Article Metadata
Journal Section
ArticlesArticle Title
The Wind Energy Production Tax Credit as an Alternative to a Carbon Tax
Journal Issue
Volume 20, 2013Abstract
This paper attempts to determine an optimal level for the wind energy production tax credit based on the carbon dioxide reduction potential of wind energy. The optimal level is calculated using a conservative value for the social cost of carbon and an upper bound for the carbon dioxide reduction potential of wind energy. Even under the most efficient wind energy operation conditions, the reduction in carbon dioxide is not substantial enough to warrant the current value of the production tax credit. Further study is needed to determine why it is so overvalued.