U.S. Senator John Boozman (R-AR), member of the Senate Committee on
Environment and Public Works, visited the LM Wind Power Little Rock
plant on Wednesday to watch production of the giant turbine blades that
drive wind farms throughout the region. The plant is an example of the
good manufacturing jobs that wind power is bringing to Arkansas.
The LM Wind Power Little Rock Plant was built in 2008 as its second
manufacturing facility in North America. The plant employs more than 500
people who produce blades for wind turbines for use in Texas, Oklahoma
and Kansas. LM Wind Power is a GE Renewable Energy business with nearly
14,000 employees worldwide. Twenty percent of all turbines in use today
were built by LM Wind Power.
“Wind
power is a crucial component of an all-of-the-above energy strategy and
supports Arkansas jobs,” said Senator Boozman, “Our national energy
strategy must include developing and expanding renewable sources of
energy in order to address our current and future needs. We continue to
make advancements in these areas and I support smart, responsible
approaches that broaden our capability to harness these resources to
create new forms of sustainable energy.”
Senator Boozman met with LM Wind Power employees, took a tour of the
manufacturing floor and was briefed on the plant’s operations including a
preview of the next generation of more powerful and more efficient
turbines.
“We greatly appreciate Senator Boozman and his staff taking the time to
tour our Little Rock facility, meet with our employees and get to see up
close the work we do to power a clean, 21st century economy,” Said
Jackie Highsmith, LM Wind Plant Director.
This August 11-17 marks the third annual American Wind Week,
a national celebration of U.S. leadership in wind energy production
that started in 2017 when wind became the country’s largest source of
renewable electricity generating capacity. During Wind Week, the
American Wind Energy Association (AWEA) and supporters of wind energy
highlight the many ways that wind powers opportunity at dozens of events across the country and online with #AmericanWindWeek.
“For this year’s American Wind Week, there’s a record amount of U.S.
wind energy under construction and the 114,000 Americans in our industry
are working hard to make the energy you use cheaper and cleaner,” said AWEA CEO Tom Kiernan.
“As an all-American energy source, wind is a leading contributor to
domestic energy production, economic opportunity, and the fight to
minimize climate change.”
“Wind Powers Opportunity” is the theme of this year’s American Wind
Week, in recognition of the many economic and environmental benefits
that come along with expanded U.S. wind energy production. Today, a
record 114,000 Americans work in wind, including many careers at the
more than 500 U.S. factories that supply wind farms. America’s veterans
find wind jobs at a rate 67% higher than the average industry because
they have the skills and dedication to keep wind farms running rain or
shine. Rural communities and family farms that host wind energy
projects benefit from well-paying local careers and over $1 billion a
year paid toward state and local taxes and annual landowner lease
payments. Click here for specific STATE Wind Energy Facts
