Dec. 13 press conference on ending the Wind Production Tax Credit
WASHINGTON (Dec. 12, 2012) – R Street President Eli Lehrer will join other representatives from a coalition of conservative and free-market groups in a Dec. 13 press conference to argue that the Wind Production Tax Credit be among the tax breaks allowed to expire as part of any legislative proposal to avoid the so-called “fiscal cliff.”
Groups participating in the press conference will discuss ending the production tax credit as a litmus test for Congress’ commitment to fiscal reform, as well as the cronyism involved in credits targeted to benefit a specific industry and debunking proponents’ claims that the credits “create jobs.”
The groups note that the Wind PTC, which is scheduled to expire at the end of 2012, amounts to $5 billion annually in tax credits for an industry that provides consumers less than 3 percent of their electricity. R Street has consistently argued for the end of all energy subsidies and tax breaks, including both those that benefit the fossil fuels industry and those targeted to alternative energy providers.
“While we think that wind power is likely a good part of any nation’s energy portfolio, the industry must be able to stand on its own without taxpayer support,” Lehrer said. “As a first step, our preference is to remove all energy subsidies, and then let market demand determine which fuels and processes best serve consumers’ needs.”
WHAT: Press conference on Wind Production Tax Credit
WHEN: Dec. 13, 2012, 11 a.m.-11:30 a.m.
WHERE: 406 Dirksen Senate Office Building, Washington, D.C.
WHO: Thomas Pyle, American Energy Alliance
Myron Ebell, Competitive Enterprise Institute
Phil Kerpen, American Commitment
Eli Lehrer, R Street
Pete Sepp, National Taxpayers Union
Larry Hart, American Conservative Union
David Banks, Alliance for Wise Energy Decisions
Christine Harbin, Americans for Prosperity
Seton Motley, Less Government
Patrick Hedger, FreedomWorks
R Street is a non-profit public policy research organization that supports free markets; limited, effective government; and responsible environmental stewardship. It has headquarters in Washington, D.C. and branch offices in Tallahassee, Fla.; Austin,Texas; and Columbus, Ohio. Its website is www.redesign.rstreet.org.
