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AWEA applauded a bipartisan group of Senators who proposed an extension of the federal Production Tax Credit on Thursday. Proposing the two-year extension were Senators Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), Mark Udall (D-Colo.), Scott Brown (R-Mass.), Tom Harkin (D-Iowa), Dean Heller (R-Nev.), Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), and Michael Bennet (D-Colo.). Two days prior, the transportation bill moved on after partisan amendments were voted down, including one from Stabenow with a 'kitchen's sink' of energy-related polices including a one-year extension of the PTC. “Tax reform efforts might modify or address this incentive in the near future, but the jobs and opportunities provided by wind energy should not be abandoned in the meantime. And limiting the bill’s impact on the deficit can be addressed,” said Grassley. “Tax relief has succeeded in developing this clean, renewable and innovative energy source, and it ought to be continued with the degree of certainty that encourages continued investment. Unemployment remains high at 8.3 percent and energy costs are on the rise. Congress should renew the wind energy tax credit to develop clean energy alternatives and good paying jobs.” Responding to the news of the legislation’s introduction, AWEA CEO Denise Bode said in a statement, "I want to applaud Senators Grassley, Udall, Brown, Harkin, Heller, Wyden and Bennet for introducing this important piece of legislation. The support of these Senate leaders, alongside the overwhelmingly strong and bipartisan support the Production Tax Credit extension has received in the House, clearly shows that wind energy is one of the few items of consensus in an otherwise difficult political climate. "Immediate extension of the PTC is critical in order to save 37,000 U.S. wind manufacturing jobs that will otherwise be lost in the next year. Advancements in wind technology have resulted in a steady decline of the cost of electricity from wind, and we've been clear that we don't need the PTC forever. We are just asking to finish the job. One of America's fastest growing new manufacturing sectors would be lost if the PTC is not extended." Udall said in media reports that he would be willing to move forward with the PTC without necessarily including the 1603 tax credit reimbursement program (from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act) if it meant improving the chances at passage for the former. “It’s like choosing between your children,” Udall said. “But if I had to choose, I think let’s say get the PTC back in place and continue to make the case for 1603.” The introduction of the legislation capped a busy week for the PTC extension push. On Tuesday a pair of strikingly opposing PTC-related amendments—one that included an all-important, one-year PTC extension with numerous other energy provisions and another that would have ended the credit immediately, retroactive to the start of 2012—did not receive enough votes on Tuesday to be included in the transportation bill. Senator Debbie Stabenow (D-Mich.) introduced Senate Amendment 1812, which would have extended the PTC for one year, until the end of 2013, as well as extend the 1603 investment tax credit 48(C) manufacturing tax credit, in addition to including biodiesel and other provisions. Meanwhile, Senator Jim DeMint (R-S.C.) introduced his own amendment (Senate Amendment 1589) that, among other provisions, would have ended the PTC immediately upon passage—meaning that even projects under construction right now would not have been eligible for the credit. While the DeMint amendment claimed to cut all energy subsidies—it was the companion to the Pompeo bill in the House—it left untouched more than $30 billion in oil-and-gas incentives. The transportation bill had been seen as a potential vehicle, albeit somewhat of a long shot, for a PTC extension. The wind industry is working feverishly for every possible legislative opportunity for a PTC extension because time is of the essence. While the PTC is scheduled to expire at the end of the year, the wind industry supply chain and the manufacturing jobs within it, in particular, are already feeling the effects of the uncertainty. Meantime, Senate leadership engaged in a colloquy to agree on an extenders package for 2011 and a handful of 2012 tax extenders, including the PTC. The colloquy highlighted interest in the Senate in extending the PTC, among other provisions.
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Former UTC exec takes helm at Capital Safety Capital Safety, the manufacturer of fall protection equipment under the DBI-SALA, UNILINE and PROTECTA brands, announced that Stephen Oswald will join the company as its new CEO. For the last fifteen years, Oswald has held various executive roles at United Technologies Corp. (UTC), most recently serving as the integration leader for the company’s acquisition of GE Security. Prior to that, he served as president of the Hamilton Sundstrand Industrial Division and Sullair Corp. Oswald will begin in his new position effective March 26. He will be based at Capital Safety’s headquarters, and will oversee the company’s global operations, which includes 20 manufacturing, distribution and training facilities worldwide. “Stephen has a successful and repeated track record of growing top and bottom lines in industrial markets,” said Chairman Pat Velasco. “Combine this with his strong organizational and operations background, as well as his high energy leadership style, and it’s easy to see why we are so optimistic about our future together. He joins us after two excellent years of growth, and the addition of Stephen to our team sets the stage for continued strong performance going forward.”
GL Garrad Hassan gets new head of business development and sales Christoph Thiel is the new head of business development and sales at GL Garrad Hassan, the company announced. Thiel, who is responsible for managing global sales and business development worldwide, works from the company’s headquarters in Hamburg. He started in his new position on March 1. "We are very pleased to have Christoph back at GL Garrad Hassan. His breadth of experience and deep understanding of the market will be extremely valuable in helping us to strengthen GL Garrad Hassan's global presence," said Andrew Garrad, President of GL Garrad Hassan. After studying electrical engineering, Christoph Thiel joined WINDTEST Kaiser-Wilhelm-Koog, now a part of GL Garrad Hassan, in 1998, where he carried out load and power performance measurements on wind turbines. Thiel set up WINDTEST's Spanish subsidiary in Madrid and was based in Spain for almost three years before returning to Germany to build the business development department for Measurements & Inspections at Kaiser-Wilhelm-Koog. After a short period elsewhere in the wind industry, Christoph Thiel has now returned to GL Garrad Hassan.
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AWEA News WINDPOWER Conference & Exhibition Attendance at WINDPOWER 2012 could be pivotal to your company’s further success in the wind industry, and if you need senior management's approval for travel and training expenditures, it's worth it to develop a proposal so you can attend WINDPOWER 2012 in Atlanta. We have some simple ways to make your case to attend WINDPOWER. Click here to get valuable tools to show your team why WINDPOWER is an opportunity not to be missed. Use this drafted Letter To Your Supervisor to start. Use this listing of What WINDPOWER Provides to share with your team so they can get an idea of the true scope of WINDPOWER 2012. And don’t forget, to take advantage of early-bird discount rates and register today! Prices go up April 9. WINDPOWER 2012 Conference Proceedings are FREE when you register for a Main Conference Pass Be sure to Register for WINDPOWER 2012 Today! |
AWEA News The call for abstracts is open for the AWEA Offshore WINDPOWER Conference & Exhibition taking place in Virginia Beach, October 9-11, 2012.
Click here for more information. Deadline to submit an abstract is April 2, 2012. All submitters will be notified by late May whether or not their abstracts were accepted. Don’t forget to book a booth! Do it today to ensure the best possible location for your company. |
AWEA News AWEA Wind Resource & Project Energy Assessment Seminar For the first time in its history, the AWEA Wind Resource & Project Energy Assessment Seminar is accepting abstracts. The opening of abstracts is an invitation for the infusion of new and innovative applied research from a broadened base of potential contributors for speaking roles and poster presentations. ABSTRACT DEADLINE: April 12, 2012 5:00 PM EST. For complete details and to submit an abstract, CLICK HERE. |
AWEA News AWEA Wind Finance & Investment Seminar 2012 Register by April 9 to save. One of the highlights of this event is the mock financing sessions: two lively simulations, “Mock Financing: Find Project Debt” and “Mock Financing: Find Tax Equity,” led by wind industry project debt and tax equity leaders who illustrate the real-world questions facing wind farm development. You will certainly want to participate in these educational, yet entertaining, exercises. This is what attendees thought about these panels last year:
View the program agenda and register now! Also, you should consider sponsoring this event to increase your visibility with wind industry leaders. Contact exhibition@awea.org for more information.
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AWEA News AWEA Wind Power Transmission Seminar Register by March 19 to save!
Please join us and your industry peers in discussing these timely issues. We look forward to seeing you in Indianapolis next week! Register now.
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AWEA News AWEA Wind Energy Fall Symposium Executive-level networking, education, and collaboration Every fall, the AWEA Wind Energy Fall Symposium sets the stage for sharing successes, strategies, and lessons-learned with industry leaders and your wind industry peers. This exclusive, executive-level event is the only place (except for WINDPOWER) where AWEA's committees, working groups, and Board of Directors convene face-to-face – it really is a "Who's Who" of the wind energy industry. The top-tier educational program provides information, industry trends, and innovations you need to operate in a complex and global marketplace – and arms you with a competitive edge to advance your organization and enhance your career. Wind professionals within every segment of the industry should attend – anyone who has a stake in the future of wind energy should participate in this vital learning and networking experience. Get:
Submit a registration inquiry to be notified when registration opens for this must-attend event!
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AWEA News Shop www.AWEAStore.com March Comes In Like a Lion – Dress Appropriately! |
| Wind Energy Weekly is a publication of the American Wind Energy Association and a service to its Members. |  |
Upcoming AWEA Events: |
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AWEA Wind Power Transmission Seminar AWEA Wind Finance & Investment Seminar WINDPOWER® 2012 Conference & Exhibition |
| Executive Leadership |
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Denise Bode Pam Poisson Rob Gramlich Stephen Miner Peter Kelley Lisa Wagner
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| Primary AWEA Contacts |
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AWEAconnect Conference - Program Conferences & Meetings Exhibits, Sponsorships & Marketing Legislative Affairs - Federal Legislation and Policy - State Labor, Health and Safety Membership Services Membership - Core Member O&M Policy Analysis Regulatory Affairs Siting Strategic Policy Initiatives Utility Programs and Business Development Wind Energy Weekly / Publications |
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