Grassley covers wind energy, court issues at TPI

U.S. Sen Chuck Grassley said he often remarks about how little he knew, in the early 1990s, about what a massive industry wind power would one day become.

Speaking briefly to a group of TPI Composites employees, wind industry officials and Newton-area business people and government officials Wednesday, Grassley discussed several Congressional developments regarding wind power, and praised the work force at TPI and Trinity Structural Towers for their contributions in assembling wind-turbine components.

“When I first authored an (emissions) reduction tax credit in 1992, I had no idea the extent to which this credit would be successful in growing this industry,” Grassley said. “We still have tremendous potential, but we couldn’t have made it this far without the work ethic and second-to-none quality standards of Iowans.”

Grassley was given a tour of the TPI plant before he was introduced by American Wind Energy Association CEO Tom Kiernan to speak with a finished turbine blade as a backdrop. The Republican senator took a handful of questions from the audience and from reporters before departing for another event.

“I can tell you folks are proud of their work,” Grassley said. “Because of our focus on wind industry, Iowans have cleaner air, 6,000 wind-related jobs, 12 wind-turbine manufacturers who make lease payments to property owners and millions of dollars kept in local Iowa economies.”

Grassley, making his first appearance in Jasper County this year said the five-year phase-out of some tax credits is a testimony to the success of wind power. He said there might be pressure to end the credits on a faster cycle.

One of the questions from the audience was about Grassley, as the chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, and his Republican-supported refusal to hold hearings on Merrick Garland, President Obama’s Supreme Court Justice nominated by to fill the seat vacated by the death of Justice Antonin Scalia.

“Historically, we’re seen this before, like in 1968 where Lyndon Johnson’s nominee was filibustered, and it went to Nixon,” Grassley said, referring to Johnson’s attempt to replace the retiring Earl Warren with a member of his executive staff. “In recent years, various senators have taken actions within the last year of a presidency that give legitimacy to not holding hearings. I hope we can get the court back to its traditional role of interpreting law, and not making legislation. It’s taken on the role of a ‘super-legislature.’”

Skiff Medical Center CEO Brett Altman thanked Grassley for supporting programs that helped his facility. New Greater Newton Chamber of Commerce Director Amanda Price asked if Donald Trump will be a strong representative of the Republican Party, to which Grassley said he hasn’t really gotten to know Trump personally.

Grassley answered that question the same exact way he later answered a reporter’s question about whether he was in the “anyone but Hillary” camp of Republicans.

“I’m going to do whatever I can to ensure there won’t be a third term of the Obama presidency,” he said.

Contact Jason W. Brooks at 641-792-3121 ext. 6532 or jbrooks@newtondailynews.com