USA - 20 percent wind eower stretch goal for America

The American Wind Energy Association, U.S. Department of Energy, and National Renewable Energy Laboratory today committed to develop an action plan focused on providing up to 20% of the nation’s electricity from clean, renewable wind energy, the potential of which was highlighted in the Advanced Energy Initiative released by President George W. Bush in February. At the WINDPOWER 2006 Conference and Exhibition in Pittsburgh, experts in wind technology, energy policy, public outreach, utility operations, and project development gathered to begin the creation of the action plan. The process will solicit input from key stakeholders including environmental groups, utilities, policy planners, investors, educators, communities, and others, with the action plan being unveiled at the WINDPOWER 2007 Conference and Exhibition in Los Angeles, Calif., June 3-6, 2007.

"In his Advanced Energy Initiative, the President described his vision of changing the way we power our homes and businesses by increasing energy efficiency, alleviating price pressure on natural gas, lessening dependency on imported fuels, and fostering alternatives for power production, including wind energy," said Andy Karsner, U.S. Department of Energy Assistant Secretary of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy. "I am pleased to join with AWEA and pledge the support of the U.S. Department of Energy for this critical effort which will accelerate the use of the Nation’s vast wind energy resources." "Wind is an abundant and free domestic energy resource," said Randall Swisher, Executive Director of the American Wind Energy Association. "Coupled with modern technology, wind energy displaces the need for fossil generation and reduces U.S. dependence on imported energy.

"As we have seen in Europe and with growing popularity in other nations of the world, wind power is proven, and can play a substantial role in powering America’s energy future. Wind energy works—for our economy, environment, and energy security.”