Related Articles

Take Action to Save Wind Power Jobs—Visit New Web Site

January 4, 2012

The development of renewable energy in the form of wind power is providing jobs for IBEW members employed in inside and outside construction, utilities and members of the union’s manufacturing branch who construct wind towers in Iowa.

Wind power currently supports 75,000 U.S.  jobs.  The U.S. Department of Energy estimated several years ago that by 2030, the wind industry will support 500,000 jobs.

A key factor in the development of wind power is a federal tax incentive, the Production Tax Credit that is due to expire at the end of 2012. If the PTC is not renewed, thousands of wind power jobs could be in jeopardy. This has happened before.  According to the Save USA Wind Jobs Coalition, on a prior occasion when the PTC was allowed to expire, wind installations dropped between 73 and 93 percent, with corresponding job losses.

The wind industry is seeking long-term tax policies that will provide more consistency and market certainty in developing new equipment and projects.

Wind power advocates, sponsored by the American Wind Energy Association, will be lobbying in Washington, D.C.  in early February, pushing for a four-year extension of the production tax credit.

A new website SaveUSAWindJobs has been launched to give Americans who support growing jobs and building our renewable energy economy the tools to take action to push our political leaders to extend the PTC.

The Web site includes a fact sheet, a 90-second video and a link for people to ask their members of Congress to support a four-year extension of the PTC sponsored by Reps. Dave Reichert (R-Wash.) and Earl Blumenenauer (D-Ore.). 

The Save USA Wind Jobs Coalition, which sponsored the Web site, is a broad, non-partisan coalition of 369 members, including manufacturing, farm and business interests.  Signers of a letter to extend the PTC include the National Association of Manufacturers, the American Farm Bureau Federation, the Edison Electric Institute, the United Steelworkers and many members of the environmental community. Support for the legislation was also recently received from the bipartisan Governors’ Wind Energy Coalition.

Says International President Edwin D. Hill:

The IBEW has always supported tax policies that encourage the development of U.S. manufacturing and construction.  Contractors need to plan for the future now. Knowing that the tax credit will be available is essential to get  more wind power projects moving forward.  By demanding that our political leaders extend the Production Tax Credit, our members are taking a stand for jobs and a cleaner energy future for our nation.

The IBEW also strongly supported an amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act that will ensure that “Buy American” requirements apply to all solar devices that supply power to facilities or property under the Department of Defense. The measure has been approved by the Senate.

The Udall-Shumer ‘Buy American’ Solar Amendment, sponsored by Sen. Tom Udall (D-N.M) and Charles Shumer (D-N.Y.), will close an existing loophole that allows the Defense Department to purchase power from producers who do not use domestically-produced solar panels.  Sharp,  a major solar panel manufacturer,  employs members of Memphis, Tenn., Local 474.