Greg Poe, an Idaho native and a world renowned airshow pilot, will fly Tuesday, Aug. 24, at a ceremony to formally welcome Idaho’s largest wind farm. Exergy Development group and its partners, which include GE Energy Financial Services, are breaking ground on the largest wind energy production facility in the state.
Poe flies the Fagen MX2, the world’s first ethanol-powered showplane. The aircraft equivalent to a Formula One race car, the high-tech carbon fiber airplane is one of the fastest and most agile of its kind. The ethanol fuel Poe uses gives it a measured 8% more horsepower, cooler engine temperatures, and lower emissions, according to the air show performer.
“We are very pleased to be able to participate in this exciting step toward a greener planet,” said Poe. “We travel all over the country promoting Green Energy, and to be able to do it here at home in such grand fashion is a real honor.”
Poe’s sponsor, Fagen, Inc., is the primary contractor for the project. Fagen will install 122 of the 1.5 megawatt GE wind turbines on farmland near Hagerman and Burley, Idaho, which, when activated, will power approximately 39,700 average Idaho homes, and avoid greenhouse gas emissions equivalent to taking 57,000 cars off the road . The project is expected to create nearly 175 construction jobs, as well as permanent and seasonal employment for ongoing operations. The project is expected to be complete by year’s end.
Poe also commented on the timing of the project: “Renewable energy is readily available for the U.S. in so many ways. Ethanol, wind energy, biomass – all are just waiting to be developed and help reduce our dependency on foreign oil. The time to act is now, and I hope this project will help define the critical attention that this country needs to give to its energy future.”
For more information: 208-473-0923 or GregPoe.com
