Wind Industry Leaders Warn Congress That a Weak RES Could Cede Jobs to Asia, Europe

Wind Industry Leaders Warn Congress That a Weak RES Could Cede Jobs to Asia, Europe

WASHINGTON--May 15 2009 --A group of representatives from major wind industry companies today released a letter to key members of Congress urging them to strengthen the renewable electricity standard (RES) contained in the draft bill unveiled this week by House Energy and Commerce Committee chairman Henry Waxman.

“We are concerned that the significantly lower renewable targets currently being discussed, as compared to proposals from President Obama, Chairman Bingaman and Chairman Markey, will severely blunt the signal for companies like ours that manufacture turbines and components to invest billions of dollars to expand production and our workforces in the U.S.,” the letter said.

It was signed by representatives of GE Energy, Vestas Americas, Gamesa, NRG Systems, REPower USA, Broadwind Energy, TPI Composites, PPG Industries, Clipper Windpower and AWEA.

“A national RES is one of the strongest policies to promote more renewable energy because the combination of long-term demand and an immediate market triggers investment in manufacturing facilities. An RES provides specific near-, mid-, and long-market demand that other policies do not offer,” the letter said.

The Waxman bill, co-introduced by Rep. Edward Markey, chairman of the Energy and Environment Subcommittee, includes a renewable electricity standard that is less than one-half the level proposed by President Obama and Chairman Markey’s original proposal. AWEA supports an RES of 25% by 2025.

The letter also warned, “America is on the verge of losing the wind manufacturing industry to Asia and Europe. There is significant international trade in wind turbines and the competition to host this industry is intense. America trails its competition in passing stable renewable energy policy commitments. Thirty-seven other countries have firm commitments.”

AWEA is the national trade association of America’s wind industry, with more than 2,000 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. Look up information on wind energy at the AWEA Web site. Find insight on industry issues at AWEA’s blog Into the Wind. Join AWEA on Facebook.

Follow AWEA on Twitter.

Contacts For AWEAChristine Real de Azua, 202-383-2508orShawna Seldon, 212-255-7541






News & Stories Published at Clean Energy Stocks Blog
Research Renewable Energy and water stocks as an Investor Ideas member and gain access to global stock directories.
Membership sign-up- http://www.investorideas.com/membership/