While wind energy companies have already invested millions of dollars on Arkansas factories to produce turbines and blades - and recruited suppliers to open shops nearby - they say what they really need are federal policies to assure their survival.

It's difficult to say wind energy is contagious in our neck of the woods. You get the feeling some northwest Arkansas residents would like to back any proposal for alternative forms of energy, but many others aren't enamored with every plan. ...As much as one sees the sense in developing alternative energy, one must also recognize the potential for clashing interests when someone proposes adding these massive wind turbines to large sections of land.