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Kansas Gov. Sam Brownback is urging Congress to renew the wind production tax credit.

Brownback said the extension is vital for Kansas to work toward its goal of growing to be the "renewable state."

"It is critical, it is happening and it needs this extension for it to continue," he said. "What I'm seeing in this state alone, we are having a massive investment this year in wind energy - about $3 billion in new wind investment, nearly 1,400 megawatts."

There is virtually no new wind operation slated to begin next year, Brownback said, citing the impact of the uncertainty of the tax credit. He said the bill has the support of Kansas senators Jerry Moran and Pat Roberts. 

"With the extension of the production tax credit, there will be much more wind investment, much more wind electricity produced and much greater opportunity for us to become the renewable state," he said. "One of the key things to us solving the fiscal problems in this country is growing the economy, and this helps grow the economy."

Brownback is part of the Governors' Wind Energy Coalition. Iowa Gov. Terry Branstad, chair of the coalition, said the failure to pass the production tax credit is already negatively impacting states, including layoffs in Iowa. In September, Siemens Energy announced layoffs in Iowa, Kansas and Florida. 

Branstad said the extension would help the transition to making wind energy a long-term, viable product. Oregon Gov. John Kitzhaber said the United States needs to reaffirm its commitment to energy independence because it cannot be outsourced.

"We need to invest in job sectors that will strengthen our communities and make them more resilient," said Kitzhaber, vice chair of the Governor's Wind Energy Coalition. "We need to invest in domestic energy sources that not only meet our energy needs, but create healthier communities, and we need to invest in energy resources that are clean, renewable and affordable."