Dems seek wind tax credit vote on GOP coal bill

Two House Democrats want a vote on an extension of expiring wind energy tax credits when lawmakers battle over GOP legislation that would thwart federal rules that Republicans call anti-coal.

The proposed amendments are more evidence that Democrats are making an extension of the soon-to-expire credit — which the wind industry calls vital to financing new projects — a major political priority.

Reps. Earl Blumenauer (D-Ore.) and Leonard Boswell (D-Iowa) have filed separate amendments that would extend the wind credit, which is slated to end this year, through the end of 2016.

Their plans would also extend credits for other renewable sources that are currently slated to expire at the end of 2013. The House bill comes to the floor later this week, with a final vote expected Friday.

Blumenauer’s plan would also scuttle the rest of the GOP’s bill, which includes provisions to nix greenhouse gas regulations and prevent possible Interior Department rules on mining waste that Republicans oppose. The underlying bill and proposed amendments are available here.

The wind credit has landed a role in the presidential campaign. GOP White House nominee Mitt Romney opposes the renewal, while President Obama is calling on Congress to extend it.

The Democratic amendments make up two of the more than 20 amendments that various Republicans and Democrats are opposing. The House Rules Committee is slated to meet late Wednesday afternoon to decide which, if any, amendments will get a vote when the bill is debated.

Other amendments include Rep. David McKinley’s (R-W.Va.) bill that would prevent the Environmental Protection Agency from retroactively vetoing federal permits for mountaintop removal coal mines.

Rep. Henry Waxman (D-Calif.), meanwhile, submitted an amendment that would strike language that overturns EPA’s “endangerment finding” that greenhouse gases are a threat to public health and welfare.

The finding provides the underpinning for agency regulations to curb carbon emissions.

Rep. Mike Kelly (R-Pa.) wants to require a new Transportation Department study of recently finalized vehicle mileage standards for model years 2017-2025. The study would examine job losses, fatalities and injuries, and other effects of joint Transportation Department-EPA rules on mileage and greenhouse gas emissions.

Some lawmakers are pressing for votes on topics far afield of the underlying GOP bill to thwart coal-related regulations.

Rep. Gerry Connolly (D-Va.) floated an amendment that would replace the bill with Senate-approved legislation to reform the U.S. Postal Service, while Boswell wants to replace the bill with the Senate version of the stalled farm bill.