Groups press new GOP majority to reject wind tax credits

Conservative energy group American Energy Alliance led 66 organizations on Thursday in pressing the new GOP majority to reject any attempts to pass legislation that would extend a wind tax credit.

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) has said he plans to bring a tax extenders package to the Senate floor — specifically one extending credits for renewable energy sources — when Congress returns next week.

{mosads}In a letter to Speaker John Boehner (R-Ohio) and Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) on Thursday, the 66 groups argue an attempt to revive the Production Tax Credit (PTC) during the lame-duck session should be “rejected.”

“The PTC is a key part of President Obama and Majority Leader Reid’s attack on affordable energy from natural gas, coal, and nuclear,” the letter signed by Heritage Action for America and the Competitive Enterprise Institute states.

The groups argue Republicans should not give away any leverage they may have when it comes to tax reform once they take the majority next year.

In Tuesday’s election the GOP picked up 7 Senate seats (and counting), giving Republicans control of the upper chamber starting next year.

The letter, also signed by Americans for Prosperity, a group backed by conservative donors Charles and David Koch, states the wind tax credit “restricts access to affordable energy” and “hides the true cost of wind power.”

“If you favor substantive, meaningful tax reform, you should oppose the inclusion of the wind PTC in any lame-duck tax extenders package,” the letter states. “Rejecting efforts to extend the PTC is a meaningful way for this Congress to oppose the President’s climate plan.”

Reid vowed in September to bring legislation that extends the tax credits for two years to the floor before the end of the year.

Supporters of wind and renewable tax credits argue it levels the playing field for energy and makes renewable energy more attractive to investors.