FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

December 08, 2009

TIA to Investigate Design Structures for Small Wind Turbines

Embracing TIA's Commitment to Developing Sustainable Standards, Engineering Committee TR-14.7 Accepts American Wind Energy Association's Request for Assistance

Arlington, Va. – As the nation and the world consider new and alternative sources of energy as part of the global sustainability drive to reduce carbon emissions, the Telecommunications Industry Association (TIA), the leader in standards development for the information and communications technology (ICT) industry, has agreed to investigate design structures for small wind turbines with the intent to participate in the development of a new standard based on its work in developing and maintaining the standard for steel antenna towers.

On November 11th, at a meeting in Southpointe, Pa., the TIA TR-14 Engineering Committee on Point-to-Point Communications, TR-14.7 Subcommittee on Structural Standards for Steel Antenna Towers, was approached by the American Wind Energy Association (AWEA) US/IEC Large Turbine Permitting Guideline - Structural Committee liaison with a request to provide consideration for joint development of a technical standard on small wind turbine structural design.

Members of TIA TR-14.7, which maintains the industry standard for the structural design of steel antenna towers and supporting structures, unanimously agreed to form a technical task group to investigate structural design issues for small wind turbines. The task group will focus on researching and formulating recommendations to address the technical aspects of the design and maintenance of structures supporting small wind generators based upon the approaches outlined in the existing communications tower standard TIA-222-G.

Ultimately, TIA wishes to participate in the offering of a solution to the technical needs of the small wind power industry. TIA and TR-14.7 committee leadership believe this endeavor is a natural extension of the current TIA standard committee expertise.

"TIA is committed to reducing the carbon footprint of the ICT industry," said TIA Vice President for Standards and Technology Cheryl Blum. "Keeping sustainability foremost in mind, we know we can provide a great impact in meeting this mission on behalf of the industry by developing new standards through TIA's engineering committees, and TR-14.7 is absolutely the most appropriate committee to take on the task of design structures for small wind turbines."

"Our committee welcomes the opportunity to work with other industry groups in this effort," said TR-14.7 Chairman Brian Reese of ReliaPOLE Inspection Services, Co.

To learn more about how to participate in standards development with TIA, please contact Stephanie Montgomery at smontgomery@tiaonline.org. To learn more about TR-41, contact Ronda Coulter at rcoulter@tiaonline.org.

To obtain copies of TIA standards, contact IHS International at +1.800.854.7179 (United States and Canada); +1.303.397.7796 (international) or visit global.ihs.com.

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About TIA
The Telecommunications Industry Association (TIA) represents the global information and communications technology (ICT) industry through standards development, advocacy, tradeshows, business opportunities, market intelligence and world-wide environmental regulatory analysis. With roots dating back to 1924, TIA enhances the business environment for broadband, mobile wireless, information technology, networks, cable, satellite and unified communications. Members' products and services empower communications in every industry and market, including healthcare, education, security, public safety, transportation, government, the military, the environment and entertainment.

TIA co-owns the SUPERCOMM^® tradeshow  and is accredited by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI). Visit tiaonline.org.

TIA's Board of Directors includes senior-level executives from ACS, ADC, ADTRAN, Alcatel-Lucent, ANDA Networks, AttivaCorp, Avaya, Bechtel Communications, Inc., Cisco Systems, Corning Incorporated, Ericsson, Inc., GENBAND, Inc., Graybar, Henkels & McCoy, ILS Technology, Intel Corporation, Intersect, Inc., LGE, Microsoft, Motorola, Nokia Siemens Networks, Nortel, Openwave, Inc., Panasonic Computer Solutions Co., Powerwave Technologies, Qualcomm, Research In Motion, Sumitomo Electric Lightwave Corporation, Tellabs, Tyco Electronics, Ulticom, Inc., and Verari Systems. Advisors to the Board include FAL Associates, Orca Systems and Telcordia Technologies.

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