by Timlynn Babitsky
The wind energy industry is the fastest growing segment of renewable energy production. There is a great need and increasing demand for skilled wind energy related technicians. Right now in the US, there are jobs going unfilled. Community Colleges - mandated to respond quickly to changing demands in the job market – are scrambling to retrain Americans for the next wave of job opportunities. Are you ready for your new job? (more…)
by Timlynn Babitsky
Demand is growing nationwide for wind turbine technicians, technologists, engineers, and wind energy educators. How is this pressuring universities, colleges, community colleges and technical schools to prepare their students for this rising job skills demand? A small sample of the educational scramble to meet the demands of this new “industrial revolution” points to an area of exploding job growth. Are you ready? (more…)
by Timlynn Babitsky
The small wind turbine market is expected to grow by 18-20% through the next two years. When new tax incentives ($1,000 – $4,000 per system) go into effect in January ‘09, that growth will only accelerate. Between tax incentives, rising energy costs and increased environmental consciousness, residential and commercial scale wind turbine demand is already exploding. But until now, small wind systems have disappointed many. (more…)
by Timlynn Babitsky
Layoffs continue to mount, unemployment claims reach new highs, and all indicators are “consistent with a deep recession” in the American economy. Let’s stop focusing on what has been and now is gone. We need to gear up ASAP for what Tom Friedman calls “the next great industrial revolution” – ‘green jobs’ in the new energy technology revolution. (more…)
by Timlynn Babitsky
Appalachian State U. in North Carolina is the go-to place for state-of-the-art information on the small wind systems and turbines currently available in the American Marketplace. Its Small Wind Initiative (SWI) also demonstrates the value of research, partnership, and collaboration in wind energy projects. (more…)
by Timlynn Babitsky
Do wind generators really kill birds? If so, how serious is the problem? Mick Agrillo wrestles with this problem and does some real homework to put wind power’s effect on birds in perspective. (more…)
by Timlynn Babitsky
Wind turbine impact on avian populations is a hot issue in the wind power arena. But a recent study covered in the UK’s Telegraph states that farmland birds aren’t bothered by wind turbines being built in the countryside. Is the turbine-avian issue over? (more…)
by Timlynn Babitsky
Foregoing daily towel and sheet changes have given travelers a way to help reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Offsetting the carbon footprint of your hotel stay has gotten even greener. Here’s a MD hotel example. (more…)
by Timlynn Babitsky
For up to date information on New York State wind energy legal developments – land use and zoning laws, environmental issues, judicial and regulatory actions — wind project organizers should definitely check out the Wind Power Law Blog. (more…)
by Timlynn Babitsky
The North Country is a chronically distressed region of poor farms, few opportunities, little money, and big wind. Dangling the lure of many good jobs and bushels of tax revenue, modern day carpetbaggers have descended on this region, and upstate New York is squarely facing its rock and a hard place. (more…)