Wyo. Senators Vote No On Wind Tax Credit Extension

CASPER, Wyo. (AP) — Both of Wyoming's senators voted against a proposal to extend a federal tax break for wind energy production.

The measure — an amendment to a transportation bill — failed in a 49-49 vote on Tuesday. Sixty votes were needed for it to advance.

A spokesman for Sen. Mike Enzi told the Associated Press that the amendment would have added $11.7 billion over 10 years to the budget deficit. However, he said there will be more efforts to extend the tax credit and Enzi will analyze each one on its own merits.

A spokeswoman for Sen. John Barrasso said the tax break would have supported "projects of questionable value."

Plans to build a wind turbine factory in Cheyenne are on hold, partly because of uncertainty about the tax credit.