New Members Include Xcel Energy, JPMorgan,BP Alternative Energy, InvenergyRobert Gates of Clipper Windpower Takes Reins as Board President
Four new members joining the American Wind Energy Association’s (AWEA) Board of Directorssymbolize the growing trend toward large, well-known corporations joining the emerging wind powerindustry.
The new members--Paul Bonavia, President, Utilities Group, Xcel Energy; John Eber, ManagingDirector, JPMorgan Capital; Bob Lukefahr, President, Power Americas, BP Alternative Energy; andMichael Polsky, CEO, Invenergy--come from leading utility, financial, and energy developmentcompanies. The new President of the Board is Robert Gates, Senior Vice President of wind developerand turbine manufacturer Clipper Windpower. The Board of Directors governs the association and setsstrategic priorities for its activities.
“We are delighted to welcome these new members,” said AWEA Executive Director Randall Swisher.“This new Board and its new President take the reins of the association at a time of exceptional growthand opportunity for the U.S. wind energy industry, and we look forward to the insight, experience, andleadership that they will provide over the coming year.”
The association has grown from about 200 business members in 2000 to over 1,100 today, includingmany leading national and multinational companies that are further increasing their already sizableinvestments in wind energy technology.
“Wind power is cost-effective, readily available, and can meet a large portion of our fast-growingdemand for electricity while providing an essential element of the climate change solution,” saidRobert Gates, Senior Vice President for Clipper Windpower and AWEA’s new President ofthe Board. “But to rapidly build up the supply chain and expand on a large scale to meet thatdemand, the industry needs long-term policy support, and that will be one of AWEA’s top priorities thisyear.”
Paul Bonavia, President, Utilities Group, Xcel Energy, has indicated that Xcel Energy, a leadingelectric and natural gas utility and the nation’s No. 1 wind power provider (with over 1,300 megawattson its utility system), will continue to expand its wind portfolio by owning and operating projects aswell as through alliances with wind power developers and community-based organizations. “Thesignificant growth in our wind power resources stems from some of the nation’s most ambitiousrenewable portfolio standards, which we supported, as well asthe long-term economic benefits that we can deliver to both shareholders and customers,” saidBonavia.
John M. Eber, Managing Director, JPMorgan Capital, said his presence on the Board is indicativeof Wall Street’s and his own firm’s strong interest in renewable energy. "JPMorgan's investments inwind power underscore the firm's environmental policy and commitment to sustainability, whilesimultaneously meeting its financial goals,” said Eber.
"BP believes wind energy will play an important part in helping America produce lower carbonelectricity and address the long-term issue of climate change," said Bob Lukefahr, President,Power Americas, BP Alternative Energy North America. "AWEA plays a vital role in the U.S. windindustry - fostering best practices, shaping public policy, and educating the public about the benefitsof wind energy. I am honored to participate on the AWEA board," added Lukefahr. BP AlternativeEnergy, launched in November 2005, combines all of BP’s interests in low and zero-carbon power
generation: wind, solar, hydrogen with carbon capture and storage and gas-fired power generation.BP’s wind portfolio includes the opportunity to develop almost 100 projects across 25 states with apotential total generating capacity of 15,000 MW.
“As a developer of wind projects, our company works closely with the communities in which we areinvolved, and we are proud to share that experience with the industry,” said Michael Polsky, CEO,Invenergy LLC. The company has projects under development in about twenty states in the U.S.,and additional projects in Canada and Europe. Invenergy joins several other development companieson AWEA’s Board.
For the full list of the members of the Board of Directors of the American Wind Energy Association, seehttp://www.awea.org/about/board_of_directors.html.
AWEA, formed in 1974, is the national trade association of the U.S. wind energy industry. The association's membershipincludes turbine manufacturers, wind project developers, utilities, academicians, and interested individuals. Moreinformation on wind energy is available at the AWEA web site: www.awea.org.