The Chambers for Innovation and Clean Energy, an information network for local chambers of commerce, is calling for Congress to extend the Production Tax Credit (PTC) for the wind industry. There are 240 chamber of commerce members from 47 states supporting PTC and in a letter explained that the expiration of the PTC would hurt local economies, send jobs elsewhere …
Eisenhower Corporate Campus Goes Solar
The Eastman Companies’ Eisenhower Corporate Campus in Livingston, NJ has flipped the switch on a 500 kW solar PV system. New Jersey is one of the leading states for solar installations. A portion of the solar system, 68kW, was installed on a hillside near the campus allowing those passing by to see the solar array. The solar system is just …
Offshore Wind Part of Europe’s Blue Growth
The European Commission is looking at the marine and maritime industry to help Europe’s economic recovery. The European Commission has released its ‘Blue Growth‘ strategy and included in areas of growth is the offshore wind energy industry. The European Wind Energy Association (AWEA) is predicting the offshore wind energy industry will have a five-fold increase in offshore wind jobs within …
AWEA Wants New 2030 Renewable Energy Target
Several Ministers met earlier this week at an informal Energy Council meeting in Nicosia. In response, the European Wind Energy Association (EWEA) warned that their credibility was at risk if they debated future renewable energy policy without considering a new 2030 European Union (EU) Renewable Energy target. The discussion was not on the group’s agenda. “There is no point debating …
Ag Energy Coalition Urges Passage of Farm Bill
The 2012 Farm Bill has been big news this week as the agricultural industry, along with dozens of other groups, call for Congress to pass the bill before it sunsets on September 30, 2012. Earlier this week the Farm Bill Now coalition held a rally in Washington, D.C. that included participation of all Iowa legislators. The Agriculture Energy Coalition (AgEC) …
Iowa Groups Call for Renewal of PTC
Nearly 65 entities in Iowa have come together from all walks including agriculture, education, labor, business, public health, and the environment, in a call to Iowa’s congressional delegation to extend the wind production tax credit (PTC) for wind. A letter was sent to the legislators highlighting the wide reach of the wind industry from manufacturing jobs to income for farmers …
Indiana Tech Installs Wind Turbine on Campus
Universities across the country have been integrating renewable energy classes but Indiana Tech has gone one step further than most. They have installed a wind turbine on its Fort Wayne campus to help engineering students learn about alternative energy. The turbine is located next to the Zollner Engineering Center and a gift from the Steel Dynamics Foundation covered the cost …
Wind Blades By Rail
As you travel along major U.S. highways, it is not unusual to see semis traveling in packs of three transporting wind turbine blades. But have you ever seen them blow by on rail? Not yet but this may be a new transportation option going forward. For the first time in Europe, 55-metre long wind blades have been delivered from Germany …
Solar Freedom Now Campaign Launched
The American Solar Energy Society (ASES) has launched a new campaign, Solar Freedom Now (SFN). The initiative aims to attack a major barrier to solar energy deployment – cost and the paperwork and red tape that doubles installation costs. The goal of ASES is to make it fast and easy to install rooftop solar panels. The first step of the Solar Freedom …
Wind Farms – A Win for America
According to a new report, “American Wind Farms: Breaking Down the Benefits from Planning to Production,” released by the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC), on average a 250 megawatt wind farm will create 1,079 jobs throughout the sector including manufacturing, construction engineering and management. Yet, NRDC says the benefits don’t end there. A second study, “At Wind Speed: How the U.S. …