Fuel Fix: “The growth of wind power projects could come screeching to a halt if Congress fails to extend the renewable energy Production Tax Credit by the end of the year, according to a new American Wind Energy Association report being released later this week.”

“Failing to extend the renewable energy tax credit could lead to a dramatic 70 percent to 90 percent drop off in new wind power installation projects, said Rob Gramlich, AWEA senior vice president.”

“’Wind is the unfortunate poster child for unstable government policy,’ Gramlich said, adding that the tax credit’s past and current stops and starts ‘lead to disruption and layoffs.’”

“Businesses and investors need “’ong-term clarity’ on credits and public policy in order to make decisions on major wind projects that take years to complete, the report added. The AWEA said wind energy supports 73,000 direct jobs nationwide and enough energy to power 18 million homes.”