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Leading Clean Energy Organizations Announce National Clean Energy Week

WASHINGTON, August 16, 2017 – Today, leading clean energy organizations announced their participation in the first annual National Clean Energy Week (NCEW), which will take place from September 25-29, 2017. National Clean Energy Week will bring together industry associations, businesses, non-profits, and advocates in the clean energy space for activities in Washington, D.C. and across America to showcase how they are helping to make the industry stronger, and influence the discussion around common sense clean energy solutions that directly address America’s need for abundant, reliable forms of energy.

“Across our nation, readily abundant and reliable forms of clean energy are spurring job growth and driving technological innovation. Considering where we were a few years ago, the recent market-led growth in these sectors is impressive by any measure,” said Charles Hernick, Director of Policy and Advocacy, Citizens For Responsible Energy Solutions Forum (CRES Forum). “CRES Forum is excited to join with partners around the country in celebrating the first annual National Clean Energy Week. Together, we can advance support for common sense clean energy solutions that will provide Americans with secure and reliable energy for years to come.”

“The huge increase of renewable generation in electricity markets has made the American renewable energy industry one of the nation’s fastest growing economic sectors — and this new power generation is the largest source of private sector infrastructure investment in the U.S. over the past six years,” said Todd Foley, Senior Vice President of Policy & Government Affairs, American Council on Renewable Energy (ACORE). “We can and should continue to do more to support policies that increase investment in cost-competitive renewable energy generation — to harness the nation’s abundant domestic energy resources, drive economic development, and help achieve environmental objectives.”

“National Clean Energy Week is an opportunity to highlight how innovative technologies — from solar, wind, and demand response to combined heat and power, energy efficiency, energy storage, and everything in between — are providing reliable energy solutions for the American economy, all while driving down costs for consumers,” said Arvin Ganesan, VP of Federal Policy, Advanced Energy Economy (AEE).“It’s also driving business and jobs. Today, advanced energy is a $200 billion industry — as big as pharmaceutical manufacturing and approaching that of consumer electronics. With advanced energy supporting more than 3 million workers nationwide and a presence in every state, AEE is committed to removing barriers to innovation at the federal and state level to expand the deployment of advanced energy and bring secure, clean, reliable, affordable power to all Americans.”

“The wind industry is propelling American energy production, manufacturing, and job creation into the 21st Century,” said Tom Kiernan, CEO of the American Wind Energy Association (AWEA). “We’re proud to join in the effort to launch the first National Clean Energy Week this September by recognizing U.S. wind power leadership. American wind projects are among the world’s most productive, wind turbine technician is the country’s fastest growing job, and over 500 U.S. factories make up the wind supply chain.”

“The Business Council for Sustainable Energy is pleased to be part of the 2017 National Clean Energy Week. As a broad-based energy trade group representing energy efficiency, natural gas and renewable energy companies and associations, our members have experienced the dramatic shifts in the US energy system firsthand,” said Lisa Jacobson, President, Business Council for Sustainable Energy (BCSE). “These changes have demonstrated that the US can move to cleaner, more efficient technologies and resources while growing our economy, keeping energy prices low and supporting over 3 million US jobs. National Clean Energy Week will tell this story and highlight policies that can help build on the current momentum.”

“Biomass is a baseload, renewable energy source that contributes to rural American economies,” said Carrie Annand, Executive Director, Biomass Power Association (BPA). “Biomass power facilities provide an extra revenue stream for foresters, loggers and farmers, putting to use materials that would otherwise be landfilled, left on the forest floor, or openly burned. We look forward to National Clean Energy Week, where we will discuss policy solutions to ensure that biomass power continues to grow and reach its full potential in the United States.”

“All across the United States, businesses are building the backbone of a growing clean energy economy. These companies are providing more reliable power to apartment complexes and hospitals, helping manufacturers save money, and innovating new technologies that will one day run our cell phones and cars on far less energy,” said Lynn Abramson, Executive Director, Clean Energy Business Network (CEBN). “During National Clean Energy Week, we look forward to demonstrating how clean energy businesses are creating jobs and making the U.S. more competitive in the global energy marketplace.”

“Working together to advance clean energy makes sense for America, that’s why we are eager to take part in National Clean Energy Week,” said Jon Wentzel, Vice President of Communications at the Nuclear Energy Institute (NEI). “As the nation’s largest source of emissions-free electricity, America’s nuclear energy sector works every day to produce clean, reliable power.”

“NHA is pleased to be a part of National Clean Energy Week, as it is the ideal platform to showcase how hydropower is helping the nation lessen its carbon footprint, create jobs and integrate other renewables onto the grid,” said Linda Church Ciocci, Executive Director, National Hydropower Association (NHA). “Hydropower is standing on the cusp of a resurgence because policy makers, grid operators, and climate advocates are recognizing its importance to our clean energy future. In fact, increasing hydropower’s capacity by 50 gigawatts by 2050 would annually reduce GHGs by 5.6 billion metric tons and save $209 billion in avoided global damages from GHG emissions.”

“Solar energy is a job-creating, cost-cutting power source that is turning our antiquated electricity system on its head,” said Abigail Ross Hopper, president and CEO of the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA). “The strides clean energy is making across our country is something we should celebrate every week. We’re thrilled to be part of this joint effort and look forward to continuing to provide Americans the electricity they both want and deserve.”


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About ACORE
The American Council on Renewable Energy (ACORE) is a national non-profit organization leading the transition to a renewable energy economy. With hundreds of member companies from across the spectrum of renewable energy technologies, consumers and investors, ACORE is uniquely positioned to promote the policies and financial structures essential to growth in the renewable energy sector. Our annual forums in Washington, D.C., New York and San Francisco set the industry standard in providing important venues for key leaders to meet, discuss recent developments, and hear the latest from senior government officials and seasoned experts. For more information, visit the ACORE website and follow @ACORE on Twitter.

Media Contact:
Gil Jenkins
Vice President of Communications
jenkins@acore.org | 202.777.7584