College’s wind technology program fills good-paying jobs

Wheat is the most common export commodity in Washington’s Garfield County, where Matt Powell spent his childhood. But soon the county of 2,266 people will have a new export: wind energy.

Puget Sound Energy began construction last summer on its 149-turbine Lower Snake Wind Project near Pomeroy. It will begin producing electricity for about 70,000 homes next spring.

Powell worked as a summer intern at the project, earning $18.50 an hour inspecting electrical equipment. It was a heady experience for the 21-year-old, who had just finished his first year in Walla Walla Community College’s wind technology program http://www.wwcc.edu/CMSX/main.php?module=department&collegecode=200&deptcode=WIND .

"He was signing off on $2 million assets," said James Bradshaw, the college’s wind instructor.

Becky Kramer The Spokesman-Review

Full Story: http://www.spokesman.com/stories/2011/dec/12/colleges-wind-technology-program-fills-good/