AWEA is considered one of the leading sources for educational content on the wind energy industry and was proud to present the AWEA Wind Power Supply Chain Event along with several partners in March 2010. This event allowed businesses who are interested in connecting with the wind power industry to have full access to industry leaders and resources. Topics included; How to get started in the wind energy business, the basics of wind turbines and how they are built, how to source for wind turbine manufacturing and much more!

For more information and to learn about future events go to http://www.awea.org.

Popular Mechanics speaks on the ways Texans are taking advantage of the many renewable energy resources right at their fingertips including wind, bio-fuels and solar energy. Read what the story says about wind energy in Texas and see their interview with Cliff Etheredge where he talks about the benefits the Roscoe Wind Farm has had on Nolan County including the residents, land owners and so many others.

Cliff Etheredge, a lifelong cotton farmer, today a 2009 TCEQ award winner. TCEQ- the Texas Commission of Environmental Quality; awards the highest environmental achievement in the state of Texas. 2009 marks its 17^th year of recognizing innovative projects and individuals within the state of Texas that have demonstrated positive effects on air, water and land resources.

10 awards were given this year, one of which was awarded to Cliff Etheredge for “breathing new life into a community by working to establish the largest wind farm in the world in tiny Roscoe, Texas.”

The TEEA talks about the journey of Cliff Etheredge from cotton farmer to wind farmer- “In 2003, Cliff Etheredge turned his attention from the soil to the sky and poured his energy into the business of wind energy. Putting himself through a crash course to learn everything he could about the wind industry, this lifelong cotton farmer also began convincing more than 350 landowners representing nearly 100,000 acres to believe in his vision. One by one, day by day, he got their commitment. Therein lay the roots of the groundbreaking Roscoe Wind Project, which will be the largest wind farm—a group of wind turbines in the same location used for production of electric power—in the world upon its completion later this year.”

Read more about what the TEEA says about Cliff Etheredge and his well deserved TCEQ award.

The small town of Roscoe, Texas with a population of under 1300 people sits in Nolan County (population 17,000) where Mayor of Sweetwater Greg Wortham says 20% of jobs are related to wind development. This part of Texas which is known for its cotton fields, festivals, large open spaces and constant winds is now home of many wind energy service companies including the owner of Roscoe Wind Farm, E.On Climate and Renewables.

According to an article in The Wall Street Journal, Chief Development Officer of E.On Climate and Renewables said “At its construction peak, the Roscoe wind project employed 600 people. Now the company employs about 10 permanent staffers in its project, which has enough capacity to power 230,000 homes, and about 60 contractors that perform maintenance on turbines manufactured by Siemens AG (SIE.XE), Mitbubishi Corp. (MSBHY) and General Electric Co.’s (GE) Energy unit.”

It also says, Once more transmission lines are built here and around the country, other potential centers could emerge. “There’s huge unexploited potential in the United States,” said Kenneth Westrick, chief executive of 3Tier, a renewable energy forecasting company.

Read more about how the small town of Roscoe “Recasts Itself as a Wind-Power Hub” on WSJ’s article “Wind Power Generates Green Economy In West Texas”.

News about Roscoe Wind Farm becoming the largest wind farm in the world is spreading all over the world. See what they are all saying.

“World’s Largest Wind Farm Churns in Texas” says CBS News regarding the Roscoe Wind Complex on October 2^nd, 2009.

According to E.ON Climate and Renewables Roscoe Wind is generating enough energy to power 230,000 homes.

Cnet News says that according to EC&R, the project was a $1 billion dollar investment, took approximately 500 workers to complete and included negotiations with over 300 landowners.

The Associated Press called it “Massive Texas Wind Farm Operating” and continued with “The world’s largest wind farm officially got up and running Thursday, with all 627 towering wind turbines churning out electricity across 100,000 acres of West Texas farmland.”

Reuter’s says “E.ON Climate and Renewables said on Thursday it has built the world’s biggest wind farm by completing the final phase of its Roscoe, Texas wind farm, bringing the installed capacity to 781.5 megawatts.”

NPR talks about Roscoe- “It’s a growing Big Country symphony. Roscoe, a farm town with a population of just 1,300, is about to become Wind City U.S.A. — the locus of one of the biggest wind farms in the nation and the world. It’s a striking development in a state better known as the U.S. leader in emissions of global warming gases.”

Meeting held at Airtricity.  Roscoe Wind Council members in attendance:  Kay Aiken, Jose Madera, Deana Covey, Rita Fried, Debbie Anthony, Vickie Haynes, Susie Alford, Lisa Etheredge, David Etheredge, Cliff Etheredge, Jim Covey, Roy Harris

Roscoe City Council members in attendance:  Don Graham, Helen Perry, Larry Mann and Jack Brown, City Manager.

Visitors:  Peter Fox, Jarvis Haynes and Kimberly Gray with the Sweetwater Reporter

 The wind council reviewed the status of the one time $500.00 scholarship.

Introduced Peter Fox.  Mr. Fox is interested in helping chair the Roscoe Wind Council Education Center.

Jose Madera presented a slide show in regards to the calculations for a perpetual scholarship fund.

All present viewed the National Public Radio Broadcast from November. 

Per David Etheredge, he has had calls from CBS, NBC, TV Tokyo, and Germany.  Per Mr. Etheredge we have a 5 to 6 year window to capitalize on the opportunies the wind industry is affording Roscoe and work with the major companies that have moved into Roscoe and their desire to contribute to this community.

Mr. Etheredge presented to the City Council the desire on the part of the Roscoe Wind Council to brand Roscoe as “Wind City USA” and use that along with the slogan “Where Good Things Grow.”  The branding was discussed at length. 

Jack Brown stated that in order to adopt this brand, it would need to go before the city council.

A motion was made by Cliff Etheredge, seconded by Lisa Etheredge, to provide funds for signage.  The vote was all in favor. 

Trade Marking the brand was discussed. 

The Roscoe City Council members were asked by David Etheredge how the Roscoe Wind Council could support the city with economic develop.  Billboards were discussed in regards to this subject.

Discussion of a website for the City of Roscoe was discussed.  Savvydog could help City produce their website.

Per Jack Brown, the next city council meeting is February 14, 2008 at 7:00 p.m.  Roscoe Wind Council needs to be placed on the agenda to petition the council to adopt “Wind City USA.”

David Etheredge asked Jack Brown what the best way to communicate and inform the city as to what the wind councel is doing and Jack said that the agenda is the tool.  The city is now holding its monthly meetings on the 2nd Thursday of the month.  At anytime the wind council can come to the meeting with an information item.

Roscoe’s unique position was discussed in regards to I20 and 84 and the fact that Roscoe will surrounded by wind turbines.  Per Jack Brown, travelers stop and leave their cars to take pictures with the wind turbines.  A sign to direct them to downtown Roscoe to take a picture with a real blade (possible monument to be built in Roscoe with blade) would be a real draw.

Some concern had been voiced in the past that Roscoe is not just about wind.  However, while the eye of the nation is on the wind industry, Roscoe needs to take advantage of such.

Finances regarding the Roscoe Wind Council were discussed.  Possible donors, etc.

David Etheredge invited Peter Fox back to discuss the Roscoe Wind Council Education Center.

The next meeting of the Roscoe Wind Council Meeting will be at 6:00 pm at Smackers Cafe on Thursday, February 14, 2008.  The meeting will be brief as the Roscoe City Council meeting is at 7:00 p.m.

The meeting adjourned at 7:22 p.m.

Those in attendance:  Jose Madera, Jim Covey, Deana Covey, Lisa Etheredge, David Etheredge, Rita Fried and Debbie Anthony

Letters to Superintendents of Highland ISD, Hermleigh ISD, Loraine ISD and Roscoe ISD were mailed today (2/14/08) in regards to the $500 scholarship.  David and Lisa will speak with Kimberly Gray of the Sweetwater Reporter to do a press release and Lisa and David will get the application and information on the website.

The hiring of a summer intern was discussed.

The 501(c)3 application was discussed.  Debbie Anthony made the motion to use The Foundation Group, seconded by Lisa Etheredge, for obtaining the status.  The vote was all in favor.  Once the application is filed, Roscoe Wind Council can give tax deductible receipts with “pending 501(c)3 status” on the receipt.  The status is retroactive to the filing date once it is approved.

Things that need to be followed up on were:  Cliff to get in touch with Ron Shelan and follow-up calls to schools about the $500 scholarship applications.

The next meeting was scheduled for Thursday, February 21, 2008 at 6:00 p.m. at Smackers Cafe.  After that, Monday, March 3, 2008 and then every two weeks.

The meeting adjourned at 6:30 p.m.

Those in attendance:  Roy Harris, Debbie Anthony, Vickie Haynes, Jose Madera, Susie Alford, Rita Fried, Cliff Etheredge, Jim Covey, David Etheredge, Lisa Etheredge

The meeting with the City Council has been set for Thursday, February 7, 2008, 6:00 pm at Airtricity located on East Broadway.  The idea of branding will be presented to the City Council. 

The goals and purpose of the local and national scholarship were discussed.  Cliff Etheredge moved, seconded by Lisa Etheredge, to off 2 local scholarships and 2 national scholarships.  The vote was all in favor.

Per Cliff Etheredge, the judges of the one time $500.00 scholarship will need a timeline.  Also need press release, letters to schools, posting on website and follow-up calls to the schools to assure receipt of the scholarship application.

Jose Madera will call Jerry Riggs in regards to the Nolan County Foundation and a perpetual endowment.

The Wind Council Education Center was discussed.

Debbie Anthony to check on tax deductible receipts in regards to 501(c)3 status.

The Roscoe Wind Council needs to begin setting goals in regards to its 2nd Annual Wind Harvest Festival.

Meeting adjourned at 6:45 pm.

Roscoe Wind Council

Academic Achievement Scholarship Award

Purpose:

The Purpose of the Roscoe Wind Council Academic Scholarship is to financially reward a graduating high school senior student for their outstanding academic achievement during their high school career, and for their interest in pursuing a Wind Energy related field in college. The scholarship is a one-time award in the amount of $500.

Requirements:

The Roscoe Wind Council Academic Achievement Scholarship Award is open to all graduating high school students in the Roscoe, Loraine, Highland and Hermleigh school systems. Specific requirements include:

• Overall High School GPA of 87 or higher
• Plans to attend college in the Fall of 2008
• Plans to major in one of the following college disciplines, or in a closely related field of study:
  • Meteorology
  • Geology
  • Ecology
  • Zoology
  • Environmental Sciences
  • Physics
  • Math
  • Engineering
  • Business Administration
  • Business Management
  • Marketing
  • Communications
  • Political Science
  • Finance
  • Agriculture
• Letters of Recommendation from at least 2 sources, one being a faculty member from the applicant’s high school, and the other being a non-related adult individual.
• § Full completion & submission of the Roscoe Wind Council Academic Achievement Scholarship Award Application, including submission of a 1,000 – 2,500 word essay on how renewable energy sources (wind power, in particular) impacts the industry in which they plan to work.

Application:

Applications for the Roscoe Wind Council Academic Achievement Scholarship Award are available from your High School adminstrator or you may download the RWC Scholarship Application.

Deadline:

Fully completed applications and required essays must be submitted to the Roscoe Wind Council by 5:00 PM, April 15th, 2008 for award consideration. Absolutely no applications will be accepted after this deadline.

Judging Criteria:

The scholarship award will be given to the 1 student among all applicants who most readily demonstrates an exceptionally high aptitude for academic achievement (based on high school transcript), civic leadership & self-reliance skills, an understanding and familiarity with the wind energy industry and its business practices, and an eventual desire to work in the wind energy industry or a related field.

• 50% of an applicants score will be determined by their high school transcript, extracurricular record and letters of recommendation.
• 50% of an applicant’s score will be determined by an applicant’s response to the application essay question.

Criteria used to judge the essay are: how well the applicant is able to articulate their thoughts and ideas; how much relevant knowledge about the wind energy industry the applicant is able to demonstrate in the essay; how original and visionary a student’s response is to the application question.

Application Evaluation:

To ensure judging impartiality, the Roscoe Wind Council has formed a separate Evaluation Committee comprised of impartial professionals in education, wind energy and non-profit organizations from outside the area served by the scholarship. The role of this Evaluation Committee is to review and evaluate all scholarship applications, and award the scholarship to the individual they feel best meets the scholarship requirements. In addition, scholarship applications will be submitted to this committee with the names and addresses of the applicants removed and replaced with a unique number. This will ensure complete judging objectivity.

The scholarship will award announcement will be mailed out to the winner on May 8th, with the actual scholarship being awarded to the student at their high school graduation.

The Roscoe Wind Council is pleased to announce that we will be giving out a $500 one time scholarship to an eligible student from one of the schools in Airtricity’s Roscoe Wind Farm. Graduating seniors from Roscoe, Highland, Loraine and Hermeleigh high schools are invited to apply for the scholarship by either downloading an application or getting a copy of an application from their school’s superindentent. Applications are due by 5:00 pm on April 15th, 2008 in order to be considered for the award. The scholarship will be awarded on May 8th, 2008.

For more information please visit the 2008 RWC Scholarship page.