The new wind turbines in Grant & Mineral counties
From a Special Article of the Mineral (County) Daily News – Tribune, December 3, 2021
CURRENT—NEWS—UPDATE: The new Black Rock Wind Farm went online today providing enough electricity for over 50,000 homes. (2/10/22)
KEYSER, WV – Clearway Energy Group has hired five recent graduates of the Wind Energy Technology program at Eastern West Virginia Community and Technical College in Moorefield.
The five new wind techs will support the operations and maintenance of Clearway’s new 115-megawatt Black Rock Wind Farm near Elk Garden and its 54-megawatt Pinnacle Wind Farm near Keyser. Pinnacle was repowered just this year with new turbine technology.
Along with Clearway’s 240-megawatt Mount Storm Wind Farm, Clearway is now the largest owner-operator of wind farms in the Mountain State, having invested nearly $460 million this year alone.
The five new Clearway wind techs are: Andrew Cosner, 20, of Petersburg — Ian Guckavan, 22, of Moorefield — Austin Locklear, 22, of Petersburg — Logan Reel, 24, of Keyser — Tyler Simmons, 21, of Keyser
“We are excited to welcome five new wind techs into the Clearway family who were hired right here from the local community,” said Doug Vance, Clearway’s plant manager for Black Rock and Pinnacle.
“Our wind energy sites do more than just power homes and businesses, they are also economic engines for the region, creating hundreds of construction jobs as well as long-term operations jobs. Eastern West Virginia Community and Technical College has been a great partner for Clearway and we look forward to expanding that partnership with an apprenticeship program next spring.”
One of the new wind techs, Logan Reel, was hired through Clearway’s West Virginia Wind Energy Apprenticeship Program, which helps workers displaced from the coal industry (as well as their family members) find new employment opportunities in renewable energy.
“I grew up looking at the turbines on the mountains in the area and found them inspirational,” said Reel, who grew up in Moorefield. “Wind turbines are a step in the right direction towards a better future. Working in the renewable energy field has given me the opportunity to be a part of something bigger than myself.”
Eastern offers a two-year associate degree in applied science as well as a one-year certificate option for students looking to work in the renewable energy industry. Students in the Wind Energy Technology program learn the skills necessary to service and troubleshoot modern wind power generation equipment while acquiring the background knowledge needed to advance their careers in the power generation field. Eastern has also designed its programs to comply with all American Clean Power Association (ACPA) standards and capitalize on West Virginia’s position as a new leader in the wind industry.
“We are delighted that Clearway has chosen to partner with Eastern and deepen its roots in the Mountain State,” said Curtis Hakala, dean of teaching and learning at Eastern. “As West Virginia continues to diversify and strengthen its economy, it’s wonderful to be able offer programs that provide students the tools to work in this innovation industry and help them secure good-paying jobs close to home.”
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See Also: Citizens Where We Serve: Renewable Energy’s Long-Term Success Begins in Local Communities, Clearwater Energy Group, December 5, 2021
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Learning About West Virginia
From Levi, Third Grade, Langley School, McLean, Virginia, Mar 19, 2022
To Editor, Wheeling News-Register:
Dear people of the great state of West Virginia,
Hello, I am a third-grade student in Northern Virginia. Our class is learning about the United States, and I will be teaching our school about the state of West Virginia. In the month of May, I will create a display for our State Fair that I hope will make you proud.
Although I have gathered facts about your state from books and websites, I think I can receive the best information from the people who live there. This is why I am writing to you. I am hoping that you would be willing to send me some items to help me learn more about the best things in your state.
You might consider sending items such as postcards, pictures, souvenirs, this newspaper article, or any other unique items that would be useful or show your state pride.
Here are a few questions:
– Why do you live in your state? What first brought your family there?
– How do you make money? What is your job?
– What does your state look like?
– What do people do for fun?
– What animals live there?
– What traditional food/recipes does your state have?
– What type of music is native to your state?
– Do you have a state athletic team?
– What geographic features are unique to your state?
I need to gather all of my information by the second week of May. You can mail items to this address:
Mr. Mike Gilchrist’s class, The Langley School, 1411 Balls Hill Road, McLean, VA 22101.
I really appreciate your help!
Levi, The Langley School, McLean, VA
https://www.theintelligencer.net/opinion/letters-to-the-editor/2022/03/learning-about-west-virginia/