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From: Tom Gray <tomgray@igc.org>

                              NEWS
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              *             from the               *
              *  AMERICAN WIND ENERGY ASSOCIATION  *
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: July 25, 1996
Contact: Karl Gawell, (202) 383-2500


             AWEA APPLAUDS HOUSE DECISION TO RESTORE FUNDING 
           TO WIND, OTHER THREATENED RENEWABLE ENERGY PROGRAMS
           Strong, Bi-Partisan Vote Results in Wide Margin of 
                    Victory for Clean Energy Programs

       The House of Representatives today voted overwhelmingly to
adopt an amendment which adds $22.5 million to the Department of
Energy's wind energy program budget, a move which, according to
the American Wind Energy Association (AWEA), will help spur
development of new wind technology with the potential to create
U.S. jobs and maintain the U.S.'s leadership role in global wind
energy markets.

       "The House has made a very prudent decision in voting to
restore funding to these programs," said Karl Gawell, AWEA's
director of governmental affairs.  "This is not just a victory
for wind energy and other renewables; it is a victory for the
U.S. as a whole.  Everyone will share the benefits wind energy
provides--an improved environment, new jobs, less dependence on
foreign oil, and a strong foothold in booming international
markets."

       The amendment, sponsored by Reps. Dan Schaefer (R-Colo.),
Scott Klug (R-Wisc.), David Minge (D-Minn.), Karen Thurman
(D-Fla.), Vic Fazio (D-Calif.), and Matt Salmon (R-Ariz.), passed
by a vote of 279 to 135, with 110 Republicans and 168 Democrats
voting in favor.  "This spread shows that energy and
environmental issues are no longer partisan issues; they have
broad-based support from the public, and now the House of
Representatives, too," said Gawell.  

       The House Energy and Water Appropriations Subcommittee
originally proposed to zero out funding for wind energy and
terminate the program entirely, but an amendment sponsored by
Reps. Vic Fazio (D-Calif.) and Frank Riggs (R-Calif.) passed in
full Appropriations Committee restored $6 million to wind.  The
wind budget now stands at $28.5 million, following the vote
today.

       "To compete effectively in the thriving international
markets for wind, the U.S. needs state-of-the-art technology and
a healthy domestic market," said Gawell.  "This funding will help
ensure that the U.S. stays on top of the market for this
U.S.-developed technology, and doesn't turn it over to our
foreign competitors."  In fiscal year 1996, Europe spent a total
of $130.8 million on wind energy research, development, and
demonstration, as compared to the U.S., which only spent $32.5
million.  In 1996, 831 MW of new wind capacity was installed in
Europe; the U.S. installed only 41 new MW of wind.

       "We thank all of the co-sponsors of this critical
amendment.  Reps. Schaefer and Fazio in particular have shown
tremendous leadership on this initiative.  The White
House--specifically the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) and
the Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ)--were also very
helpful in the last few days," said Gawell.  "Their hard work
will help ensure that small, clean energy businesses facing stiff
competition from foreign competitors and a stagnant U.S. market
will be given the support they need to keep their heads above
water, and it secures a cleaner environment and stronger economy
for our country."
______________________________________________________________________________

AWEA, formed in 1974, is the national trade association of the
U.S. wind energy industry. AWEA's membership of over 800 includes
turbine and component manufacturers, project developers,
utilities, academicians, and interested individuals from 49
states.