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The newest member of ��Ӱֱ�� State’s growing renewable energy family is currently catching the breeze above campus—a 100 kilowatt grid-tied wind turbine that will offset some of the college’s electricity usage. The turbine came online just a few weeks ago and is already producing clean, green energy.

“This community wind project is another example of sustainability at the college and highlights the progress of our Student Leadership Center. And a second zero energy demonstration home—dubbed Pioneer Landing—is also in the works, with students getting involved in the design and building of the project.

In a world with rising energy costs, climate change, and dwindling resources, ��Ӱֱ�� State is taking a proactive approach to the future of energy. “This wind turbine is an important step towards achieving ��Ӱֱ�� State’s emissions reduction goals,” says Julian Dautremont-Smith, chief sustainability officer at ��Ӱֱ�� State. The project will complement the college’s growing emphasis on sustainability and strengthen the region’s access to training and employment in green industries.

“��Ӱֱ�� State has been a leader in educating technical students since at least the 1940s and students in trades for more than 45 years. It’s what we’re known for,” Clark says. “There is a real lack of this type of skilled workforce in the region, and a lack of models to sell community wind. This project will allow ��Ӱֱ�� State to continue training the highly skilled workers the industry requires and help meet national, state, and regional needs.”