October 29, 2013
Alabama

Pioneer Green Energy announces Cherokee scholarship fund, simulator project

By William Thornton | October 29, 2013 | al.com

CENTRE, Alabama – Pioneer Green Energy is announcing a partnership with the Cherokee County Board of Education involving scholarships and a wind energy simulator for schools.

Pioneer Green is the Texas-based company currently developing wind energy projects in Cherokee County and Etowah County.

In a news release, the company announced the creation of the Shinbone Wind Scholarship Fund, to which Pioneer Green has pledged at least $30,000 over a 10-year period. The scholarship will benefit three students from each year’s high school graduating class with $1,000 scholarships. The Cherokee County Board of Education will administer the scholarship fund.

The company is also working with the Cherokee County Career and Technology Center to secure a wind turbine simulator for class demonstrations. The simulator would help instruct students in electrical engineering. Pioneer Green has pledged $25,000 in matching funds toward buying and installing the simulator.

Cherokee County Schools Superintendent Mitchell Guice said in a statement that months of planning has gone into the partnership.

“We appreciate Pioneer Green Energy’s leadership and stewardship, and are thankful for any company that is willing to invest in the communities in which it conducts business,” he said.

Pioneer Green officials say they are in the final stages of developing the turbine project for Cherokee County.
Earlier this month, five Cherokee County residents filed suit in an attempt to stop the development. A group of Etowah County residents also filed suit this year, opposing the project in their county.

URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2013/10/29/pioneer-green-energy-announces-cherokee-scholarship-fund-simulator-project/