Nebraska Wind Power 2011 Conference Announces Keynote Speakers

November 15-16 in Kearney at Younes Conference Center

For Immediate Release October 19, 2011, 2011

For participant registration help contact: Graham Christensen at NE Farmers Union (402) 476-8815

For exhibitor or sponsor registration help contact: Paula or Tom Steenson at (402) 346-3950

(LINCOLN) – The keynote speakers for Wind Power 2011, the fourth annual wind conference sponsored by the Nebraska Wind Working Group (NWWG) were announced.

The keynote speakers include:

James J. Hoecker, former Chairman of the Federal Energy Regulatory Energy Regulatory Commission from 1997 to 2001. During that time he was responsible for instituting regional transmission organizations to administer the wholesale electric power system and streamlining the regulatory system.
Nicholas (Nick) Brown, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Southwest Power Pool, Inc. Since Nebraska is now aligned with the Southwest Power Pool, their regional transmission planning and development directly impacts Nebraska’s state planning and development which directly impacts Nebraska’s wind energy resources.

The conference opens at 8:30 am Tuesday morning and 9:00 Wednesday morning. The commercial exhibits will be open at 8:30 am on Tuesday and 8:00 am on Wednesday. There will be three tracks for participants to choose from in addition to the many commercial exhibits. All participant, exhibitor and sponsorship levels are the same as last year with $60 pre-registration and $75 at the door registration.

On Tuesday, track three will feature national experts on small wind energy testing, siting, standards, and policy. Larry Flowers, Deputy Director of Community and Distributed Wind for the American Wind Energy Association (AWEA) will present their new annual small wind report. Trudy Forsyth, a nationally recognized expert on small wind standards, testing, certification, small wind installers’ education and credentialing as well as state and federal policies will present in multiple sessions.

Wednesday’s third track will feature the expanding career and educational opportunities available from the University of Nebraska, Southeast, Northeast, and Central Community Colleges, as well as technical training opportunities.

Tracks one and two for Tuesday and Wednesday sessions will feature a wide range of commercial and community wind issues. Topics will include:

Siting issues: environmental compliance, Federal Aviation Administration, transmission studies.

New developments: Nebraska Transmission Advocacy Group (NTAG), the Springview II Wind Facility with two new direct drive turbines, electrical storage options for wind, landowner group wind development initiatives, the legal issues with transmission right of way, and many more.

For lodging information and reservations at the Conference rates:

Holiday Inn: 308-237-5971 Hampton Inn: 308-234-3400 Wingate Inn: 308-237-4400

Conference Registration is at: http://neo.ne.gov/renew/wind-working-group/2011conference/register.htm

Conference info at: http://neo.ne.gov/renew/wind-working-group/2011conference/2011announce.htm

-30-