In 1992 Congress adopted a production tax credit as part of the Energy Policy Act, giving tax breaks to producers of wind power and renewable energy. Ironically Native Americans, one of the poorest communities that could most benefit from this act, were excluded from its incentives.

Now we're calling on Congress to include Native Americans in tax breaks for renewable energy production, like wind power.

The export of rural wind power can provide the basis for a sustainable reservation economy that brings revenue and employment to impoverished rural tribal communities. And unlike fossil fuel development, a wind project can bring in a 25 year revenue stream from the sale of energy, green tags, and other incentives, without leaving behind degraded air, polluted water, flooded lands, or gaping holes in the ground.

This is a win-win situation for Native Americans, for our economy, and for our environment.

As Congress now debates the Production Tax Credit, call on them to extend its terms to create long-term incentives for ALL producers of renewable energy in the U.S. -- including Native Americans!

Dear Members of Congress,

Like most Americans we are concerned about the environmental consequences of global warming and the national security implications of our reliance on foreign oil. We believe increased investments in renewable energy are an important part of the solutions to these long-term problems.

We understand that the Production Tax Credit (PTC) provision included in the Energy Policy Act of 1992, and expanded in the Energy Policy Act of 2005, is set to expire on December 31, 2007, and currently does not allow for participation by Native American tribes.

We, like the Western Governors' Association, are asking our elected representatives to extend the long-term (10 year) production tax credits and investment tax credits across all clean energy technologies and to provide partnership sharing of tax credits for certain entities such as tribes through a Tribal Energy Production Incentive (TEPI).

We believe that implementation of these recommendations would result in more wind development, promote sustainable economic development, encourage tribal self-sufficiency, and provide national energy security. We respectfully ask for your support in moving these recommendations forward through binding legislation.

Sincerely,