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Sponsors
We would like to thank the following organizations for their sponsorship of this conference and support of wind energy development. U.S. Senator Byron L. Dorgan U.S. Department of Energy Wind Powering America Energy & Environmental Research Center EERC Plains Organization for Wind Energy ResourcesSM (POWERSM) North Dakota Department of Commerce Division of Community Services Collaborating Sponsors
Partnering Sponsors
Supporting Sponsors
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Byron L. Dorgan was reelected to the U.S. Senate in November 1998 by an overwhelming majority after serving one term in the U.S. Senate and six terms in the U.S. House of Representatives. In 1998, Senate Democratic Leader Tom Daschle named Dorgan the Chairman of the Democratic Policy Committee, the first North Dakotan to ever to hold this position or to serve in the Democratic leadership. This position was held by Lyndon B. Johnson before he became Majority Leader. From 1996 to 1998, Dorgan served in the Democratic leadership as Assistant Floor Leader. Throughout his career in both the House and Senate, Dorgan has fought for the interests of rural America. He has worked to create jobs and economic opportunity in North Dakota, to establish strong farm policies for family farmers, and to demand fairer trade policies. He has fought to assure that rural areas have access to cutting edge technology and has promoted computers and Internet access in our nation's schools. Dorgan has also been a leader in the fight for sensible spending reductions and responsible government by cutting government waste and fighting for a balanced budget amendment while protecting our most important priorities: Social Security, Medicare, education, and the environment. In 1997, when record flooding devastated North Dakota homes and communities, Dorgan worked tirelessly to ensure a swift federal response. As a member of the Appropriations Committee, he steered over $1 billion in disaster aid for the upper Midwest. He also fought and won relief for farmers and ranchers who lost their livestock herds. Senator Dorgan, born May 14, 1942, was raised in the farming community of Regent, North Dakota. His family worked in the farm equipment and petroleum business and raised cattle and horses. He graduated from a high school class of nine students. He received his Bachelor of Science degree from the University of North Dakota in 1965 and went on to earn his Master of Business Administration from the University of Denver. He later worked for a Denver-based aerospace firm. Dorgan's public service career began at age 26 as the youngest constitutional officer in North Dakota's history when he was appointed State Tax Commissioner by the Governor. He was later elected to that office by large margins in both 1972 and 1976 and was chosen one of "Ten Outstanding State Officials" in the United States by the Washington Monthly magazine. 
The U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE's) Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy manages the federal wind energy program in accordance with national energy policy. Wind energy diversifies the nation's energy supply, takes advantage of a domestic resource, and helps the nation meet its commitments to curb emissions of greenhouse gases, which threaten the stability of global climates. The federal wind energy program works with industry to keep U.S. wind energy technology competitive in global markets, thus strengthening the economy. The program includes a comprehensive wind energy research program; wind turbine research and development; and support for utilities, industry, and international wind energy projects. To learn more about DOE's wind energy program, visit 
The EERC has undergone significant change since its founding in 1951 as the U.S. Bureau of Mines Robertson Lignite Research Laboratory. In 1983, the facility was successfully defederalized and became part of the University of North Dakota (UND). Since then, the EERC has evolved to help meet the energy and environmental needs of society. Its programs and activities extend worldwide, and the scope of its research includes a broad range of renewable and nonrenwable energy resources and environmental technologies. Through multiclient consortia and government-industry partnerships, the EERC develops, field tests, and demonstrates technologies in energy conversion, pollution prevention, environmental control, site cleanup, and waste remediation and utilization. Areas of expertise include air pollution control; environmental management; environmental engineering; air toxics research; mercury measurement and control; alternative fuels; energy efficiency; water management; and analytical techniques for air, soil, and water. 
The EERC's Plains Organization for Wind Energy ResourcesSM (POWERSM) serves as the regional center of excellence for wind energy. POWER is leading the nation in the assessment, database generation, and development of the vast wind resources of the central and northern Great Plains. POWER was established with the support from the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) and the North Dakota Department of Commerce Division of Community Services (DCS). Through POWER, the EERC works with farmers, land owners, Native Americans, rural businesses, and utilities to facilitate the development and demonstration of wind technologies that may very well bolster rural economies and aid in agricultural diversification. 
The North Dakota Division of Community Services (DCS) is one of four divisions of the North Dakota Department of Commerce. It was established to provide technical assistance to local governments, state agencies, and the executive branch in the areas of community and rural planning and development, policy research and development, and grant program implementation. DCS administers a number of federal and state programs in the areas of community development, energy efficiency/renewable energy, housing, and self-sufficiency. It serves as the official State Energy Office for North Dakota and for many years has actively supported and promoted wind energy development in the state.