Braley introduces extension of energy tax credits
Mark Kresowik
Congressman Bruce Braley proves once again to be one of our best champions of renewable energy. Many of you may know that Bruce's first bill in Congress was for renewable energy job training in community colleges and he was the first member of the Iowa delegation to co-sponsor the Safe Climate Act. The energy tax package is moving in the House on Wednesday.
Governor Culver will announce his energy policy proposals on Monday afternoon, I'll have more information about taking action around that soon. I'll be on Monday's lunchtime Iowa public radio show talking about coal. Listen and call in to heckle the Americans for Balanced Energy Choices guy about the ridiculously high cost of carbon capture and sequestration compared to true renewable energy (proposed Tenaska plant at $5,000 per kW and rising).
Mark
kres...@gmail.com
319-621-7393
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 21, 2008
Contact: Jeff Giertz, Communications Director
(202) 226-4026 (office)
(202) 297-6745 (cell)
Braley Promotes Wind Power Bill across Eastern Iowa
Braley's Clean Energy Investment Act Will
Boost Wind Energy Investment and Create Jobs in Iowa
Washington, DC – Today, Rep. Bruce Braley (D-Iowa) discussed his Clean Energy Investment Act, a bill to boost wind energy production in Iowa and the United States, at stops in eastern Iowa.
This morning, Braley toured Clipper Wind Power in Cedar Rapids, a manufacturer of wind turbines. Later in the day, Braley visited the "Watts Up with Energy" exhibit at Bettendorf's Family Museum of Arts and Sciences to discuss his wind energy bill.
"Iowa has the potential to be the wind energy capital of the Midwest," Braley said. "Wind energy is good for the economy, good for the environment, and good for farmers. That's why we need to do more to encourage the development of Iowa's wind energy industry.
"My Clean Energy Investment Act will help boost the wind energy industry in Iowa. It will create stability and predictability in the wind energy marketplace so wind energy producers can invest more freely in production and the latest technology."
Braley's Clean Energy Investment Act of 2008 would extend the Wind Energy Production Tax Credit for seven years, providing wind energy producers with the incentive to expand production of wind energy.
Iowa's wind energy production currently ranks fourth in the nation. However, Iowa has a great untapped capacity to expand wind energy production: according to the American Wind Energy Association, Iowa could produce over 62,000 megawatts of wind-generated electricity, but is currently producing only 1,273 megawatts (one megawatt can power about 250 homes).
Historically, the credit has been extended in one- and two-year increments. This approach, however, makes it difficult for producers to predict the nature of the wind energy marketplace since there is no guarantee that Congress will extend the tax credit.
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Jeff Giertz
Communications Director
Rep. Bruce Braley (IA-01)
(202) 226-4026 (direct)
(202) 297-6745 (cell)
http://braley.house.gov