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newsroom
High Priority on Renewable Energy Will Help Stimulate Economy WASHINGTON, D.C. – With the U.S. wind energy industry posting its fourth record year in a row and rolling up its sleeves to help tackle the impacts of the financial crisis and economic downturn, the American Wind Energy Association (AWEA) said it looks forward to working with President-elect Barack Obama and Congress on a new energy policy agenda that will encourage continued investment in this affordable, reliable and renewable resource. “During the campaign, President-elect Obama spoke of moving America toward a new energy future by facilitating investments in clean energy and revitalizing our economy in the process by creating new, green collar jobs,” said Randall Swisher, AWEA’s Executive Director. “The U.S. wind energy industry is ready to work with our new leaders to help revitalize the American economy. “Despite adverse economic conditions nationwide, investors view wind as a sound strategic investment, and prospects for long-term growth in the wind energy industry continue to be bright. But federal policy adjustments are needed to help the industry perform well in the context of the current financial situation. More broadly, the nation needs an energy policy that places a high priority on renewable energy both to stimulate the economy and fight climate change. With demand for clean, domestic energy resources on the rise and the need for environmental solutions becoming more urgent, wind power is the best option to quickly and lastingly address some of our nation’s most pressing challenges.” Wind energy’s recent rapid growth is evidence of its strong economic fundamentals and huge potential. The U.S. Department of Energy reported earlier this year that wind could provide 20% of U.S. electricity by 2030, supporting 500,000 jobs and reducing greenhouse gas emissions as much as taking 140 million vehicles off the road. To achieve this goal, AWEA supports a national renewable electricity standard, a long-term extension of the renewable energy production tax credit, a process to facilitate investment in transmission lines to tap the nation’s vast wind and other renewable energy sources, and meaningful climate change legislation— measures that are supported by President-elect Obama. The issues facing the industry in 2009 and policy measures needed to encourage investment in wind energy will be at the center of discussions by industry leaders and experts at AWEA’s Fall Symposium – Accelerating Wind Energy Growth Towards the 20% Vision -- November 19-21, 2008, in Palm Desert, California. General Wesley Clark (ret.), a principal in Emergya Wind Technologies, will join a national panel on the policy agenda for wind energy. For more information about the Fall Symposium, visit http://www.awea.org/events/symposium08/agenda.html#ProgramDetails. For interview requests contact Christine Real de Azua at Christine@awea.org or Julie Clendenin at jclendenin@awea.org.
AWEA is the national trade association of America’s wind industry, with more than 1,600 member companies, including global leaders in wind power and energy development, wind turbine manufacturing, component and service suppliers, and the world’s largest wind power trade show. AWEA is the voice of wind energy in the U.S., promoting renewable energy to power a cleaner, stronger America. More information on wind energy is available at the AWEA Web site: www.awea.org. # # #
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