This week, the Energy Choice Coalition joins numerous other organizations in celebrating the 4th annual American Wind Week. While 2020 has been a tough year for every industry — including renewables — the wind industry is focused on the future as well as recognizing the fantastic heights it achieved in 2019. After a decade of steady growth, wind power last year became America’s number one source of renewable energy, and it boasted more than 120,000 industry-supported jobs across all 50 states.
Moreover, the pandemic provided opportunities to raise the profile of wind.
“2020 should be remembered as the year wind worked for America. At the height of stay-at-home orders, wind farms produced enough electricity to power 32 million homes in both April and May. Those turbines were kept spinning by the tens of thousands of essential wind workers, including nearly 7,000 Vestas essential employees. We have proven wind is essential today and wind will be essential tomorrow,” said Chris Brown, American Wind Energy Association (AWEA) Board Chair and Vestas North America President.
The American Wind Energy Association has once again organized Wind Week. They have adjusted the usual activities surrounding Wind Week to be online this year, especially on social media. People working in the wind energy field or students studying for a career in wind are encouraged to submit a photo of themselves on the job or in the classroom, which may be shared on AWEA’s various virtual platforms.
This year’s Wind Week is declared by more than 100 governors, mayors, and government officials across 40 states. It’s likely that many of their constituents will join in celebrating; according to a July survey conducted by Harris Poll on behalf of AWEA, 86 percent of Americans agree that “the U.S. should put more emphasis on using clean, renewable wind energy.” In today’s divisive times, such a strong majority on the issue is definitely cause for cheers.
Monday’s theme was “Essential Workforce,” focusing on frontline wind workers who are helping keep the lights on during the COVID-19 pandemic. Tuesday’s theme is “Economic Recovery,” which will focus on the vital role wind power will play in the coming months as the nation’s economy regains its footing.
Of course, there is a significant advocacy component to Wind Week. To help the industry recover and continue its rapid growth, Wind Week participants are calling for three policy changes Congress can adopt immediately: providing alternative financing options to the tax equity market; extending the sector’s “safe harbor” period to seven years; and allowing for safe harbor considerations to all land-based and offshore wind projects that demonstrate a continuous effort to make progress towards completion.
Follow all the news and festivities over at americanwindweek.org. There will be many online events to advent throughout the week. You can also use social media to follow the action by using #AmericanWindWeek and #WindBuildsTheFuture.