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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: April 6, 2004

SCHUMER PUSHES FOR RENEWAL OF WIND FARM TAX CREDIT

Construction on the Tug Hill wind farm project is set to begin this summer, but first requires renewal of federal wind production tax credit

Schumer: Production of wind as an alternative energy source would yield economic, environmental, and power-generating benefits

US Senator Charles Schumer today affirmed his support for a federal wind production tax credit that would enable construction on the Tug Hill wind farm project to begin this summer. Schumer said that the federal provision would help make the wind farm project financially viable and provide economic, environmental, and power-generating benefits to the region.

"This is a great chance for us to bring jobs here by establishing a real niche for the region as a destination for wind energy," Schumer said. "The project will generate more power to help keep prices down, create tax revenues for the community, and protect the environment. We should be doing everything we can to make this project happen and I hope everyone will do what they can to get this project off the ground."

William M. Moore Jr. of Atlantic Renewable Energy Corp has detailed plans to close on financing for a proposed 200-turbine wind farm in the towns of Harrisburg, Martinsburg, and Lowville in the middle of May with a goal to begin construction by early June. The project is the largest in the Northeast and could generate roughly $500,000 in payroll to 15 to 20 employees. According to the county's 2004 budget, the project could provide $470,000 in revenue this year. Moore said that the tax credit helps make the project financially viable and pushed federal legislators to renew it so that construction begin next month.

Schumer today announced that he supports federal legislation to extend the renewable energy production tax credit, which provides a 1.8 cents/kwh credit for businesses that generate power from wind, closed-loop biomass (energy crops), and poultry waste for sale to the grid. The Lewis County Legislature has endorsed this plan, sending letters urging Congress to put the tax credit in new legislation and pass it.

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