Romney Will Cut Tax Credits Aiding Iowa Wind Energy Industry

Mitt Romney favors killing wind energy tax credits that have helped lead Iowa to become the leading wind energy state in the nation.

Shawn McCoy, a Romney campaign spokesman told The Des Moines Register this week, “He (Romney) will allow the wind credit to expire, end the stimulus boondoggles, and create a level playing field on which all sources of energy can compete on their merits.”

In contrast to Romney, the Obama campaign supports extending the wind energy tax credits that are expected to reach $1.6 billion this year.

In response to the Romney campaign decision, the American Wind Energy Association voiced its disappointment with the Republican presidential candidate’s stance, and an Iowa Wind Energy Association spokesman said that without the tax credits, there is no guarantee that the additional planned wind energy projects in Iowa will ever be built. 

A Republican Iowa legislator was not pleased with the decision.

“I’m disappointed that the statement by Governor Romney’s spokesperson shows a lack of full understanding of how important the wind energy tax credit is for Iowa and our nation,” said Congressman Tom Latham (R-IA). “It’s the wrong decision. Wind energy represents one of the most innovative and exciting sectors of Iowa’s economy.”

In addition, the American Wind Energy Association, a trade group supporting wind energy development,  released its latest poll of Iowa’s likely voters that found more than half of voters (57%), including 41% of Republicans and 59% of Independents, would be less likely to vote for a candidate for President if that candidate did not support expanding American wind power generation.  Public Opinion Strategies took the poll July 17-19 among 500 likely Iowa voters.

The Iowa Wind Energy Association says that the wind energy industry supports 6,000 to 7,000 wind-related jobs in Iowa, more such jobs than in any other state.