"Today's Vestas announcement shows the danger to U.S. manufacturing jobs if Congress waits any longer to extend the Production Tax Credit (PTC).

Washington, DC. (January 12, 2012) – American Wind Energy Association (AWEA) CEO Denise Bode released the following statement today:

"Today's Vestas announcement shows the danger to U.S. manufacturing jobs if Congress waits any longer to extend the Production Tax Credit (PTC). The layoffs have begun, and every week that goes by without a PTC extension puts these good American jobs at greater risk. Manufacturers like Vestas have invested billions of dollars a year in the U.S. economy, and wind energy has become one of the fastest-growing sources of new American manufacturing jobs. Studies show that with stable tax policy the wind industry can grow to nearly 100,000 American jobs in the next four years and support 500,000 American jobs by 2030. But we have to provide this industry with stable tax policy and a predictable business climate. A PTC extension needs to be first on the list of priorities to be included when Congress gets back to work again in a few weeks."

Read more:

http://www.vestas.com/Files/Filer/EN/Investor/Company_announcements/2012/120112_CA_UK_03.pdf

AWEA is the national trade association of America's wind industry, with more than 2,500 member companies, including global leaders in wind power and energy development, wind turbine manufacturing, component and service suppliers, and the world's largest wind power trade show, the WINDPOWER Conference & Exhibition, which takes place next in Atlanta, June 2-6, 2012. AWEA is the voice of wind energy in the U.S., promoting renewable energy to power a cleaner, stronger America. Look up information on wind energy at the AWEA website. Find insight on industry issues at AWEA's blog Into the Wind. Join AWEA on Facebook. Follow AWEA on Twitter.