AWEA ready to work with President-elect Trump to strengthen U.S. economy

An unstoppable shift to a cleaner energy economy is underway, and the fundamentals of wind energy in America are strong. With bipartisan support for long-term policy firmly in place, and a near-record number of wind farms are under construction, our industry is saving consumers money by connecting low-cost wind power to more parts of the country.

We’re putting money in the pockets of farmers who host wind turbines, keeping the farm in the family and the family on the farm. And wind power supports 88,000 well-paying American jobs, a quarter of them made-in-the-USA manufacturing jobs. States, where most energy policy is made, are likely to continue their clean energy policies.

Mr. Trump has said, ‘We can pursue all forms of energy. This includes renewable energies and the technologies of the future.’ We look forward to working with him and his appointees to make sure they recognize that wind is working very well in America today as a mainstream energy source.

In his victory speech early this morning, the President-elect said, ‘We’re going to rebuild our infrastructure, which will become, by the way, second to none. And we will put millions of our people to work as we rebuild it.’ Wind power is some of the best infrastructure America has ever built and we are on track to doubling it from today’s levels by 2020.

The 2016 Republican platform backed transmission which wind energy requires, saying: ‘We support expedited siting processes and the thoughtful expansion of the grid so that consumers and businesses continue to have access to affordable and reliable electricity.’

Americans love wind power partly because it’s proven to be an economic powerhouse for rural America, as well as helping us breathe easier and contributing to our energy independence. Our job is to make good on that promise.

We can bring prosperity to more communities across America that are hurting right now, and that need the business wind energy can bring. With over 80% of all wind farms in Republican-held congressional districts, we envision that the Republican leadership in Congress and the White House will want to keep our industry growing.

Utilities and major corporations are flocking to buy more wind, finding it to be the biggest, fastest, cheapest way to keep the air clean while keeping electric rates low.

We will continue to work with the states to lower electricity costs and share the benefits of rural economic development while meeting their renewable standards.

According to exit polls, the top issues on Americans’ minds as they went to vote were the economy, security, and health. Wind can help with all three. Our determination to fulfill on the U.S. wind industry’s enormous potential has never been stronger.