With wind energy development picking up in Michigan, leaders to summit to discuss economic benefits to the state

Wind industry executives, investors to join lawmakers at AWEA’s Wind Energy Forum

November 1, 2013

East Lansing, MI – The following event is open to coverage by accredited journalists for news media outlets:

What: AWEA State Energy Forum – Michigan

Who: Business, political and community leaders, including Budget Chairman Rep. Dave Camp, Sen. Debbie Stabenow and Sen. Ron Wyden, coming together to discuss the current and future Michigan wind industry

When: Monday, November 4, 2013

Where: Michigan State University, Kellogg Hotel & Conference Center, 219 South Harrison Road, East Lansing, Mich.

Rep. Dave Camp (R-MI) will kick off the forum, providing opening comments by video. National and regional updates will follow on the status of the wind energy industry, with an emphasis on Michigan’s wind potential and stakeholders’ perspectives. Over lunch, Sen. Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) and Sen. Ron Wyden (D-OR) will discuss their views on the current wind industry and its value to Michigan and the nation overall.

Background: Michigan has 988 megawatts of installed wind capacity, enough to power nearly 325,000 average Michigan homes, and representing close to $2 billion in investment to date. Officials are considering plans and a policy framework for additional capacity in the near future. Michigan is also home to 39 manufacturing facilities actively producing components for wind turbines, which are assembled and installed across the country.