[newgeezer]

What is the “wind energy tax credit”? Is that a credit for manufacturers of turbines or a credit to power companies or something else?

As I understand it, the Production Tax Credit (PTC) is a tax credit paid to wind energy producers.

And right now, the PTC is killing the wind turbine industry!

See, when a turbine is erected, if the PTC is in effect, the producer will receive PTC benefits based on the turbine's output for years to come. But, right now, the PTC is gone. So, new turbines can't get the PTC and, because producers believe the PTC *could* be revived, they are holding off erecting any new turbines.

Wind energy proponents claim it doesn't need subsidies to be viable. So, LET THE PTC DIE. Then, when producers believe [1] the PTC is truly dead and [2] unsubsidized wind energy makes business sense, they'll begin erecting new turbines again.

But, until the PTC is DEAD, it will continue to be the millstone hanging around the neck of the wind turbine industry.

(DungeonMaster, a wind energy wonk, will tell me if I'm wrong.)

[DungeonMaster]

But, until the PTC is DEAD, it will continue to be the millstone hanging around the neck of the wind turbine industry.

I think the PTC is too high but that's more of a gut feeling than anything. The intent was to give wind power a boost but at this point I would think the improvements in technology would allow for a reduction in the PTC.