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legislative affairs
What is WindPAC?
How does the wind industry benefit from PAC contributions?
Who can contribute to WindPAC?
What is the Prior Approval form?
What is the maximum an individual can contribute to a PAC?
How does the PAC operate?
What are the Criteria for WindPAC Contributions?
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What is WindPAC?
WindPAC is the Political Action Committee (PAC) of the American Wind Energy Association (AWEA), the wind industry’s national trade group. Federal election campaign laws prohibit trade associations from using their general treasury funds to make contributions to federal elections. WindPAC makes political contributions to candidates for federal office using personal, non-corporate funds contributed by individuals of member companies. WindPAC is registered with the Federal Election Commission as a 501 (c) 6 PAC and operates within the strict conformity of federal election campaign laws.
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How does the wind industry benefit from PAC contributions?
By supporting WindPAC, AWEA members can join together to help elect candidates to the U.S. House of Representatives and Senate who understand the wind industry, who share our concerns, and who listen to our views on the issues that affect us. WindPAC also allows AWEA’s lobbyists to get one-on-one time with key legislators.
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Who can contribute to WindPAC?
All executive and administrative personnel of the member corporations of AWEA may contribute to WindPAC after prior approval is obtained that calendar year. All contributions must be personal, not corporate. Contributing to WindPAC is a voluntary decision. In accordance with the law, AWEA may accept contributions from U.S. citizens only. AWEA will not give any advantage or disadvantage if any person decides to contribute or not.
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What is the Prior Approval form?
Federal law requires WindPAC to obtain written authorization from a member company prior to soliciting contributions to the PAC. Only executive, administrative personnel, stockholders and the families of corporate members may be solicited by WindPAC. The Federal Election Commission defines executive and administrative personnel as “employees who are paid on a salary (rather than hourly) basis and who have policymaking, managerial, professional or supervisory responsibilities.” Unlike other classes of PAC’s, federal law limits each company from granting permission to solicit PAC contributions to one trade association per calendar year.
The Approval for Solicitation Authorization form to be filled out by an authorized representative of the company will allow WindPAC to solicit managers and executives of your company for personal contributions. These solicitations will be carried out by mail, electronic mail, or during AWEA meetings. Completing the authorization form does not obligate you in any way to support or contribute to WindPAC.
Email braum@awea.org for a Approval for Solicitation Authorization form.
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What is the maximum an individual can contribute to a PAC?
Up to $5,000 per calendar year. Federal law prohibits contributions in excess of $5,000 per year to a single political action committee. There are also aggregated limits on amounts an individual can contribute to federal candidates, PACs and political parties.
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How does the PAC operate?
AWEA has a WindPAC Manager who is in charge of all PAC-related operations, a WindPAC Management Team, and a WindPAC Committee. The above three coordinate and develop WindPAC's agenda and disbursements' recipients.
The WindPAC Management Team consists of the WindPAC Manager, AWEA's Legislative Director, AWEA's Senior Director of Governmental and Public Affairs, and AWEA's Executive Director. The Team develops and approves recommendations for the Committee concerning funding, events, and WindPAC planning.
The WindPAC Committee consists of 5 representatives from member companies who are selected from the Legislative Committee's membership. The Committee meets monthly with the WindPAC Manager to discuss upcoming events, fundraising, and to approve disbursement candidates. The majority of the Committee must agree on the candidate before disbursement is approved.
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What are the Criteria for WindPAC Contributions?
In determining whether contributions shall be made from WindPAC funds to a particular candidate, the following factors are taken into account:
- The integrity and character of the candidate;
- The candidate's position on issues important to the wind power industry;
- The candidate's experience and influence in the policy-making process, including whether the candidate holds a leadership position or is likely to hold such a position in the future;
- The candidate's voting record and past leadership on issues of concern to the wind energy industry;
- The support for the candidate by one or more of the Association's member companies located within the candidate's congressional district;
- And the nature and strength of the candidate's opposition in primary and general elections.
Want to learn more about WindPAC? Contact the Legislative Dept at 202-383-2513 or email braum@awea.org.
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