AWEA: The heat's still on!

On 9/2/2010 4:33 PM, AWEA Public Affairs Team wrote:

Dear Daniel,   Even as September creeps in, the excessive heat across the country seems to be holding steady. Before August recess, the temperature in Congress had almost reached its boiling point on energy legislation and both houses will resume their jam-packed legislative calendars on September 13th. Time is still short for the Senate to introduce and pass comprehensive energy and climate legislation and we need your help in telling your representatives that you support such a bill that includes a strong renewable electricity standard (RES). An RES is essential for our energy security, our environment and most importantly, American jobs. Take action and sign our RES petition! The August job report will be released in the next few days, just in time for Labor Day, and it’s expected to be dismal. Without the long-term commitment to both jobs and the environment provided for by an RES, our future will be even more uncertain. A strong RES would signal certainty that the market for renewable energy is here to stay in the U.S., and would unleash a wave of investment and job creation in our domestic manufacturing base. To see our latest ad and get information on how to contact your Senator, click here. Along with the heat waves, energy companies have been urging consumers to conserve energy and be mindful of energy usage throughout the summer months. As Energy Secretary Stephen Chu said in July to the Clean Energy Ministerial attendees, “Energy efficiency is the first fuel of the clean energy revolution.” Here in Washington, D.C. electric utility Pepco provided some tips to consumers for saving energy while the grid has peak loads. It’s times like these that we are reminded of the importance for America to utilize both energy efficiency and increased renewable energy development to stake our claim in the global clean energy economy. For further ideas on how to save money and electricity, see the Department of Energy “Energy Savers” website: http://www.energysavers.gov/. In other news, AWEA CEO Denise Bode set the record straight on wind energy in response to the latest strike from the fossil fuel lobby against renewable energy.  Have a look and listen here. The coming of fall means the arrival of AWEA workshops and conferences.  First up is the AWEA Wind Resource & Project Energy Assessment Workshop in Oklahoma City, followed by the first ever North American Offshore Wind Conference & Exhibition in Atlantic City, NJ. Registration opens next week! For more information about either, contact conference@awea.org. In the spirit of August district meetings and legislators meeting with constituents – tell us what you want to learn about wind energy! What more can we do to help you & wind energy get to know each other better?  Just hit “reply” to this message. Although President Obama will be working in Milwaukee at the annual Laborfest event on Monday, we hope you all enjoy the holiday weekend and final days of summer. Sincerely, The American Wind Energy Association Public Affairs Team