NEWS
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* from the *
* AMERICAN WIND ENERGY ASSOCIATION *
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: July 25, 1996
"The House has made a very prudent decision in voting to restore funding to these programs," said Karl Gawell, AWEA's director of governmental affairs. "This is not just a victory for wind energy and other renewables; it is a victory for the U.S. as a whole. Everyone will share the benefits wind energy provides--an improved environment, new jobs, less dependence on foreign oil, and a strong foothold in booming international markets."
The amendment, sponsored by Reps. Dan Schaefer (R-Colo.), Scott Klug (R-Wisc.), David Minge (D-Minn.), Karen Thurman (D-Fla.), Vic Fazio (D-Calif.), and Matt Salmon (R-Ariz.), passed by a vote of 279 to 135, with 110 Republicans and 168 Democrats voting in favor. "This spread shows that energy and environmental issues are no longer partisan issues; they have broad-based support from the public, and now the House of Representatives, too," said Gawell.
The House Energy and Water Appropriations Subcommittee originally proposed to zero out funding for wind energy and terminate the program entirely, but an amendment sponsored by Reps. Vic Fazio (D-Calif.) and Frank Riggs (R-Calif.) passed in full Appropriations Committee restored $6 million to wind. The wind budget now stands at $28.5 million, following the vote today.
"To compete effectively in the thriving international markets for wind, the U.S. needs state-of-the-art technology and a healthy domestic market," said Gawell. "This funding will help ensure that the U.S. stays on top of the market for this U.S.-developed technology, and doesn't turn it over to our foreign competitors." In fiscal year 1996, Europe spent a total of $130.8 million on wind energy research, development, and demonstration, as compared to the U.S., which only spent $32.5 million. In 1996, 831 MW of new wind capacity was installed in Europe; the U.S. installed only 41 new MW of wind.
"We thank all of the co-sponsors of this critical amendment. Reps. Schaefer and Fazio in particular have shown tremendous leadership on this initiative. The White House--specifically the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) and the Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ)--were also very helpful in the last few days," said Gawell. "Their hard work will help ensure that small, clean energy businesses facing stiff competition from foreign competitors and a stagnant U.S. market will be given the support they need to keep their heads above water, and it secures a cleaner environment and stronger economy for our country."