Airtricity, Inc., announced that it had appointed the immediate past Chairman of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) Pat Wood as Chairman of the Company’s North American Advisory Board. Wood, now in private energy infrastructure development, will provide strategic policy and market development guidance to Airtricity’s North American operations.

Airtricity CEO, Eddie O’Connor said, “We are delighted that Pat Wood has agreed to lead Airtricity’s Advisory Board in North America. His experience in the current Administration and deep knowledge of the energy industry in the U.S. will be a tremendous asset to Airtricity. As we recently announced, we are rapidly expanding our operations here, following our announcement last year of our plans to invest $1.5 billion by 2010 in the North American market and subsequent acquisition of Renewable Generation, Inc., in December of 2005. We expect to construct 200 MW later this year and another 400 MW in 2007.”

Wood’s leadership at the Public Utility Commission (PUC) of Texas and then at FERC created a supportive environment for wind and renewable energy projects.

Pat Wood said, “I believe that the U.S. needs to develop a mix of energy resources. I agree with President Bush’s recent observation that wind energy has the potential to supply up to 20% of our nation’s electricity. By the end of 2007, we expect that Texas will be the leading state in wind development, as wind construction across the U.S. accelerates. Airtricity, under CEO Eddie O’Connor’s leadership, has demonstrated the potential for wind energy in Europe and, with their recent investments in Texas, have brought that vision to the U.S. I am looking forward to working with the team as Airtricity continues its expansion and develops a competitive retail supply network of renewable power for customers.”

“We’re thrilled Pat has committed to a sustained role in the wind industry,” said AWEA Policy Director Rob Gramlich, who was Wood's economic advisor prior to joining AWEA. “After he participated in a deliberative polling exercise in Texas with AWEA’s Ron Lehr over ten years ago, he played a big role leading the growth of wind in that state. He was on the international energy policy stage for the last five years and is widely respected for his knowledge of industry trends, so this step sends a strong message about the future of wind energy.”

Airtricity also announced the appointment of Declan Flanagan as General Manager of North America. Flanagan joined Airtricity as Regulation and Trading Manager in 2000, and set up Airtricity’s Northern Ireland retail business in 2002.

Wood will be the keynote speaker on Thursday, April 20 at the AWEA Wind Project Finance & Investment Workshop taking place in Houston , Tex. , April 19-20. Wood can be expected to provide a unique perspective as he tracks the history of renewable energy in Texas and the nation from his view from the Texas PUC and FERC.

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A provision written specifically to stop the proposed Cape Wind project slated for offshore Nantucket Sound in Massachusetts was tucked into a bill that was voted out of committee on Thursday, April 6. No hearings had been held on the provision. The bill containing the provision still must be approved by the full House and Senate, which will be on spring recess over the next two weeks.

The action came when members of a House-Senate conference committee approved a final compromise version of an $8.7 billion Coast Guard authorization bill containing language allowing the Governor of Massachusetts the unrestricted power to veto the project. Current Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney (R) is on the record opposing the Cape Wind project.

Leading the effort to stop the Cape Wind project by adding the veto provision to the bill were Alaska Sen. Ted Stevens (R) and Alaska Rep. Don Young (R), senior Congressional negotiators on the bill. In addition, “Sen. Ted Kennedy (D-Mass.) spoke to Sen. Stevens in support of this provision,” said Kennedy spokesperson Melissa Wagoner, who was quoted in an April 7 story by the Associated Press.

Cape Wind Associates President Jim Gordon said, “This 11 th-hour move to change the rules for a renewable energy project that has already received its Massachusetts Energy Facilities Siting Board approval and is moving favorably through an over-five-year environmental review involving seventeen Federal and State agencies is unjust and contravenes our regional and national energy policy.”

“Americans demanding clean energy and good government will be outraged when they learn how this deal was cut,” said AWEA Legislative Director Jaime Steve.

“Ted Stevens and Don Young are again overreaching behind closed doors to slip a controversial attack on the environment that they know couldn’t get through the normal legislative process into important national security legislation.,” said Karen Wayland, the Natural Resources Defense Council’s legislative director. “This isn’t over yet. We’ll keep fighting to make sure that this sneaky strategy is stopped in its tracks.”

In an April 5 statement on the provision, Senate Energy Committee Chairman Pete Domenici (R-N.M.) said, “In particular, I think it is a very bad idea to give states veto authority over the siting of renewable energy projects on federal land in a bid to stop a particular project. In the [recently passed] energy bill, we gave states a strong voice and a key role in siting renewable projects on the Outer Continental Shelf. That is sufficient. It would be folly for us in Congress to talk about breaking our addiction to foreign oil and, at the same time, pass laws that stymie our own production of clean and renewable energies here at home. We can’t have it both ways.”

The same day, Sen. Jeff Bingaman (D-N.M.) – the senior Democrat on the Energy Committee – issued a similar statement that said, “I oppose attempts to include anti-renewable energy provisions in the Coast Guard conference report.” Bingaman also said, “. . . [I]f a special-interest provision to veto a single project by earmark in a conference report succeeded, it would make a mockery not only of all the statements in Congress about the need to strengthen America’s domestic energy security, but also our statements advocating lobby reform in Washington.”

What You Can Do:

1. Visit AWEA’s Legislative Action Web site: http://www.windenergyaction.org

• Send a pre-written letter (by email) or your own letter (AT NO COST TO YOU) to your Representative and your Senators. If you do not know your Representative’s name, enter your zip code and the Web site will automatically identify him or her. (NOTE: Doing this really is easy.)

and/or

2. Call your Representative to the House and your two Senators. Ensure that your voice is heard today with a phone call.

Here’s How:

• Call the Capitol Switchboard, phone (202) 224-3121.
• Ask to be connected to the office of your Representative or Senator.
• Speak to the “Energy aide”
• Urge them to vote against the Coast Guard bill until the anti-Cape Wind language has been removed.

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The U.S. Senate Energy Committee held a day-long hearing on April 4 to examine how Congress should go about setting a mandatory trading program to control U.S. global warming pollution.

Sen. Pete Domenici (R-N.M.) and Sen. Jeff Bingaman (D-N.M.), the committee’s chairman and ranking member, invited interested parties to submit comments as part of the committee’s bipartisan effort to find common ground on a climate change bill. Last month, the senators issued a “white paper” that included four basic questions about design elements of a mandatory market-based greenhouse gas regulatory system.

In response to that call for comments, the Committee received over 500 documents from industry, academia, non-governmental organizations, religious organizations, scientists, and trade groups, according to committee staff. All comments are posted on the Energy Committee Web site at http://energy.senate.gov/public/ .

The hearing had four panels: one to give a general overview of the topic; one to offer analyses of domestic design; one to offer perspectives on various designs; and the last to give an overview of what actions other countries are taking. The panel topics and speakers are also posted on the Energy Committee Web site.

According to AWEA Policy Analyst Liz Salerno, who was in attendance, there was strong support for a mandatory program over a voluntary one, and most speakers favored an economy-wide program rather than one focused on only one business sector. The major sectors contributing to greenhouse gas emissions include the electric sector, which produces about 40% of carbon emissions in the U.S., and the transportation sector, which produces about 30%. In general, the presenters voiced support for starting some kind of regulation sooner rather than later and for a consistent national policy.

Although there was widespread support for the idea that a carbon regulation program should support the development of new technology, Salerno said, there were various technologies that the groups had in mind, including coal gasification, carbon sequestration, and nuclear energy as well as renewables.

One major item that was discussed but is still in question, according to Salerno, is how emission allowances would be distributed if a cap-and-trade program were implemented. There was strong support for an auction approach from many panelists, which has not been widely used in past emission reduction cap and trade programs. Other panelists supported free allocation of allowances in order to minimize the economic impact on affected entities, such as fossil fuel generators.

Whether non-emitting renewables, like wind energy, will be recognized for their value in a carbon-regulated market depends on how the rules are implemented. If no emissions credit is given to wind generators – as is now the case in most clean air regulation programs – wind’s “carbon benefit” will effectively be taken away.

“We have a long way to go before a mandatory greenhouse gas control program is implemented, but it’s great to see the process underway,” said Salerno. “This conference brought attention to many of the program design issues still in question, and hopefully the U.S can take the next step toward reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Any program that intends to reduce greenhouse gases cost-effectively needs to support renewables among the suite of technologies that are part of the solution. Zero-emissions wind energy is ready today, and could have a positive impact on climate change.”

The Senators took the testimonies and comments, although a bill is not expected to be introduced soon.

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New Mexico State Commissioner of Public Lands Patrick H. Lyons signed an agreement with a Santa Fe project development company that is planning to develop a wind power facility on state trust and private lands in Colfax County, N.M.

According to WindForce, Inc., working in cooperation with Patriot Wind, the facility is expected to have a capacity of 20 MW and consist of 30 turbines. WindForce plans to sell the power to regional cooperatives and utilities based on long-term power purchase agreements.

“Developing renewable energy will help us meet the energy needs of growing communities, and when it happens on state trust lands it means more money for education,” said Lyons. “The fact that we are doing business with a New Mexico company is an added bonus and I am grateful for WindForce’s enthusiasm for this project.”

The land area will consist of 640 acres of state trust lands and another 160-560 acres of private land. The turbines will impact only 50-60 acres, and not affect agriculture in the area, according to WindForce. The site is in close proximity to major transmission lines, and is easily accessible for construction and maintenance.

“WindForce is delighted to be working with the State Land Office to develop renewable energy,” said founding partner Robb Hirsch. “Wind energy advances our efforts to create environmentally clean sources of energy, creates jobs and economic development opportunities, and the proceeds go to education. Everybody wins.”

Lyons is the first New Mexico Commissioner of Public Lands to approve leases to develop wind energy on trust lands. More than 7,000 acres of trust lands in Chaves, Roosevelt and Quay counties have been leased to three wind energy companies, according to the State Land Office. New Mexico ranks second in the nation for the number of wind turbines on trust lands.

The Land Office manages nine million surface acres and 13 million mineral acres of land held in trust to help finance public education.

Southwest Windpower (SWWP), a producer of small wind generators, announced completion of an $8 million “Series-B” equity investment led by RockPort Capital Partners, a venture capital firm in Boston, Mass. CTTV Investments, LLC, the venture capital arm of Chevron Technology Ventures and existing shareholder Altira Technology Fund IV, LP, of Denver, Colo., also participated in the financing.

This funding follows two years of solid growth by SWWP, as sales of small wind generators have increased 50% per year for the past two years, according to the company.

“The possibilities created by this capital boost enable us to grow and increase production of small wind energy systems all over the world,” said Frank Greco, SWWP CEO. “We have our sights set on continuing to broaden our portfolio with industry-leading products that are grounded in a mission to make renewable energy simple.”

The capital will support SWWP’s efforts to launch a new, lower-cost, residential wind technology later this year. The company hopes that the new technology will make it significantly cheaper to produce wind energy on a residential scale.

“This investment gives the company the growth capital it needs to expand its manufacturing and marketing operations as it readies the launch of its game-changing residential wind technology,” said Hap Ellis, general partner of RockPort Capital Partners. “We believe Southwest Windpower’s new technology will make inexpensive wind power available to consumers throughout the country and will revolutionize the distributed generation marketplace.”

Southwest Windpower attributes much of its recent success to American consumers’ increasing awareness of energy security issues and the volatility of world oil markets. According to Greco, “The growing awareness of wind power and its benefits is a clear indication that we are moving toward energy security one household at a time.”

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Constellation NewEnergy, a subsidiary of Baltimore-based Constellation Energy, has contracted for the power output and the renewable energy credits for the proposed 90-MW Redington Mountain wind farm being developed by Endless Energy. The project name is now Maine Mountain Power.

In late December, 2005, a joint development between Endless Energy and Edison Mission Group filed an application with Maine’s Land Use Regulatory Commission (LURC) to build a 90-MW wind power project in Carrabassett Valley just west of Sugerloaf Mountain.

The proposed Redington Mountain wind power project would consist of 30 Vestas 3-MW turbines. Twelve turbines would be constructed on Redington Mountain and 18 on the Black Nubble Mountains.

The developers estimate that the project would cost some $130 million to build and could generate about 265 million kWh per year, enough to power about 44,000 average Maine homes.

“This is a milestone contract for wind energy in New England,” said Harley Lee, president of Endless Energy. “Our region has lagged behind other parts of the country in the use of wind energy. A major reason has been the lack of a power marketer willing to sign long-term contracts. Constellation NewEnergy has really stepped up to the plate here and provided a key ingredient for wider use of wind energy in the region.”

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On April 4, Commonwealth Edison (ComEd) filed a petition with the Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC) requesting approval of its proposal to expand its portfolio of wind generation resources to 300 MW, with deliveries to begin no later than December 31, 2007.

The acquisition of additional wind energy and accompanying renewable attributes marks the first year’s milestone in the company’s response to Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich’s Sustainable Energy Plan in which he proposed that Illinois utilities increase their use of renewable resources.

“This voluntary filing highlights our commitment to Illinois and the development of renewable resources,” said Arlene A. Juracek, vice president, energy acquisition, ComEd. “We believe the plan provides a clear road map to do so. ComEd is committed to supporting the Governor’s goal to increase reliance on these alternatives.”

In the upcoming rulemakings to develop implementation rules for the Governor’s energy plan, ComEd said that it will propose to restrict procurement amounts of new renewables to limit the impact on customers’ bills to no more than one-half of one percent.

ComEd will initiate a Request for Offers (RFO) process for developers to submit proposals for providing wind energy. Parties interested in responding to the RFO can register at https://exelon.eventmgr.perfect.com/Website/ssr/ssrstep1.aspx .

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Under a new agreement, the University of Pennsylvania will now purchase nearly 30% of its energy needs from wind-generated power, nearly tripling its wind energy purchase.

Following a previous wind-energy purchase of 40 million kWh annually from Pennsylvania wind farms, Penn’s new agreement to purchase an additional 112 million kWh each year for the next five years from wind farms across the country is the largest retail purchase of green power in the nation by an institution of higher education.

“Research has shown that wind-powered energy is a safe, non-polluting alternative to electricity produced by fossil fuels,” Penn President Amy Gutmann said. “We at Penn are pleased to be a national leader in clean energy and in the development of the wind-generated power industry in the state. Through this environmental stewardship, we can continue to raise the awareness of our students and the community about alternative fuel options.”

Penn has been on the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Top 25 list of national green power purchasers since the list was begun. Penn’s new commitment will move the University up to No. 8 nationally. “EPA applauds the University of Pennsylvania for its role as a green power leader, not only amongst its peers in the Ivy League, but for higher education institutions across the nation,” Blaine Collison, program director for EPA Green Power Partnership, said. “Penn’s purchase supports America’s domestic supply of clean, renewable energy.”

“There has been a lot of talk recently about universities’ responsibilities not only to instruct their students about environmental stewardship but to practice such stewardship,” Robert Giegengack, professor of earth and environmental science at Penn, said. “This has translated into student campaigns to increase recycling or to establish bike paths, but relatively little attention has been paid to a university’s biggest impact on the environment: its energy appetite.”

Penn’s previous significant wind energy purchases, supplied by Exelon-Community Energy wind farms in Pennsylvania, catalyzed the industry in the state, spurring the development of additional renewable generation facilities. Because purchases of green power support the development of new renewable generation facilities, Penn’s latest commitment is expected to have the same effect nationally.

“Penn continues to lead the way at a time when our energy and climate future demands strong leaders,” Brent Alderfer, president of Community Energy Inc. of Wayne, Pa., said. “Penn’s decision to step up to a top-10 national-level wind purchase sets a new benchmark in higher education.”

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Rhode Island ’s first utility-scale wind turbine is up and running and producing power for the Portsmouth Abbey School. The turbine is a Vestas V-47 660-kW unit. With the blades at their highest point, it is 240 feet tall.

According to Brother Joseph Byron of the Portsmouth Abbey School’s Order of St. Benedict, the school expects the turbine to produce 1.25 million kWh per year, about 40% of the annual electricity demand of the Portsmouth Abbey School, one of Rhode Island’s largest electricity consumers.

“Everyone says that we should be fighting pollution and finding alternative sources of energy, but then they are unwilling to risk it in their own neighborhood. As stewards of a beautiful property and as educators of students, we felt we should take a pioneering role and lead by example,” stated Byron.

The project is expected to cost $1.25 million. The Rhode Island Renewable Energy Fund awarded the school a grant covering one-third of the overall costs of the wind turbine project. It is expected to fully pay for itself in five years, after which time, the school will be saving more than $100,000 per year at today’s electricity prices.

“Utility-scale wind turbine construction is critical for our state to move beyond traditional forms of electricity generation and start to realize the energy independence and cleaner air from clean sources of electricity generation,” said Janice McClanaghan of the Rhode Island Renewable Energy Fund. “This is the largest investment ever made by the Rhode Island Renewable Energy Fund and we are proud and honored to be able to help fund this first-of-a-kind project in Rhode Island. We hope that it is the first of many large-scale wind turbines that will appear across the state.”

The school is also looking forward to receiving the data by live feed for use in physics, engineering, and meteorological classes.

The Portsmouth zoning board unanimously approved the construction of the turbine in April 2005. “We are proud to be the home of Rhode Island’s first utility scale-wind turbine,” said Council President, Mary Ann Edwards. “We hope that every community in Rhode Island will follow our lead and make the use of wind turbines as a primary electricity source a common occurrence across the state.”

Portsmouth Abbey & School is a community of some 15 Benedictine monks, along with a College Preparatory School of 350 boarding and day students.

Construction Management for the Portsmouth Abbey turbine project is being provided by Henry duPont of Lorax Energy Systems. “Large on-site wind power projects don’t just happen,” said duPont. “An extraordinary number of obstacles have to be overcome to realize a successful project. Hats off to Brother Joseph and the Portsmouth Abbey Management Team for their extraordinary efforts and to the Rhode Island Renewable Energy Fund, the Town of Portsmouth, and all the other project supporters for making this exciting concept become a reality.”

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You can still register for the AWEA Wind Project Finance & Investment Workshop taking place April 19-20 in Houston, Tex. Join an estimated 200 attendees from the leading investment and financial services companies, project developers, and equipment suppliers for two days of in-depth insight into the very important issue of financing wind projects. The workshop will provide attendees with both the fundamentals of acquiring financing as well as information on financial structures available in the market today. A special focus will also discuss the synergies and advantages of combining a wind portfolio with traditional oil and gas holdings.

Register this week to secure your spot in this high-profile event!

Go to http://www.awea.org/seminars/finance06/ and register on-line 24 hours a day to receive immediate feedback. Registration is also available on-site at the workshop.

Contact Marissa Bundy with questions, e-mail mbundy@awea.org , phone (202) 383-2512.

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The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE), AWEA, the North American Electric Reliability Council (NERC), and the Utility Wind Integration Group (UWIG) have joined forces to cosponsor a symposium on the current status of wind power for utilities April 20-21 in Washington, D.C. Drawing on the collective strengths of the three organizations, an outstanding group of speakers will address the issues and opportunities facing this growing industry today, and share insights on its future.  

Symposium objectives include:

• Informing a broad cross-section of policy makers – including regulators, legislators, government officials, economists, and attorneys – of the current status and prospects for wind power.
• Providing a balanced and objective view of the technical, economic, reliability, operational, resource availability, and environmental and siting issues associated with wind power in terms easily understood by non-technical people
• Providing insights from a public policy perspective of what policies have contributed to both successful and unsuccessful experiences with wind power, both domestically and internationally, and
• Providing an opportunity for public officials involved in making policy to develop an improved understanding of wind power and get objective answers to questions regarding the associated issues

For more information, go to http://www.ieee.org/portal/pages/pes/subpages/meetings-folder/2006_Wind/windpower.html.

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AWEA is now offering the proceedings (in CD-ROM format) from the AWEA Renewable Portfolio Standards (RPS) Workshop held March 7-8 in Chicago, Ill.

The workshop was intended to educate RPS stakeholders on how to design an effective RPS and how to operate within legislative and regulatory provisions.

Topics on the CD-ROM include:

• RPS overview: experiences and perspectives
• Midwest RPS: past experience and current agenda
• RPS issues: states without retail competition
• RPS issues: states with retail competition
• Renewable energy certificates and tracking systems

The detailed program agenda is available at http://www.awea.org/seminars/rps/agenda.html .

AWEA members can purchase the CD-Rom for $125 at http://www.aweastore.com or by calling Liska Wilkins, phone (202) 383-2514.

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