PLATTSBURGH -- Clinton Community College wants a role in the alternative-energy business.
CCC's Board of Trustees approved a resolution for a new program in wind energy and turbine technology, which will result in an associate in applied science degree.
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The program, developed by math/science professor Janice Padula, came about as a work-force initiative designed to address alternative-energy careers in the area because of the growing need for trained technicians.
"With wind energy as the largest-growing industry in the world, the college is in a perfect position to offer the program and begin teaching the necessary courses," Padula said.
NCCC GRANT
CCC joins North Country Community College as the only schools in the area that will offer such training.
Earlier this month, Noble Environmental Power of Connecticut pledged to provide a $50,000 development grant to NCCC to design a two-year degree and training program in alternative energy. The main focus there will initially be on wind-power-generation training to address the growing demand in Franklin County's job market.
Future plans for the program include tracks in hydropower generation and solar energy.
LOCAL GROWTH
The erection of wind turbines locally inspired the CCC project.
Noble Environmental Power's Clinton and Ellenburg wind parks are up and running.
The $360 million investment has created jobs and will help reduce taxes while generating enough clean energy to power 60,000 homes -- not necessarily locally -- and bringing an estimated $231 million in revenue to the rural economy over the next 20 years.
There are projects under way in Altona and Chateaugay and plans for possible wind parks in Burke and Brandon. Residents have been concerned about a wind project proposed for Beekmantown.
New York wants to have 25 percent of all state electricity coming from renewable energy within five years.
LOCAL WORKERS
"We have over 200 turbines (in the area), and we will probably have twice that many at some point, and it looks like the prediction is two technicians for every turbine is going to be required to keep things running smoothly," Padula said.
"We will need some technically trained people for this county who can keep those turbines running. Asking these people to come from somewhere else is just not realistic when many people in the community can be trained to do those repairs."
The 66-credit program, specifically geared toward turbine maintenance, has been submitted to the State University of New York and the State Education Department for approval.
"We can't advertise it until it is approved," Padula said. "So once that document is approved, we will be recruiting students."
The program will enable graduates to remain in technical careers in the field or go on to four-year degrees.
The companies building the wind parks have toured CCC's facilities and think the school could become "the center of excellence for this kind of training in the state of New York," Padula said.
"It is a pride I think we should have in Clinton County, and it is a pride Clinton Community College has in developing this program."
sbartlett@pressrepublican.com
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