[michmoldman]

I seen on CNBC today a report on the explosion of the wind turbines, which will create a ton of jobs in the upkeep of these turbines. You will have to go to school for this, and Right now there are only a few schools in NM I think, but within the next few years that number is expected to reach around 20 schools I believe. Its something for people to think about if you don't mind moving, going to school, and working on these in New Mexico. I know once Michigan gets more and more of these, there may be an opportunity to come back here and work. They said they do not have even close the amount of people needed to do this job, and it will only grow. They did not say what the pay was, only that it was VERY good pay. You do need to go up on these huge windmills, so not for the sqemish. Just a thought!!

[michmoldman]

Video - CNBC.com

[Bluefly]

Michigan, thanks to the Great Lake coasts, is rated as one of the best states in the country for wind energy.

Let's hope the business and political leaders stop looking back and start looking forward to make this state the arsenal of a new energy economy.

[MI-IRISH]

Originally Posted by Bluefly

Michigan, thanks to the Great Lake coasts, is rated as one of the best states in the country for wind energy.

Let's hope the business and political leaders stop looking back and start looking forward to make this state the arsenal of a new energy economy.

It's going to be up to the people,if you think some political leader with a 19th mindset on economics is going to help,i got news for you,it's not.You look at all the things not going right and follow the grapevine up,it's the politicions in the endgame thinking crap up that is not feasable,new blood and new ideas are needed,not worn out mantra's they try to hang their moth eaten hats on

[lawnorder]

Not so fast. I am visiting my brother in Little Rock where unemployment is at 5.4% one of the places where the recession has not hit yet. The news said they were laying off 150 jobs in the wind turbine manufacturing plant on interstate 30, you can see the big props in the yard there. They said it was due to the lack of interest now that oil is down. Maybe it will explode if Obama mandates interest when oil is at a low $ per barrel, but as of now there is not going to be any explosion.

[MittenDweller82]

Originally Posted by michmoldman

I seen on CNBC today a report on the explosion of the wind turbines, which will create a ton of jobs in the upkeep of these turbines. You will have to go to school for this, and Right now there are only a few schools in NM I think, but within the next few years that number is expected to reach around 20 schools I believe. Its something for people to think about if you don't mind moving, going to school, and working on these in New Mexico. I know once Michigan gets more and more of these, there may be an opportunity to come back here and work. They said they do not have even close the amount of people needed to do this job, and it will only grow. They did not say what the pay was, only that it was VERY good pay. You do need to go up on these huge windmills, so not for the sqemish. Just a thought!!

I'm sorry to say that that we have for the most part missed this boat. Yes there will be some opportunities for wind fields in the favored areas near the coasts of Lake Michigan and Huron, but other states like ND, SD, TX, and NM have had their eye on this transition for years. Huge tracts of land have been set aside in these states for development, but more importantly, small energy corps there have been perfecting windmill technology for the last decade, and now many investors have begun to become interested. We can only hope that companies like DTE, and Consumers Energy can convert operations quick enough to compete with the thousands of start up companies who all want a piece of the next energy revolution. Good luck to us!

[skyl4rk]

Kalamazoo Valley Community College will be starting a wind turbine technician program soon, possibly with classes starting this summer.

[Cliffie]

I hope that will be part of the new energy-tech module at the UofM.

[Cliffie]

Originally Posted by Sociologist

I'm sorry to say that that we have for the most part missed this boat. Yes there will be some opportunities for wind fields in the favored areas near the coasts of Lake Michigan and Huron, but other states like ND, SD, TX, and NM have had their eye on this transition for years.

I'm not sure what you mean by missing the boat. We still stand to create a lot of jobs designing, building and maintaining MI wind turbines, as well as adding programs to our existing schools to get people learning the technology and expanding the research. It's not like we have to buy wind-powered electricity from New Mexico because they got started first.

[pirate_lafitte]

Originally Posted by Bluefly

Michigan, thanks to the Great Lake coasts, is rated as one of the best states in the country for wind energy.

Let's hope the business and political leaders stop looking back and start looking forward to make this state the arsenal of a new energy economy.

This could be a revival in Michigan's economy. The bleeding can stop here and the healing can begin. Things can turn around.