Wind power group honoring Loebsack today

The American Wind Energy Association is honoring U.S. Rep. Dave Loebsack for his efforts in helping create employment in the wind industry and its supply chain.

Loebsack, D-Iowa, is scheduled to receive the association's USA Wind Jobs Champion Award during a visit to Acciona Windpower in West Branch today.

Following a tour of Acciona Windpower, will travel to Fort Madison for a tour of Siemens Energy Inc.'s wind turbine blade manufacturing facility.

Loebsack has been a supporter of the federal renewable energy production tax credit, which is set to expire at the end of 2012. The credit provides 2.2 cents per kilowatt hour for power from wind facilities in service before Dec. 31.

The wind power industry is already facing a slowdown in orders because of uncertainty by power producers over whether the tax credit will be extended.