Green Speak Monday: Wind Energy Grad
Posted by Brenna Malmberg
On Friday night, I get to watch my brother, Skye, graduate and venture into the world of wind energy. Across the county the wind energy industry has exploded, posting the busiest first quarter ever according to the American Wind Energy Association (AWEA). This increase brings the U.S. wind capacity to 48,611 MW.
One slight problem is the Production Tax Credit (PTC) hanging in the balance. With it, the growth will continue. Without the tax credit, the wind energy will struggle to grow, dropping off in jobs and watts generated. Good new for Skye is that in that booming first quarter, 1,340 MW were under contraction in Kansas, ranking it the highest state in the U.S. Texas, Oklahoma, California and Illinois finished out the top five.
What is this PTC you ask? Well, it is something you can be a part of. The PTC is a tax incentive that keeps electricity rates lower and encourages development of clean energy projects. This tax credit will expire at the end of 2012 unless Congress acts. Without the continuation, the clean energy sector will slow down.
But, you can urge your Congress representative to keep the credit going. Visit the AWEA's site, type in your zip code, and find your correct rep. The site generates a letter that you can edit and direct email lines to the people who need to see this message.
It's simple, easy and could change the future of where wind energy blows in this country.
Thankfully, Skye has an internship, and I know he will find a place in the green industry.
You can read more about wind energy in blogs I wrote for Mother Earth News last year.
Wind Energy Blog No. 1: Horizon Wind Energy
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