Wind Farm Developer Donates Two School Buses To Shidler Schools

The Kansas developers of a new wind farm in Osage County donated two new school buses to Shidler Public Schools last week. 

TradeWind Energy officials said the idea came about after TradeWind's Aaron Weigel attended a Shidler school board meeting to share details of the planned Mustang Run wind project in Osage County.

"We strive to be active participants in the communities in which we develop, and we simply couldn't look the other way," said Aaron Weigel.

"I attended a school that reminds me very much of this one, so I know what it's like when a bus breaks down on a dirt road in February 45 minutes into your hour-long ride. To be able to provide the district with some relief, while playing a role in transporting this precious cargo—we couldn't think of a better Christmas gift."  

TradeWind, which is developing the 136 megawatt Mustang Run wind project near Burbank in Osage County, has committed to paying all costs associated with the lease of two buses to Shidler Public Schools for three years, which includes maintenance and tires for the duration of the lease period.

"It will take about three years for our school district to begin receiving tax dollars from the operations at Mustang Run," said Shidler Superintendent John Herzig.

"TradeWind's gift of these school buses helps us bridge the gap and take care of our critical transportation needs until we can count on the increased tax revenue in future years. I guess Santa's sleigh is big and yellow in Osage County this year."

TradeWind is in talks to purchase another Osage County wind farm project.  It is also developing similar projects in Garfield, Grant, Kiowa and Washita counties in Oklahoma.