Colo. senators press for wind tax credit extension

Colorado’s senators and other lawmakers are pressing for an extension of the wind production tax credit.

Sen. Mark Udall and other members of Congress held a news conference Wednesday to push for the credit, which is due to expire at the end of this year unless Congress renews it. Sen. Michael Bennet of Colorado says the credit is important to reducing pollution and is an economic driver.

The American Wind Energy Association estimates 37,000 jobs, including hundreds in Colorado, would be lost if the credit expires.

Military veterans who have found careers in the wind energy industry are also lobbying to extend the $12 billion break.

Some Republicans also support extending the tax credit, but others, including Rep. Doug Lamborn of Colorado, see it as wasteful spending.