McKenna praised for wind power

Dear editor:

Congratulations to the Richard McKenna Charter High School and Todd Thorn's Alternative Energy class, which is working on bringing a wind turbine to its campus.

It's wonderful to see the school getting ahead of the curve in realizing the benefits of wind generation at its campus and how the project can provide students with hands-on training for a new generation of renewable energy workers.

In 2006, renewable energy and energy-efficiency technologies generated 8.5 million new jobs, nearly $970 billion in revenue and more than $100 billion in industry profits nationwide. As we look to the future, we can see from our neighboring states that there are new programs to boost workforce training and employment led by the rapid development of wind farms. In response, Columbia Gorge Community College created the first wind energy technician program in the region. After a one to two-year associate degree, alumni enter the workforce earning $13-$15 per hour and progressing up to $26-$36 per hour depending on area of expertise. It is estimated that there will be hundreds of jobs created in Eastern Oregon and Washington.

In Idaho, we have at least 17 renewable sites underway that will lead to hundreds of good-paying jobs, a commitment to decreasing Idaho's impact on climate change and meeting the economic needs of ratepayers. Renewable energy is the best option for:

* economic development;

* enhancement of higher education opportunities;

* our environment and the most affordable energy resource for Idahoans.

In many ways, it is a truly inspiring time to be alive. This generation will be the one to retrofit, reboot and reenergize America. This is the kind of job growth that supports Idaho's unique quality of life and our air, land and water.

To see other schools in Idaho, including the one mentioned in Jerome, who are participating in the Wind Energy for Schools project visit: http://www.windpoweringamerica.gov/schools_projects.asp

Andrea Shipley

Executive Director

Snake River Alliance