Orrin Hatch: “this past August I had the opportunity to visit Beaver County, Utah, where I met an educator who is working tirelessly…”

“this past August I had the opportunity to visit Beaver County, Utah, where I met an educator who is working tirelessly to prepare our Nation's youth for success in our transformative economy. This rural area of southwest Utah is home to my State's major energy initiatives, including the largest wind farm in Utah. In 2001 a local shop teacher, Andy Swapp, observed that Milford, UT could capitalize on the powerful winds in the area. Inspiring his students to learn about renewable energy, the class applied to Utah's anemometer loan program to erect a 20 meter meteorological tower. As the students collected and analyzed the wind data, they attracted the attention of a wind prospector named Curtis Whittaker. Mr. Whittaker was impressed with the preliminary data but more so with the dedication, enthusiasm and accomplishments of eighth grade students. He sent a 50 meter tower to Milford High School for Mr. Swapp and students to construct in the wind-swept desert. Mr. Swapp used the real world project to teach students about wind turbines and power outputs, inspiring students to apply their classroom lessons to developing solutions for affordable, abundant energy. As the commercial wind farm developed, Mr. Swapp's classes were continually relied upon for data collection while receiving training in wind farm maintenance operations. Over the last decade, Mr. Swapp's students participated in all phases of completing Utah's largest commercial wind farm. Mr.…”