8-6 Symington (Dem. Candidate for Governor of Vermont) Calls for 20% Wind Power in Ten Years

8-6 Symington Calls for 20% Wind Power in Ten Years

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Michael Carrese
August 6, 2008 802-651-7141 or 760-8832

SYMINGTON PROPOSES TWENTY PERCENT WIND POWER IN TEN YEARS
Major Departure from Douglas Policy Would Jump Start Economy

Speaker of the House Gaye Symington proposed a dramatic shift in Vermont’s energy policy today by calling for an aggressive ramp-up of wind power. The goal is part of Symington’s “Roadmap to Energy Independence” that aims to create jobs, lower electric bills and help Vermont gain more control over its energy future.

“Deriving twenty percent of our power from wind generation in ten years is an ambitious, but achievable goal that will jump-start our economy and provide a critically needed new source of power,” said Symington. “We are missing out on hundreds of millions of dollars in economic activity and hundreds of good jobs that a commitment to wind power would bring. The clear difference between Governor Douglas and me is that he has constantly missed energy opportunities, and I will create them,” Symington added.

The Democratic candidate for Governor made the announcement on the factory floor of NRG Systems, Inc. in Hinesburg, a major supplier of equipment to the wind power industry that does very little business in Vermont because of the state’s lack of wind projects.

“It is simply inexcusable that Vermont derives only 0.2 percent of its electricity from wind. While our neighboring states, oil states and nearly all developed countries are embracing the wisdom of wind power, our Governor stubbornly resists and claims erroneously that Vermonters don’t want it. It is time for Jim Douglas to stop tilting at windmills and let me build them instead,” Symington said.

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