Into the Wind - the AWEA Blog

This past weekend the Washington Post Outlook section published a piece of anti-renewable energy propaganda penned by a fossil fuel advocate. The piece purported to be just another in Outlook's 5 Myths series, designed to debunk conventional wisdom, but it appeared more to be an advertisement for Big Energy that got lost on the way to the reject pile.

Fortunately we can point you to a deft and surgical evisceration of the Outlook-sponsored Myths. It is written by Matt Wasson, who is an ecologist and the director of programs for Appalachian Voices. He notes that the author of the Outlook ...

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We realize that the decade-long Cape Wind saga will not be over until the turbines start to turn or the sponsors walk away from the project. This week may, however, begin a new chapter in the epic, as Interior Secretary Salazar is expected to announce his decision.

A “yes” will be a boon to the potential U.S. offshore wind industry, which has been looking to this project for a much-needed jump start. Despite the rich U.S. offshore wind resources, Europe is far ahead of the United States in developing offshore wind, and even China is building a project.

A “yes” is also likely to be a boon ...

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A new independent study conducted for the European Wind Energy Association (EWEA) found that wind energy reduces carbon emissions and electricity prices.

The independent study used data collected in Germany, Denmark and Belgium.

“It has already been well-established that wind reduces CO2 emissions,” said Christian Kjaer, EWEA’s Chief Executive. “But now we have stronger evidence than ever before that wind power also reduces electricity prices for consumers. The message is clear – if you want affordable CO2-free electricity, increase the amount of wind power in your electricity mix.”

A principal argument for increasing wind energy in the United States has been that it will reduce greenhouse gas emissions and put downward pressure on electricity ...

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AWEA CEO Denise Bode attended the White House Reception in the Rose Garden in celebration of the 40th annual Earth Day. In his remarks at the event, President Barack Obama said, "We’ve also renewed our commitment to passing a comprehensive energy and climate bill that will safeguard our planet, and spur innovation and help us to compete in the 21st century." He also told attendees, “I think we all understand that the task ahead is daunting; that the work ahead will not be easy and it’s not going to happen overnight. It’s going to take your leadership. It’s going to take all of your ideas. And it will take all ...

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Voters overwhelmingly support increasing the use of wind power in the U.S. and adopting a strong Renewable Electricity Standard (RES), according to a national poll released today by the American Wind Energy Association (AWEA).

“The poll's bottom line is clear: An overwhelming majority of American voters, on a bipartisan basis, want more wind power and support a national RES to increase its use,” said Anna Bennett and Neil Newhouse, partners respectively with Bennett, Petts & Normington and Public Opinion Strategies, the firms that conducted the poll.

“Wind works for America and that is why voters want Congress to pass a strong national RES,” said AWEA CEO Denise Bode. “Americans understand that an RES will mean new manufacturing jobs, less dependence on ...

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Here is a fact: wind farms and radar can co-exist.

AWEA has compiled a document that describes the current state of play on wind and radar conflicts, and also suggests ways those disputes can be resolved.

The fact sheet notes, “The growth necessary to achieve 20% or more of our nation’s electricity needs from wind is unlikely to be achieved without resolving radar and airspace concerns. And these concerns cannot be resolved without cooperation between the wind industry and federal agencies. To that end, the wind industry is seeking to 1) improve the process for engaging federal agencies and 2) work with agencies on ...

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In recent months there has been increasing concern about large wind projects being put on hold because of objections from the Defense Department. Wind turbines, after all, can interfere with the operation of some radar systems.

The latest objections have been voiced concerning projects in the Columbia Gorge area of Oregon, a prime wind area where Caithness Energy has been planning to build the 900-MW Shepherds Flat wind farm, potentially the largest wind project in the United Sates, but also about 70 miles from an Air Force radar in Fossil, Ore.

AWEA's position has long been that most conflicts between radar and wind can be resolved, and this project is no exception. For more on the Oregon case, read this

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As the trade association for the U.S. wind industry, AWEA has been asserting for months that it is vitally important for the health of the industry to increase U.S. manufacturing of components that make up a wind turbine. We have also been saying it is happening. So we were impressed (vindicated?) to read about the entrance of tower maker SIAG Aerisyn, LLC, into the U.S. market.

SIAG is a German tower manufacturer that acquired Aerisyn, which operated a tubular steel manufacturing facility in Tennessee. SIAG expanded the factory--it doubled its workforce and now employs 123 people--and increased its output. The company plans to ...

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Everyone knows how hard it is to get pro-wind federal legislation (like a renewable electricity standard) passed when other issues—like health care, financial regulatory reform, and immigration—are on the agenda.

Fortunately, some things are getting done in the states. (Yay, federalism.) Take Nebraska as an example. Nebraska has great wind resources, but did not have much wind energy development because the state’s electric utility structure did not provide enough incentives. To make things worse, there was a ban against exporting electricity.

This week, the Nebraska legislature passed a law that allows the export of electricity. That means the state can enjoy the other benefits of wind energy development—jobs and economic development.

This

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There are both upbeat statistics and cautionary numbers in AWEA’s 2009 market report, issued today. The positive news: U.S. wind energy continues to grow. The industry installed a record amount of wind capacity in 2009 and saw new companies entering the market, while 10 new manufacturing plants came on line, plans for 20 others were announced, and nine facilities were expanded.

The caution comes because manufacturing was down in 2009, and jobs were flat, in part because of the economic slowdown, but also because the United States, unlike other industrial countries, does not have renewable energy targets to drive demand. So while the U.S. was number one worldwide at the end of last year, it risks losing its premier status, its momentum, and jobs, unless hard targets are put ...

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