"I urge you to reject any request for stimulus money unless the high-value components, including the wind turbines, are manufactured in the United States...China is fast emerging as one of our main rivals in the race to build the technology that can help us achieve energy independence. We should not be giving China a head start in this race at our own country's expense." -  Senator Chuck Schumer (D-NY) in a letter he sent to U.S. Energy Secretary Steven Chu addressing the hysteria about a planned Texas wind farm, which will be the first project to import wind turbines from a Chinese manufacturer.

In a story that first appeared on the Breakthrough Institute blog, and was later posted on WattHead, it's noted that though the planned wind farm will be built with the first wind turbines imported from China, imported wind turbine components made up about 50% of installed capacity this year, with parts largely being exported from Europe. 

"The reason for the lack of American presence in wind turbine manufacturing is clear: inconsistent government investment and public policy support," the post continues.  "Prior to 2006, the U.S. production tax credit (PTC) for wind installations expired on an almost annual-basis before eventual reinstatement, leading to a boom-bust domestic market that created crippling investor uncertainty and prevented major investments in U.S. manufacturing capacity."

But it's not all bleak, the share of foreign-manufactured turbine components used in U.S. wind farms has been falling - 70% of components imported in 2005, compared to 50% today.  Read more about this HERE.

---

---