Keep wind energy tax credit

By Waterloo/Cedar Falls Courier

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As motorists crisscross Iowa, they see more and more wind turbines operating in the state. It's a visual example of Iowa's leadership in the wind power industry.

The state ranks second nationally in generated wind power, trailing only the much-larger state of Texas in that category. Iowa climbed ahead of California a few years ago. The state has also been on the leading edge in the production of ethanol - an industry that has seen some recent roadblocks, but still is considered a viable energy alternative in the long-run.

Iowa currently gets a higher percentage of its power from wind than any other state.

That's all encouraging news. Most would agree we need to diversify our energy sources with an eye toward moving to clean, renewable and inexpensive alternatives -- and away from dependence on the most prolific oil-producing nations.

However, Gov. Terry Branstad and other Iowa officials are warning that Iowa's wind energy industry could be “severely damaged” if a federal tax credit for wind energy is allowed to expire at the end of 2012.

For sure, tax breaks need to be carefully scrutinized. Some of them have their place - as an avenue leading to a better situation. Locally, for example, tax increment financing districts are created to encourage development. New buildings and businesses are given tax breaks for a certain number of years, before eventually adding to a community's tax base, generating more revenue.

Continuing to aid the wind energy industry until it can reliably stand on its own is another logical strategy.

While we will be utilizing fossil fuel energy sources such as oil and coal for many years to come, there is little doubt that renewable and clean energy sources are the future. The nation would do well to follow the lead of Iowa and other states that continue to invest efforts in the biofuels and renewable energy industries.

Today's economic situations clearly show that this nation needs to spend less of its resources on fossil fuel energy from other countries. Many scientists and citizens are also convinced that greenhouse gas emissions are causing irreversible damage to the Earth's atmosphere.

As reported last week through The Courier's Des Moines Bureau, Iowa's wind power industry supports more than 3,000 Iowa jobs worth a combined payroll upwards of $70 million a year. Landowners make roughly $12.6 million a year in lease payments hosting turbines on their land. The state's 2,800 wind turbines can produce 4,375 megawatts at maximum capacity, with a goal to increase that capacity to 20,000 megawatts by 2030.

Allowing the tax credit for wind energy to expire could indeed slow a needed industry that is still gaining a decent foothold.

In a 2009 visit to Newton, Iowa, President Barack Obama praised our efforts in alternative energy.

“The nation that leads the world in creating new energy sources will be the nation that leads the 21st century global economy,” Obama said. “America can be that nation.”

Why not take the shortest path to get there?