US Congress orders suspension of wind energy PTC

Wind power operations whose construction began before Dec. 31, 2013 may continue to enjoy the federal benefit for 10 years; only new wind farm projects will be subsidy-free.

And regardless of congressional action in Washington, 29 states have set their own renewable energy targets, which essentially mandate operators to invest in wind.

The most populous state, California, is expected to produce one third of its electricity from renewable sources by 2020, while the northeastern state of Maine has committed to 40-percent renewable energy by 2017.

Lawmakers from windy states in the northeast and central plains regions argue for maintaining the federal aid, saying their states have enjoyed booms in investment and jobs.