Texans Want Wind Energy | Green Energy News

February 15, 2007 – Vol.11 No.47

TEXANS WANT WIND ENERGY; TEXAS COLLEGE OFFERS WIND DEGREE.

Texas is currently the US leader in wind energy. More than 2400 megawatts have been installed and the state has the potential for more capacity. According to the American Wind Energy Association (AWEA) wind resources in the state could generate 1190 billion kilowatt hours of electricity each year. (In wind resource capacity the state ranks number 2, behind North Dakota.)

Lawmakers in Texas are reviewing proposals to build 18 new coal fired power plants. Yet according to a survey commissioned by FPL Energy, Texans, by a large margin appear to want more wind rather than coal. With subsidiaries, FPL is the largest wind farm operator in the state -1600 megawatts.

According to the survey of 809 Texas voters:

--- 90 percent believe that wind energy should be part of the state’s power generation portfolio.

--- 93 percent support the further development of wind energy in the state.

--- 86 percent think the state should support development of additional power generation, any kind.

The survey also asked about environmental issues:

--- Nearly 70 percent agree that pollution and global warming are a problem in their areas.

--- More than 60 percent say that water contamination from chemicals and pollutants is a problem in their areas.

--- More than 50 percent say the emissions from power plants are problem in their areas.

FPL admits that wind can’t meet all the power needs in the state, however with that kind of support for wind energy and its large wind resources, FPL seems bullish on wind energy for the Lone Star State. The company has formed a partnership with Texas State Technical College West Texas (TSTC West Texas) to educate and train students in wind turbine technology.

For its part in building the TSTC West Texas curriculum FPL will offer subject matter experts, create opportunities for students to interact with FPL wind experts on and off campus, provide paid internships and work with the college to secure equipment and other resources necessary for laboratory facilities.

As FPL sees a long term presence of wind energy in the state, so must TSTC West Texas: Colleges don’t offer career educational programs unless there are job opportunities available for graduates.

TSTC West Texas will be the first school in the state to offer an Associate of Applied Science degree for Wind Energy and Turbine Technology. Visit TSTC West Texas http://www.westtexas.tstc.edu/ and FPL Energy at http://www.fplenergy.com/ .