NWAnews.com reports Senator Mark Pryor announced at the Fayetteville Sustainability Summit that Arkansas would have to wait for new technoloies beofre they can harness wind power. In the meantime, Arkansas may have to look to purchase wind from other states that have more wind to harness.
The Winfield Daily Courier reports Governor Mark Parkinson hopes this election year can change things in the House of Representatives. He is happy to see Kansas is moving forward with wind farm development. The state expects 1,015 MW of wind energy by the end of 2008. The Governor is concerned, however, not with with wind farm development, but finding buyers to purchase that energy.
Freep.com reports the Detroit Three, GM, Ford, and Chrysler, will not survive until 2010 unless the Federal government can assist with $50 billion in low cost loans. These loans will come with stipulations from either Presidential candidate. Both candidates are focused on bringing solutions through wind power, solar power, and electric cars.
ToledoBlade.com reports that Barack Obama’s acceptance speech for the Democratic nomination for President included his specific plans for change. He proposes to tap natural gas reserves and invest in clean coal technology. He has also pledged to spend $150 billion in wind and solar power.
Steamboat Pilot & Today reports the Rural Council was excited to be acknowledged by the Democratic Nominee for President, Barack Obama. The Council believes that John McCain will voate against all issues important to rural America, including renewable energy sources and wind energy.
MarketWatch reports New Jersey Senator and Assemblymen have announced their suport of an offshore wind farm for the state. The Senator is interested in developing New Jersey’s potential for wind energy as long as it is done responsibly with the coastal economy taken greatly into consideration. Fisherman’s Energy will develop a pilot wind farm off the coast of Atlantic City while representing commercial fisherman.
The Collegian reports South Dakota ranks as the fourth windiest state according to the American Wind Energy Association. U.S. Senator John Thune is looking to bring local and domestic investors into the state for wind projects versus foreign countries, and he thinks this is possible by extending the federal tax incentive. The wind energy industry expanded by 45% in 2007 because of the tax credits. Thune also has a plan to expedite transmission line construction, another obstacle in the way for wind energy in South Dakota.
New Richmond News reports the Senate did not take up the subject of banning communities from setting regulations on wind farms during their last session. Critics say taking that responsibility away from individual communities shut out the general public who is looking to insure their homes are not affected by the turbines.
KXNet.com reports a unanimous vote took place in the Senate to support improvements for tax incentives for the construction of wind turbines. This bill would cut property taxes based on the renewable energy generating capacity of wind farms and it would add new state tax on gross receipts. The bill now goes back to the House for review of the changes made by the Senate.
Delmarvanow.com reports House Democrats called for an action to bypass a review by Senate Energy & Transit Committee Chairman on Bluewater Wind LLC’s proposed wind project in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware. The committee says they are unlikely to act until May. Meanwhile, Bluewater is urging the state to have Delmarva Power sign a 25 year purchase agreement to deliver up to 300 MW of new renewable energy. This agreement could result in an increase of $13 or $14 on customer’s bills, at least until the cost of gas would allow it to break even - forecasted for 2025.