"Warning that tens of thousands of jobs are at stake, governors in wind energy states Tuesday called on Congress to renew an expiring tax break."
"Iowa Gov. Terry Branstad and Oregon Gov. John Kitzhaber said at a teleconference that uncertainty over the future of the wind energy production tax credit already has hurt the industry -- which employs 75,000 people and drives more than $10 billion a year in economic development. Branstad and Kitzhaber lead the Governor's Wind Energy Coalition, which represents 28 states.
The credit was first signed by President George H.W. Bush and backed by a number of prominent Republicans. But legislation to renew the tax break stalled in Congress this summer amid opposition from conservative House Republicans, who argued it was wasteful spending. Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney opposed it."
Jeff Barnard and Nicholas Riccardi report for the Associated Press November 13, 2012.
