STATEWIDE WIND ORGANIZATION MEETS IN
ESTHERVILLE
Anyone interested in wind energy will
want to attend the Second Annual Iowa
Wind Energy Association’s (IWEA) meeting
in northwest Iowa April 2.
This year’s event focuses on current
issues in the wind industry as well as
emerging solutions. Organizers hope to
attract agricultural landowners, utility
companies, developers, large and small
wind farm producers, construction
companies, suppliers, turbine
manufacturers, energy companies,
educators and students.
Following a short business meeting in
the morning where new board members will
be elected, a series of wind experts
will provide valuable information on
everything from land leasing; to site
managing; to construction equipment; to
builders.
Keynote speakers for the day are John
Dunlop, Senior Technical Outreach
Engineer with the American Wind Energy
Association along with E. Ian
Baring-Gould, a Senior Engineer with the
National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL).
They will offer insights on wind energy
from a national perspective at the
conference.
Those registered for the conference may
participate in all conference activities
including the lunch as well as the panel
discussions which will be held at Iowa
Lakes Community College, 300 S. 18th
St., Estherville.
The morning panel will focus on
“Deployment and Development.” Randy Van
Dyke, Vice President of IWEA and CEO of
Iowa Lakes Regional Water, will lead the
group which includes Scott Buchanan, an
Attorney with the firm of Buchanan,
Bibler, Gabor and Meis who specializes
in wind issues; Joe Rubino, a Senior
Environmental Scientist with Stanley
Consultants, Inc.; Thomas Wind, owner of
Wind Energy Consulting PC; and John
Bilsten, the General Manager of Algona
Municipal Utilities.
Dr. Jim McCalley of Iowa State
University will lead the afternoon open
forum entitled “System Integration.”
Panelists include: Doug Collins,
Executive Director of ITC Midwest; Joe
Sullivan, Product Manager of WindLogics;
Adrian LaTrace, Vice President and
General Manager of Acciona Windpower
North America; and, Mike Tramotina,
Director of the Iowa Department of
Economic Development.
The day will wrap up with remarks from
the President of IWEA, Dr. Harold
Prior.
Organizers have arranged the conference
to allow time for attendees to speak
with the experts following their
sessions. In addition, several
conference sponsors will have
informational booths. Conference
sponsors include Alliant Energy;
Anemometry Specialists; Hartwig Inc.;
Iowa Lakes Corridor Development
Corporation; ITC, Mid-West Tech, Inc.;
SOS Staffing; and, The Green Business &
Sustainability Law Group at Dickinson,
Mackaman, Tyler & Hagen, P.C.
Other firms interested in wind energy
will have display booths at the
conference.
For more data – and registration forms –
on the Second Annual Meeting and
Conference of the Iowa Wind Energy
Association, visit the association’s Web
site at
www.IowaWindEnergy.org, or call
Angie De Jong at (712) 362-7931.
While there is a charge of $30 to attend
the conference, the annual meeting
starts at 10:00 a.m. and is free and
open to the public. Individuals who
wish to vote need to have a membership
in IWEA. Membership forms are available
on the Web site. Membership costs range
from $25 for non-voting individuals to
$500 for Corporate/Utility memberships.
Conference registration starts at 9
a.m. The conference begins at 10 a.m.
with the business meeting.
