Intelligencer Journal/Lancaster New Era

Pa. benefits from wind credits

TO THE EDITORS:

The rapidly growing wind-energy industry is becoming a creator of jobs, energy and pride in Pennsylvania. You need only look to the 20-plus operating wind farms across Pennsylvania, generating 957 megawatts of renewable homegrown energy, to see that wind is a winner.

But the future of wind was made uncertain due to the end of a federal tax incentive known as the Production Tax Credit. The PTC was set to expire at the end of 2012. This would have put future wind development in jeopardy and lead to loss of jobs.

Fortunately, the PTC was extended through 2013 as part of the "fiscal cliff" deal. The extension of the PTC was made possible through the sound leadership of Sens. Pat Toomey and Bob Casey and Rep. Joe Pitts. The bipartisan support of the PTC extension should be recognized as an example of government working effectively for the betterment of all Americans.

The PTC has helped the wind industry and other renewable energy sources like biomass and geothermal get up and running over the past two decades and helped level the playing field with the oil and coal industries.

Alfred L. Wright

East Fallowfield Township