July 12, 2013 (Arlington, VA) – The American Composites Manufacturing Association (ACMA) recently responded to the Department of Energy’s (DOE) request for information on land-based and offshore wind turbines. Wind energy is one of the most promising new markets for composite products, including wind turbine blades, spinners and nacelles. ACMA is working in the field and on Capitol Hill to ensure that the composites industry secures its market share.
ACMA leveraged this opportunity to educate DOE about the advantages of composites – weight reduction, non-corrosive, reduced life cycle costs and dependable domestic supply base – and how they should be incorporated in any programs involving wind energy.
In its response, ACMA recommended that DOE support using federal resources to fund development technologies for the reliable molding of very large parts and development of workable inspection methods. This would create new jobs and likely have application in other areas, including automotive light weighting.
“Advocacy is a powerful tool for market growth,” says ACMA Chair Jay Merrell. “ACMA works for the composites industry on Capitol Hill and through federal agencies like the Department of Energy to create greater awareness of the many advantages offered by composites, break down barriers to its wide-spread use and protect the industry against unjust or improper regulation and legislation.”
Stay up-to-date on ACMA’s advocacy efforts as well as changes in regulations and legislation that affect the composites industry at the Government Affairs section of Composites Manufacturing Online at compositesmanufacturingonline.com. Get involved! The new Composites Build America Advocacy Center at www.acmanet.org provides the needed tools to directly contact your member of Congress.
