Governor Kim Reynolds says she is not concerned about support for wind energy from the new Trump administration, in spite of the president’s remarks in Cedar Rapids last week.
In comments at the U.S. Cellular Center, Trump implied that wind energy is not reliable and endangers wildlife, sparking concern from industry backers.
We're not going to agree on everything. -Gov. Reynolds
But Reynolds said she’s not worried that the Trump administration will pull back on federal support
“Well, you know, we're not going to agree on everything,” Reynolds said. “That's the democratic process. We're going to continue to advocate for renewable energy."
Reynolds says Iowa has led on wind energy since the 80’s without legislation.
“We took the initiative on our own and we're continuing to do that with a comprehensive energy plan,” Reynolds said.
I don't think Trump is going to do anything. -consultant Tom Wind
Industry analysts agree that Iowa’s property tax reductions encouraged wind generation. But they say a federal subsidy, the production tax credit, also played a major role in developing the industry in Iowa and across the country.
Congress has agreed to phase out the credit, and industry backers are urging Trump not to eliminate the credit all at once.
“I don’t think Trump is going to do anything to change the current law,” said wind energy consulting engineer Tom Wind.
Wind says phasing out the credit required a hard-won compromise in Congress. He says it’s unlikely they would act now to abandon the phaseout and eliminate the credit immediately.
