Yesterday the Senate Finance Committee approved an amendment offered by Iowa Senator Chuck Grassley that reinstates the production tax credit for wind energy and biodiesel for two years. South Dakota Wind Energy Executive Director Paul Bachman says if approved by Congress it will give wind developers the assurance they need to move forward with wind projects.

Bachman says passage of the wind production tax credit in the Finance Committee will improve the likelihood of passage in the full Senate and the House.  He says the credit has bipartisan support.

Bachman is hopeful that following the two year extension the wind energy industry will be able to stand on its own.