Vestas announces 1,350 wind energy jobs…for Colorado.
August 17, 2008
Today Vestas announced plans to build two new factories in Brighton, Colorado. Click here for the full press release.
Together, the two factories will employ 1,350 people by the end of 2010. American hands will manufacture 3,600 Vestas blades each year. The company plans a tower factory in Colorado as well, capable of producing 900 towers per year.
Americans have long lamented the export of our good manufacturing jobs overseas. Today, wind energy brings Danish investment in American manufacturing – it brings jobs.
Vestas did not choose Colorado by accident. Governor Ritter’s “New Energy Economy” pledge –and the legislature’s long, hard work – have paid off.
Colorado passed its first Renewable Portfolio Standard at the ballot box in 2004. In 2007 the legislature increased the RPS to 20% for investor-owned utilities and 10% for munis and coops. Extra credit is given for in-state wind.
At the same time, the legislature required utilities to identify “energy resource zones” where transmission would provide enhanced service, and directed the Colorado Public Utility Commission to grant or deny certificates for development within 180 days.
Colorado has amply demonstrated its commitment to wind, and their strategy has brought substantial investment. Iowa is working hard to attract the industry as well, with hundreds of jobs to show for their efforts.
Kansas has a better wind resource than both Colorado and Iowa. We have fantastic highways. We are centrally located. We need to act now to put policies in place that welcome this burgeoning industry – projected to quadruple over the next twenty years.
Yes, quadruple.
-Nancy Jackson
