April 11, 2012
A message from Tal Mamo, Talco Electronics
Is Federal lobbying important for DWEA and the Small Wind Industry? That depends on when you would have asked me this question. Before I attended my first Lobby Day in DC this past March, I probably would have said no and that it is far too expensive for such a small organization such as DWEA. However, I must admit that my eyes have been opened to the importance of Federal lobbying and the value that it offers to our industry and organization. During Lobby Day, we broke up into teams of five and each group visited six to eight different offices of both Congress and Senate. This was my very first experience on Capitol Hill and I really didn't know what to expect; six meetings didn't sound like very much, however I was exhausted by the end of the day.
We met with both Democrats and Republicans and, in general, received warm welcomes from both political sides. It was amazing to me how much information the staffers need to digest and keep straight in their minds so that they can advise their boss about which issues are important to them and how they should vote on an issue. My biggest takeaway from the meetings is that the key to a Congressional member's vote is through the advice of their staffer; and that is why I believe it is important to constantly meet with and educate the staffer of as many Congressional offices as possible. Lobbying is not about sliding fat envelopes across a table, but about developing relationships with the staffer and the members of Congress themselves and educating them about the issues we care about and how these issues can help their towns, their state, and our country. Since my trip to DC and DW12, I see the importance of not only continuing our Federal lobbying but increasing it. Talco has now contributed to DWEA's Federal Lobbying campaign and I urge each and every DWEA member to contribute whatever amount they can afford to this important cause. I would be more than happy to speak to any member about my experiences in DC and why I am now a firm believer in DWEA's lobbying campaign. |
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Installation of the Month
SED Helps High Schoolers Finish Wind Project SED installs a 100kW wind turbine at Camden Hills Regional High School
Camden, ME - Windjammers were large sailing ships made of iron and steel, originally used in the late nineteenth and early twentieth century. These steel hulled ships were the grandest of vessels designed to withstand long ocean voyages and harness the wind to transport cargo around the world.
True to their namesake, the Windjammers of Camden Hills Regional High School in Rockport, ME, recently completed a grand eight year voyage of the 21st century. Captained by the students, the school undertook several years of research, fundraising, and the successful navigation of complex permitting channels to deliver a 100kW community wind project.
The Windjammers themselves raised over half a million dollars to fund the project and acquired all of the permits and approvals necessary to install the machine. Ontario, NY based Sustainable Energy Developments (SED) was selected by the school to fill the role of guiding this voyage to a close.
Contracted in January of this year to construct the 100kW wind turbine project, which now stands 155 feet tall between the school's athletic fields, SED's experienced construction team finished the installation just three months later. On Thursday, March 22nd, 21st century wind power was surging through the halls of the high school.
The Camden Hills Windplanners, the name given to the students who captained the project, are an inspiration to the staff at SED. As the company celebrates ten years of business they are a reminder of the spirit that led the company to start developing community wind and solar projects in the Northeastern United States. After successfully completing the Camden Hills 100kW installation SED takes a newly invigorated sense of optimism and commitment forward into the next decade of community energy development. This is the eighth Northwind 100 that SED has installed.
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Upcoming
Events
April: DWEA Webinar: NEC Article 694 Wednesday, April 18 @ 3:00 central - 1 hour Roy Butler and Jenny Heinzen will host a DWEA webinar on Wednesday, April 18 at 3:00 central that covers the requirements in the 2011 National Electrical Code (NEC) regarding small wind systems. Topics to be covered will include: definitions, listing and labeling requirements, sizing conductors and overcurrent devices, disconnecting means, wiring methods, lightning protection, and grounding. email for call-in information: education@distributedwind.org. Intertek is pleased to host the annual 2012 SWAT conference - the inaugural International SWAT meeting to take place since the conference's inception. June: |
 Policy News
A message from Lloyd Ritter
DWEA held its first ever Lobby Day and Conference on Capitol Hill late last month and by all accounts it was a resounding success. We had well over 50 meetings in the House and Senate, member meetings in the double digits and visits with the White House and Treasury Department. Rep. Earl Blumenauer gave a great talk to the group before heading to Capitol Hill. A reception followed after our meetings that evening, with "Friends of DWEA" in attendance, ranging from Hill staff to agency personnel to NGOs. Senator Ron Wyden kicked
off the conference the following day with a great keynote address.
Rep. McNerney also spoke. All in all it was a huge week for DWEA and for all of our members.
Moreover DWEA had another "win" this past month. The U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service announced its final wind siting guidelines. They now clearly differentiate between distributed and community wind and larger wind projects. This change is due to DWEA's extensive advocacy in prior months. We put this issue on the map as they say. We worked with the Department of Interior, Congress and numerous other stakeholders to educate them about our industry and get buy in for an alternative approach.
Times are tough in Washington D.C., with political gridlock the norm, but we are making a big difference, thanks to your support.
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Committee Corner Installation Map DWEA's Permitting & Zoning committee has been collecting project data for an updated installation map created to showcase successful small wind projects across the country. The map intends to highlight installations of 100kW and under. It is critical that we here from you! In order for the story to be told about the strength of the distributed wind market, we need to collect data for all quality installations. To include your project on the map, please forward your project details to education@distributedwind.org. If you have questions or feedback about the map, please contact Lisa DiFrancisco at: lisa@ncenergysystems.com. |
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