Beebe Says Opposition To Wind Industry Tax Credits ‘Un-American’

According to various reports, Arkansas Gov. Mike Beebe (D) said opponents of a tax credit for the wind energy industry are “un-American.”

Beebe was speaking to a group of industry leaders at the American Wind Energy Association conference in Atlanta, Ga.

From the Florida Times-Union:

Arkansas Gov. Mike Beebe called opponents to the extension of a federal tax break for the wind industry “un-American.”

He made his remarks this morning at the WindPower convention which has a projected 12,000 attendees.

“Anyone standing in the way of this industry, frankly, they're un-American,” he said.

The industry is seeking a five-year extension. It is set to expire at the end of this year.

You can read more at this link.

Beebe has advocated on num

erous occasions for continuing a tax credit for wind energy projects.

The wind Production Tax Credit (PTC) has had bipartisan support in Congress, but it has failed this year to clear approval in Congress despite pressure from industry and local government leaders.

The wind industry’s tax credit was first enacted in 1992 and has expired on three different occasions in the past. It offers a tax rebate of 2.2 cents for each kilowatt-hour of energy produced for the first 10 years of electricity production from utility-scale turbines powered by renewable sources.

Arkansas has had solid success in recruiting major wind component manufacturing companies to locate in Arkansas.

One company, LM Wind Power, said that uncertainty surrounding the tax break has sped up projects in its pipeline, causing the firm's Little Rock plant to ramp up production and hiring.