U.S. Wind Industry Lobbies in Washington for Strong Renewable Energy Policy

Clean energy policy is starting to heat up again in the United States, and the American wind industry is aiming to make sure these legislative discussions turn into progressive action.

This week, as the U.S. Senate begins its assessment of the weatherization bill known as Home Star, 120 executives from companies bound to wind power have stormed Capitol Hill.  Their mission: advocate for the passage of national policies which will create jobs, diversify energy supply, and prevent climate change.

The wind industry is lobbying for the passage of a national Renewable Electricity Standard (RES), which would mandate utilities throughout the country generate a set amount of their power from renewable sources.  The wind industry is also promoting the energy and climate legislation that Senators John Kerry, Lindsey Graham, and Joe Liebermann are crafting.

The wind industry says that a passing climate and energy legislation with a strong Renewable Electricity Standard would create 274,000 new jobs.  Recently, the U.S. wind industry has come under attack for using government stimulus funds to create jobs overseas, something it argues is completely false.

Denise Bode, CEO of the American Wind Energy Association, insists that passing strong public policy is the key to job creation and the development of renewable energy:  "If Congress acts with this policy [RES] in place, you'll see explosive growth."

Read the full story at the New York Times:  WInd Industry Blitzes Hill on Schumer Bill, Renewable Mandate