Introduction

Right now, wind industry lobbyists are pushing the US Congress to extend the highly lucrative wind "Production Tax Credit" (PTC) - an action that could shift another $3 billioni in tax burden from "wind farm" owners to ordinary taxpayers.

A recent decision by Texas oil billionaire, T. Boon Pickens, reported by Reuters on April 18, 2008, shows why the Congress should end the wind Production Tax Credit.

According to the Reuters story, Pickens expects "...to turn at least a 25 per cent return" on his plan to spend $10 billion to build the world's biggest "wind farm," consisting of 2,700 turbines and totaling 4,000 megawatts of generating capacity.

Mr. Pickens probably can make a 25% return by building a costly "wind farm" - but at the expense of millions of ordinary taxpayers and electric customers.

His decision shows dramatically what Congress and other federal and state officials have been slow to recognize; i.e., "wind farms" are being built primarily for their lucrative tax benefits and subsidies - not because of their environmental or energy benefits.

Contrary to wind advocates claims, "wind farms" are not environmentally benign, their environmental advantages are greatly overstated, and their adverse impacts are significant.

A 25% return with little risk.

Mr. Pickens' plan to earn a 25% return on a $10 billion investment in wind may sound risky but with huge federal and state tax breaks and subsidies now available, there is little risk.

[Click the below link to read the full report]