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California Wind Energy
 The California Wind Energy Association engaged Full Court Press at a critical time in its history. Despite an emerging consensus in California for shifting to non-carbon producing sources of energy to address global warming, the wind industry's growth potential was hampered by litigation supported by a scientifically faulty study that exaggerated avian mortality in one of the state's largest wind resource areas.
With critical upcoming legislation on greenhouse gases and electrical transmission capacity, CalWEA needed to define the wind industry's image as a scientifically-grounded environmental steward. It also needed to resume its important role in California's transition from more damaging coal and natural gas-powered energy and build a 21st Century energy economy based on renewable energy sources.
Full Court Press drew on its environmental policy, political and corporate experience to develop a comprehensive scientific, government, and trade messaging strategy. CalWEA needed to prove its commitment to the best available science, establish that it recognizes avian problems and is taking steps to limit harm.
Full Court Press advised that CalWEA's own statistical review of the faulty study be complemented by new reviews by independent, highly credentialed university scientists. A controlled leak approach was employed, approaching environmental allies and government agency officials first, and then exclusive coverage of the full slate of scientific reviews was secured first in the most prominent trade publication.
In response, the California Energy Commission officially committed itself to greater transparency on the issue by reconsidering policies and the public release of further scientific reviews.
A potentially explosive situation was defused with strategically chosen channels of communication and a firmly established commitment to scientific integrity. The industry has begun to earn recognition for "lessons learned" from the Altamont -- which have been applied them when building and modifying newer parks in California and beyond.
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