Sen. Udall speaks to Wind Energy Tax Credit Extension

Over five thousand workers in Colorado are breathing a sigh of relief now that wind energy tax credits will continue.

Today senator mark Udall told us he's thrilled the bill passed as it's a vital step in the future of the renewable energy world.

The production tax credit bill was set to expire at the end of 2012.

But the bill was extended after 89 senators voted in favor of the policy.

The American wind energy association says the extension will save over 37-thousand jobs nationally and will help create even more.

Senator Udall says, he's excited Colorado can continue thriving in the wind energy industry.

"This was an important victory, not just for Colorado, not just for the individual companies, but for the country as a whole. We want to keep our leading edge when it comes to renewable and clean energy technology. Colorado will remain one of the all above energy states. All in all, this was a down payment, keeping our economy strong and protecting working people in America," said Senator Mark Udall.

On top of the extension, the policy allows for all wind energy projects to be started by the end of 2013, rather than completed within the year.

The AWEA specifically fought for that definition as it usually takes about two years to fully complete a project.

As for the future of renewable energy, the U.S. department of energy projected that wind energy will be able to supply 20 percent of Americans electricity by 2030.

Senator Udall told us there's much more work to be done.

Next the senator wants to create an all above wind energy policy, addressing the exact direction the country wants to go.