Jul 21 - McClatchy-Tribune Regional News - Heather J. Carlson Post-Bulletin, Rochester, Minn.


Boosting Minnesota's wind industry has the chance to create more than 3,000 jobs and revive the state's manufacturing sector, according to a new report released Monday.

Representatives from the progressive nonprofit think tank Minnesota 2020 were in Rochester on Monday to tout the report. Joe Sheeran of Minnesota 2020 said now is the time for Minnesota to capitalize on its wind resources. By 2025, Minnesota utilities will be required to get 25 percent of their energy from renewable sources like wind.

Minnesota 2020 was started by former DFL state Rep. Matt Entenza, who is running for governor in 2010.

"We could do that and build the capacity here in Minnesota or we could let that opportunity slip away to Iowa or the Dakotas or to other areas in the Midwest," said Sheeran, the organization's communications director.

Rochester Mayor Ardell Brede joined Minnesota 2020 at the press conference underneath the billowing flags outside the city-county Government Center. He said area residents are already accustomed to seeing wind turbines in the surrounding area. He said the city council is establishing an energy commission that will likely be looking at the issue of wind energy.

Report author Nathan Paine, a fellow with Minnesota 2020, said his research shows an extra 4,000 megawatts of renewable energy -- enough to power 1 million homes -- will be needed to meet the state's new renewable energy standard. He said most of that energy is likely to come from wind.

Over the past 10 months, Minnesota has lost an estimated 40,000 manufacturing jobs. The wind industry has the potential to help boost this sector, according to Paine. He said Minnesota already has plenty of manufacturing companies that produce products similar to those needed for wind turbines. With some training and adjustments, these companies could get into the wind turbine business.

"Minnesota is essentially very well positioned with its skilled workforce, its large manufacturing base, its wind resources to take advantage of the benefit the wind industry has to offer," he said.

The report calls for the state to help companies meet the certifications required to be wind turbine manufacturers and to invest in training programs for workers. It also encourages local ownership of wind farms to help ensure that dollars from those farms stay in Minnesota.

When asked whether there was any sort of a cost estimate for the state assistance needed, Paine said no. But he said he has calculated that developing Minnesota's wind industry could mean billions of dollars for the local economy.

He added, "I would expect that it would be cost effective to train our workforce and to assist companies that are already engaged in similar manufacturing processes to start producing components for the wind industry."

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