Garamendi Visits Solano County Wind Farm, Discusses Strategies to Renew Wind Energy Tax Credit and Create Demand for American-Made Wind Equipment

Congressman Garamendi with employees at a wind energy farm in Solano County with turbines in the background

BIRD'S LANDING, CA – Congressman John Garamendi (D-Fairfield, CA), a Member of the House Natural Resources Committee, today visited NextEra Energy Resources's Montezuma II wind farm in the Montezuma Hills community of Bird's Landing. As a Member of the California State Legislature, Garamendi authored the nation's first clean energy tax credit.

The morning began with a discussion between Congressman Garamendi and NextEra Energy Resources representatives about strategies to convince Congress to preserve the wind energy production tax credit. This federal tax credit was originally established in 1992, but is now set to expire at the end of the year. The tax credit provides stability in the energy market, helping the wind energy sector grow an average of 35 percent a year over the past five years while increasing investment, job creation, and energy independence.

"We believe the production tax credit works because it creates a long term incentive to perform and you don't get paid if you don't produce energy," said RJ Johnson, Director of Wind Development at NextEra.

NextEra Energy Resources, America's largest producer of wind and solar power, has told investors they do not have any U.S. wind projects built into their financial plans for 2013 due to the pending expiration of the wind energy production tax credit.

The company noted that most of their newer generation wind turbines have more than 60 percent American-made content, and it is a goal of NextEra to grow the American industry. Garamendi is the author of H.R. 487, the Manufacture Renewable Energy Systems: Make it in America Act of 2011, which would require all clean energy producers receiving a federal tax credit to purchase equipment made in America.

"In my view, there is a readily available solution to afford ongoing clean energy tax credits. We can generate $5 billion a year by ending our wasteful subsidies of the oil industry. That subsidy should be moved to renewable energy," said Congressman Garamendi.

After the morning briefing, NextEra took Garamendi inside a turbine to help the Congressman develop a greater understanding of the technology.