Greater Pa., U.S. investment in alternative energy sought

    One group of environmental advocates hopes to breathe new life into laws that aim to increase wind production in Pennsylvania.

    Two federal tax incentives for wind-power production are set to expire at the end of the year.

    Environmentalists say the production tax credit and the investment tax credit are among the top reasons for the growth of the wind-energy industry in Pennsylvania.

    But some U.S. lawmakers say the industry should be weaned off federal tax breaks that are being used as a crutch in the absence of demand for wind energy.

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    The state’s own laws have also spurred wind-energy production, said Elowyn Corby, an associate with Penn Environment Research and Policy Center.

    “There have been a number of proposals to cut back on support for clean-energy programs, and we’re excited that new legislation has been introduced to strengthen these programs … but they’re very much at risk now,” she said.

    Democratic state lawmakers propose making electricity companies sell a larger share of energy from renewable sources, including wind and solar power.

    Those proposals are still sitting in committee.

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