American Wind Action Launches South Dakota Campaign to Urge Continued Support for American Wind Jobs
Nov 28, 2017, 10:58 ET
WASHINGTON, Nov. 28, 2017 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Today, American Wind Action (AWA) launched a statewide campaign in South Dakota to engage the public and encourage the South Dakota congressional delegation to recognize the benefits of wind energy, as well as support efforts to protect its 2,000 local jobs and contribution to the local economy. AWA will air a series of TV, print, radio and digital ads in a variety of South Dakota media markets throughout the remainder of the year.
Maureen Westphal, a spokesperson for AWA, said: "As AWA's new campaign demonstrates, wind energy is helping power a job creation boom in South Dakota – providing well-paying job opportunities in a variety of careers and trades for its citizens, including our nation's veterans. Through this campaign, AWA seeks to educate the public and connect those who stand to benefit most from wind energy, its citizens, with their members of Congress, who hold the wind community's future in their hands."
"AWA is pleased the U.S. Senate has acknowledged the many benefits of wind energy for the nation in its recent deliberations on tax reform. Unfortunately, actions by the U.S. House have undercut wind energy and put over 102,000 jobs at risk – 2,000 in South Dakota alone. As the debate continues at the federal level, AWA will continue fighting on behalf of workers, and they expect the South Dakota congressional delegation to do the same. Together with the people of South Dakota, we will work to ensure Washington, D.C. is doing its part to protect this powerful American energy source in South Dakota and throughout the nation," Westphal said.
As part of its newest campaign, AWA will share with South Dakotans important information about wind energy and its benefits for the state, including its successful efforts to create well-paying U.S. jobs and support the economy:
- Wind energy has created 2,000 South Dakota jobs and over 102,000 American jobs in all 50 states – more than in nuclear, coal, natural gas, or hydroelectric power;
- Wind energy jobs grew at a rate 9 times faster than the overall U.S. economy in last year;
- Wind energy employs 50 percent more veterans compared to other industries;
- The cost of wind energy has decreased by two-thirds in the last 7 years;
- Wind Turbine technicians and solar installers are America's two fastest-growing job descriptions, 2016-2026.
- Since 2013, wind energy jobs have grown by 25% per year.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION ON AMERICAN WIND ACTION:
In June 2016, AWA announced its formation as a 501c4 to educate the public on the many benefits of wind energy. Read here and here on the 2016 rollout.
AWA believes in creating American jobs and providing economic benefits for state and local economies, innovating for the future, and securing the nation's energy independence in 2017 and beyond.
AWA has grown strength and influence since its formation in 2016. AWA has launched multiple successful statewide education campaigns in states that are major wind resources, and has fought against anti-wind initiatives.
To learn more about AWA, visit americanwindaction.org.
Contact: [email protected]
SOURCE American Wind Action (AWA)