Lawmakers in the Illinois State House have passed what’s considered a pretty ambitious renewable energy standard calling for the state to buy up to 25% of its renewable energy sources by 2025. According to a press release posted on the Environmental Law and Policy Center web site, wind power is seen as the main source for clean power: “Developing wind …
Thune Calls for Extension of Wind Power Incentive
Senator John Thune (R-South Dakota) is asking Congress to extend the Renewable Energy Production Tax Credit, which will expire next year, through 2012. The incentive is a two-cent-per-kWh tax credit for renewable electricity production. This story on the Black Hills Today web site, says the credit makes wind energy more competitive: “As our nation’s energy demands continue to grow at …
Turning Highways into Wind Farms
Interesting concept was posted on the web site Engadget.com. Some student designs are proposing that windmills, such as the one shown on the left, would be built above the nation’s highways. As cars whooshed by, the wind would turn the turbines and produce electricity. Proponents say its a way to produce green energy, even when the original source is not …
New Wind Project in Iowa
If the Iowa Utilities Board approves it, an expansion by a major wind energy producer in Iowa will nearly double that state’s wind power generation capacity. According to this story on RenewableEnergyAccess.com, MidAmerican Energy wants to add 540 megawatts of wind energy production. “In addition to the environmental benefit of adding new wind energy production in Iowa, customers of MidAmerican …
Small Wind Tax Break
Those who generate their own power through small windmills could get a tax credit for the cost of the turbines. According to this article posted on Compositeworld.com, the Rural Wind Energy Development Act is primarily sponsored by U.S. Senators Ken Salazar (D-CO), and Gordon Smith (R-OR), and co-sponsored by Sens. Byron Dorgan (D-ND) and Larry Craig (R-ID): The “Rural Wind …
Wind Energy Makes Big US Gains
A new American Wind Energy Association report shows that in 2006, more than 2,400 megawatts of new power generation was installed in the U.S.. According to an association news release, that represents a $4 billion investment. Texas leads the way with nearly 2,800 MW of wind energy production in the state. California is in second place with Iowa, Minnesota, and …
Eagles Making Philly Windy City
The Philadelphia Eagles color is green, and officials with the organization also want to make it a way of life. According to a press release on the team’s web site, owner Christina Lurie says employees living in the Philadelphia area and New Jersey will be reimbursed for buying wind energy. The announcement came during the NFL’s Business Summit being held …
Mitsubishi Wind and Solar Efforts
Mechanical giant Mitsubishi Heavy Industries will build a wind turbine model bigger than anything else in the industry in Europe by the year 2010 and establish more solar panel manufacturing bases overseas. According to this article in Forbes, the move is part of Mitsubishi’s change in focus from the U.S. to European markets: The wind turbine for the European market …
Wind Power 2007 Registration
The folks at the American Wind Energy Association remind you that Monday, April 9th is the deadline to sign up for early registration for the Wind Power 2007 Conference and Exhibition, June 3-6 in Los Angeles, CA. Organizers promise the latest industry trends and information with more than 50 educational sessions featuring the new Scientific Track: WINDPOWER 2007 Highlights: Pre-Conference …
Wind Farm on the Way for ND
Minnkota Power Cooperative, Inc., and Otter Tail Power Company have announced they will develop the Langdon Wind Project… which will become the largest wind farm in North Dakota. According to a company press release, the 25-year agreements say Minnkota will purchase 99 megawatts of wind-generated power and Otter Tail Power Company will buy 19.5 MW of wind power. Also, Otter …