The American Energy Alliance has joined with over 60 other organizations, including conservative group Americans For Prosperity and several anti-wind power organizations, to call on Republican leaders to block an extension of the wind production tax credit (PTC).
The coalition released a letter ahead of the upcoming lame duck session of Congress, urging U.S. House Speaker John Boehner, R-Ohio, and U.S. Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Kentucky, to reject any attempt to revive the wind PTC, specifically in any tax extenders package.
Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., and Senate Finance Committee Chairman Ron Wyden, D-Ore., have both vowed to push for passage of the EXPIRE Act during the lame duck session. The long-stalled tax extenders package includes the wind PTC and about 50 other U.S. tax breaks.
In its letter to the Republican leaders, the coalition says, "The PTC is a key part of President Obama and Majority Leader Reid's attack on affordable energy from natural gas, coal and nuclear."
The letter further says, "[E]xtending the PTC restricts Americans' access to affordable and reliable energy. The PTC harms Americans in two important ways: it hides the true cost of wind power and encourages states to keep expensive wind power mandates."
"If you favor substantive, meaningful tax reform, you should oppose the inclusion of the PTC in any lame duck tax extenders package," the letter adds. "Rejecting efforts to extend the PTC is a meaningful way for this Congress to oppose the president's climate plan. A vote for extending the PTC is a vote for the president and the majority leader's agenda."
The full letter is available here.
The coalition's call follows a series of separate letters to Congress related to the EXPIRE Act: For example, in June, 302 clean energy groups urged Congress to pass the bill – before the November elections – and in October, the Internal Revenue Service commissioner warned that unless Congress makes a prompt decision on the legislation during the lame duck session, there could be problematic delays to the 2015 tax filing season.
