And the Winner Is: Wind Uprising, a Wind Powering America Success Story

Aug. 3, 2010

Plenty of kudos mark the release of the aptly titled, award-winning documentary Wind Uprising, a half-hour film that tells the story of the journey to develop Utah's first commercial wind project. The film won the Seven Summits Award in the environmental film category at the Mountain Film Festival in Mammoth, California, in February 2010 and it also won the Silver Sierra Award at the 2010 Yosemite Film Festival.

Wind Uprising chronicles common wind energy roadblocks and the solutions found in the 4-year effort to develop the Spanish Fork Wind Project, with a behind-the-scenes look at overcoming hurdles such as policy and legislative barriers, community resistance, and energy transmission issues.

The film depicts the value of wind power and serves as a "how to" guide through local ordinances, grant programs, site development, and a myriad of challenges faced by wind developers. Stakeholders interviewed for the film include utility executives, the Governor's energy advisor, and legislative representatives.

It was written and produced by Utah State University marketing professors Cathy Hartman and Ed Stafford, who have researched renewable energy and clean technology for 15 years. Engaged in local grassroots and entrepreneurial efforts to jumpstart wind development in Utah, the two recognized the historic significance of the state's first wind project, knowing that the success of clean energy depends not only on establishing markets but also on building social movements for communities.

The film was funded from the Renewable Energy for Rural Economic Development Project, under the U.S. Department of Energy's Wind Powering America.

More Information

Here you will find links to articles about the film.