Wind turbine manufacturer Vestas Wind Systems has announced more job cuts in Colorado, saying it plans to lay off 75 workers at its blade factory in Brighton.
Company officials say the cuts are happening because Congress has yet to renew a federal wind production tax credit (PTC) that expires at the end of the year.
"Vestas had warned for months that uncertainty about renewal of the federal wind energy tax credits might cause it to lay off workers in Colorado, and we’re certainly seeing that now," says Boulder County Business Report publisher Chris Wood.
The new round of layoffs comes on the heels of other job cuts announced earlier this year, including 90 from its tower factory in Pueblo.
U.S. Senator Mark Udall says the industry is being politicized in Congress, noting that both Democrats and Republicans support renewing the wind PTC. He says extending the credit should be a top priority for lawmakers when they return to Washington.
President Barack Obama has said he supports wind energy and renewing the PTC, while his opponent, Republican Mitt Romney favors traditional energy sources such as coal.
You can follow Erin O'Toole on Twitter: @erinotoole1
