ENERGY EXPERTS DEVELOP IOWA WIND ENERGY ASSOCIATION
More than two dozen leaders in the energy industry met in
Estherville Thursday and decided to start a statewide
organization to promote wind energy.The group – meeting at
Iowa Lakes Community College – endorsed draft Articles of
Incorporation and Bylaws.
Several other states and regions have similar organizations.
The college was the first two-year program of its kind in
the nation.
“Iowa Lakes is pleased to be one of the partners in this
effort,” said Dr. Harold Prior, President of Iowa Lakes.
Also speaking on behalf of developing this organization were
Joe Jongewaard and John Dunlop.
“This will create the mechanism for an industry policy voice
with a board of directors to lobby on behalf of the industry
as a whole,” said Jongewaard, the wind energy specialist for
the Iowa Department of Economic Development.
He also pledged the support of the Iowa Department of
Economic Development. Dunlop – who works for the American
Wind Energy Association (AWEA) – talked about the other
regional groups similar to this one which have been valuable
in developing state level policy.
“We recognize the value of government standards that promote
the long-term success of the industry,” Dunlop said.
In the near future, an interim board of directors will meet
to work out the details of further development of IWEA.
Dr. Harold Prior, President of
Iowa Lakes, addressed a large group
of industry representatives and students about starting
a statewide group to promote wind energy.
