Wind industry aims to influence Euro-elections

How would you feel about the coal, oil, gas or nuclear industries, or Big Pharma even, putting out round-robin emails and launching an internet campaign to encourage its supporters and sympathisers to vote in the European Elections (currently underway, 6th to 9th June) and secure supportive policy?

You wouldn't be surprised, but you might think that it is cheeky perhaps even disreputable for commercial interests to openly interfere in an election.

But this is exactly what the European wind industry lobby group, WindEurope, is currently doing.

Here is the text of an email circulated widely, and even to recipients in areas no longer able to vote in EU elections:

The European Parliament helps make laws that impact the growth of renewables in Europe. They have played a crucial role putting into law the EU’s commitment to become climate neutral by 2050. And legislation they passed has simplified the permitting of new wind farms and grids - and enshrined the EU’s new target of 42.5% renewables in energy by 2030.

Now there’s a real risk that the new European Parliament will have more members who are sceptical about the need for accelerated action on climate and clean energy.

Can we risk that? Every vote makes a difference.

The election is all about turnout and which side gets more of its supporters to go and vote - those who are sceptical about action on climate and clean energy or those in the mainstream who understand its importance. Of course we’re not telling you who to vote for. But it is in our collective interest and our individual responsibility that we should all vote.

For a European Parliament that upholds European values and the sustainable future we are all working towards, do tell your family, friends and colleagues to go and vote.

WindEurope is clearly aware that it is playing with fire, trying to head off criticism with a little casuistry: ‘Of course we’re not telling you to vote for.’ But, nudge, nudge, wink, wink, we all know what they mean.

WindEurope’s website campaign is still clearer about its intentions:

Every vote counts. The higher the turnout, the more likely we will get a Parliament that reflects the pro-renewables views of most Europeans. You, your family, your friends, your colleagues can all make a difference.

A trade lobby has no business engaging in political activity of this kind, and they must know this. Why have they taken the risk? Because they feel under threat, because for the first time in a decade the renewables industry knows that it cannot take political support for granted. The incoming MEPs may be significantly less supportive of an industry has bled consumers white with their demands for subsidies and delivered so little in terms of cost reduction or emissions mitigation at a reasonable price. Let’s hope so.