Despite having some pretty wind-swept plains, Nebraska has lagged behind other states in wind energy production… including its closest neighbor to the east, Iowa, which boast the nation’s second largest amount of wind energy produced. But that could soon change. This article from the Omaha (NE) World-Herald says Pres. Barack Obama’s push for renewable energy could help Nebraska catch up, …
National Wind Forms Another Community Wind Energy Company
It’s a lucky seven for National Wind, LLC, as the company has announced the formation of Little Rock Wind, LLC, its 7th Minnesota-based, community-owned wind energy company. The latest venture in Big Stone County will develop up to 150 megawatts of wind energy generation within the county. This Little Rock Wind press release says the public will get a chance …
Big Stimulus Bill Might Help Small Wind Turbines
While large-scale infrastructure projects grab the headlines, the recently passed gargantuan-sized $787 billion economic stimulus bill might end up helping a small, emerging, renewable energy business in the United States. This story from CNN says the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009… with its 30 percent investment tax credit for those who buy wind turbines for homes or small …
AWEA Sets Its Sights on 2009 and Beyond
Wind energy celebrated its biggest year in 2008 with 8,000 megawatts being installed–that’s a lot of wind. I wanted to learn more about the industry so I caught up with Susan Williams Sloan, the Outreach Manager for the American Wind Energy Association (AWEA) last week during Commodity Classic. . “2008 really was a banner year for the industry,” said Sloan. …
Biden: Green Jobs Could Pay $50/Hour
Vice President Joe Biden might be known a bit for saying some crazy things, but his latest pronouncement… that some green jobs could pay as much as $50 an hour (see this CNN story)… is some good news to the ears of a nation that is trying to shake the unemployment blues while moving to a renewable energy economy. CBS …
USDA Support for Renewable Energy
The U.S. Department of Agriculture will be providing loan guarantees to help the ethanol industry, according to Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack. At last week’s USDA Outlook Conference, Vilsack said the USDA “has a responsibility for keeping an eye on that industry” to maintain an infrastructure to produce the next generation of biofuels. Vilsack also says USDA is working with …
Obama’s Budget Calls for $15 billion for Renewables
After alluding to putting $15 billion in renewable energy development during his State of the Union Address (see my post from last Tuesday night), Pres. Barack Obama has officially called for the money in his first budget. From his statement posted on the White House Web page: Because our future depends on our ability to break free from oil that’s …
Dell’s Oklahoma Facility to Run on Windpower
Dell Computer officials have announced their 240,000 square-foot campus in Oklahoma City will be powered entirely by wind energy. This story from PC Magazine says the move boosts Dell’s renewable energy use by 35 percent nationwide and is part of the company’s overall goal of becoming the greenest technology company on Earth: The Oklahoma City facility is gearing up to …
Obama Calls for $15 Billion for Alternative Energy Development
Just moments ago, Pres. Barack Obama, in his first State of the Union Address, laid out his plan he believes will lead to the recovery of the U.S. economy. And alternative energy could wind up being a big winner as part of the plan. Obama said that while “we have known for decades that our survival depends on finding new …
Texas Company About to Offer Rooftop Wind Turbines
An Austin, Texas company says it is about ready to offer wind turbines that can be installed on top of buildings… not just open fields. This story from KVUE-TV in Austin says Building Turbines hopes to cash in on the need for alternative energy, while making use of urban areas and high-rise buildings: “The blades are UV-protected, sail-type material that …