Nebraska Farmers Union

1305 Plum Street • Lincoln, NE 68502 www.nebraskafarmersunion.org Contact John Hansen Office: 402-476-8815, Fax: 402-476-8859, Cell: 402-580-8815 john@nebraskafarmersunion.org

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

May 15, 2009 Lincoln, Nebraska

Nebraska Farmers Union Congratulates Dan McGuire On Receiving

Wind Powering America’s “Midwest Regional Wind Advocacy Award”

Lincoln, NE. Nebraska Farmers Union’s District 5 Director Dan McGuire of Lincoln received the Wind Powering America’s “Midwest Regional Wind Advocacy Award” while in Chicago last week for Wind Powering America meetings. McGuire also serves as the Executive Director of the American Corn Growers Foundation and heads up their “Wealth from the Wind” program.

Dan McGuire received his award for his strong and effective leadership in his role as facilitator of the “Wind for Schools” project in Nebraska that is a part of the Wind Powering America program sponsored by the U.S. Department of Energy and the National Renewable Energy Laboratory in Golden, Colorado.

McGuire’s efforts have led to the installation of four Wind for Schools Skystream 3.7 turbines across Nebraska this past year. Turbines were installed at schools in Tilden, Cedar Rapids, Hayes Center, and Odell. Four more schools are in the wind application process scheduled for installation during the next year. McGuire works with the Wind Application Center at the University of Nebraska in Lincoln headed by Dr. Jerry Hudgins to help the schools evaluate and develop project sites including the technical assistance needed for installation.

The three primary Wind for Schools program goals are to:

• Engage rural school teachers and students in wind energy.
• Educate college students in wind energy applications, which will equip engineers for the growing U.S. wind industry.
• Introduce wind energy to rural communities, initiating a discussion of wind energy’s benefits and challenges.

Dan McGuire also carries out wind education and outreach activities around the country on behalf of the American Corn Growers Foundation and the National Renewable Energy Laboratory

John Hansen, President of the Nebraska Farmers Union, who won the “Midwest Regional Wind Advocacy Award” last year said, “Dan McGuire is Nebraska’s Johnny Appleseed of wind energy. His pioneering efforts to share the latest and most accurate information about wind energy with rural America have helped move our state forward with wind energy development.”

“When Dan McGuire does a wind energy education project, you know that is going to get done right. Dan’s projects are always accurate and professionally done. His energy and enthusiasm are infectious. We congratulate Dan McGuire on winning this prestigious award. He deserves it, along with our thanks for all the good he continues to do in the world,” Hansen concluded.