Wind tax credit
America’s energy independence depends on the development of clean, renewable sources of energy here at home that will reduce our reliance on oil, reduce air pollution, create American energy jobs and improve public health. The Wind Production Tax Credit helps drive job creation and manufacturing in wind energy — an industry that produces clean, renewable energy and grows the economy here in Maine. Unfortunately, large polluting industries and their allies in Congress believe we don’t need to invest in the growing U.S. renewable energy industry.
The Production Tax Credit for wind power was allowed to expire at the end of 2013. This is an egregious mistake. Wind energy production is a burgeoning industry that supports thousands of good paying jobs around the country. Several wind projects around the country are on hold waiting to see if the tax credit will be renewed. It is clear that Washington should continue to support the wind industry, especially as the fossil fuel industry continues to receive billions of dollars in federal subsidies annually.
The Production Tax Credit for wind energy helps level the playing field and has been a key driver in wind industry job growth over the past decade. Thousands of U.S. wind industry jobs are in jeopardy because of congressional inaction on the tax credit. Congress should support American wind energy and the jobs and cleaner air that come with it.
I urge Maine Sens. Susan Collins and Angus King to please urge Sens. Harry Reid and Mitch McConnell to include the Production Tax Credit for wind.
Kate Rush
Newport
Park positives
We strongly support the creation of a new national park in Maine. For 10 years, we lived in Alaska, where we became intimately familiar with Denali National Park and Preserve, and we also enjoyed several trips in the Kenai Fjords National Park. Over the last 25 years we have planned special trips and visited 23 of our country’s national parks.
Many people in Maine are expressing concerns over loss of jobs, loss of industry and apprehension for the economic future of the state. A new national park would be a boon to all of Maine, bring a huge positive economic impact to the area around the park, and would become a magnet for worldwide tourism. There are far more positive aspects to creating a new national park than any proposed negative aspects.
Sue and Victor Borko
Dallas Plantation