Barber County Development, Inc. (BCD) has setup a renewable energy group. The group is to establish education and promote economic development through Energy efficiency, and the use of renewable sources. The group would help agricultural producers and area businesses in their energy efficiency improvements. Work with eligible projects to find eligible grants (as we did with the Kiowa Bio plant review in 2006)

Projects range from wind, solar, biomass, and energy consumption reduction.

Education is a major part of the group goals. The group will be working with the area schools on winds projects, and have a Renewable Energy Conference Planned for 2008 Medicine Lodge, KS. (date pending). Check the BCD web site for more information in the future. As discussed this would be a one day “area wide educational outreach” with programs ranging from efficiency to renewable and an overview of USDA Energy programs.

Goals, the three “E”

• Education
• Energy cost reduction to Barber county farms, businesses, schools and residents.
• Economic development

Westar Launches Kansas' Largest Wind Energy Program

http://money.cnn.com/news/newsfeeds/articles/prnewswire/AQM209A01102007-1.htm

The Flat Ridge Wind Farm is a proposed 100 MW (500 MW planned) wind-powered
electric generating project to be located in Barber County, Kansas. BP Alternative Energy North America Inc. is developing the project through its subsidiary, Flat Ridge Wind Energy, LLC. Construction of the project is expected to start in 2008. At completion, Westar will own 50 MW of power generation and will purchase the remaining 50 MW under a power purchase agreement.