Distributed Wind Energy Association

Our Wind, Our Power, Our Future

Representatives Blumenauer (OR-03) and Cole (OK-04) applauded for introducing Rural Wind Energy Development Act

Representatives Blumenauer (OR-03) and Cole (OK-04) applauded for introducing Rural Wind Energy Development Act

by | May 30, 2014 | News

New legislation expands limits on small wind ITC to include broader distributed wind industry

 

Washington, DC – Today, Representatives Earl Blumenauer (OR-03) and Tom Cole (OK-04) introduced the Rural Wind Energy Development Act to provide an investment tax credit to ranchers, farmers, and small businesses to offset the up-front costs of owning a distributed wind turbine.  This modest expansion of current law will keep small business energy jobs growing across the United States.

Distributed wind projects are present in all 50 states, providing clean, homegrown, affordable power and economic development across the United States.  These systems are commonly, but not always, installed on residential, agricultural, commercial, industrial, and community sites and can range in size from a few-hundred-watt, off-grid turbine at a remote cabin or a 5-kW turbine at a home to a multi-MW turbine at a manufacturing facility.

“I applaud Representatives Blumenauer and Cole for their leadership at this critical time for our industry,” said Jennifer Jenkins, Executive Director of the Distributed Wind Energy Association. “This industry is bigger than just one job or one type of turbine. We have an entire supply chain here in the U.S. providing parts for a wide range of distributed wind systems, while employing Americans and providing American-produced electricity. This legislation will provide stability and certainty for the entire distributed wind market and allow this American success story to go on.”

The Congressmen issued the following statements earlier today:

“Community wind energy not only creates American-produced electricity, but American jobs as well,” said Blumenauer. “Approximately 90% of distributed wind turbines sold in the U.S. are made here, according to domestic manufacturing content, creating non-exportable, family wage jobs.”

“I am pleased to once again work with my friend and colleague in furthering the success of the same credit we worked to create in 2008,” said Cole. “Not only does the credit play an important role in encouraging and developing an all-of-the-above energy approach for our nation, but it also ensures that America continues to be a leader in innovation. By modestly increasing this credit, we can continue to encourage economic development, especially in our rural communities.”

The existing investment credits, which may be taken in lieu of the federal Production Tax Credit for large-scale wind projects, have worked very well, but are too limiting. This bill strikes the existing 100 kilowatt nameplate limitation for small wind systems, and expands the maximum wind turbine size to 20 megawatts, in line with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission definition of distributed wind power.

This will provide stability and certainty for the distributed wind market and unlock the necessary investment to grow our global leadership role in distributed wind power, while helping Americans take advantage of clean, renewable, affordable power.


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About the Distributed Wind Energy Association
The Distributed Wind Energy Association is a collaborative group comprised of manufacturers, distributors, project developers, dealers, installers, and advocates, whose primary mission is to promote and foster all aspects of the American distributed wind energy industry. Distributed wind is the use of wind turbines at homes, farm and ranches, businesses, public and industrial facilities, off-grid and other sites connected either physically or virtually on the customer side of the meter to offset all or a portion of local energy consumption or to support grid operations. DWEA seeks to represent members and associates from all sectors with relevant interests pertaining to the distributed wind industry. For more information on DWEA, please go to www.distributedwind.org. Follow us on Twitter @DWEA and like us on Facebook

 For more information
Lauren Glickman, Communications Manager
Lglickman@distributedwind.org, 

U.S. Senate Votes to Move Forward on 2014 Farm Bill, Vote on Final Passage Tomorrow

U.S. Senate Votes to Move Forward on 2014 Farm Bill, Vote on Final Passage Tomorrow

by | Feb 5, 2014 | News

The Agricultural Act of 2014 is Rare Bipartisan Jobs Bill, Reforms Programs, Reduces Deficit by $23 Billion                                   

Washington, DC – The U.S. Senate cleared a procedural hurdle today and voted to proceed to consideration of the 2014 Farm Bill, paving the way for a final vote on the measure tomorrow. Cloture was invoked with strong bipartisan support of 72-22. Senator Debbie Stabenow (D-MI), Chairwoman of the U.S. Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry, and Senator Thad Cochran (R-MS), the Committee’s Ranking Member, co-authored the bipartisan reform bill that ends direct payment subsidies, saves taxpayers $23 billion, and helps America’s agriculture economy continue to grow.  The bill significantly increases support for fruits and vegetables and local food systems.  It also protects critical food assistance for children, seniors and families while achieving savings in the program solely by addressing misuse. It is also the country’s largest investment in land and water conservation in years.

The Farm Bill is supported by hundreds of farm, healthy food, conservation and other organizations. Click here to see the list of supporters.

“This is not your father’s Farm Bill,” Stabenow said.  “Tomorrow, the Senate can enact major reforms to farm programs, end outdated and unnecessary subsidies, and support the transition the American people are already making to a healthier food system.  Congress has passed few major deficit reduction bills or major bipartisan jobs bills in recent years.  Tomorrow, the Senate can reduce the deficit and help farmers, ranchers and business owners create jobs by passing the 2014 Farm Bill.”

“The Senate has an opportunity to end the uncertainty that has dogged farmers and consumers for years,” Cochran said.  “I am grateful that the 2014 farm bill, with its many reforms and deficit reduction measures, is receiving bipartisan support from all regions of the country.  This legislation was purposely written to ensure that agriculture policies work to strengthen the diversity of the American agriculture sector, to foster conservation and combat nutrition program abuses.”

For more information, and a summary of the Agricultural Act of 2014, please visit the Senate Agriculture Committee’s website at http://www.ag.senate.gov/issues/farm-bill.