First Wind chief executive says life without PTC is possible

By his own admission, First Wind chief executive Paul Gaynor will never win a popularity contest in the US wind industry by suggesting it can succeed without the federal production tax credit (PTC).

“I think it would be great if we could come to a conference and not talk about being subsidized by the federal government,” he told the Renewable Energy Finance Forum-Wall Street event here this week.

“I know the industry has needed it. I think the question for all of us is, ‘Do we need it anymore or forever? I believe the answer is no,’” he says. “We shouldn’t need it.”

Gaynor says without the PTC, the wind industry would eliminate all Washington politics around extending the subsidy every year or two. It could…

Become a Recharge subscriber!

Or try our free trial.

Order Subscription

Already a member?

Login

Recharge App


Dowload the Recharge Mobile App
Get the free Recharge subscriber app on your device running iOS or Android.
Read Recharge anytime and anywhere.
Recharge IOS App