Production Tax Credit helps push cost of wind power close to $0.03/kWh

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Excerpt: News blows through the blogosphere faster than the wind across Texas. For instance, a significant study from NREL and Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory regarding the falling-cost trend for wind generated power has already come and gone. Its 15 minutes of fame are up. But more people should know …

Kathie’s Question: Do You Know Who Uses the Most Green Power?

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Excerpt: The EPA's recent Green Power Report lists the top 50 greatest users of green power in the nation. Who tops the list? Intel. Here are the top ten for an interesting comparison. 1. Intel Corporation: meets 88% of their demand with 2,502,052,000 kWh of biomass, geothermal, small-hydro, solar, wind …

Should we worry about energy imports? You bet

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Excerpt: Energy information site Platts Power posted an article titled  The U.S. obsession with energy imports and why Europe doesn’t sweat it.  The article states that Europe isn't phased by importing 80% of its energy from countries such as Russia, and wonders why the U.S. is so bothered by petrol …

Kathie’s Question: Can renewable energy sources complement each other?

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Excerpt: I recently read a few articles, including one in the Star Tribune, that discus incorporating wind and solar power in renewable energy projects. Wind and solar energy sources aren't constant, so kind of makes sense right?  But when the wind isn't blowing you can't say the sun will be shining w …

Kathie’s Question: Is wind energy already cheaper than fossil fuel?

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Excerpt: In my Clean Energy Standards article in our 2012 Renewable Energy Handbook I discussed how turbine OEMs and their supply chains are working to get the cost of wind generated power lower than that from natural gas. This is something I've heard commonly discussed at tradeshows. However, one reader …

Seriously, wind turbines are NOT bad for your health

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Excerpt: There's been much debate as to whether or not wind turbines pose health risks. According to The Boston Globe, a panel of independent scientists and doctors have found that there is little or no evidence that wind turbines pose a health risk to nearby residents. Those living near wind turbines ha …

Kathie’s Question: Is the Keystone rejection a win for renewables?

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Excerpt: It’s big news today that Obama has rejected the proposed Keystone XL pipeline. Republicans are pissed, but environmentalists are literally throwing parties around the country celebrating the President’s commitment to clean energy. The 1,700 mile underground oil pipeline would link the tar …

Kathie’s Question: Do you think Congress will consider offshore wind in 2012?

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Excerpt: I recently read a blog that did a very nice job of outlining the successes and hurdles of U.S. offshore wind so far. The American Progress team notes... Successes: Cape Wind received its final permits Obama initiative designated wind energy areas off the Atlantic Coast and is pursuing le …

Clean energy means a healthy economy and cooler climate

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“I challenge you to join me in setting a new goal:  By 2035, 80% of America’s electricity will come from clean-energy sources,” President Obama said in his 2011 State of the Union address. Although it’s great to hear the President express his support, this “challenge” isn’t exactly a substitute for the solid legislation the renewable-energy industry was hoping for. The U.S. needs a firm and stated policy in a world that will face more energy challenges.

One bit of significant news this year was the world’s population hit 7 billion. This means there will be increased demand across a variety of spectrums for food, housing, and especially energy.

However even without a national renewable-energy policy, many states are proving the critics of clean energy wrong. Because of their own advances, the U.S. wind and solar markets are making great strides. The American Wind Energy Association (AWEA) reports that the nation’s wind industry now boasts of 43,461 MW of cumulative capacity (as of September 2011). A good portion (35%) of that new generating capacity was added in the last four years, which is second only to natural gas, and more than nuclear and coal combined. The nation’s wind-power capacity actually represents more than 20% of the world’s installed wind power, which is certainly something to be proud of. What’s more, turbine OEMs and their supply chains are working to get the cost of wind generated power lower than that from natural gas.

The solar industry also has something to brag about. The Solar Electric Power Association (SEPA) reports that solar grew 69% in the last year, now exceeding 3,100 MW. Since the start of 2010, the price of solar panels dropped by 30%, making it more cost-effective than ever. Solar is the fastest growing energy sector in the U.S. and will likely be the largest source of new electric capacity in America and the world’s largest solar market by 2014.

Not only does clean energy fulfill energy demand and reduce global warming, it also may be just what the nation needs to pull out of this recession. For instance, the wind industry represents a growing market for American manufacturing. AWEA reports more than 400 manufacturing facilities across the U.S. make turbine components. Likewise, the solar industry employs more than 100,000 American workers, double the number from 2009, working at over 5,000 companies, some in every state—most small businesses.

Clean energy growth means energy security and independence. Renewables are important environmentally and economically. As the nation continues to realize that, the future of the economy and climate will begin to look a little greener. WPE

 

Kathie’s Question: Does Congress care enough about the wind industry?

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Excerpt: Congress seems to have a habit of waiting till the last minute to make any major decisions this year. The wind-energy production tax credit (PTC)  is no exception. Time is running out, and the patience of the wind industry along with it. However, according to a recent post on Cleantechnia.com � …