Secretary of Energy Chu visits Rochester Wind Training Facility

By Heather J. Carlson
Post-Bulletin Online, Rochester MN, Tue, Aug 4, 2009

U.S. Secretary of Energy Steven Chu got an up-close look Monday at what it takes to work on wind turbines. Chu watched during a visit in Rochester as workers used a system of harnesses, ropes and massive clips to practice rescuing a colleague.

Rochester's International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 343's Wind Training Facility helps train these workers before they are 280 feet in the air, working on a turbine.

The secretary's visit comes as IBEW Wind Training Facility -- the only one of its kind in the nation, officials say -- is in the process of applying for a $2.2 million grant to expand its wind safety training in partnership with Rochester Community and Technical College. The expansion would include training for solar panel and wind-turbine installation and maintenance.

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