Spencer, IA: (May 29, 2012) - U.S. Ag Secretary Tom Vilsack accompanied President Obama last week to the Newton, Iowa facility that manufactures components for the wind energy industry.
 
Company officials at TPI Composites told Vilsack that they need support from a wind energy tax credit that awaits action in Congress.
 
Vilsack says the jobs of 50,000 workers in that industry are at risk if the tax credit is not renewed by Congress.
 

 
The Renewable Fuels Standard, which mandates the use of increasing levels of renewable fuels each year, has come under attack by the oil industry and its friends in Congress. Vilsack says it is important to understand the threat and for supporters of the RFS to speak out.
 

 
Vilsack said the development of the renewable fuels industry is beginning to show results in lowered dependence on foreign energy, but more work is needed.
 

 
Vilsack made his comments in a Friday interview with KICD.