As our national and state leaders recognize the need for a new generation of clean, domestic, unending supply of energy, voices around the country from all walks of life say the same thing: We need more renewable energy. The most viable form of renewable energy today is wind. Kansas has the potential to supply millions of homes in the United States with emission-free, cost-competitive, never-ending wind energy.

Iberdrola Renewables is the world leader in the renewable energy sector with more than 8,000 megawatts of clean, sustainable wind energy projects in operation worldwide. Our assets are operating safely in 19 countries. Our pipeline of wind projects under development includes over 43,000 megawatts, more than half of which is located in the United States. We as a company have committed to increase our current installed capacity to 13,500 megawatts by 2010. We just announced a new five-year strategic plan to invest âǨ18.8 billion in our businesses, including increased wind energy capacity, by 2012.

Iberdrola Renewables is part of the Iberdrola group of companies, the fourth largest electricity company in the world. We got our start more than a century ago in renewable energy through the use of hydro-powered electricity. Today, the generation mix that serves our electricity customers is heavily comprised of low-emission technology through the use of wind, natural gas, nuclear, and hydro-powered electricity. The green leaf in our logo refers to our corporate commitment to the environment.

Iberdrola Renewables has won national and state awards for its track record on health and safety as well as ecological stewardship. Representatives from our company hold leadership positions within the American Wind Energy Association's Health and Safety Committee as well as the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's Federal Advisory Committee on Wind Power Guidelines. This international and domestic experience, along with our financial and environmental commitment to responsible renewable energy development in the United States helps to ensure that from development to construction, and through commercial operation, our wind farms will be safe, reliable, productive and will enhance the communities in which we have had the privilege to locate them.

The development and implementation of wind energy in the United States means more new domestic jobs. Iberdrola Renewables alone employs more than 650 people in the U.S., and that number is growing each month. The fastest-growing segment of our job openings for wind technicians is in rural areas. Nationally, according to the American Wind Energy Association, the wind industry employs more than 10,000 people.

Iberdrola Renewables' commitment to our host communities is evident from our 20 operating American wind projects. In Butler County, Kansas, for example, we have worked with local tourism groups to encourage visitors to the area, supported youth leadership forums at our Elk River Wind Project and support local school activities. In Ellis County, we are proud to sponsor this summer's local fair.

We would like to thank the Ellis County Planning Commission for their leadership in recommending approval of the Hays Wind Project's Conditional Use Permit application in June. We would also like to thank Gov. Sebelius and her staff for their advocacy of expanding wind energy in Kansas. It is through the progressive vision and dedication to a sustainable future on the part of local and state leaders that wind projects come to fruition. Finally, we would like to thank the people of Ellis County. We understand that wherever we are permitted to build a wind project, we are being offered a partnership with the community. We are dedicated to trying to ensure that such partnerships are satisfactory for all.

Jesse Gronner, West Region director, Iberdrola Renewables