Forward Wind Center open for public tours, Oct. 22

Invenergy, the wind project developer, invites the public to attend the Forward Energy Center Open House.

When: October 22, 2008
Open House: 1-6 PM
Tours start on the half hour from 1:00 to 5:30 PM
Brownsville Community Club
871 Main St., Brownsville (on Hwy 49)

Come learn more about the Forward Energy Center and how wind power benefits Wisconsin.

Forward began operations in February 2008, becoming one of the first large-scale wind energy projects in Wisconsin. Forward is owned and operated by Chicago-based Invenergy, which is implementing one of the largest programs of wind development in the United States, Canada and Europe, and is committed to building strong relationships with landowners, communities and utility customers.

Please wear appropriate shoes for walking on uneven surfaces. Reservations are not required.

For more information, contact Susan Dennison at sdennnison@invenergyllc.com

 

Small wind systems get tax credit, too

While most news focuses on the recently passed tax credit extension for solar and large wind projects, a media release from the American Wind Energy Association (AWEA) highlights a tax credit provision for small wind projects:

Today Congress passed legislation, the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008, H.R. 1424, that includes a new federal-level investment tax credit to help consumers purchase small wind turbines for home, farm, or business use. President Bush is expected to sign the bill into law. Owners of small wind systems with 100 kilowatts (kW) of capacity and less can receive a credit for 30% of the total installed cost of the system, not to exceed $4,000. The credit will be available for equipment installed from the date the president signs the bill through December 31, 2016. For turbines used for homes, the credit is additionally limited to the lesser of $4,000 or $1,000 per kW of capacity.

“We thank Congress for recognizing and supporting small wind systems as an important contributor toward energy security and a cleaner environment. This credit will help individuals cut their electric bills while combating global warming in a tangible way,” says Ron Stimmel, Small-Wind Advocate with the American Wind Energy Association.

This legislation marks the first federal incentive for small wind systems since 1985. Industry members say the credit could foster U.S. market growth of 40% or more annually.

AWEA, its members, and allies have advocated for a 30% federal investment tax credit for small wind systems 100 kW and smaller to put the industry on equal policy footing with the solar photovoltaic (PV) industry. The two technologies share the same market. The broad legislation passed today also extends and expands a similar credit for the solar industry that was first passed in 2005. Residential and commercial solar PV installations can receive a 30% credit, capped at $4,000 for residential applications and uncapped for commercial uses.

The U.S. has historically dominated the global small-wind market but has faced pressure in recent years from overseas nations that have implemented strong domestic incentive programs for small-scale renewables. The U.S. small wind industry projects that the enactment of this federal credit, combined with a forthcoming equipment certification program, will help secure the U.S. market as the global leader.

More details on all of the bill’s renewable energy provisions here.

 

Congress extends tax credits for solar and wind installations

From an article by Tom Content in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel:

The $700 billion package designed to help the financial industry will result in more Wisconsin homeowners installing solar panels on the roofs of their houses in the years to come, energy industry observers said Friday.

A package of energy tax credits, adopted as part of the bailout deal, will extend for eight years the tax credit for homeowners considering adding solar.

Energy tax credits had been set to expire at the end of the year until they were included in the Wall Street bailout package.

What’s significant about the solar credit, industry observers said, is the decision to remove a $2,000 cap on a federal tax credit for installing solar panels.

That means that a typical solar-electric system that costs about $16,000 is now eligible for a 30% tax credit, or $4,800, said Michael Vickerman, executive director of Renew Wisconsin, a Madison group that advocates for renewable energy.

Word that the bill had passed in the House came as visitors toured homes and businesses with solar panels across the state Friday, as part of the annual Solar Tour sponsored by the Midwest Renewable Energy Association. The tours continue today.

In Milwaukee, Ann Beier, head of the Milwaukee Office of Sustainability, heard about the congressional vote during a solar tour stop at Hot Water Products Inc., a distributor of solar-hot water systems.

“It raised the mood quite a bit, because there had been such fits and starts on reinstating these tax credits,” said Beier, whose office will kick off the Milwaukee Shines solar-education program this month.

The incentive should boost interest by homeowners in installing solar panels, said Don Wichert, who runs renewable energy initiatives for the state Focus on Energy program.

“With all the stuff that is going on right now with the economy, this is a happening market,” he said. “There will not be layoffs in the solar and renewable market for a long time.”

Other energy pieces included in the Wall Street bailout package include an extension of wind-energy tax credits for one year.

 

New Report Details Michigan’s offshore wind potential

From a media release issued by the Land Policy Institute of Michigan State University:

East Lansing, MI-Michigan has the potential to become a big player in offshore wind energy, so says a new report released by the Land Policy Institute (LPI) at Michigan State University (MSU). The preliminary analysis finds that Michigan’s portion of the Great Lakes has the capacity to produce 321,936 Megawatts of electricity from wind energy, a portion of which could be developed once depth, technology, view and environmental concerns are considered. Michigan’s onshore wind potential was previously estimated at approximately 16,500 megawatts. The information provided by the new LPI report shows much more substantial opportunities for offshore wind energy.

“This result has the potential to elevate Michigan’s wind energy profile nationally and internationally because the resource available is significant,” said Dr Soji Adelaja, John A. Hannah Distinguished Professor and director of the Land Policy Institute. “Michigan is one of few states with the opportunity to generate wind power from its offshore areas.”

 

Lawmakers at impasse on incentives for renewable energy

From an article by Robert Pear in The New York Times:

WASHINGTON — The House and the Senate conceded Monday that they were in a stalemate over proposals to provide tax incentives for the production and use of renewable energy, leaving the future of the nascent industry in limbo.

Tax credits for investing in solar energy and producing wind energy will expire at the end of the year unless Congress resolves the impasse, and lawmakers said they saw no immediate prospect of an agreement.

The deadlock comes at a time when economists and politicians of all stripes are saying the United States must rapidly develop solar, wind and other energy sources as alternatives to oil.

“Congress is furthering our dependence on foreign sources of energy — dirty, polluting sources of energy,” said Rhone Resch, president of the Solar Energy Industries Association, a trade group. “It’s scaring away investment, just as our industry is beginning to get a toehold. Solar projects are already being delayed.”

Gregory S. Wetstone, director of government affairs at the American Wind Energy Association, another trade group, said the tax legislation had broad bipartisan support in the House and the Senate, but had been “caught in a crossfire on unrelated issues.”

The National Association of Home Builders, the Sierra Club and the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association are among the many groups that have urged Congress to extend and expand the energy tax breaks, scheduled to expire at the end of this year.

 

City of Manitowoc approves wind turbines

From 3 Minutes with the Mayor, Kevin Crawford:

In a year when the national spotlight has shone on our small northeastern Wisconsin community for its burgeoning manufacturing sector, strong economy and high quality of life, Manitowoc has stepped forward with yet another first. Our city of 34,500 people – which some believe can become the national epicenter for alternative and renewable energy technology development and the cache of “green collar” jobs that go with this new economy – is the first in Wisconsin to pass municipal legislation that allows the building of large-scale wind power generation within the city limits.

On Monday, September 15, 2008, after review by staff, the City Council, a public hearing, and with the recommendation of the Plan Commission, an ordinance was signed into law that allows wind towers nearly as tall as a 40-story building to be built in areas zoned for light and heavy industry where “set back” requirements can be met.

As most know, our city owns the largest municipally owned electric generating facility in our state. MPU employs a mix of clean coal technologies, natural gas and diesel to generate power for our own community and others in this area of the state. We are also home to a major “cluster” of impressive green manufacturers: Tower Tech – a builder of giant wind towers; Orion Energy – in the business of energy efficiency and renewables; Manitowoc Cranes – building the worlds finest wind generation erection equipment; and the long list of other businesses that support them. Our location on the Niagara escarpment coupled with the incredible wind plume generated by Lake Michigan make us not only a great place to build the key components of the wind industry, but also a great place to generate electricity using the wind as well.

The first industry expected to employ the new law is Orion Energy, which plans to construct one 1.5 megawatt wind turbine in the near future. The company plans a collaboration with Tower Tech, General Electric (GE), Lakeshore Technical College, Manitowoc Cranes and others to make the project a reality.

The City’s ordinance runs counter to the Manitowoc county board’s efforts to stop wind installations, though county committees nowseem to be moving toward allowing small turbines in the county.

 

Farmers ask “When?” for turbines on their land

From an article by Lyn Jerde in the Beaver Dam Daily Citizen:

FRIESLAND — Larry Schneider doesn’t live in either of the towns of Randolph or Scott, and he’s not going to have a WE Energies wind turbine on or adjacent to his property.

But if any electric company might, in the future, want to build an electricity-generating turbine on his land in the town of Courtland, he has just one question: How soon?

Wind turbines, Schneider said, could someday “be like a cash crop” for Columbia County farmers, who might be paid for easements to build one or more of the 300- to 400-foot turbines.

“You’re going to see them everywhere anyway, so you might as well make some money on it,” he said.

At a Wednesday open house for the proposed WE Energies Randolph Wind Farm, about 25 people were, at any given time, gathered in the Randolph Town Hall for an informal open house about the wind farm, proposed to include 90 turbines in the towns of Scott and Randolph.

According to WE Energies spokesman Brian Manthey, questions from attendees included subjects such as the height of the turbines and where they might be located.

And, he said, more than a few asked questions similar to Schneider’s.

“They want to know if they can have one on their property, too,” he said.

 

Gov. Doyle announces regional initiative focused on wind energy support

From a media release issued by Governor Jim Doyle:

MADISON - Today Governor Jim Doyle and four other Midwest Governors announced the creation of a regional transmission planning effort that will promote regional electric transmission investment and cost sharing. The Upper Midwest Transmission Development Initiative will identify wind generation resources, transmission projects and infrastructure needed to support those resources in a cost-effective manner. Over the next 12 months, participants will determine a reasonable allocation for the costs of the region and will lead to the development of a concrete plan or tariff proposal for the Midwest Independent Transmission System Operator (MISO).

Iowa, Minnesota, North Dakota and South Dakota will join Wisconsin to coordinate efforts among state regulatory agencies, transmission companies, utilities, independent generation owners and other key stakeholders in the initiative. These states will work closely with MISO which is presently conducting a variety of transmission planning studies with results expected in 2009.

“Coordinated transmission planning centered on renewable energy is critical to providing a diverse supply of affordable, clean energy to our region,” Governor Jim Doyle said. “The coordinated transmission planning we are announcing today matches the recommendations made in a report by Wisconsin’s Global Warming Task Force.”

Governors from the other four participating states also expressed optimism for this joint effort . . .

 

Family enjoys wind turbines

From an article by Rick Vanderlinde in The Alliston Hearld(central Ontario, Canada):

SHELBURNE — As Andria Hutchinson watched the giant wind turbines being erected around her home two years ago, she grew uneasy.

The windmills, with their massive concrete columns and large fiberglass blades, were beginning to dominate the flat farmland of Melancthon Township, just west of Shelburne.

“We didn’t know what to think when they were going up,” she says, gazing at the blades of a turbine spinning in the brisk breeze last Thursday. “They sat there all winter and we thought, ‘Gee how loud are these things going to be?’”

Two summers later, Hutchinson and her young family have grown to enjoy the 45 windmills built by Canadian Hydro in this Dufferin County township.

“We don’t mind them at all. There’s no real noise from what we can tell,” she says. “You basically have to stop walking along the gravel to hear them because your footsteps are louder than they are.”

Hutchinson, who lives on a farmstead but doesn’t have any of the windmills on her land, even enjoys the striking display of the white windmills.

“I found they actually relax you. They have a calming effect as the blades spin around,” she says. “It’s kind of nice.”

 

U.S. House to act on energy legislation next week

According to press release issued by Rep. Ron Kind:

Among its provisions, the Comprehensive American Energy Security & Consumer Protection Act will:

- Invest in wind, solar, and natural gas through tax incentives and infrastructure development;
- Open up additional offshore areas for drilling;
- Release oil from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve;
- Require that 15 percent of America’s energy comes from renewable sources by 2020;
- End subsidies to the five largest oil companies; and
- Require oil companies to develop leases they already own or lose the opportunity.