The United Steelworkers (USW) today expressed great disappointment at Gamesa’s announcement to temporarily lay off 165 workers at its nacelle and rotor blade plants in Fairless Hills and Ebensburg, Pa. The announcement comes as U.S.-based wind manufacturers are facing the expiration of a critical tax credit, the Production Tax Credit (PTC), on December 31.
“The PTC is vital to creating a strong U.S. renewables market with clean energy manufacturing jobs,” said Leo W. Gerard, USW International President. “Without it, there is little incentive for existing U.S. wind manufacturers to keep doing business here. Nor is there any incentive for other wind manufacturers to invest in the domestic wind sector.”
The PTC helped to establish the wind market in the United States 20 years ago. However, history has shown that when it has been allowed to expire, as it did in 1999, 2001 and 2003, the U.S. wind market stalls and jobs are lost. With no orders for U.S. wind manufacturers for 2013, this industry and its workers are facing yet another bust cycle.
“Long-term extension of the PTC is absolutely necessary to allow the U.S. wind sector the time it needs to grow, so it can compete with other clean energy sectors and other nations,” said Tom Conway, USW International Vice President.
The USW says it is also necessary for Congress to renew the Advanced Energy Manufacturing Tax Credit (48C), which expired in December…
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