With a federal tax credit that subsidizes the US wind industry set to expire at the end of 2012, General Electric (GE) is scrutinizing its supply chain. Uncompetitive vendors will be culled, GE's VP on renewable energy business Vic Abate says, while stronger suppliers will be offered operational and financial assistance. Manufacturers of turbines and other components will shed an estimated 10,000 workers in the US this year in anticipation of a slowdown in orders, says the American Wind Energy Association. If Congress doesn't extend the production tax credit, that figure will hit 37,000 next year -- about half the industry's workforce. As the industry leader, GE is in a better position to weather the loss of incentives.