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Mesalands seeks $6 million repower of training turbine to keep wind workforce pipeline current
Summary
Mesalands Community College told the Science, Technology & Telecommunications Committee it needs about $6 million to repower an on-campus wind turbine so students get hands-on training on modern systems; $4 million has been routed through the legislature but additional funding and federal support remain uncertain.
Mesalands Community College asked state lawmakers to help fund a roughly $6,000,000 repower of its on-campus wind turbine so students train on modern equipment used in the industry. Nathaniel Alexander, a wind instructor at Mesalands, told the committee the work would replace the nacelle, blades and interior control systems to bring the college's GE 1.5-ESS tower up to current standards. “It is approximately about $6,000,000 — replacing the nacelle, the blades, and the interior technology,” Alexander said.
Alan Moss, president of Mesalands Community College, emphasized the training value of a working turbine: students perform real climbs and hands-on service tasks that simulators cannot fully replicate. Moss noted the college has secured some legislative support: “We have gotten a $4,000,000 pass through committee through Senator Heinrich,” he said, but added that federal funding is uncertain. “Obviously, the federal government, there's no guarantee of that funding,” Moss said, urging a mix of state and other sources.
Instructors and alumni described industry links that help place graduates. Terrell Stowe, a wind instructor with more than two decades in the field, and Alexander listed employer partnerships, GWO safety certification through Impact Wind, and recent placement of graduates at companies including NextEra and Leeward. Stowe said program graduates typically start in the mid-$20s to low-$30s per hour; Alexander added that experienced technicians can earn substantially more later in their careers.
Lawmakers asked about the pace of technological change and the value of maintaining an operating tower versus simulators. Alexander and Stowe said the current turbine dates to earlier models and that repowering the existing shell with new components is the most practical path to expose students to newer control, electrical and safety systems.
The college asked the committee to consider the repower in capital outlay and bonding discussions. Next steps include advancing capital outlay requests and coordinating potential federal, state and private match funds; no formal legislative action occurred at the meeting.
