The American Wind Energy Association (AWEA) and the United Steelworkers (USW) today released a joint ‘Framework Agreement’ to create a ‘Partnership for Progress’ in accelerating the development and deployment of wind energy production in the U.S.
In the coming days, AWEA and the USW will release a cooperative action
agenda they intend to pursue and advocate for adoption by
Congress and the Obama Administration. That agenda will include policies
such as a federal Renewable Electricity Standard and the extension of
necessary tax incentives.
Leo W. Gerard, USW International President, said, “First the agreement calls for an initial assessment of exactly where we
are. On any journey, it’s vital that you know where you’re starting
from. Second, it calls for results-oriented targets that identify the
destination. Third, to get us from here to there, it creates a
partnership on a public policy agenda with the goal of enhancing the
expansion of domestic supply chains and ensuring that we have the
qualified and skilled workers we need. During the journey, it lastly
calls for periodic assessments to ensure that the effort stays on
track.”
U.S. Senator Sherrod Brown (D-OH) joined in the announcement: “We can’t replace our dependence on foreign oil with a dependence on Chinese-made wind turbines. It’s critical that American manufacturers have the resources to develop and deploy wind energy components. Clean energy will help America regain its leadership in manufacturing. We need to ensure American workers and manufacturers are building the clean energy components that will be used around the world.”
USW’s Gerard added, "We expect this framework will help advance the promise of green
jobs being key to our future. The nation cannot continue to fall
behind other countries on clean energy manufacturing. America must be a
global leader and establish new manufacturing jobs. If we do not act
quickly on this opportunity through federal leadership and industry
commitment, we will have done a disservice to our citizens.”
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