American wind week 2020 kicks off with survey showing 86% of Americans want clean energy –

The American Wind Energy Association (AWEA) today
kicks off American Wind Week 2020, the fourth annual national celebration of
U.S. wind energy leadership. During American Wind Week, AWEA, its 1000+
members, and the thousands of diverse U.S. wind supporters highlight the ways
wind is helping build the future.

Wind power is proud to be red, white, and blue, with
operating wind projects or manufacturing facilities in 70 percent of U.S.
Congressional districts and jobs in all 50 states.

Eighty-six percent of Americans think the U.S. should
put more emphasis on using clean, renewable wind energy, according to a July
2020 online consumer survey conducted by the Harris Poll on behalf of AWEA and
released today. These results build on a June 2020 Pew poll, which
reported eighty-three percent of Americans support building more wind farms.

“After a decade of significant growth, wind power last year became America’s number one source of renewable energy. During this year’s American Wind Week, we celebrate the more than 120,000 Americans working in the wind industry, as well as all the wind champions across the country that helped make this achievement possible. This year has been one of immense challenge for our country as we strive to overcome the public health and economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. The U.S. wind industry stands ready, now more than ever, to keep pushing forward and to help our country build a stronger economy and a cleaner future.” – Tom Kiernan, AWEA CEO.

“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.” – Chris Brown, AWEA Board Chair and Vestas North America President. 

Follow Wind Week at americanwindweek.org, or
through social media using #AmericanWindWeek and #WindBuildsTheFuture. Due to COVID-19
and the limitations placed on in-person events, American Wind Week will look
different than in past years, with most of the events taking place virtually.
However, while it might look different, AWEA is celebrating with just as much
fanfare, with special events running every day following distinct themes:

Monday, August 10:
Essential Workforce

Wind workers are on the frontlines of the fight
against COVID-19, helping to keep the lights on every day for millions of
Americans. Electricity is the lifeblood of the U.S. economy, and wind workers
are there to keep the electrons flowing. Electricity is a necessity, not a
luxury, and our workers are ensuring we have access to that necessity.

Tuesday, August 11: Economic
Recovery

Wind is set to play a key role as our nation’s economy
strives to bounce back from the damage of the current pandemic. Wind is
creating new U.S. manufacturing jobs, wind technician is the country’s
second-fastest-growing job, and the wind project pipeline is at a near-record
high. Offshore wind is poised to play a major role in the recovery, creating
83,000 jobs in a decade and launching a brand-new U.S. supply chain. Through
this recovery, we can create a cleaner future filled with opportunity.

Wednesday, August 12:
Wind Power Champions

American wind power dedicates a day to honoring its federal and state-level wind champions, who are making it possible for wind to build a stronger economy and cleaner future. This select group of bipartisan U.S. Senators, Representatives, and Governors has embraced a forward-thinking approach to energy policy, allowing wind to become our country’s largest renewable energy source while employing over 120,000 Americans across all 50 states.

Related: ‘Wind Champion’ Congressman Arrington Will Defend Wind on Capitol Hill

Thursday, August 13:
Community Investment

Thursday highlights wind’s nearly unmatched investment
in rural America, providing farmers with a drought-proof cash crop and rural
communities with revenue to invest in their future. We also give a special
focus on the many efforts our 1000+ members are making to help communities
overcome the challenges of COVID-19.

Friday, August 15:
Corporate Buyers

Businesses purchased a record amount of U.S. wind
power last year and now represent 10 percent of all operating wind capacity in
the country. These Fortune 500 companies, like Walmart, General Motors,
Budweiser, and McDonalds, are making the move toward wind power as they strive
to meet sustainability targets and improve their bottom lines. Companies
powering their stores, factories, and data centers with wind energy is no
longer just a trend—it is the new normal for doing business.