USA - AWEA, along with other groups approach Congress to pass RES

AWEA joined more than 220 other groups in signing a letter to Congress endorsing a national renewable electricity standard (RES) as a way to provide the long-term policy commitment that businesses need to invest tens of billions of dollars in clean energy and create thousands of
American jobs.

A total of 226 companies and organizations signed the letter, which urges Congress to adopt a national RES this year. Legislation introduced in both the House and Senate would require all states to generate at least 25% of their electricity from renewable sources by 2025.

“We are writing to urge rapid enactment of a national renewable electricity standard (RES) to help the nation take full advantage of the abundant domestic renewable resources available for the generation of electricity,” the letter said.

Coming together in signing the letter was a diverse group of organizations that include utilities as well as wind developers, labor groups alongside construction companies, and environmental groups and manufacturers.

“With the strong focus on the economy in Washington right now, it’s important for Congress to recognize the importance of the RES to our economic recovery,” said Denise Bode, CEO of AWEA. “We have seen how using more renewable energy creates jobs—wind created 35,000 jobs last year—and several studies have shown that a national RES will lower consumer electric bills as well. A national renewable electricity standard is one of the most important steps we can take to encourage businesses to invest in clean energy and create thousands of new jobs right here
in the U.S.”

A recent public opinion survey found that 84% of Americans support a national RES. Later this spring, House and Senate committees are scheduled to take up energy legislation that includes a
national RES.

For more information please contact Trevor Sievert at ts@windfair.net