It’s kind of a good news/bad news thing. One the one hand, the wait to get wind turbines seems to be easing. But as this article from Greentech Media says, the credit crunch is helping ease that backlog: “Turbines are available now, which is refreshing,” said Brad Johnson, director of business development at John Deere Renewables, on Thursday. “Before the …
Another Record Year for Wind Power
Another nearly 1,400 megawatts (MW) of wind energy has been installed during the last three months, putting the U.S. wind energy industry on a record-setting pace again this year. The American Wind Energy Association says the latest figure brings this year’s total to 4,204 MW: With even more reported under construction, the industry is on track to surpass the banner …
Alternatives Fuel Michigan Senate Race
With high gas prices cutting into motorists’ pocketbooks and Michigan’s auto industry, it’s no wonder that biodiesel, ethanol, wind and solar are figuring into the U.S. Senate race between incumbent Democrat Carl Levin and Republican Jack Hoogendyk. This story from MLive.com says the two have very different approaches on how to fix the energy crisis that has crippled the state: …
Wind Is Energy ‘Gift’ For Native Americans
“The buffalo were a gift,” [Tribal official Ken Haukaas] continued. “The wind is a gift.” Native Americans on the Great Plains are harvesting a new gift these days… wind power. This story in the New York Times says tribes such as the Rosebud Sioux on the border of Nebraska and South Dakota are builidng wind turbine farms, which could give …
Mo Gov Candidates Debate But Agree on Alternative Energy
Candidates for governor in Missouri aren’t seeing eye-to-eye on much these days (and trust me… we’re hearing and seeing plenty of tit-for-tat attack ads here in Central Missouri), but Republican Kenny Hulshof and Democrat Jay Nixon did seem to agree on the importance of renewable energy during their debate this week in Kansas City. According to this story in the …
NJ Gov Looks to Triple Offshore Wind Power
New Jersey Governor Jon Corzine has announced he wants to triple the goal for the amount of offshore wind power the state will produce by 2020. Corzine called for the higher amount as he announced the selection of Garden State Offshore Energy (GSOE) as the recipient of a grant incentive to build New Jersey’s first offshore wind pilot: “Our draft …
Delaware PSC Approves Wind Contracts.
Delaware’s Public Service Commission has given the OK on some land-based wind contracts between Delmarva Power and two developers. This story in the News Journal says the 20-year deal between Delmarva and Synergics will produce a maximum of 100 megawatts of wind power from two wind farms in western Maryland: Commissioners also voted unanimously to approve a 15-year deal with …
Solving Global Warming Gets Debaters Going
Just when I thought we would not get much on renewable energy in tonight’s presidential debate from Belmont University in Nashville, a question from the crowd has started the conversation in earnest. A lady asked if the candidates would take the same quick call-to-action approach to solve the looming global warming crisis as we saw in the recent financial crisis. …
Report: Biodiesel, Ethanol & Renewables to Create 4.2 Million US Jobs
A new report from the U.S. Conference of Mayors says 4.2 million Americans will have green industry jobs by 2038… a dramatic increase from the current 750,000 green jobs in the country now. “This report proves that being green is not optional, it is necessary for a healthy and robust economy,” said U.S. Conference of Mayors President Miami Mayor Manny …
Wall Street Bailout Bails Out Stalled Biodiesel, Solar & Wind Credits
The U.S. House of Representatives has reversed direction from just a week ago and approved 263-171 the Senate’s version of the $700 billion bill to fix the nation’s financial crisis. And this story from Reuters says incentives for biodiesel, wind and solar are also the big benefactors from the vote: Legislation to extend the renewable energy tax credits, which were …