American Energy Action Launches Federal Pro-Wind Energy Campaign to Educate Trump Administration, Lawmakers on Wind Industry Economic and Job Impact
AWA Commits Seven Figures to Launch Federal Effort
For Immediate Release
June 14, 2017
Contact: press@windaction.wpengine.com
Washington, D.C. – Today, the American Energy Action (AWA) will launch a federal campaign called “True American Power” with the goal of educating the public, President Trump, the Administration and Congress on the economic benefits of wind energy on American jobs, manufacturing, and rural economies. AWA will air a series of TV, radio and digital video ads targeted to these audiences and will be seen and heard across Washington, D.C. over the course of a multi-month, multi-million-dollar campaign.
VIEW THE FIRST “True American Power” ADS:
:60 Seconds – https://youtu.be/KD_h7JSmNBA
:30 Seconds – https://youtu.be/bCvtvKjxLGo
Sam Enfield and Jeff Clark, Board members of AWA, said, “Our new education campaign hopes to show that wind industry is helping power an American manufacturing and job creation boom. Wind power is investing billions in American infrastructure and employing over 100,000 moms, dads, veterans, farmers, engineers and Americans from all walks of life. It was no surprise to us that the Department of Labor recently announced that the fastest growing job in America is wind turbine technician. Wind is growing and we are going to power America for generations to come.”
“We are proud to tell our American-success story of providing reliable power for the country and helping rebuild our nation. In the next four years, wind power will invest more than 85 billion dollars in American manufacturing, infrastructure and job training—so we wanted to tell our story,” Enfield and Clark said.
“Wind energy is one of our nation’s most successful rural economic development initiatives. Wind energy provides farming and ranching families with much-needed extra income from their land, and delivers essential new revenue to local governments and school districts. For energy consumers, including American industry, wind energy provides power that is cleaner, cheaper, and more predictable. This dynamic is well understood by some in Washington, but not by those less directly connected to these important rural constituencies,” they continued.
“Polling show that Americans strongly support an increased use of wind power and understand its impact on local jobs and economic growth. Americans also agree that Washington needs to create a path to energy independence. AWA intends to spread this message more broadly among federal legislators and members of the new Administration,” the pair concluded.
AWA POLLING:
AWA is also releasing the results of a recent survey of over 2,000 registered voters that found strong support for the use (and increased use) of wind energy. Notably, a strong majority of respondents believe increasing the use of renewable energy resources will help the economy (70%) and will create jobs in their state (55%).
When asked to prioritize energy related issues for Congress and the President, respondents agreed that creating a path to energy independence, expanding the reach and infrastructure of renewable energy sources, and expanding the use of renewable energy sources to reduce electricity rates should be the top priorities.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION ON AMERICAN WIND ACTION:
In June 2016, AWA announced its formation as a 501c4 to educate the public on the many benefits of wind energy. Read here and here on the 2016 rollout.
AWA believes in creating American jobs and providing economic benefits for state and local economies, innovating for the future, and securing the nation’s energy independence in 2016 and beyond with an even larger and more aggressive budget.
AWA has grown strength and influence since its formation a year ago. Starting with a $2 million budget, AWA has launched multiple successful statewide education campaigns in states that are major wind resources, and has fought against anti-wind initiatives. The group has also endorsed political candidates who are strong proponents of wind energy and have worked to defeat their opponents (listed below). AWA hopes to grow in 2017 and beyond with an even larger and more aggressive budget.
WIND ENERGY CREATES JOBS
Wind energy has created over 102,000 American jobs in all 50 states. That’s more than in nuclear, coal, natural gas, or hydroelectric power;
The cost of wind energy has decreased by two-thirds in the last 7 years;
Wind Turbine technician is the fastest growing job in America;
Since 2013, wind energy jobs have grown by 25% per year.
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