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American Wind Association CEO Denise Bode discusses why the wind industry can’t endure a tax increase.
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The American wind energy association sense that the industry employs 75000 people the wind industry -- -- 5000 people in the US right now.
And the organization says tens of thousands of jobs those jobs are at stake.
Unless congress acts to extend the payroll tax holiday.
That is -- is the CEO of the American wind energy association joins us now live from DC.
Today's we appreciate you joining us today but I'm not sure I understand your arguments I'm just gonna -- for a second.
You think that tens of thousands of wind industry jobs will be lost if we don't extend the payroll tax holiday really.
It's separate.
Action tax credit.
That act was enacted under initially and in the bush administration and we've had stability.
In that which is allowed -- the US manufacturing.
Jobs.
Building wind to grow.
Now over 400 manufacturing facilities.
Tens and thousands of people are manufacturing those.
Turbines here in the US does that run -- -- -- -- humility does it does it run out of the at that tax credit that runs out of the end of the yeah that's gonna be reestablished.
It it runs out at the end of 2012.
But because we built -- manufacturing here in the US we're already seeing layoffs in already seeing people that are.
Pleasing them -- losing orders at manufacturing so we need to have that stability and not have a a tax increase on the industry -- is it's scaling up like like we hope I get an easy.
Of course I see the point bought.
Wind administered the wind industry really if it can't survive without endless massive.
Taxpayer subsidies and you know that doesn't go down well with the electorate these days what does it.
Stuart you know that's really good point -- and I discussed this before there's only one tax incentive.
A production tax credit and actually it is caused the industry to become even more.
Uncompetitive cost coming day -- It's added 400 new manufacturing facilities in the US we are becoming more competitive and in fact adding 35% of all new electric generation.
In the US because his tax credit is actually working it's -- success story here in America you at a time when you let me if.
Actually you know what I'm gonna say -- you know what I'm gonna side have amended so many of these wind farms they cannot operate because the killing -- And the -- What happens to the production out of -- when the wind doesn't blow.
How do you still or electricity that you created when the wind does blow.
How do you transmit the -- a trustee of a long been a long distances because it loses that electricity in the panel lines as it goes along I mean.
You're never gonna make that big a contribution.
To electric supply in America Australia investment act -- Actually we are we're making a huge what like -- America's electricity supply -- win now opposite way.
Well it it it's actually gone up -- 3% and Madison where it really is that I don't know that 3%.
Of America's out electric supply comes from -- right now xetra.
That's right back to its growing faster than that because.
Actually it's become a conventional.
Energy source because it's very easy.
To add wind and quickly and it also had solid manufacturing jobs in fact the southern company it's just issued -- A press release that they had that sign a long term contract for win because it was the most affordable force of the energy out there available right now.
For their Alabama since Citi all right hold on today's who got the T body winners and David Webb wants -- first of all it.
You can't subsidize your way to success is an industry because you're actually using taxpayer dollars.
It's taken the wind industry about ten years to get to 3%.
And when you look at the cost per kilowatt hour produced in wind.
Vs all the other problems that come with a fight with the Green lobby the red wolf some -- in New Mexico to transmit you can't get it to market.
The fact is it's not working because it's not get in there and it's not being mass produced at a low and operate.
So when we look at real Green energy like nuclear and other areas that's where we can produce it we have states they get a large amount of energy from nuclear.
Not -- go ahead.
Thank you know I I really appreciate that what actually happened is the price of wind it's Sunday ounces that it's one of -- as competitive.
Sources of generation it's a lot less expensive to -- -- generate undoubtedly subsidized that's the problem the prices on and it's it's artificial.
-- because it's being subsidized by taxpayer dollars.
But -- probably it's all about getting worse yes -- need the renewal of that tax break.
At the end of the year right is that tied it to the payroll tax holiday extension is it.
It it it could be tied to any tax bill that moves and I think that is one that they're talking about.
Moving and you think you're gonna get that extended that that tax break renewed do you.
On a bipartisan basis -- both the house and the senate.
-- obviously -- -- that's what I -- -- we appreciate you being with -- is interesting subject -- -- again please thank you very much well thinking so much -- an opportunity you're welcome.
