China Trade Practices Highlight Urgent Need for U.S. Renewable Electricity Standard

The American Wind Energy Association (AWEA) today issued the following statement from Denise Bode, AWEA CEO, in response to United Steelworkers (USW) filing a trade case against China:

"China and many other countries are using every tool at their disposal to lead in clean energy manufacturing including strong renewable energy targets. The US has an opportunity right now to stay in the game by passing an RES–one of the very few policies that has bipartisan support in Congress. The RES is necessary to drive investment in wind power manufacturing here in the US, and ensure continued growth of domestic content in wind turbines.

As AWEA and USW agreed in our Partnership for Progress, the development of domestic supply chains and a robust manufacturing sector is critical to the long-term health of the wind energy industry. We jointly recognize that providing the appropriate incentives and commitments can grow the American wind energy manufacturing sector, creating new good jobs and enhancing our economic future.

The US and China are competing for new investment in wind energy manufacturing and the jobs that come with growing a new sector. We are reviewing the trade case and as the representative of hundreds of manufacturers with operations in the US we are very interested in making sure these companies have a fair shot in the global market place. Any practice that tilts the global playing field unfairly would be of serious concern."

www.awea.org/