May 12th, 2009
From Green Right Now Reports:
Massachusetts has been pledged $25 million in federal stimulus money to move ahead on the state’s Wind Technology Testing Center, according to an announcement today by U.S. Energy Secretary Steven Chu and Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick.
The infusion of cash is expected to create hundreds of new jobs in the Charlestown area, the site of the planned testing center, which will test commercial wind turbine blades to try to reduce their cost, improve efficiency and get the next generation of blades to market quickly. The Autoport facility will be able to study the longest wind turbine blades, a capability currently only available in Europe.
The money is in keeping with Obama’s plan to make sure the U.S. leads the world in capturing clean energy jobs, said Secretary Chu, on site for the announcement.
“As the world moves toward a significant expansion in wind power, the test blade facility will help make sure that the best, most efficient wind turbines are built right here in America,” Chu said. “Not only will it create jobs and help us achieve energy independence, it will mean cleaner air, cleaner water, and fewer greenhouse gas emissions.”
Governor Patrick expressed his pleasure that Massachusetts would be at the center of wind development, noting that: “Testing the next generation of wind turbines here will make Massachusetts a hub for the fastest-growing energy source in the world.”
Massachusetts was chosen as the site for the facility in June 2007, when the Department of Energy pledged $2 million for the project. The Massachusetts Renewable Energy Trust has committed $13.2 million in grants and loans for design and development expenses.
The money from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act puts the project on a pace in which construction can begin in September and be completed by 2010. Four Massachusetts companies and the University of Massachusetts also received seed money to address specific challenges facing the industry. The university, for instance, will get $252,687 to develop courses pertaining to offshore wind development.
(Photo credit: U.S. Department of Energy)
