Daily Oklahoman: PTC extension "makes sense"

The Daily Oklahoman Sunday joined a growing list of newspapers endorsing an extension of the federal wind energy Production Tax Credit (PTC), noting that Oklahoma ranked fifth among the states last year in new wind generating capacity installed.

“Energy-related tax incentives are about as old as the use of electricity to light homes,” said the Oklahoman, adding, “Decades-old credits for fossil fuels were joined in 1992 by the PTC, which has stimulated investment in wind power — from the manufacturing of equipment to the construction and maintenance of the turbines that are now a common sight in western Oklahoma …

“Oklahoma is blessed with an abundance of natural resources that can be used to run vehicles, heat homes and make electricity. For most of the years since statehood, wind power was confined to the devices on farms that pulled up water for stock tanks. Not anymore. The share of power made from wind in Oklahoma was 5.1 percent in 2010. That figure has been growing by the year as new turbines are added and transmission facilities are improved.”

The editorial also noted the growth of wind manufacturing in the state, concluding, “As an emerging and vital industry … wind power needs the investment boost that would result from extending the tax credit.”

Related articles:

Kansas City Star editorial endorsing wind energy Production Tax Credit extension
Denver Post editorial endorsing wind energy Production Tax Credit extension
New York Times editorial endorsing wind energy Production Tax Credit extension
Lake County (Ill.) News-Sun editorial endorsing wind energy Production Tax Credit extension
Garden City (Kans.) Telegram editorial endorsing wind energy Production Tax Credit extension
Topeka (Kans.) Capital-Journal editorial endorsing wind energy Production Tax Credit extension