Wind Energy Could Be a Job Creation Engine

Those in the wind energy industry feel they have a "job creation engine" if the federal government will just lend a hand. And a former Oklahoma Corporation Commissioner is right in the middle of the fight.

Tuesday, September 14th 2010, 5:58 pm

By: News 9


By Ed Murray, NEWS 9

OKLAHOMA CITY -- Those in the wind energy industry feel they have a "job creation engine" if the federal government will just lend a hand. And a former Oklahoma Corporation Commissioner is right in the middle of the fight.

Denise Bode is now CEO of the American Wind Energy Association in Washington. She told attendees at an industry workshop Tuesday in Oklahoma City that they must make it clear to their government leaders that an energy bill with a renewable electricity standard is a must to spur job growth in an industry with tremendous potential.

"We're hoping that we can get something done because it would be so great for Oklahoma because there are a lot of people looking at setting up new manufacturing facilities in our part of the country," said Denise Bode, CEO American Wind Energy Association.

Bode said if there is a national policy friendly to wind energy, the investment dollars and jobs will flow in.

"If we can put a commitment in place that we want to have renewable energy, we could attract billions of dollars in investment. They're sitting there watching us because we're the only country that doesn't have that," said Bode. "We're not just building wind farms, which is a short term construction job, we're building manufacturing facilities that will be here for the long haul because the source of energy is infinite."

Bode said she was helping set up 50 manufacturing sites a year before the recession hit, converting plants like Oklahoma City's old GM facility into a wind manufacturing plant.

"What this industry does is really put people back to work because the 8,000 component parts that go into a wind turbine, those parts can be made by people who were in the auto industry, the shipping, the yacht industry, the airline industry. So those manufacturing sectors are now retooling to provide the parts for this industry," said Bode.

And wind farms like the one near Tuttle will need attention. John Clayton, with OCCC's corporate training, said he sees wind industry projects coming back on line along with the school's Wind Turbine Technician Certificate Program.

"They focus on introduction to wind energy which gives the students an overall view of what the industry has to offer. And gives them a glimpse of the life of an actual turbine technician," said Clayton. "It's a great way of life. You can make a heck of a good living. Some people call them the roughnecks of the wind."

Clayton said students will develop a self reliant character and a love of heights because learning climbing safety is part of the course.

Learn more about the Wind Turbine Technician Certificate Program.

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