WILL SENATE EXTEND WIND WELFARE IN FISCAL CLIFF DEAL?

WASHINGTON D.C. — On early reports that the United States Senate will include an extension of the Production Tax Credit for wind energy in the final deal to avert the so-called fiscal cliff, American Energy Alliance President Thomas Pyle released the following statement:

“With our nation’s economic future in their hands, Senate leaders are negotiating behind closed doors in the latest round of political brinkmanship to avert the so-called fiscal cliff. Early reports indicate that some leaders are insisting on an inclusion of the wind production tax credit into any final package, and precisely at the moment they are attempting to raise taxes on small business owners and American families who must pay for it. Billion dollar giveaways to special interests are among the leading drivers of our present fiscal strain, and yet Senate leaders are planning to increase corporate welfare to the most intermittent and unreliable energy sources in our national electricity portfolio.

“Including a PTC extension in a midnight, closed-door compromise is all too reminiscent of earlier congressional actions that have born drastic economic consequences. Yet the Senate is hoping to quench Big Wind’s never-ending thirst for subsidies on the backs of small businesses and American families who the fiscal cliff deal should be designed to protect.”