In these times of tough economic news, a new wind could be blowing opportunity into the Midwest. This story from the Minneapolis-St. Paul Business Journal says a report from the think tank Minnesota 2020 says that state, already the fourth largest provider of wind energy in the nation, could create more than 2,200 jobs and generate about $9 billion in …
World Wind Potential Much Higher than Estimates
A new study says the potential of wind energy around the world is much higher than what either wind industry groups or government agencies have been estimating. This story in the New York Times says a Harvard University study shows that the U.S. could end up being the big leader in wind power: Using data from thousands of meteorological stations, …
Congress Urged to Fund Wind Energy
Congress is being urged to make more money available for wind-energy research. This story from the Abilene Reporter News says that Andrew Swift, director of the Wind Science and Engineering Research Center at Texas Tech, made the case for a federal proposal to pump $200 million a year into research and development for wind power: “I believe if research and …
Lack of Capital Shelves Pickens Wind Plan
Plans to build the world’s largest wind farm have been put on hold, as billionaire oil man T. Boone Pickens cites a lack of capital and infrastructure. CNN reports that Pickens has announced that his 4,000 megawatt Pampa Wind Project planned for the Texas panhandle is on hold: “I had hoped that Pampa would be the starting point, but transmission …
Missouri Could Be Wind, Biofuels & Biomass Center
A new report says Missouri could become a real center for wind power, biomass, biogas and other sources of renewable energy, while creating thousands of jobs and more tax revenues, especially in rural areas of the state. This story in the St. Louis Business Journal says the Natural Resources Defense Council report points out that Missourians spend more than $18 …
“Pure Energy” Radio Show to Debut
The first national radio show dedicated to the business of renewable energy will make its debut from the Miami studios of 880 The Biz (WZAB) on Monday, July 13, at 6:00 pm Eastern time. Pure Energy is hosted by noted energy expert Sean O’Hanlon, Executive Director of the American Biofuels Council (ABC). “We’re going to talk about all forms of …
USDA Small Wind Turbine Grants Due July 31st
There has been speculation as to when some of the funds dedicated to developing renewable energy will come to fruition. It looks like this is finally happening. Farmers, ranchers and rural business owners have until July 31, 2009 to apply for the USDA Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) grants. The grants provide funds to purchase and install small wind …
Tri-State, Duke Energy Ink Colorado Wind Deal
A power company that serves portions of Colorado, Nebraska, New Mexico and Wyoming has inked a 20-year deal to sell power from a 51-megawatt wind energy farm that will be built in East Central Colorado. This company press release says Tri-State Generation and Transmission Association and a subsidiary of Duke Energy Corp. signed the deal that will help Tri-State meet …
New Shape of Wind Energy is a Cube
Many times when you think of wind turbines, you think of giant, white blades turning effortlessly in the breezes above a Midwestern farm field. But in order for wind energy to become better accepted, it’s got to be practical in the cities and suburban areas that don’t always have the winds you might see on the prairies and coastal areas. …
Farmers Eligible for Wind Energy Grants
Some farmers might be eligible for federal grants to cover the cost of putting in a wind energy turbine. This ZDNet blog entry says farmers and ranchers in rural areas with fewer than 15 employees have until July 31, 2009 to apply for the USDA Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) grants: The grants can be used to cover 25 …