There is no arguing: Kansas is and always has been an incredible place to live. Our state is full of great communities ideal for setting your roots. While Kansas’ history has built itself as a perfect place to call home, we are only as strong today as we are tomorrow, and it is essential today to build a better tomorrow. We must consider how we will build a sustainable economy, ensuring future generations can thrive, and renewable energy is the answer to achieving a sustainable economic future.
Unsurprisingly, our state has made great strides in its energy generation portfolio, generating 45% of our in-state electricity through renewable sources. As the Operations Manager for EDP Renewables North America’s (EDPR NA) Prairie Queen Wind Farm, I can assure you that clean energy provides far more than sustainable electricity to the people who live in this great state. This 199-megawatt (MW) wind farm keeps our state powered by providing enough energy equivalent to the consumption of more than 54,000 average Kansas homes.
Prairie Queen created 350 full-time construction jobs and 21 permanent jobs to operate and maintain the wind farm, which serve as long-lasting, competitive pay career opportunities. One of the most rewarding parts of my job is seeing new team members develop their professional skillset over the years of working in the industry. These paychecks go to people living, spending, and investing in our communities — families who are buying groceries from the local market, eating out at our restaurants, shopping at local stores — returning the money right back into our economy. These funds have equated to more than $2.8 million of spending within 50 miles of the project, and these jobs directly impact our economy and our future.
Additionally, the wind farm will pay millions of dollars to local Kansas governments, which go toward ensuring that local municipalities have the funding they need to provide for their community, including new textbooks for our kids, new bridges for our commutes, and equipment for our emergency services. Without these funds coming from the wind farm, local governments often raise taxes, or the services run the risk of going unfunded. Prairie Queen allows our community to enhance and improve without having the money come out of our pockets. And, since most wind turbine materials are created right here in the United States, we are also helping our national economy grow.
Kansas is the best state in the country to live, work, and raise a family. I am proud to be able to provide for my family through my work in renewable energy — not only financially but also knowing that it will create a better economic future is a bonus. If we ensure renewable energy remains a mainstay in our communities, we will have a surplus of energy, financial investment, and career opportunities to provide for the next generation. In Kansas, we are investing in tomorrow and making the most of today through renewable energy.
About the author: Kevin Cook is the operations manager at the Prairie Queen Wind Farm in Moran.
