Golden Triangle News reports resistance to proposed transmission lines has delayed progress on the development of wind energy in Montana. The proposed Montana-Alberta Transmission Line (MATL) would transport wind energy from the Canadian border to Great Falls, Montana and could create up to $2 billion worth of development.
Reuters.com reports the manufacturing of renewable energy machinery, such as wind turbines and solar panels, could be endangered if Congress doesn’t extend tax incentives. While incentives aren’t due to expire until the end of 2008, investors are nervous about placing their money into a product that doesn’t have a guaranteed return. Renewable energy generation is expected to increase greatly as global warming becomes a more prevelent concern.
RenewableEnergyAccess.com reports Liguria, Italy is experiencing an economic boom due to renewable energy. Within Liguria is a town called Varese which uses 100% renewable energy through wind, solar, and hydropower sources. The town creates three times as much energy as it uses through these sources. Four wind turbines feed 8 million kwh to the local grid system managed by a company in La Spezia. While rural towns in Europe are following suit, such as Gussing, Austria; Rome, London, Paris, and Munich are launching plans to reduce carbon emissions by half by the year 2030.
Ecofriend reports anyone can make their own Vertical Axis Wind Turbine that can handle up to 25mph wind speeds. Because the generator and gearboxes are located so near to the ground, the device is able to accommodate wind from any direction and no pollution is produced from its operation.
Press.co.nz reports the C1 hotel and apartment building in New Zealand will erect an unconventional wind turbine on its roof to be an example of green energy. The 23-story building will also use green energy through solar panel installation and a heat exchange system to heat the water supply. While the efforts won’t provide all the building’s energy because of the small area of the roof, it will contribute greatly.
WHEC.com reports wind generated electricity currently accounts for less than 2% of energy generation in Britain. The country recently unveiled plans for an offshore wind project that would convert the shallow shoreline to create 33 GW by 2020 - enough electricty to power every home in Britain. The problem the British Wind Association now faces is, where to get all the turbines?
ThisisDorset.net reports the United Kingdom government has proposed a wind project that would call for two wind turbines for every mile of coast line around the country. This could create enough electricity for every home in the U.K. The proposal came from an energy conference held in Berlin where an application for a single wind turbine was being argued due to the visual impact it would have. Environmental groups are concerned about the effects the turbines could have on migratory birds as well as sea life.
JacksonHoleStarTribune.com reports plans for a wind farm has doubled in size since it was originally proposed five months ago in Wyoming. PacifiCorp, who has proposed the project, has also proposed an additional two projects in the same area to reuse land that was mined for more than 40 years.
LincolnCourier.com reports a $120 million wind project has been proposed for Logan & Tazewell Counties in Illinois. The project by Horizon Wind Energy could produce energy for 30,000 homes the plan calls for 67 wind turbines to create 100 MW of energy. It could create 6-10 permanent jobs and about 100-150 temporary jobs while the turbines are being built.
AustinDailyHerald.com reports Mower County Planning Commission approved the scoping document for EnXco Inc. to perform environmental assessments for the proposed Green Meadow Wind Farm. EnXco will still have to use the conditional use permit process once the assessment is complete.