Here's some headlines from the past couple days:
House passes climate bill
AWEA Statement on House Passage of Energy and Climate Legislation
ITC: House Climate Bill Lacks Necessary Transmission Reforms
How Utilities Integrate Wind Energy
The House of Representatives Passes an RES - National Wind Blog
And don't miss these releases about the CPWEA symposium last week!! ...
CPWEA Hosts Wind Symposium, Provides Updates
Floyd County Wind Energy Symposium Fairs Well
- Find out what I'm doing, Follow Me :)
A Good Turn Out!
CPWEA's symposium held last night in Floyd County had a great turn out. Wanted to post a quick entry thanking all those who came out; we had close to 100 attendees. Also, thank you to the representatives that came in from Sharyland Utilities, the Public Utility Commission and The Shaw Group; you all did a great job!
Did you miss the event? No problem! Just send me a quick email and I would be happy to share with you the materials from last night. We have a brochure for landowners brought by Brian Almon of the PUCT as well as the powerpoint presentations from both the PUCT and Sharyland.
Be looking for pictures from the event coming soon!
Did you miss the event? No problem! Just send me a quick email and I would be happy to share with you the materials from last night. We have a brochure for landowners brought by Brian Almon of the PUCT as well as the powerpoint presentations from both the PUCT and Sharyland.
Be looking for pictures from the event coming soon!
Wind Symposium, Free and Open to the Public
You are probably already well aware that transmission service providers (TSPs) have begun planning to build new transmission lines throughout Texas. The goal of this build out being to harness the wind energy potential in West Texas and move that power to urban areas like San Antonio, Austin and Dallas. The Public Utility Commission of Texas selected several companies in January of this year and designated each of them specific areas in which they will build lines.
What you may not know is what happens next. There are several steps that must take place before the lines will actually start being built. During these preliminary steps are when landowners have the opportunity to get their voices heard. Come and check out our event to find out directly from the source what the timeline for transmission line build out looks like currently and how you can get involved.
CPWEA's event:
A Symposium:
Preparing for Wind
will feature speakers from the Public Utility Commission of Texas, Sharyland Utilities and The Shaw Group. The event is free and open to the public. Sign-in starts at 6:30 tomorrow (June 25th) at the Floyd County Friends Unity Center on HWY 70 between Floydada and Lockney, Texas! To find out more check out our press release and spread the word.
What you may not know is what happens next. There are several steps that must take place before the lines will actually start being built. During these preliminary steps are when landowners have the opportunity to get their voices heard. Come and check out our event to find out directly from the source what the timeline for transmission line build out looks like currently and how you can get involved.
CPWEA's event:
A Symposium:
Preparing for Wind
will feature speakers from the Public Utility Commission of Texas, Sharyland Utilities and The Shaw Group. The event is free and open to the public. Sign-in starts at 6:30 tomorrow (June 25th) at the Floyd County Friends Unity Center on HWY 70 between Floydada and Lockney, Texas! To find out more check out our press release and spread the word.
Today's Wind Headlines
A couple of recent headlines:
If you have land in Briscoe, Carson, Cottle, Childress, Collingsworth, Donley, Gray or Hall County you might be interested in checking this out:
Cross Texas Transmission Public Meetings
Cross Texas will be building transmission lines in the counties mentioned above as a part of the CREZ build out.
AWEA Applauds FERC Decision on Transmission Cost Allocation in Southwest Power Pool
Scandia Wind Southwest Announces Mariah Project - (Parmer County, Texas)
WIND FACT
"The U.S. currently lacks a modern interstate electricity transmission grid to deliver the clean electricity generated in remote locations to customers in heavily populated areas of the country. This is perhaps the biggest obstacle to the long-term growth of wind power and other renewables."
Source: Power of Wind: Current Issues
If you have land in Briscoe, Carson, Cottle, Childress, Collingsworth, Donley, Gray or Hall County you might be interested in checking this out:
Cross Texas Transmission Public Meetings
Cross Texas will be building transmission lines in the counties mentioned above as a part of the CREZ build out.
AWEA Applauds FERC Decision on Transmission Cost Allocation in Southwest Power Pool
Scandia Wind Southwest Announces Mariah Project - (Parmer County, Texas)
WIND FACT
"The U.S. currently lacks a modern interstate electricity transmission grid to deliver the clean electricity generated in remote locations to customers in heavily populated areas of the country. This is perhaps the biggest obstacle to the long-term growth of wind power and other renewables."
Source: Power of Wind: Current Issues
Today's Wind Headlines
I haven't posted wind news links in the last couple of days as I have been pretty swamped with preparations for our free symposium on wind energy. The first link below has more details about the event.
Free Symposium to Highlight Wind Energy Issues
Area's Potential strong for alternative energy
Parmer County eyed for giant wind farm
National Wind Blog - some interesting blog posts.
WIND FACT
"The most common turbine installed in 2008 was the GE 1.5-MW turbine, which has a 70.5- to 77-meter rotor diameter on a tower with heights ranging from 52.6 to 100 meters."
Source: AWEA: Fact Sheet, Wind Industry Value Chain
Free Symposium to Highlight Wind Energy Issues
Area's Potential strong for alternative energy
Parmer County eyed for giant wind farm
National Wind Blog - some interesting blog posts.
WIND FACT
"The most common turbine installed in 2008 was the GE 1.5-MW turbine, which has a 70.5- to 77-meter rotor diameter on a tower with heights ranging from 52.6 to 100 meters."
Source: AWEA: Fact Sheet, Wind Industry Value Chain
Today's Wind Headlines
Wind news links:
Frequently asked questions on wind energy
Show Your Support for Wind Energy on Global Wind Day, June 15
Will wind energy follow ethanol's path?
2009 Texas Legislative Session Summary
WIND FACT
"Diversifying the power supply by developing America’s homegrown renewable energy resources would help shield consumers from spikes in energy prices. According to a major study by a widely respected energy research firm, a national RES would save American consumers as much as $100 billion in lower electricity and natural gas bills."
Source: AWEA: RES Factsheet
Frequently asked questions on wind energy
Show Your Support for Wind Energy on Global Wind Day, June 15
Will wind energy follow ethanol's path?
2009 Texas Legislative Session Summary
WIND FACT
"Diversifying the power supply by developing America’s homegrown renewable energy resources would help shield consumers from spikes in energy prices. According to a major study by a widely respected energy research firm, a national RES would save American consumers as much as $100 billion in lower electricity and natural gas bills."
Source: AWEA: RES Factsheet
Today's Wind Headlines
Not as many links so far this week, especially in comparison to last week. Regardless, check these out if you get a chance:
A Call to Action on Peak Oil
* I found this article very enlightening and definitely recommend reading it.
Consultant Sees Wind Energy Rebound in 2010 - AWEA blog entry
WIND FACT
"The U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) 20% Wind Energy by 2030 Technical Report calculated that obtaining 20% of our electricity from wind energy by 2030 would cut cumulative CO2 emissions by over 7.6 billion tons"
Source: AWEA: Backup Power and Emission Fact Sheet
A Call to Action on Peak Oil
* I found this article very enlightening and definitely recommend reading it.
Consultant Sees Wind Energy Rebound in 2010 - AWEA blog entry
WIND FACT
"The U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) 20% Wind Energy by 2030 Technical Report calculated that obtaining 20% of our electricity from wind energy by 2030 would cut cumulative CO2 emissions by over 7.6 billion tons"
Source: AWEA: Backup Power and Emission Fact Sheet
Hot Topics
There were several articles in North American Windpower's recent publication that I felt were worth noting. If you don't already have a subscription you can sign up for one on their Web site. While you can find updates and headlines on the site their print edition offers more in-depth, comprehension stories concerning a wide range of issues in the wind industry.
If you have been following news from the wind industry you probably know about the topics that have been getting a lot of attention, but in NA Windpower's recent publication they give a good overview of what's been going on. I wanted to pass along some of the points they made concerning the CREZ process and a National RES.
CREZ
Mark Del Franco noted in his article, "As CREZ Work Begins, Developers Head East" that some developers are looking at places other than West Texas and the Texas Panhandle while they are waiting for transmission to be built. And what does that mean for us here in the panhandle? To me it means that we just have to be patient. The wind is good here, we have wide open spaces and developers have a lot less to worry about when planning and developing a wind farm. As Del Franco points out in the article, areas where developers have recently starting focusing (the Texas coast for example) are more populated and have more environmental issues to consider.
The CREZ plans will add something around 3000 miles of transmission lines and bump up transmission capacity to 18,456 MW. A direct quote in the article from Paul Sadler, executive director of the Wind Coalition, made it quite clear that the CREZ process will have quite an impact on wind development in Texas basically saying that wind will be able to contribute double what it does today. According to Del Franco's article, wind currently represents 8% of electric capacity in the state.
Another topic discussed in the article wasn't directly related to CREZ, but has the potential to affect whether developers choose to develop in Texas over other wind rich states. The article highlighted the importance of the extension of the Texas Economic Development Act (AKA Chapter 313 of the state tax code) which allows tax abatements to be used to bring in economic development projects like wind farms. This helps bring developers to Texas.
These are just a couple of the items discussed in the article. In my opinion, it looks like while we have recently seen a slow down of development in our area we should be looking at a very different situation in the near future. The biggest issues right now is making sure that developers remain aware of the fact that we want wind in our area. It's a lot easier to deal with landowners who welcome wind development than to try to plan a project amidst opposition. The CREZ is the first step in bringing wind development where it makes the most sense for it to be.
RES
Another recent hot topic is the National renewable electricity standard (RES). Most of those directly involved in the wind industry would like to see legislation put in place that would require 25% of the nation's energy come from renewables by 2025. That original number has been cut down as the legislative process have moved along.
Greg Williams wrote an all encompassing piece in the recent NA Windpower print publication. He points out two main reasons why a national RES is favored: one being the three things that come as a result of renewable energy development (clean energy, jobs, and energy independence) and second that a national RES helps secure the future of renewable energy use in our nation. This security will help the renewables industry to continue to grow.
In his article Williams also notes two reasons why RES legislation is opposed. One, because some believe that the same results will be achieved with carbon reduction policies and two, because the legislation is unfair to those areas that have do not have abundant renewable resources.
In my opinion, the watering down of the national RES only seems to be a delay of the inevitable. I think that most would agree that as a nation we need to be relying on energy that is one, generated right here on our own soil and two that helps minimize negative effects on our environment. A strong national RES would kick things into gear and as far as I can see the sooner we do this the better.
You can check out what's going on with the RES legislation and take action at www.powerofwind.com
If you have been following news from the wind industry you probably know about the topics that have been getting a lot of attention, but in NA Windpower's recent publication they give a good overview of what's been going on. I wanted to pass along some of the points they made concerning the CREZ process and a National RES.
CREZ
Mark Del Franco noted in his article, "As CREZ Work Begins, Developers Head East" that some developers are looking at places other than West Texas and the Texas Panhandle while they are waiting for transmission to be built. And what does that mean for us here in the panhandle? To me it means that we just have to be patient. The wind is good here, we have wide open spaces and developers have a lot less to worry about when planning and developing a wind farm. As Del Franco points out in the article, areas where developers have recently starting focusing (the Texas coast for example) are more populated and have more environmental issues to consider.
The CREZ plans will add something around 3000 miles of transmission lines and bump up transmission capacity to 18,456 MW. A direct quote in the article from Paul Sadler, executive director of the Wind Coalition, made it quite clear that the CREZ process will have quite an impact on wind development in Texas basically saying that wind will be able to contribute double what it does today. According to Del Franco's article, wind currently represents 8% of electric capacity in the state.
Another topic discussed in the article wasn't directly related to CREZ, but has the potential to affect whether developers choose to develop in Texas over other wind rich states. The article highlighted the importance of the extension of the Texas Economic Development Act (AKA Chapter 313 of the state tax code) which allows tax abatements to be used to bring in economic development projects like wind farms. This helps bring developers to Texas.
These are just a couple of the items discussed in the article. In my opinion, it looks like while we have recently seen a slow down of development in our area we should be looking at a very different situation in the near future. The biggest issues right now is making sure that developers remain aware of the fact that we want wind in our area. It's a lot easier to deal with landowners who welcome wind development than to try to plan a project amidst opposition. The CREZ is the first step in bringing wind development where it makes the most sense for it to be.
RES
Another recent hot topic is the National renewable electricity standard (RES). Most of those directly involved in the wind industry would like to see legislation put in place that would require 25% of the nation's energy come from renewables by 2025. That original number has been cut down as the legislative process have moved along.
Greg Williams wrote an all encompassing piece in the recent NA Windpower print publication. He points out two main reasons why a national RES is favored: one being the three things that come as a result of renewable energy development (clean energy, jobs, and energy independence) and second that a national RES helps secure the future of renewable energy use in our nation. This security will help the renewables industry to continue to grow.
In his article Williams also notes two reasons why RES legislation is opposed. One, because some believe that the same results will be achieved with carbon reduction policies and two, because the legislation is unfair to those areas that have do not have abundant renewable resources.
In my opinion, the watering down of the national RES only seems to be a delay of the inevitable. I think that most would agree that as a nation we need to be relying on energy that is one, generated right here on our own soil and two that helps minimize negative effects on our environment. A strong national RES would kick things into gear and as far as I can see the sooner we do this the better.
You can check out what's going on with the RES legislation and take action at www.powerofwind.com
Today's Wind Headlines
Here are some more links from this week:
RES Still Intact after Senate Energy Committee Action
2010 Wind Energy Surge Predicted
Business Leaders Warn: Current RES Won't Spur Renewable Energy
Argentina-Based EMA Electromecanica S.A. to Locate Manufacturing Facility in Sweetwater
T. Boone Pickens Highlights U.S. Oil Dependence for Sixth Consecutive Month...
WIND FACT
"Wind farms are built in areas where the wind blows most of the time, but because of variations in speed, a wind farm will generate power at full rated capacity about 10% of the time, and on average throughout the year the plant will generate 30% to 35% of its rated capacity. This number is expected to increase by 15% from 2006-2030."
Source: Wind Power Works: Resources
HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND!!
RES Still Intact after Senate Energy Committee Action
2010 Wind Energy Surge Predicted
Business Leaders Warn: Current RES Won't Spur Renewable Energy
Argentina-Based EMA Electromecanica S.A. to Locate Manufacturing Facility in Sweetwater
T. Boone Pickens Highlights U.S. Oil Dependence for Sixth Consecutive Month...
WIND FACT
"Wind farms are built in areas where the wind blows most of the time, but because of variations in speed, a wind farm will generate power at full rated capacity about 10% of the time, and on average throughout the year the plant will generate 30% to 35% of its rated capacity. This number is expected to increase by 15% from 2006-2030."
Source: Wind Power Works: Resources
HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND!!
Today's Wind Headlines
Check out these links:
Enviros Support Climate Change Bill, But What's Missing
Arnett to speak on impacts of wind energy development on wildlife
Wind of change fuel caution; Wind energy associations forming to protect landowners from onerous contracts
Alexander says developers should put up bonds on wind, solar sites
US Small Wind Market Grew 78% in 2008
NRG Poll Finds Transmission Constraints A Barrier for US Wind
WIND FACT
"Modern wind power plants are collectively far less harmful to birds than radio towers, tall buildings, airplanes, vehicles and numerous other manmade objects. Bird deaths due to wind development will always be a very small fraction of those caused by other commonly-accepted human activities, no matter how extensively wind is used in the future."
Source: Wind Energy Works: Resources
Enviros Support Climate Change Bill, But What's Missing
Arnett to speak on impacts of wind energy development on wildlife
Wind of change fuel caution; Wind energy associations forming to protect landowners from onerous contracts
Alexander says developers should put up bonds on wind, solar sites
US Small Wind Market Grew 78% in 2008
NRG Poll Finds Transmission Constraints A Barrier for US Wind
WIND FACT
"Modern wind power plants are collectively far less harmful to birds than radio towers, tall buildings, airplanes, vehicles and numerous other manmade objects. Bird deaths due to wind development will always be a very small fraction of those caused by other commonly-accepted human activities, no matter how extensively wind is used in the future."
Source: Wind Energy Works: Resources
Today's Wind Headlines
Lots of links for today, click on anything that interests you:
Possible changes to House climate bill
Ranchers and Environmentalists Unite
Wind power focus of Tech Conference
Wind power could affect critical Texas wetlands
Texas lags as nation shifts to green policies
Nobel Laureate Knocks Wind, Seeks Funding for Solar Project
WIND FACT
"There is no evidence that the presence of a commercial windfarm within sight of a property systematically decreases that property's value. In fact, a nationwide study conducted in 2003 surveyed property near multiple wind farms and found that not only do wind farms not harm property values, but that in some cases the values increased."
Source: If Not Wind.Org: Wind Energy Facts and Myths
Possible changes to House climate bill
Ranchers and Environmentalists Unite
Wind power focus of Tech Conference
Wind power could affect critical Texas wetlands
Texas lags as nation shifts to green policies
Nobel Laureate Knocks Wind, Seeks Funding for Solar Project
WIND FACT
"There is no evidence that the presence of a commercial windfarm within sight of a property systematically decreases that property's value. In fact, a nationwide study conducted in 2003 surveyed property near multiple wind farms and found that not only do wind farms not harm property values, but that in some cases the values increased."
Source: If Not Wind.Org: Wind Energy Facts and Myths
Today's Wind Headlines
Check out the links below:
Windustry Tips on Leasing Your Land to a Developer
USDA REAP Energy Grants Available
AEP Issues RFP for Long-Term Purchase Commitments of 1100 Megawatts of Renewable Energy Resources
Ranchers Driving Wind Revolution
An AWEA breakdown of the National RES
WIND FACT
"To generate the same amount of electricity as a single 1-megawatt (MW) wind turbine, a traditional fossil fuel or nuclear power plant requires, on average, withdrawing about 60 million gallons of water per year from a stream or river."
Source: If Not Wind.org: Research Center Facts & Stats
Windustry Tips on Leasing Your Land to a Developer
USDA REAP Energy Grants Available
AEP Issues RFP for Long-Term Purchase Commitments of 1100 Megawatts of Renewable Energy Resources
Ranchers Driving Wind Revolution
An AWEA breakdown of the National RES
WIND FACT
"To generate the same amount of electricity as a single 1-megawatt (MW) wind turbine, a traditional fossil fuel or nuclear power plant requires, on average, withdrawing about 60 million gallons of water per year from a stream or river."
Source: If Not Wind.org: Research Center Facts & Stats
