Education:
Meets monthly with the intent to provide a forum for managing advocacy and outreach for DWEA. The main intent is to identify the needs of members through working with other committees. For example, this committee unveils opportunities such as webinars to educate installers and dealers on permitting and zoning or funding options. DWEA plans to increase its engagement in social media, which needs to be managed and updated regularly. Messaging and marketing is a consideration for outreach to the public. Other areas of consideration are the management of the organization’s grassroots efforts on all levels. Co-chairs are Brian Hanson and Annie Sznajder.
Executive:
This committee is composed of the officers of DWEA and it meets more often than the Board of Directors. It provides guidance to the DWEA staff and committees on day-to-day matters and it sends major policy or governance issues to the DWEA Board of Directors.
Federal Policy:
Meets bi-weekly and deals with policy and market matters that are affected or funded by the federal government, including the Congress and the administration. These areas of interest include all types of federal incentives, barriers, research and development, federal distributed wind applications and markets, and foreign assistance. Co-chairs are Mike Bergey and Andy Kruse.
Installer:
Meets monthly and provides a forum for distributed wind dealers across the country to identify the barriers they experience on a daily basis. The committee focuses on solutions and opportunities, and develops ways to respond to problems as needed. This includes, but is not limited to webinars, promotion of trainings held by manufacturers and NABCEP, tools on how to work with manufacturers, and distribution of an installer newsletter. Co-chairs are Roger Dixon and Tal Mamo.
Mid-Size Committee:
Meets monthly with the intent to provide a forum for the mid-size sector across the country to identify the barriers and opportunities. Immediate barriers to consider include: financing, O&M and long-term policy solutions. The committee focuses on solutions and opportunities, and develops ways to respond to problems as needed. The committee includes manufacturers, developers and distributer/dealers. The committee has two co-chairs who understand the resources within DWEA and leverage the organization to provide solutions for fellow mid-size sector members. Co-chairs are Kevin Schulte and Andrew Trapanese.
Permitting & Zoning:
Meets bi-weekly and deals with all matters relating to permitting and zoning issues with small and community wind systems. The committee creates, compiles and maintains permitting resource materials, including model ordinances and fact sheets, and organizes member services in support of individual project permitting. The committee serves as a resource for the other committees. Co-chairs are Alan Axworthy and Mick Sagrillo.
State Policy:
Meets bi-weekly to address policy and market matters that are affected or funded by state governments. These areas of interest include all manners of incentives and barriers. The committee monitors state legislation through a partnership with the North Carolina Solar Energy Center (which maintains the DSIRE database and web site). The committee focuses on those states that offer the greatest market potential. Co-chairs are Chad Palmer and Greg Price.
Standards:
Deals with all standards affecting small and community wind systems, including AWEA 2009- 9.1 (certification), IEC 61400-2 (certification), NEC Section 694 (wiring), IEEE 1547 (interconnection), IBC 2009 / EIA-222-g (tower structures), and UL 6142 (electrical safety). Co-chairs are Mike Bergey and Troy Hewitt.