Denmark - AWEA heads to Copenhagen to share wind power message

AWEA is sending a delegation to the United Nations Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP15), currently underway in Copenhagen, Denmark.

Led by AWEA CEO Denise Bode, the group also includes COO Britt Theismann, Senior Vice President of Public Policy Rob Gramlich, and Vice President of Public Affairs Sarah Howell, among others.

“The wind industry is here in Copenhagen to bring the good news to decision-makers that aggressive emissions reductions are feasible and cost-effective with the right policies, including rapid deployment of wind power,” said AWEA CEO Denise Bode. “Wind is ready today to drive the transition to a vibrant, clean energy economy, both in the U.S. and worldwide.

“We plan to stoke the renewable energy policy competition that is already heating up between nations. Thirty-seven countries already have firm, long-term renewable energy policy commitments in place—but not the U.S. We point to the striking success of the renewable energy provisions of the Recovery Act in creating jobs and avoiding carbon, and call on the U.S. government to do much more, including the provision of a strong national Renewable Electricity Standard in upcoming legislation.”

AWEA’s participation at the conference is another indication of America’s reengagement in the international climate change process and of the key role that wind power plays today in the transition to a clean energy economy, the trade association said.

AWEA has outlined the following goals for COP15:
- To support actions taken by Congress and the Obama Administration, especially the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act’s role in creating jobs, deploying renewable energy, and reducing emissions.
- To convey the need for a national Renewable Electricity Standard, which must be a component of any comprehensive U.S. legislation.
- To convey the message that wind power can provide large-scale emissions reductions, especially as wind power is the sole zero-emissions electricity generation source that can be deployed today in a large-scale, cost-effective way.
- To ensure that the global wind industry reinforces positive renewable energy policy competition between nations.

AWEA, together with the Global Wind Energy Council, will host a reception and panel discussion by CEOs of international wind manufacturing and development companies on the state of the global wind energy policy at COP15 on Sunday, December 13.