Wind Energy's Last-Minute Extension of the Production Tax Credit

Here’s an article that speaks to the on-again-off-again aspect of legislation in the U.S. with respect to incentives for renewables – in this case, wind energy.  Apparently, it’s hard to find sources of capital when there are last-minute, unpredictable changes in the law (imagine that!), and, as a result of the 11th hour extension of the Production Tax Credit, the wind industry will suffer a very slow first half of 2013.  

According to the report:

The first and second quarters of 2013 will likely be characterized by slow development as laid-off employees begin to return and shuttered facilities start to operate again, with activity beginning to ramp up in the second half of the year.

One industry observer, looking at the bright side, points out that “beggars can’t be choosers.”  

Needless to say, it’s a tragedy that this industry, one that represents by far the lowest levelized cost of energy of the clean sources and such potential to create jobs, is, in fact a beggar.