[from Wind Energy Weekly - Will]
REP. WATTS INTRODUCES 30% INVESTMENT
CREDIT FOR HOUSEHOLD WIND SYSTEMS
___________________________________________
A brighter future for residential wind generators is likely if
legislation
introduced recently by U.S. Rep. J.C. Watts (R-Okla.) to provide a 30%
investment tax credit for the units becomes law.
H.R. 2322, the Home and Farm Wind Energy Systems Act, is
cosponsored by
Reps. Wes Watkins (R-Okla.), Frank Lucas (R-Okla.), and Vernon Ehlers
(R-Mich.). At a news conference on the bill, Watts said he has spoken
with
President Bush about it and that he hopes to see the proposal approved by
Congress this fall.
Commented Watts, "We think it's a great way to create an energy
alternative for homes, for farms and small businesses." The current cost
of residential wind turbines, Watts said, is hindering their sales. With
a
tax incentive to lower the up-front cost of the machines, increased sales
will result, helping manufacturers to increase their volume and lower
costs
even further.
"Home owners, small businesses, and farmers are squeezed by energy
costs,
especially in California and the northeastern U.S.," Watts said. "Wind
power, solar, nuclear, and petroleum sources are all needed to solve the
country's energy problem. We need to raise the consciousness of the
American people on the importance of wind power."
Mike Bergey, president of Bergey Windpower of Norman, Okla., a
leading
small turbine manufacturer, welcomed Watts' bill. A typical 10-kilowatt
residential wind turbine, he said, costs about $32,000 and takes about 15
years to pay for itself in terms of lowered electricity costs. As an
example of what can be done if the initial cost of the systems is reduced,
Bergey pointed to the state of California, which enacted a 50% rebate last
year. Since the rebate went into effect, Bergey said, 70% of his
company's
sales have been to customers in the Golden State.
While annual sales of household wind turbines are numbered in the
hundreds
of units, Bergey added, "There are over 20 million homes in America with
an
acre or more of land that would be suitable for one of these machines."
Bergey said similar legislation is expected to be introduced soon
in the
U.S. Senate.
Randy Swisher, executive director of the American Wind Energy
Association
(AWEA), applauded Watts' proposal. "Small wind turbines have been
overlooked for far too long as a potential contributor to our nation's
energy supply," Swisher said. "In terms of energy produced per dollar
expended, they are one of the best options for homeowners and small
businesses to consider. Hopefully, a tax incentive will help make that
happen."
