The Gazette in Cedar Rapids examines this potential and speaks with the Environmental Law & Policy Center’s Steve Falck.

” One way to help would be for the state to lead in the use of solar and wind energy, said Steve Falck, a former northeast Iowa legislator who’s now with the Iowa Environmental Law and Policy Center. “

Read the story.

“We commend the experts and Senators who took a stand for homegrown clean energy today,” says Andy Olsen, Senior Policy Advocate at the Environmental Law & Policy Center (ELPC), a long-time champion of the Farm Bill’s clean energy programs. “Through these programs, America has made unprecedented gains in rural renewable energy and energy efficiency. Congress and the White House should continue this forward momentum.”

Steve Flick, one of the nation’s farm energy entrepreneurs, called for Congressional action to renew and fully fund core Farm Bill clean energy programs, such as the Rural Energy for America Program (REAP), Biomass Crop Assistance Program (BCAP) and the Biorefinery Assistance Program. “America’s farmers, ranchers and rural residents can have a bright future ahead of them with the right incentives,” Flick says. “Renewable energy is the future of rural America.”

Bennie Hutchins of Mississippi provided numerous examples of how REAP has helped agricultural producers and rural small businesses save money and produce income across the South. He shared ELPC analysis showing that REAP produces jobs at a greater than average rate.

“Farm Bill clean energy programs have been an unprecedented success. They have helped farmers reduce their energy bills and energy waste through energy efficiency and accelerated the introduction of modern clean energy technologies into the marketplace,” Olsen says. “Congress and the White House should continue this momentum by renewing and fully funding core Farm Bill clean energy programs.”

Read more comments on Twitter @ELPCenter #ptcbriefing

Fox Business News reported the story here.

Equipped with the PTC, the wind energy industry has contributed impressively to U.S. economic development. During this free ELPC webinar, ELPC and wind industry executive Scott Viciana discussed the impact of the PTC and proposed legislation to extend it.  If you weren’t able to listen in to the live webinar, you can download the slides and listen to the audio for free.

The solar and wind industries provide over 12,000 jobs in Wisconsin. This job growth has been supported for years by utility incentives and state policies like Wisconsin’s Renewable Portfolio Standard and Focus on Energy Program. However, Wisconsin’s recent political and policy shifts have undermined clean energy development and job creation.

“Wind and solar energy development have created new jobs and business growth that Wisconsin needs,” said ELPC Executive Director Howard Learner. “With over 250 local companies ready to grow, Wisconsin’s leaders should be looking for ways to advance public policies that encourage renewable energy development and progress in the state.”

ELPC surveyed businesses statewide to identify Wisconsin companies that are actively participating in the renewable energy supply chain. The list includes steelmakers, electrical component manufacturers, engineering firms and other longstanding businesses that are profiting from renewable energy development, as well as start-ups and small businesses developing cutting edge clean energy technology.  For example:

Caleffi sells solar thermal systems and components from its Milwaukee office. “Solar is a real job creator in Wisconsin and across the United States and one of the biggest generators of growth for Caleffi,” said Rex Gillespie Caleffi’s Director of Marketing.

Oshkosh-based wind manufacturing company Renewegy builds and installs light commercial wind turbines. The company plans to add 50 new employees in the coming years. “Not only do we manufacture and employ workers here in Oshkosh, but 90 percent of our components are sourced from Midwestern partners,” said Dana Enz, Renewegy’s VP of Sales. “As we grow, they grow.”

Smart state and local policies can make a big difference in creating economic development and new jobs for the solar and wind sector. Helios recently opened Wisconsin’s first solar panel manufacturing plant in Milwaukee. Low-interest loans provided by the state and the City of Milwaukee convinced Helios to locate in Wisconsin. “The Midwest is getting close to becoming a real solar hotspot,” said Helios’ General Manager Brent Brucker. “A little more foresight on the part of a state legislatures and this region could really take off.”

As part of its effort to promote economic growth and environmental progress through clean energy development, ELPC has also completed wind and solar supply chain studies for Illinois, Iowa, Michigan and Ohio. Across these five states, ELPC has identified more than 1,000 clean energy businesses employing over 50,000 people.

To download a copy of the report visit www.elpc.org/WisconsinEnergy

South Dakota Wind Energy Association Executive Director Steve Wegman told the South Dakota Argus Leader that wind energy has poured more than $2 billion into the state since 2002.

ELPC’s Sioux Falls-based Policy Advocate Matt McLarty said, “If we want developers to invest billions of dollars in wind farms and create thousands of new jobs here, the federal government must create a stable, predictable tax climate that encourages long-term investment.”

Read the article in the Argus Leader.

REAP is a popular and oversubscribed program that has funded more than 7,600 farm energy projects since 2003, directly benefiting farmers in all agricultural sectors and every state by making renewable energy and energy efficiency projects more affordable.  Because the program provides grants to cover 25% of the cost, the $36.5 million dollars cut from REAP jeopardizes at least $146 million of overall private and public investment – and jobs — in rural America.

Read more about rural clean energy.