Energy chief hails wind turbines in C.R. stop
Cedar Rapids Gazette|George C. Ford|August 2, 2006
CEDAR RAPIDS, IA - With large pieces of wind turbines as a backdrop, U.S. Energy Secretary Samuel Bodman touted the Bush Administration's energy policies today during a visit to the Clipper Windpower plant in Cedar Rapids.
CEDAR RAPIDS, IA - With large pieces of wind turbines as a backdrop, U.S. Energy Secretary Samuel Bodman touted the Bush Administration's energy policies today during a visit to the Clipper Windpower plant in Cedar Rapids.
The plant at 4601 Bowling St. SW, which employs about 40, assembles Clipper's 2.5-megawatt Liberty wind energy turbines. Bodman toured the plant and met with Clipper employees and managers prior to a 1:15 p.m. press conference.
Bodman noted President Bush's Aug. 8, 2005, signing of the Energy Policy Act of 2005, saying it is the first comprehensive energy legislation enacted in more than a decade. Bodman said wind generation is expected to play a major role in the nation's future energy strategy.
"In the year since the Energy Policy Act became law, more than a half a million homes have acquired the ability to use wind power," Bodman said. "With 2,000 additional megawatts of power online, thanks to the Energy Policy Act, we have been …
... more [truncated due to possible copyright]The plant at 4601 Bowling St. SW, which employs about 40, assembles Clipper's 2.5-megawatt Liberty wind energy turbines. Bodman toured the plant and met with Clipper employees and managers prior to a 1:15 p.m. press conference.
Bodman noted President Bush's Aug. 8, 2005, signing of the Energy Policy Act of 2005, saying it is the first comprehensive energy legislation enacted in more than a decade. Bodman said wind generation is expected to play a major role in the nation's future energy strategy.
"In the year since the Energy Policy Act became law, more than a half a million homes have acquired the ability to use wind power," Bodman said. "With 2,000 additional megawatts of power online, thanks to the Energy Policy Act, we have been able to offset almost 7 billion pounds of carbon dioxide emissions."
Bodman said he came to Cedar Rapids to view state-of-the-art wind generation technology.
"Clipper's Liberty turbine is not only one of the most advanced wind turbines ever produced, it may well be the most efficient wind turbine in the world," he said. "The turbines that are produced here are an indispensable part of the strategy that we have for the nation's energy future."
Tom Feiler, who leads Clipper Windpower's development activities in the Midwest and Canada, said the Department of Energy provided research and development funding as well as technical assistance that helped develop his company's Liberty turbine.
"In order for the wind energy industry to meet its potential, the type of partnerships that we're talking about here will be essential," Feiler said.
Bodman said the Bush administration will continue to support development of alternative energy sources. He noted that President Bush's 2007 budget includes $44 million for wind energy research, a $5 million increase over fiscal 2006 levels.
Bodman said the nation must increase its energy security by diversifying its energy supply through the use of biofuels, solar and wind power. He said existing energy production must become more efficient, including a greater reliance on nuclear and "clean coal" technology.
Bodman also called for modernizing and extending the nation's power grid system, saying it will lead to greater use of wind energy throughout the country.