The Romney campaign on Monday signaled the Republican nominee is against renewing a tax break for wind energy, a potentially dangerous position since the program is popular in the swing state of Iowa, reports the Des Moines Register. The position distinguishes Romney from President Obama who wishes to extend the tax credit and says it has saved jobs in Iowa. It also puts Romney at odds with some Iowa Republicans who support the tax break.
“He will allow the wind credit to expire, end the stimulus boondoggles, and create a level playing field on which all sources of energy can compete on their merits,” Shawn McCoy, a spokesman for Romney’s Iowa campaign, told the Register Monday. “Wind energy will thrive wherever it is economically competitive, and wherever private sector competitors with far more experience than the president believe the investment will produce results.”
Some top Republicans, including Iowa Gov. Terry Branstad, support the tax break. According to the Register, Rep. Tom Latham (R-IA) said Romney’s position “shows a lack of full understanding of how important the wind energy tax credit is for Iowa and our nation” and is “the wrong decision.”
The tax credit is set to expire at the end of 2012.
