AWEA CEO Tom Kiernan joins Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid at Nevada Clean Energy Summit in Nevada

Tom Kiernan, CEO of the American Wind Energy Association, spoke and was available for media interviews yesterday at the Nevada Clean Energy Summit 6.0 in Las Vegas, hosted by Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV).

Kiernan spoke at 11 am Pacific on Tuesday, on a panel entitled, “From Innovation to Deployment,” moderated by Phyllis Cuttino, director of the Clean Energy Program for Pew Charitable Trusts. Kiernan joined fellow panelists Dr. Arati Prabhakar of Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA), and Apple’s Vice President for Environmental Initiatives Lisa Jackson, among others. Mr. Kiernan discussed the need for predictable and stable federal and state policies in order for renewable energy like wind energy to continue to drive investment into the U.S. economy and more domestic manufacturing.

The sixth annual National Clean Energy Summit, being held this year at Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino, brings together clean energy visionaries and leaders, public officials, business executives, energy policy experts, entrepreneurs, investors, citizens, and students, to discuss empowering Americans to develop our massive clean energy supplies, secure greater energy independence, and create jobs.

Secretary of the Interior Sally Jewell and Secretary of Energy Ernest Moniz were keynote, and the other speakers included Maria LaRosa of The Weather Channel, Jon Wellinghoff, Chair of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, and many others. In addition to Sen. Reid, the day-long event was hosted by the Center for American Progress, the Clean Energy Project, MGM Resorts International, and the University of Nevada, Las Vegas.

AWEA will return to Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas next May 5-8, 2014, to hold North America’s largest annual wind power trade show, the WINDPOWER® Conference and Exhibition, and to celebrate the association’s 40th anniversary. Wind energy last year became the leading source of new electric generation in America, with 42 percent of all new capacity installed.