At the end of this year, a crucial tax credit for wind energy producers will expire, undercutting a clean energy industry with a strong presence in Colorado.
Congress should extend it — although with a multiyear phaseout to recognize that the cost of wind power has steadily come down.
If this issue sounds familiar, it is. Last year, federal lawmakers of the credit — but only one year — in its “fiscal cliff” deal.
Colorado Sen. Mark Udall is pushing for a five-year extension of the tax credit this time, , in order to provide longer-term investment certainty.
Make no mistake, this is a significant federal investment of $1 billion a year. But it is needed to support a relatively new industry that is part of a national strategy to move away from fossil fuels to renewable energy.
And it’s one that brings a significant number of jobs to Colorado communities such as Windsor, Pueblo and Brighton.
Congress should approve the tax credit extension now rather than wait until the 11th hour once again.
