Colorado U.S. Senator Michael Bennet today released the following statement after the Senate failed to pass a compromise amendment package that included an extension of the wind energy production tax credit (PTC), which is set to expire at the end of 2012 if Congress fails to act. The amendment included several additional energy tax credits, including those for energy efficient homes, biofuels and others. The amendment, which needed 60 votes to pass, failed by a vote of 49-49.
“I’m disappointed that the wind energy PTC extension did not move forward today. I have visited with Colorado companies and met with Colorado workers who stand to suffer a huge economic blow if Congress can’t get its act together and extend this critical tax credit. With thousands of high-quality jobs at stake across our state and the entire country, we need to provide certainty for this industry, so we do not derail its current growth.
“Standing on its own, this tax credit has bipartisan support, and Colorado companies are counting on us to get it across the finish line. I will continue the fight and look for the next opportunity to extend the wind energy tax credit. We cannot afford to delay. Congress needs to act now before more Americans lose their jobs.”