out, “even with the tax credit renewal, the wind industry is still...[read more]

Fiscal Cliff via Shutterstock

The US Senate's "fiscal cliff" package wasn't exactly eight maids a-milking--the traditional gift for the eighth day of Christmas--though it did apparently resolve the impending "milk cliff".  Of greater relevance, the "tax extender" portion of the American Taxpayer Relief Act of 2012 passed by both the Senate...[read more]

Wind Farm via Shutterstock

 In no other industry are the conflicts over subsidies as zero-sum and fever-pitched as they are in the energy sector.Almost always, it seems, energy producers fight tooth and nail for the rote extension of their support even as opponents—whether green or fossil-fueled—fight for its end.  And the disputes go on and on.And yet,...[read more]

A proposal by the American Wind Energy Association (AWEA) to phase out of its key federal subsidyby year-end 2018 in return for its immediate extension could mark a new era in assessing the fiscal costs and the economic and environmental benefits of all energy subsidies.[read more]

Renewable energy generation grabbed a 46% share of new capacity in the first 10 months of the year, easily outpacing natural gas, coal, nuclear and oil.That’s according to the latest Federal Energy Regulatory Commission Energy Infrastructure update, which covers the January-October time frame. The 46% renewable share includes new wind,...[read more]

With a December 31 deadline looming, Congress remains sharply divided over extending the federal wind power production tax credit (PTC), which grants wind power producers a tax credit of 2.2 cents/kilowatt-hour (kWh), and the federal wind power investment tax credit (ITC).The US wind energy market and industry has been one of the few...[read more]

Wind Turbine via Shutterstock

As the Jan. 1, 2013, “fiscal cliff” approaches, one of the most divisive issues in Congress is whether to extend tax credits for wind power that are scheduled to expire at the end of 2012. The political battle lines among legislators are largely set, with supporters enthusiastically discussing job creation and opponents demanding an end...[read more]

Legislation via Shutterstock

Two out of three respondents in a new University of Texas poll said energy issues are important to them. But the harsh rhetoric of campaign season makes it seem like politicians can never agree on important policies needed to provide safe, reliable and affordable energy while also protecting the environment.Well they can, and they did....[read more]

The wheels haven’t come off, but global investment in clean energy, after racing ahead ever faster for several years, is now barely putt-putting along.Bloomberg New Energy Finance reported this week that third-quarter 2012 investment – $55.6 billion – fell 5 percent from the second quarter, and was off 20 percent from the same quarter in...[read more]

4Neus via flickr

The presidential election is shaping up to be a close one and renewable energy could be a deciding factor with both candidates on opposite sides of an effort to extend the Wind Production Tax Credit that expires at the end of the year. Some estimate that nationally 37,000 jobs will disappear if the tax credit is not renewed. Obama is...[read more]

After several months of tiny taps and minor blows, the big hammer is coming down on U.S. wind power jobs.Citing a dearth of new orders — caused in no small part by the pending expiration of the production tax credit for wind — Siemens said yesterday it would lay off 615 wind workers in three states.image via SiemensMost of the job losses...[read more]

A lack of wind won’t stall our future renewable energy economy, but Congress might.Debunking the Myths That Take the Wind out of Wind Energy’s SailsWind has its downsides. It’s intermittent; it’s too expensive. Fair points, but there are ways around them. For example the whole intermittency issue could be handled now by using spatially...[read more]

Wind Turbines via Shutterstock

Two new reports published by the environmental advocacy group the National Resources Defense Council (NRDC) show just how vital the wind industry is to America's economy.This critical industry could be in for a serious recession within a couple of months.  The Production Tax Credit (PTC), which has been integral to the wind industry...[read more]