The Senate Bill 1267, which calls for the scrapping of a number of tax credits, has been approved by the Senate. It will reportedly save $25million, with $600,000 of that earmarked for the zero-emission facility tax credit.
The zero-emission tax credit was passed in 2005 and has been acknowledged as promoting around 900MW of projects build in the state. Elsewhere in the country, tax credits have prompted a number of new names to enter the industry.
Speaking about the decision, AWEA CEO Denise Bode said: "The wind energy industry deeply appreciates the leadership shown by the Oklahoma legislature and Governor Brad Henry in restoring tax incentives for zero-emission power plants such as wind farms.
"We also very much appreciate the strong support we have received from AWEA members OG&E and DMI Industries, our regional partner The Wind Coalition headed by Paul Sadler, and the Oklahoma Chamber of Commerce on this issue."
According to Windpower Monthly's Market Status Report for the US, Oklahoma added 299MW in 2009 to take its total capacity to 1.13GW.
