National Wind Technology Center turbines near Golden. (Photo by Troy Hooper)

U.S. Senator Michael Bennet, D-Colorado, said the state stands “to suffer a huge economic blow if Congress can’t get its act together and extend this critical tax credit. With thousands of high-quality jobs at stake across our state and the entire country, we need to provide certainty for this industry, so we do not derail its current growth,” he said.

There are more than 5,000 wind industry jobs in Colorado, according to Interwest Energy Alliance, and the state is the nation’s eighth-largest generator of wind power and hosts the world’s leading national laboratory in wind and other renewable energy technologies.

If the tax credit expires at the end of the year, the state’s wind energy sector could crash.

“In fact, a crash is already beginning,” Sen. Mark Udall, D-Colorado, said in a prepared statement. “Vestas may lay off more than 80 percent of its workforce in Colorado if the PTC is not extended soon. I’m fighting every day for this extension, and we need to do it now. This isn’t something we can afford to put on the backburner until the last minute.”

All of Colorado’s congressional delegation except Republican Congressman Doug Lamborn say they want to extend the wind tax credit, which debuted in 1992. The credit could still be tied to other bills or come as stand-alone legislation. It has lapsed in the past only to be resurrected later.

Located just outside of Boulder, the turbine, is the centerpiece a multi-year study looking into the performance and aerodynamics of a new class of large wind turbine. A joint partnership between Siemens and NREL, the project is the largest public-private venture for wind generation in the country.

Ritter at NREL-Siemens wind project outside Boulder

In the initial phase of the program, NREL will contribute $5 million; Siemens has agreed to provide $9 million.

“Today begins a new era of research at NREL’s National Wind Technology Center,” said NREL Director Dan Arvizu in a press release. “With our partners at Siemens Energy, we will embark on a comprehensive R&D program that will pave the way for the even more advanced wind turbines of the future.”

The new turbine is one of the largest of its kind in the United States and will be the largest on the site. The initial three year program will look to test structure and performance, power quality, turbine enhancements, and foundational requirements. Renewable Energy Systems Americas will also use the turbine to test ways to reduce installation costs.

Siemens only recently chose to locate the their research and development center in Boulder. The office is projected to provide 40 engineering jobs and additional positions by 2013.

“Together, with public and private partners like these, we’re making our state a clean-energy research beacon and building a new energy future for Colorado and America,” said Ritter.

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