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WIND ENERGY ASSOCIATION LAUNCHES MEDIA CAMPAIGN AS CRUCIAL VOTE ON RENEWABLE ENERGY LOOMS

TV Ads to appear in multiple markets

Washington, D.C., December 3, 2007 – In anticipation of pivotally important votes as energy legislation is brought to the floors of the U.S. House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate, the American Wind Energy Association (AWEA) today launched a major media campaign with national television advertising, print, and Metro ads encouraging Congressional support for a national renewable electricity standard (RES). The television ads begin to air on Monday, December 3.

An RES (also referred to as a renewable portfolio standard) is a market-based mechanism that calls for a set percentage of the nation’s electricity to be produced from renewable sources, such as wind and solar. More than 25 states have enacted successful renewable electricity standards, but a national RES is needed to fully reap the benefits of renewable energy. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) has announced that t he RES, which was originally added to energy legislation in late summer on the House floor, will be included in the final energy bill that will be considered in the House this week. The bill is then expected to move quickly to the Senate floor. The RES provision calls for 15 percent of the nation’s electricity to come from renewable sources, like wind and solar power, by the year 2020.

“The ad campaign is part of a broader effort to focus attention on this crucial referendum on American energy policy,” explained Gregory Wetstone, AWEA’s Director of Government and Public Affairs. “We believe that greater public awareness will translate into more Congressional support for renewable energy sources like wind and solar power, which are overwhelmingly popular, but face well-financed opposition.” Recent national polling of likely voters found that a national RES is supported by more than 77 percent of Republicans, 86 percent of Southerners, 77 percent of conservatives and 92 percent of Democrats. (See Poll_Shows_Bipartisan_Support_111207.html .)

AWEA’s television advertisement will run nationally, with especially frequent play in Washington, D.C., and four strategically selected states: Arkansas, Indiana, Kansas and Nebraska. The ads call on Senators to support renewable energy and urge viewers to take action at www.PowerOfWind.com. The TV ad can be viewed at this website. The TV campaign will also be supplemented by newspaper ads and display ads on Washington’s Metro subway system.

Studies show that an RES would:

• Slow global warming: By displacing the use of fossil fuels to generate electricity, an RES can cut emissions of conventional pollutants and greenhouse gases. A 15 percent RES would reduce carbon dioxide equivalent to taking more than 13 million cars off the road;
  
  
• Reduce energy bills: Energy research firm Wood Mackenzie found that an RES would lower natural gas and electricity prices and save
  more than $100 billion for American consumers;

• Create jobs: Wind and solar energy are likely to be among the largest sources of new manufacturing jobs worldwide during the 21st century. A recent Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS) study found that a 20 percent RES would create 185,000 new American jobs;

• Revitalize rural America: Farmers and rural land owners in windy areas are reaping payments of $3,000-$8,000 or more per turbine per year, while still being able to work their land. The “wind harvest” can carry hard-pressed farmers through difficult times, such as droughts, even if crops fail; and
  
  
• Strengthen energy security: Wind, solar, and other renewables are a safe, domestic, inexhaustible source of energy, and can reduce projected future imports of liquefied natural gas (LNG).

“These votes in the House and Senate together are a landmark referendum on the direction of the nation’s energy policy,” Wetstone concluded. “It’s not every day that Congress has an opportunity to reduce energy costs, promote our security, spur job creation, and reduce pollution.”

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