Conference Summary

The Wind Energy and Rural Development in North Dakota IV Conference was held March 24, 2003, at the Bismarck Civic Center in Bismarck, North Dakota. Conference registration topped 525 people from 26 states and two Canadian provinces.

Numerous wind turbines have gone up across the state in the past year and represent major strides in North Dakota's wind energy industry. The Wind IV Conference provided an opportunity for industry experts, landowners, and state leaders to look back on and share that progress.

The conference also looks ahead toward the future and discusses how wind energy will bring new economic development opportunities to North Dakota. Top industry leaders spoke on critical issues facing the wind industry in the state and nation. In addition, eight workshop sessions provided land owners and business owners with key information about how they can benefit from the wind industry, including increased manufacturing of wind turbines and financial benefits to residents who have wind farms on their land.

In his remarks to journalists at Wind IV, U.S. Senator Byron Dorgan said, "This means great economic development opportunities for our state. Technologies in Wind Energy and Hydrogen Fuel Cells represent a general step in the right direction for not relying on conventional sources of energy. But it won't happen by itself, we have to make it happen."

Conference Demographics
Attendees were from 26 states, including 76 cities in North Dakota, 13 in Minnesota, eight in South Dakota, and 10 in California. Indiana, Montana, Wisconsin, Texas, Iowa, Illinois, Colorado, Oregon, Ohio, Tennessee, Kentucky, Washington, D.C., Oklahoma, Florida, Maine, Michigan, Pennsylvania, Nebraska, Louisiana, Virginia, Maryland, and Massachusetts were also represented. 70 percent of the conference attendees were first-time attenders.

Organizing Sponsors
Sponsors include U.S. Senator Byron Dorgan, the Energy & Environmental Research Center, and the North Dakota Department of Commerce Division of Community Services.

Organizing Committee

• Kim Christianson, State Energy Officer, Division of Community Services, North Dakota Department of Commerce, Bismarck, ND
• Mike Eggl, Vice President of Government Relations, Basin Electric Power Cooperative, Bismarck, ND
• Ladeene Freimuth, Legislative Assistant, Office of Senator Dorgan, Washington, DC
• Maynard Friesz, Legislative Assistant, Office of Senator Dorgan, Washington, DC
• Deb Haley, Associate Director, EERC, Grand Forks, ND
• Jay Haley, President, EAPC Architects Engineers, Grand Forks, ND
• Michael Hohl, President and COO, DMI Industries, West Fargo, ND
• Scot Kelsh, State Representative, North Dakota Energy Project Coordinator, Sustainable Energy for Economic Development, Fargo, ND
• Troy Simonsen, Research Scientist, EERC POWER, Grand Forks, ND
• Brad Stevens, Research Engineer, EERC POWER, Grand Forks, ND

Attendee Comments:
"On behalf of the Wind Energy Council, I'd like to extend our sincere thanks for the orchestration and flawless execution of Wind IV in Bismarck. Up until the end the staff was efficiently and professionally handling anything thrown at them. I am already looking forward to Wind V!" - Steve Scott, Secretary, Wind Energy Council

"I liked it!" Gerald Groenewold runs an excellent ship." - Bruce Hagen, Retired NDPSC

"This is my first conference and I could have stayed for 2 more days just to try and absorb all the valuable information and networking contacts. Keep up the excellent work! I'll be back next year with additional staff and community members. I'll plan to come early and stay late." - Connie Ova, Jamestown/Stutsman Development Corporation

"Great job, we appreciated your efforts!" - Glenn Bender, Conference Attendee

"Excellent! Great Networking." - Renee Loh, Project Manager, North Dakota Department of Commerce