Ground broken on Texas wind turbine testing site

Ground broken in Texas Panhandle on wind turbine testing site, part of West Texas A&M research

CANYON, Texas (AP) -- Ground has been broken for a large-scale wind turbine testing facility in the Texas Panhandle.

Ceremonies were held Tuesday in Canyon on the project involving West Texas A&M University and Underwriters Laboratories. The school and UL unit The DEWI Group have a five-year deal for a testing facility that will also include research and design work.

Don Toplofty, dean of the College of Agriculture, Science and Engineering, says the school has more than 40 years of experience in wind energy research and turbines. The site is expected to start operations by late fall.

UL is providing funds for the facility on 60 acres of school land about 7 miles east of Canyon. Officials say about 2,400 acres nearby will be available for development and growth.

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Online:

http://www.windenergy.org/