AWEA CEO statement on U.S. and China decision to sign climate accord

“This historic announcement shows the U.S. is in the market for climate solutions that work. Wind power is one of the biggest, fastest, cheapest ways the U.S. can reduce carbon pollution. Through deploying more wind energy, we can cut out a tenth of the nations entire carbon footprint by the year 2030 and keep more money in the pockets of American consumers while doing so.

Washington, D.C., March 31, 2016 — The United States and China issued a joint statement today announcing the two nations will sign the Paris Agreement, last years international agreement to lower greenhouse gas emissions, on Friday, April 22 (this Earth Day). AWEA CEO Tom Kiernan reacted with the following statement:


"This historic announcement shows the U.S. is in the market for climate solutions that work. Wind power is one of the biggest, fastest, cheapest ways the U.S. can reduce carbon pollution. Through deploying more wind energy, we can cut out a tenth of the nations entire carbon footprint by the year 2030 and keep more money in the pockets of American consumers while doing so.

"Were on track so far. Wind was the number source of new electricity in the U.S. last year, and wind power today cost two-thirds less than it did just six years ago."

"The U.S. has a plan to meet its part of the agreement, the Clean Power Plan. While the Supreme Court has issued a temporary stay of that rule, we expect it to be upheld. Meanwhile states and the electric sector have already begun an unstoppable conversion to a safer, cleaner-powered future. According to the Energy Information Industry, if the states choose the most cost-effective way to implement the plan, wind energy will supply 57 percent of the new energy required. Were ready with the low-cost solution."

Wind power installed in 40 states produces enough electricity to power the equivalent of 19 million homes. As a result, wind energy already greatly reduces carbon pollution, avoiding 126 million metric tons of carbon dioxide emissions last year. With stable policy, Kiernan said, "wind power can keep cutting carbon pollution, creating jobs, and keeping our air clean for generations to come."

For a library of up-to-date library images of wind energy use this link http://www.awea.org/MediaCenter/content.aspx?ItemNumber=7244

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AWEA is the national trade association of the U.S. wind energy industry, with over 800 member companies, including global leaders in wind power and energy development, wind turbine manufacturing, component and service suppliers, and the Western Hemispheres largest wind power trade show, the AWEA WINDPOWER Conference & Exhibition, which takes place next in New Orleans, May 23-26, 2016. AWEA is the voice of wind energy in the U.S., promoting renewable energy to power a cleaner, stronger America. Look up information on wind energy at the AWEA website. Find insight on industry issues at AWEA's blog Into the Wind. Join AWEA on Facebook. Follow AWEA on Twitter.

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