HR 13 (LSB 2212HH (2) 85)

HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 13

BY  KELLEY

A Resolution in support of extending the federal production tax credit for wind energy.

   WHEREAS, Iowa is the third largest producer of wind energy in the nation; and
   WHEREAS, Iowa leads the nation in wind generation as a percentage of total power output; and
   WHEREAS, it has been estimated that 75 percent of Iowa is suitable for wind energy development with an estimated total wind resource of 570,000 megawatts; and
   WHEREAS, 1,000 megawatts of energy can power 250,000 homes and is equivalent to removing the emissions placed in the atmosphere by 682,000 cars in the state in one year’s time; and
   WHEREAS, the wind energy industry in Iowa currently employs several thousand full-time workers in manufacturing, operations, and maintenance with a substantial annual payroll; and
   WHEREAS, the federal production tax credit for wind energy provides a 2.2 percent per kilowatt-hour tax credit for the first 10 years of electricity production from utility-scale wind turbines; and
   WHEREAS, the production tax credit has repeatedly been allowed to sunset and then extended since its original enactment, which has contributed to a boom-bust cycle of development that has been detrimental to the wind industry; and
   WHEREAS, the federal production tax credit for wind energy is currently set to expire at the end of 2013; NOW THEREFORE,

   BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, That the House of Representatives supports the extension of the federal production tax credit applicable to wind energy for an additional two years; and

   BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be sent to the members of Iowa’s congressional delegation and to the President of the United States.