Twin Ports See Increase In Wind Turbine Shipments

Nonrenewal Of Tax Credit, However, Could Result In Drop-Off

By
Benjamin Peterson (CC-BY-NC-SA)

Officials at the Duluth-Superior port say they’re seeing a bump in shipments for wind turbine parts this year.

Congress extended a tax credit through the end of last year that continues to provide incentives for renewable energy development. Duluth Seaway Port Authority trade development director Ron Johnson said that’s driving the uptick in wind shipments. However, Johnson said that there probably won’t be as many shipments next year.

Emily Williams with the American Wind Energy Association said that’s because the tax credit has expired.

Stay informed on the latest news

Sign up for WPR’s email newsletter.

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

“Every time the production tax credit has expired in the past, we’ve seen drop-offs between 75 and 92 percent in capacity additions the following year,” she said.

Williams said all forms of energy receive federal incentives and her group would like the tax credit extended until the wind industry can stand on its own.