Despite tough economic times of late, Montanans should take heart in an emerging success story: our track record of producing successful wind energy projects.
The wind farm in Judith Gap has provided a much-needed economic boost to this rural area in our state, as well as five other large and small wind-harvesting projects active around our state. The success of these projects and Montana’s growing reputation as a leader in wind power generation has attracted worldwide interest to our state.
This success story is the result of hard work, innovation, and promotion by Montana business people and our local and state leaders. The federal production tax credit, which helps spur private investment in wind energy projects, is an extremely important factor in the success of this emerging sector of the Montana economy.
This credit, which was developed with and continues to receive strong bi-partisan support, will vanish if Congress opts not to extend it. Montana’s leaders in Congress have good reason to support this extension – I hope that they will continue to vote to do so. The renewable energy sector desperately needs a predictable tax future if it is to garner the degree of investment necessary to flourish. Our state is rich in wind resources – it would be a shame to waste them and the economic opportunity that they represent.
Len Ford
Kalispell