Congress has opportunity to restore stability to distributed wind markets

Congress has opportunity to restore stability to distributed wind markets

Distributed wind industry urges Congress to pass a multi-year extension of the Investment Tax Credit and restore stability to the distributed wind market place.

WASHINGTON DC –

As Congress considers extensions of tax policies used by a variety of businesses, it is crucial that it includes a multi-year extension of the renewable energy Investment Tax Credit (ITC) at a minimum through 2015 as included in the EXPIRE Act, passed unanimously on a bipartisan basis by the Senate Finance Committee in April. The short-sited proposal to extend through the end of this year being debated in the House this week is simply not good policy or going to stop job losses and businesses shutting doors.

“Now is a critical moment for our industry,” said Jennifer Jenkins, the Executive Director of the Distributed Wind Energy Association. “Currently, 90% of all distributed turbines sold in the U.S. are manufactured here, creating a robust market place and American jobs. The three-week extension being considered by the House puts these jobs on the line as it does nothing to provide the certainty and stability needed to plan for the future.”

Distributed wind power is generating clean, affordable and homegrown electricity across all 50 states. This segment of the industry, if properly supported, could boast exponential growth as compared to current market penetration rates, particularly using new leasing models.

“I urge congress to act quickly and pass legislation that includes a multi-year extension of the ITC to ensure the continued growth and success of this clean, affordable and homegrown industry for generations to come. Allow us to help keep the lights on and Americans at work,” said Jenkins.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                    For more information
December 3, 2014                                                  Lauren Glickman, Communications Manager
lglickman@distributedwind.org,


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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.

Distributed wind community remains optimistic as wind Investment Tax Credit (ITC) is adopted in Senate Tax Extenders

Distributed wind community remains optimistic as wind Investment Tax Credit (ITC) is adopted in Senate Tax Extenders

FOR MORE INFO: Lauren Glickman 
Email: Lglickman@distributedwind.org
Tel:
504-258-7955

Grassley/Cantwell Amendment adds 2-year extension of ITC to Senate Tax Extenders

Washington, D.C., April 3rd – Further Congressional action was taken today to address many of the tax extenders that expired earlier this year, a 2 year extension of ITC for distributed wind was added to the Senate Finance Committee’s package of tax extenders during today’s mark-up.  Senators Grassley, Cantwell, Brown, Bennet, Cardin, Carper, Menendez, Nelson, and Stabenow offered the amendment that was accepted to include the ITC (along with the PTC for utility scaled wind power) in the bill.

“I am pleased with today’s decision to include the ITC in the broader package to address expired tax extenders,” said Jennifer Jenkins, Executive Director of the Distributed Wind Energy Association (DWEA).  “A renewed ITC will provide business certainty to the community and distributed wind segments of the wind industry that are generally unable to utilize the PTC and enable them to continue to drive economic development across farms, schools, business, and communities across the country often a multiplier of economic impact to the local community.”

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 Members of Congress including of course the amendment sponsors, and Chairman Wyden, who continue to see the ITC for what it is, an example of an effective, job-creating tax policy,” Jennifer continued.  “Allowing it to expire has put American jobs at risk. Today’s vote represents a step in the right direction and I look forward to continuing down this path.”

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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, commonly referred to as small and community wind, is the use of typically smaller wind turbines at homes, farms, businesses, and public facilities to off-set all or a portion of on-site energy consumption. DWEA seeks to attract 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