From a national policy standpoint, the state of the U.S. wind industry is about as stable as three-legged chair. It's a difficult time in Washington now because of the budget malaise, the results of which could determine the viability and future of the entire wind industry.

Whether or not the federal wind energy production tax credit (PTC) is extended beyond December 31, 2012 remains to be determined. On top of that, depressed natural gas prices continue to impact the overall demand for renewable energy sources.

With all this gloom, doom and uncertainty hovering over the industry, what's a manufacturer in the supply chain to do?

Plenty, according to several expert panelists who took part in GLWN's "Making It Here" 2011 Wind Summit in July. The notion of sitting on one's hands waiting for action from slow-moving legislators is no way to grow an industry in such a competitive environment and trying desperately to protect hard-won American manufacturing jobs.

One of the most impactful actions manufacturers can take to effect change is to capture the ears of policy makers nationwide.

"You need to talk to your congressman," advised John Hammond, Energy Policy Specialist for Indiana Congressman Marlin Stutzman. "This is not a partisan issue. Both sides see the value of alternative energy and renewable resources. We don't want to lose industry or fall further behind."

Congressman Stutzman affirmed that advice in a video message played to attendees. "We need your help in telling us what we need to do by way of policy," he said. "You need to build consensus within the wind industry and share a single goal," he asserted. "How are you going to compete in the global market? And what will help you? Tax incentives? Grants? Loans? The industry needs to communicate what it needs to create jobs in the U.S."

"As an industry, we have to be vocal," said John Purcell, vice president of Leeco Steel. "We have to have a collective and unified voice. We can certainly compete, but it has to be on a fair basis."

Terence P. Stewart, a managing partner at the Washington, D.C. law offices of Stewart and Stewart outlined several legal tools the industry must use as part of a self-help offensive strategy. Those included initiating legislative action to protect against import grievances and foreign government influence on the industry.

Stewart explained how the legal channels can be tapped to investigate anti-dumping actions, government "actionable" subsidies, China-specific safeguards, unfair trade investigations involving intellectual property rights violations, and other actions to reduce or eliminate trade distortive conduct in the global marketplace.

"In the international trade arena, self-help is vital," he explained. "Whether it's led by government actions or by private sector actions, all tools in the end require the willingness of domestic producers to help themselves."

The panel agreed that manufacturers need to start on the local level to initiate change, noting that change is not going to happen from the top-down. By encouraging local communities and local governments to spread the word change will happen organically. And it's up to local suppliers to get it done.

Further, self-help must take place on the manufacturing floor. By adopting best practices that reduce manufacturing costs, domestic suppliers will enhance and increase their global competitiveness.