Wind power

Dickerson, Maryland -- 24 September 2008 -- As energy prices continue to rise worldwide, many homeowners in the U.S. are becoming interested in renewable forms of energy to power their homes. Jeff Swicord introduces us to one horse farmer north of Washington D.C. who thinks the answer is small wind energy, in his case, personal wind turbines.

Dr. Carlos Fernandez breads rare Puerto Rican Paso Fino horses on his farm north of Washington D.C.

A transplant surgeon by trade, Dr. Fernandez likes to work with his hands. He keeps 20 horses in two barns, has two houses, an indoor training ring and other structures on his property -- all run on electricity.

For the past several years, Dr. Fernandez has been working to make his horse farm energy independent using wind power.    » read more »

AWEA Second Quarter Market Report: U.S. now leads world in wind energy generation but delay in extending federal tax credit places 2009 project pipeline on hold, discourages manufacturing investment

August, 2008 -- U.S. wind farms now generate more electricity than any other nation in the world and are on track to expand by over 45% this year, but the expiration of the federal production tax credit (PTC) less than five months from now threatens this spectacular progress, the American Wind Energy Association (AWEA) said today in its second quarter market report.

Wind turbine: Photo by Vik Walker (CC)    » read more »

U.S. Senate Hearing Will Focus For First Time on Renewable Energy
and Transmission

June 17, 2008 -- Washington, D.C. – The U.S. Senate Energy & Natural Resources Committee will today hold its first-ever hearing focused exclusively on renewable energy and transmission, inviting renewable industry, utility, and government leaders to discuss ways to invest in new transmission that will tap the nation’s vast – but currently stranded –renewable energy resources.    » read more »

Governor Awards $177,000 in CDBG Funding to Support Operations

June 17, 2008 -- Columbus, Neb. -- Nebraska Governor Dave Heineman was among those celebrating the opening of a new business today. Katana Summit, LLC, selected Columbus as the site for its new manufacturing facility.

At the event, the Governor announced $177,000 in Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funding to help city and county officials construct a road to provide access to the site. Katana Summit manufactures 80 and 90 meter steel wind turbine towers and the grant will help build and pave a road to support traffic at the facility.    » read more »

June 3, 2008 -- The U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) today announced projects that will enhance the nation’s ability to realize the full potential of wind power across the United States.

The projects include: a new wind turbine blade test facility to be constructed in Texas; a partnership between NREL, DOE, and a state consortium led by University of Houston; a just-signed agreement with Siemens Power Generation to locate and test a commercial-scale wind turbine at NREL’s National Wind Technology Center; and, a new Siemens research and development facility in Boulder, Colo., which will work closely with NREL on advanced wind power technologies.    » read more »

Touts Positive Environmental, Economic Impact of Alternative Energy Sources

Jun. 02, 2008 -- HOUSTON – Texas Governor Rick Perry today spoke at the American Wind Energy Association’s Wind Power 2008 Conference and the grand opening of the nation’s largest biodiesel refinery at GreenHunter Energy’s Renewable Fuels Campus in Houston.

The governor touted the positive environmental and economic impact of renewable energy sources and the state’s ongoing effort to further diversify its energy portfolio to include wind, biofuels, solar and nuclear.    » read more »

Governor highlights strong business climate and popularity of Kansas wind

June 2, 2008 -- HOUSTON -- Kansas Governor Kathleen Sebelius addressed the American Wind Energy Association’s Wind Power 2008 Conference to highlight the work in Kansas to be a leader in renewable energy.

Wind turbines and cattle, Kansas: Photo by Brent Danley (CC)

Below are excerpts of her remarks, as prepared for delivery:

“A recent poll by the Land Institute showed that three out of four Kansans want the state to increase its commitment to wind-powered energy.    » read more »