Appearance at Annual IWEA Conference
Representatives from National Wind and Red Rock Wind Energy joined the throng of wind developers, landowners, construction companies, energy companies, educators and students at the second annual Iowa Wind Energy conference. Held at the Iowa Lakes Community College in Estherville on Thursday, April 2nd, the day-long event promoted increasing the installation and use of wind energy in the state. With a record-setting 2,790 megawatts of wind energy now in operation, Iowa surpassed California in 2008 to rank second in the nation in terms of installed capacity. Only Texas generates more wind power.
The conference discussed such issues as landowner rights, transmission, wind power forecasting, and environmental considerations. While serving as a medium for people to exchange ideas about where the industry may be headed, plans to cement Iowa as a national leader in wind energy’s future were also addressed.
National Wind and Red Rock sent several representatives to participate in the event. The representatives included Jack Levi, co-chair of National Wind, Ben Kerl, a senior wind farm developer from National Wind, Al Blum, Red Rock’s chairman, Lindsey Pelstring, field specialist, as well as Bob Schacherer and Kristin Ross, Red Rock founders and field specialists. National Wind and Red Rock also participated as exhibitors at the conference, showcasing the project’s progress.
In demonstrating Iowa’s commitment to developing wind energy within its borders, Iowa Lakes Community College has taken great strides towards improving and expanding their wind energy training programs, helping make IWEA the quality organization it is today. Prior to the conference, Iowa Lakes held the groundbreaking ceremony for Phase III expansion of its Sustainable Energy Education Center. With the extra 6,200 square feet, this new addition will allow Iowa Lakes to admit 32 additional freshmen into the program, increasing its total capacity to 102 students. The center will help Iowa Lakes retain its recognition as a prominent leader in training tomorrow’s wind energy industry.
