Senator Tom Daschle and clean energy coalition call on president Obama for clean energy action

Tuesday, 06 July 2010 00:10

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At a press conference hosted by former Senator Tom Daschle, a coalition of clean energy industries today called on the White House and Senate leadership to take urgent action upon Congress' return from the July 4 recess on legislation that includes strong measures to promote clean energy. "The time for Congress to take action is now," said Denise Bode, CEO of the American Wind Energy Association (AWEA), a member of the coalition. "Our industry is at a crossroads with thousands of manufacturing jobs in the balance and with businesses and investors watching to see if the U.S. passes legislation supporting renewable energy. Provisions to advance renewable energy and efficiency policies have historically enjoyed bipartisan support and can drive successful passage of energy legislation by Congress this summer," said Senator Daschle. "Efficiency and renewable energy are critical to building a vibrant economy and creating jobs, as well as avoiding carbon emissions and strengthening our energy security."

The coalition recommends at least four fundamental provisions that will be critical to any successful package:

* Robust and predictable tax and other financial incentives for projects and manufacturing, including extension of the Treasury Grant Program.
* Energy efficiency codes and standards including an energy efficiency resource standard (EERS)
* A strong Renewable Electricity Standard (RES)
* Renewable energy infrastructure provisions

Wind energy industry representatives who came to Washington D.C. to meet with Senators to press for such legislation participated in the press conference.

"Today's wind industry is a global business," said Steve Dayney, CEO of REPower, a global wind turbine manufacturer. "Investment will follow where demand for our products is created by long-term, consistent policies, not a boom and bust cycle of on and off support for renewable energy. Passage of a federal RES will help open the doors to a wave of manufacturing investment in the USA."

"This industry has built a national manufacturing base that provides a path for energy independence and jobs in the U.S.," said Steve Lockard, President and CEO of TPI Composites, Inc. "We need Congress to pass a robust RES now to enhance market demand and keep the wind energy industry on target to create hundreds of thousands of U.S jobs and transition our country to a more balanced energy portfolio."

"Put effective policies in place and businesses will read the signal," agreed Susan Nickey, CFO of Acciona North America. "Acciona has a turbine assembly plant in Iowa. To build out an all-American supply chain here in the U.S., we and our suppliers need a clear signal and steady policy, with a strong national Renewable Electricity Standard as the centerpiece."

Source: AWEA