Wyden to Energy Secretary: 'Knock heads' on clean energy exports

Sen. Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) on Thursday alleged that federal officials implementing a popular tax credit program to boost manufacture of "clean" energy equipment are failing to consider the potential for serving export markets when awarding the credits.

Wyden urged Energy Secretary Steven Chu to "knock heads" to ensure the program addresses the issue -- and threatened to introduce legislation to require export market potential to be factored into credit award decisions.

"I think foreign demand ought to be a big factor in how these tax credits are awarded," Wyden said during a Energy and Natural Resources Committee hearing on DoE's budget plan. He said there are large overseas markets for U.S.-made renewable energy components.

The Treasury Department -- working with the Energy Department -- last month made awards to a slew of companies under the $2.3 billion program, which was part of the 2009 stimulus law.

The program received applications that far exceed the $2.3 billion cap in recovery package. The administration is asking Congress to provide another $5 billion for the program to increase domestic production of wind turbines, solar panels and other goods.

Chu pledged to work with Wyden on the export issue.