Kansas is once again making waves for its wind energy leadership.
As Kansas celebrated American Wind Week the second week of August, Governor Laura Kelly noted that Kansas ranks second in the nation in share of wind power generated and that wind energy in Kansas is a driving force in the state's economy. Participated in a virtual panel We will discuss how wind power can help shape Kansas' future.
“The last 14 years of wind energy expansion in Kansas have been an exciting time to be a legislator,” said State Senator Elaine Bowers. “Cloud County Community College's wind energy program was the first of its kind in the nation, with our director doing an internship where he got hands-on training at a wind farm and even teaching what he learned because there were no textbooks at the time.”
Wind projects have spurred more than $11.4 billion in capital investment in the state, providing opportunities for workforce expansion and economic growth.
Randy Tveitalas-Jacques, international development manager for the Kansas Department of Commerce and renewable energy liaison for the department, participated in a panel discussion during American Wind Week. Tveitalas-Jacques reflected on the growth of the wind industry in Kansas and how the energy source has been important in attracting new businesses to the state.
“I've watched the wind energy industry grow in Kansas for 30 years,” she said. “As a leader in wind energy, Kansas offers an ideal location for companies committed to achieving their corporate sustainability goals by powering their facilities with renewable energy.”
“From what we've seen so far and what we expect for the future, there has already been a significant impact on Kansas' economy and workforce opportunity. Wind energy continues to have a bright future for our state.”
The wind project has generated $29 million in revenue for state and local governments, and many Kansas communities are benefiting from wind energy. Two notable examples are in Ford and Platte counties..
Joan Knight, executive director of the Dodge City/Ford County Development Authority, explained how rural communities can come together for the growth of wind energy projects.
“Dodge City is the largest beef processing community in the world and we can now say we are also the county with the most wind turbines in the state, and we look forward to continuing that growth,” Knight said. “Wind is a vital natural resource that builds our community and builds diversity and our economy. We're very proud of the economy that the wind industry has generated and we look forward to continuing to grow it.”
The wind industry supports 6,000 jobs in Kansas, including employment on-site and at several manufacturing facilities around the state.
“The head of our wind energy program said to me recently, 'Electricity is essential. These jobs aren't going away. CCCC's wind energy program will develop the future workforce for this industry as quickly as possible,'” Bowers explains. “We're currently training the best kids for these jobs. It's an exciting industry, and I'm happy to be in the middle of this process.”
Farmers also benefit from having wind turbines as part of the landscape, with wind projects generating $36 million in annual land lease payments in 2019 alone.
“When a wind farm comes to a community, we provide sustainable, consistent payments to landowners for 25 years or more,” said Trish Williams, senior field coordinator for Enel Green Power. “Few other industries can claim that. We're not just investing in wind farms; we're investing in local communities. We're investing in the people of Kansas, we're investing in our children, we're investing in our future.”
As competition increases and wind power plays a larger role in the economy, the need for new investments in transmission and future infrastructure projects is greater than ever, explained Chris Weatherford, director of project management for construction and engineering at Apex Clean Energy.
“As customer demand for clean energy increases, our existing network is becoming strained, especially when looking at moving electricity regionally,” Weatherford added. “Ensuring new investments in transmission with these projects will enable states like Kansas, with their incredible wind resources, to play a key role in our clean energy future and help deliver a range of benefits to our state and our economy.”
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