Survey Shows Drought Spurs Need for Alt Energy

Joanna Schroeder

According to a recent ORC International survey, 81 percent of Americans are concerned about “increased drought” and other extreme weather conditions. Conducted on behalf of the Civil Society Institute (CSI), the poll results showed that concerns about drought, of which the many states have been severely affected, go hand in hand with worries about water shortages. Three out of four …

Energy, Environment, global warming, Oil, Solar, water, Wind

CGE Offers Wind Energy Grants

Joanna Schroeder

Schools, governments, public facilities and public school sectors have the opportunity to apply for a wind energy grant that will help institutions reduce their energy bills for five years. Sponsored by Clean Green Energy (CGE), the “Wind for a Better Community Grant” will be awarded to up to 25 institutions for five years. The grant recipients’ buildings will be powered by …

Electricity, Energy, Wind

Wind Energy Grows; Manufacturing Keeps Pace

John Davis

The Department of Energy has released a report on the expansion of wind energy in the U.S. and the U.S. manufacturing that is supporting the surge. The nation was one of the world’s largest and fastest growing wind markets in the world in 2011. Wind power represented 32-percent of all new electric capacity added in the U.S. last year. The …

Government, Wind

Marine Exchange Goes Green

Joanna Schroeder

The Marine Exchange of Southern California has just completed a renewable energy project that included the addition of solar and wind power. The energy generated will power all the Marine Exchange electricity needs for its operations for tracking vessels entering and leaving all Southern California waters. The $450,000 project was supported by the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power …

Electricity, Energy, Solar, Wind

‘Clean Energy Victory Bonds’ Would Spur Alt Energy

Joanna Schroeder

U.S. Representative Bob Filner has introduced the “Clean Energy Victory Bonds Act of 2012 (PTC)” that would allow Americans to invest billions of dollars to help develop clean energy technologies. The bill has good support: 10 co-sponsors, Green America and more than 40 other institutions have come out in support of the legislation. The majority of the production tax credits …

advanced biofuels, Biodiesel, bioenergy, Cellulosic, Electric Vehicles, Electricity, Energy, energy efficiency, Geothermal, Solar, Wind

Senate Finance Committee Approves Tax Package With Alt Energy Credits

Joanna Schroeder

The Senate Finance Committee has approved a bipartisan tax extenders package that includes aid for the alternative energy industry. The package includes the $1 per gallon biodiesel Blender’s Credit; an extension of the wind energy Production Tax Credit; an extension of the Investment Tax Credit (ITC) for the development of offshore and community wind projects; and an extension of the producer …

advanced biofuels, AEC, Biodiesel, Cellulosic, NBB, Wind

Raise Carbon Price

Joanna Schroeder

The European wind power industry is backing a proposal submitted by the European Commission to increase the price of carbon. This would be accomplished by delaying the auctioning of carbon allowances through the Emission Trading System (ETS). This action must be approved by Member States and the European Parliament. “The European Commission has finally taken the first step towards boosting …

Electricity, Energy, Wind

Wind O&M Market Forecast to Double

Joanna Schroeder

The wind operations and maintenance services (O&M) market is forecast to nearly double by 2025 from approximately $3 billion in 2012 to nearly $6 billion in 2025. Also according to a recent report from IHS Emerging Energy Research on U.S. Wind O&M Strategies, O&M is expected to account for over one-third of total capital expenditures over the next decade. In …

Electricity, Energy, Wind

Offshore Wind Energy in Europe Doubles

Joanna Schroeder

Yesterday I wrote about the progress of an offshore wind project in the UK, the Blyth Offshore Wind Demonstration project. Today The European Wind Energy Association (EWEA) has said that 2012 could be the best year ever for offshore wind energy in Europe. Just this year 532.2 megawatts (MW) or 132 offshore wind turbines have been connected to the grid …

Electricity, Energy, Wind

Offshore Wind Project Sails Ahead

Joanna Schroeder

The Blyth Offshore Wind Demonstration Site off the UK coast is sailing ahead. SeaRoc, a marine engineering company, has been contracted to install the foundation, equipment platform and meteorological mast for the wind energy project. SeaRoc is taking over for the previous contractor and construction is scheduled to begin within the next two months. Andrew Mill, CEO of Narec, the …

Electricity, Energy, Wind