The production of electricity by harnessing the power of wind is seeing a resurgence given the need to reduce our reliance on foreign oil and decrease our carbon footprint.  As anyone who has visited CNDE knows, the state of Iowa has considerable wind resources and there has been a concerted effort to increase the wind energy generation and manufacturing operations to support that industry. Given needs related to the reliability of wind generation systems, CNDE has participated in several Iowa State University research and education initiatives related to wind energy.  In April 2011, the National Science Foundation awarded a “Research Experience for Undergraduates” Program in Wind Energy (http://innovate.engineering.iastate.edu/2011/09/20/exploring-the-power-of-wind/).  This summer eleven students focused on various challenges associated with the growth of wind energy production.  Included among the projects was a student project on NDE of wind blade materials.  In August, ISU received word from NSF that the Integrated Graduate Education Research Traineeship (IGERT) office , that our proposal to establish a PhD program in Wind Energy Sciences, Engineering & Policy (WESEP) had been selected.  http://news.engineering.iastate.edu/2011/09/30/iowa-state-receives-multi-million-dollar-grant-to-develop-new-phd-program-in-wind-energy-science-engineering-and-policy/ CNDE is among the organizations supporting the development of this new program.