At stops along the route, citizens will be asked to sign the blade, making it an unusually graphic petition in support of renewable energy. People will also have a chance to get their pictures taken alongside the blade. The purpose of the trip is to highlight the value of renewable energy, and the need for policies that will allow it to expand, resulting in less pollution and more manufacturing jobs in the United States.
“Alternative energy solutions matter,” said Vic Abate, vice president of GE’s Renewable Energy business. “America has the power to choose a better energy future. American technology and innovation can create a cleaner, smarter, more efficient energy economy that will create more growth, more exports and more American jobs but we need the right policy at the Federal level… The rest of the world is not standing still. China and Europe have already enacted robust, clean energy policies that are driving technology investments and creating real jobs. Sustainable policy works.”
The road trip will end in Dallas at the site of AWEA’s WINDPOWER 2010 Conference and Exhibition. While it is possible there may be some larger turbine blades around, there is no wind energy gathering larger than WINDPOWER.
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GE Wind Blade Tour Gives Americans Opportunity to Pledge Support For a Clean Energy Future
Government Policy Key To Drive Innovation, Investment and Job Creation
GE (NYSE: GE) kicked off a 28-day multi-state wind blade tour to emphasize the escalating role renewable energy will have on America’s clean energy future. The tour will showcase one of GE’s 131-foot advanced technology wind turbine blades that will serve as a travelling petition signed by the public. The blade will cover 2,436 miles and travel through nine states during the tour.
As the country focuses on energy independence and moves to cleaner, smarter and more efficient energy production, GE believes the right government policies are key. Policy can help accelerate the creation of manufacturing jobs, increase investments and technological innovations that will lead to a more prosperous and competitive economy.
“Alternative energy solutions matter,” said Vic Abate, vice president of GE’s Renewable Energy business. “America has the power to choose a better energy future. American technology and innovation can create a cleaner, smarter, more efficient energy economy that will create more growth, more exports and more American jobs, but we need the right policy at the Federal level.”
The tour will begin in Aberdeen, S.D., today and wrap up in Dallas, Texas, in May as part of the American Wind Energy Association’s Windpower 2010, the world’s largest wind energy trade show. In addition to Aberdeen, the blade will make planned stops in:
* April 28: Trinity Structural Towers – Newton, Iowa
* April 30: Top Crop Wind Farm – Ransom, Ill.
* May 06: Center of Science and Industry Museum – Columbus, Ohio
* May 07: Clean Air Fair – Columbus, Ohio
* May 13: GE Appliance Park – Louisville, Ky.
* May 15: Louisville Zoo – Louisville, Ky.
* May 19: Molded Fiber Glass Companies – Gainesville, Texas
* May 23: Windpower 2010 – Dallas, Texas
Individuals who see the blade at the planned stops will have the opportunity to sign their name on the blade to pledge their support for a clean energy future and urge America’s leaders to support innovative wind policies. The wind blade will carry the message “I’m helping to build America’s energy future” to highlight the personal role all Americans can play in making this clean energy vision a reality.
According to Abate, “The rest of the world is not standing still. China and Europe have already enacted robust, clean energy policies that are driving technology investments and creating real jobs. Sustainable policy works.”
The U.S. states with the most wind power capacity installed are Texas, Iowa, California, Washington and Minnesota. All of these states have enacted state level renewable portfolio standards.
Currently, wind energy provides about 2 percent of the country’s electricity and produces enough electricity to power more than 10.5 million U.S. homes. Last year, the U.S. wind industry supported a total of 85,000 jobs in all 50 states.
GE believes Americans have the power to influence how government leaders view renewable energy. By signing the blade, people will send an unmistakable signal to policy leaders that they want renewable energy to play a more important role in their lives.
For more information about the Capture the Wind Tour, visit www.facebook.com/ecomagination.
By Chris Madison (AWEA), www.awea.org/blog/
