WASHINGTON, D.C. – September 12, 2012 – Today, Congresswoman Niki Tsongas called for an extension of the wind production tax credit (PTC) and wind investment tax credit (ITC), which are set to expire at the end of the year. These tax credits support tens of thousands of manufacturing jobs, and help our nation make the move toward more renewable sources of energy.

Tsongas was one of eight members of the House Sustainable Energy and Environment Coalition (SEEC) to speak on the House floor today about the importance of extending the PTC and ITC. Without the extension, up to 37,000 jobs could be lost.

“Last year alone, clean energy jobs in Massachusetts grew eleven percent,” said Tsongas. “If the wind tax credit is allowed to expire, we will lose an important new manufacturing opportunity and American jobs."

First established through the Energy Policy Act of 1992, the PTC provides a tax credit of 2.2 cents per kilowatt hour for electricity produced from utility scale turbines. It has helped to grow the American wind industry, supporting the creation of 75,000 jobs. In the past five years, wind power accounts for 35 percent of all new energy generating capacity.

“Providing a modest credit of 2.2 cents per kilowatt hour generated, the PTC has encouraged over 75 billion dollars in private investment over the last five years,” said Tsongas. “Now, 60 percent of the average turbine is manufactured here in the U.S. These companies hire skilled and unskilled workers, and provide good paying jobs in a rapidly growing sector of our economy. Bay Stater Nigel Greene worked for GE wind energy as a wind farm parts runner. He says, ‘I can tell you honestly that nothing gave me more pride in my country than seeing a turbine go from ‘In-repair’ status back to ‘Online’ and producing clean, renewable power; it is truly a sight to behold.’”

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