A group of UCCS MBA students believe current tax credits and rebates can make wind power profitable for the Pikes Peak region.
A class of 35 master’s-level business students conducted a 360-degree study of regional alternative energy issues. They will release their findings at a public meeting at 4:30 p.m. May 14 in Dwire Hall 121.
Some of the key findings are:
- Renewable energy jobs are likely to pay more than $50,000 annually.
- The greatest job growth will come from a manufacturing plant.
- A wind farm in El Paso County has the potential to generate a 17 percent annualized rate of return for investors.
“The results of the study are significant because they provide real answers to critical questions about the region’s growth prospects,” Fred Crowley, senior instructor, Business, said. “We do not have to wonder about ‘what if’ situations. We have solutions. What these students have learned can help our entire community focus its efforts to move us into the era of renewable energy.”
The students gathered comprehensive data through interviews with utilities, windmill manufacturers and other organizations. They scrutinized federal, state, and local laws, examined environmental issues and analyzed the financial impact.
-- Jana Hyde
Leave a Reply