[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 102 (Wednesday, July 24, 2002)]
[Senate]
[Page S7304]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




         COMMENDING NATIONAL PUBLIC RADIO AND BOISE STATE RADIO

  Mr. CRAPO. Mr. President, with great pride, I commend National Public 
Radio and its Idaho affiliate, Boise State Radio, for their creative 
application of wind power technology.
  With unprecedented innovation, in what is believed to be the first 
public radio transmitter site to rely on the power of wind, Boise State 
Radio and National Public Radio have erected three state-of-the-art 
wind turbines in order to provide broadcast service to previously 
unreachable areas in southern Idaho and northeastern Nevada.
  In an age when just 3 percent of electricity in today's national mix 
comes from renewable sources, Boise State Radio and National Public 
Radio have committed to expanding their services while advancing the 
use of clean, efficient power sources.
  The American Wind Energy Association estimates that Idaho has the 
potential to generate over 8,000 megawatts of wind power, placing our 
State in a unique position to contribute significantly to domestic 
energy production.
  At the same time, it is clear that the overall economy is changing 
and that rural America is shouldering a great deal of this weight. The 
fact is, many of the jobs that have been lost over the last decade 
might never return. While continuing to support our traditional 
industries, we must also be creative in capitalizing on new 
opportunities for rural communities.
  By expanding communications and providing a new facet to the rural 
economic infrastructure, the generation of wind power serves not only 
to maintain our Nation's available resources, but also to advance 
economic opportunity in rural America.
  Recognizing Idaho's wind power potential and its benefits to our 
economies, National Public Radio and Boise State Radio are emerging as 
leaders in the advancement of environmentally efficient energy 
technology. This further serves as evidence that opportunities exist 
right at home to increase energy production that would boost our 
electricity supply and reduce dependence on foreign fuels, such as oil, 
which we import primarily from the Middle East.
  We need to make the best use of our domestic renewable energy 
resources to ensure a secure, reliable, and clean energy supply while 
improving the economies of rural Idaho and rural America.
  National Public Radio and Boise State Radio: On behalf of Idahoans 
and millions of Americans, I salute you.

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