Alliance for Wise Energy Decisions

Alliance for Wise Energy Decisions (AWED)

Background

The Alliance for Wise Energy Decisions (AWEDdescribes itself as “an informal, non-partisan, non-profit coalition of North American individuals, organizations, communities, and businesses who are primarily concerned about the future of the electrical energy sector.”1Homepage, Alliance for Wise Energy Decisions. Archived December 15, 2017. Archive.is URL: https://archive.is/gEROG

AWED‘s website is the successor site to WindPowerFacts.info and the group and site is run by anti-wind power activist John Droz, Jr.2Potpourri,” Alliance for Wise Energy Decisions. Archived December 14, 2017. Archive.is URLhttps://archive.is/waYxl 3More About AWED,” Alliance for Wise Energy Decisions. Archived December 14, 2017. Archive.is URL: https://archive.is/VIjrH

According to the AWED website, its purpose is to “sort through many thousands of articles, studies and reports on energy matters, select a representative cross-section of informative material, and then organize it in an understandable manner.” It claims that its primary objective is to “put some balance into what citizens hear about energy and environmental matters from the mainstream media, and most of our academic systems.”4More About AWED,” Alliance for Wise Energy Decisions. Archived December 14, 2017. Archive.is URL: https://archive.is/VIjrH

AWED‘s “New Members” page gives readers a guide on how to fight wind energy with public relations tactics:5New Members,” Alliance for Wise Energy Decisions. Archived December 14, 2017. Archive.is URL: https://archive.is/CtqT8

“Ultimately, victory or defeat in fighting scourges like wind energy, comes down to how well we understand and utilize Public Relations (PR). […] PR may be perceived as ‘shady’ or worse, but actually it is no more than communication. To have a real chance to win a local challenge, community advocates MUST go about this in the right way!”

The page sets out the “opponent” as any advocate of wind energy, and links to articles such as “the most effective way to frame your message” or “PR suggestions to win the battle and the war.”6New Members,” Alliance for Wise Energy Decisions. Archived December 14, 2017. Archive.is URL: https://archive.is/CtqT8

Stance on Climate Change

At AWED, Droz links to his position statement on climate change (emphasis added):7“Global Warming: The Scientific View” (PDF). Document created by John Droz June 17, 2014. Retrieved from Black River Valley Macintosh User Group and converted to PDF.

“As a scientist I have been asked to elaborate a bit on my position regarding the Global Warming proposition — and how it relates to wind energy. These are very legitimate (and important) questions.

The main hypothesis put forward is technically called Anthropogenic Global Warming (AGW), where the fancy term “anthropogenic” means “man-made.”

Although I am not a climatologist, as a scientist I know how to do thorough and objective research. (BTW, skepticism is a key ingredient of true scientists.) In my capacity as a scientist, I have read literally hundreds of reports and studies on this climate issue, from numerous experts. After digesting these studies and reports, it is very clear to me that AGW is still a scientifically unresolved matter. This is what is called a hypothesis.”

Later in his document, Droz claims to debunk “myths” related to climate change. He links to the blog WUWT by Anthony Watts, the International Climate Science Coalition (ICSC), Marc Morano‘s Climate Depot, Judith Curry’s Climate Etc., the Center for the Study of Carbon Dioxide and Global Change’s CO2 ScienceFriends of Science, and the debunked Oregon Petition among other sources.

On Wind 

Our basic position is that industrial wind energy fails to deliver the goods. By this we mean that wind energy:8New Members,” Alliance for Wise Energy Decisions. Archived December 14, 2017. Archive.is URL: https://archive.is/CtqT8

“a) is not a technically sound solution to provide electricity, or to meaningfully reduce global warming, and
b) is not an economically viable source of energy on its own, and
c) is not environmentally responsible.”

WHOIS Information

Via CentralOps.net:

Funding

AWED does not disclose funding information on its website.

Key People

In a “Special Thanks” section, Droz gives thanks “to those who contributed constructive ideas for this website,” adding a note: “the fact that these good people made helpful contributions should not be construed as their unqualified endorsement of everything that appears on the website”:10Potpourri,” Alliance for Wise Energy Decisions. Archived December 14, 2017. Archive.is URLhttps://archive.is/waYxl

Actions

Newsletter

AWED‘s primary activity appears to be a newsletter published every three weeks at MasterResource, a “free-market energy blog.”11John Droz, Jr. “AWED Newsletters Archive,” MasterResource, April 2, 2018. Archived April 17, 2018. Archive.is URL: https://archive.li/NPQtG

Droz wrote at Master Resource: “A key element of AWED’s efforts is public education. Towards that end, every three weeks we put together a newsletter to balance what is found in the mainstream media about energy and the environment. We appreciate MasterResource for their assistance in publishing this information.”12John Droz, Jr. “AWED Newsletters Archive,” MasterResource, April 2, 2018. Archived April 17, 2018. Archive.is URL: https://archive.li/NPQtG

The newsletter appears to primarily aggregate content from climate change denial groups, blogs, and conservative news sources to attack wind power.13John Droz, Jr. “AWED Newsletters Archive,” MasterResource, April 2, 2018. Archived April 17, 2018. Archive.is URL: https://archive.li/NPQtG

Past AWED newsletters below:

March 23, 2020

As reported at DeSmog,14Dana Drugmand. “Under Cover of Pandemic, Fossil Fuel Interests Unleash Lobbying Frenzy,” DeSmog, April 2, 2020. Life:Powered sent a letter to Congress critical of the COVID-19 stimulus package for including “tax incentives and spending for unreliable ‘green’ energy
programs.”15Coronavirus Stimulus Letter, Life:Powered, March 23, 2020. Archived .pdf on file at DeSmog.

The letter, to which AWED is a signatory, concludes: 16Coronavirus Stimulus Letter, Life:Powered, March 23, 2020. Archived .pdf on file at DeSmog.

“This is no time for political games. Climate change is not an immediate threat to humanity. Climate-related deaths have declined 98.9% in the last century, and humanity is growing more and more resilient thanks to the availability of affordable, reliable energy. On behalf of all Americans, we urge you to oppose any stimulus proposals that carve out special treatment for or bail out any energy companies and focus instead on stopping COVID-19.”17Coronavirus Stimulus Letter, Life:Powered, March 23, 2020. Archived .pdf on file at DeSmog.

The full list of signatories is below:18Coronavirus Stimulus Letter, Life:Powered, March 23, 2020. Archived .pdf on file at DeSmog.

NameTitleOrganization
Jason IsaacSenior Manager & Distinguished FellowLife:Powered/Texas Public Policy Foundation
Myron EbellDirector, Center for Energy and EnvironmentCompetitive Enterprise Institute
Bette GrandeCEORoughrider Policy Center
Ellen WeaverPresident & CEOPalmetto Promise Institute
Isaac OrrPolicy FellowCenter of the American Experiment
Bethany MarcumExecutive DirectorAlaska Policy Forum
David T. StevensonDirector, Center for Energy and EnvironmentCaesar Rodney Institute
Donald van der VaartSenior FellowJohn Locke Foundation
Jason HayesDirector of Environmental PolicyMackinac Center for Public Policy
John Droz, Jr.FounderAlliance for Wise Energy Decisions
George K. Rasley, Jr.Managing EditorConservativeHQ.com
Becky Norton DunlopFormer Secretary of Natural ResourcesCommonwealth of Virginia
James L. MartinFounder/Chairman60 Plus Association
Saulius “Saul” AnuzisPresident60 Plus Association
Ken BlackwellSenior FellowFamily Research Council
Eunie SmithPresidentEagle Forum
Jenny Beth MartinHonorary ChairmanTea Party Patriots Action
Jon CaldaraPresidentIndependence Institute
L. Brent Bozell, IIIFounder and PresidentMedia Research Center
Jason PyeVice President of Legislative AffairsFreedomWorks
Jameson TaylorVice President for PolicyMississippi Center for Public Policy
Carol Platt LiebauPresidentYankee Institute
Mike StenhouseCEORhode Island Center for Freedom & Prosperity
Daniel ErspamerCEOPelican Institute for Public Policy
Christian N. BraunlichPresidentThomas Jefferson Institute for Public Policy
Todd MyersEnvironmental DirectorWashington Policy Center

Contact & Address

AWED does not list a physical address on its website. John Droz lists his own mailing address on his “Casual CVon the AWED website:20John Droz, jr.: Casual CV” (PDF), AWED.

John Droz lists his mailing address on his “casual CV”:

1722 River Drive Morehead City,
NC 28557
[email protected]

Social Media

Other Resources

Resources

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