RiverTowns.net reports Xcel Energy is asking the Wisconsin Public Service Commission to pay for renewable energy investments, they just asked for an electricity increase of 14.2% in June of 2007. The company is now asking for another 7.9% increase, this would add $6.47 a month to the average household electric bill. These increase will pay for new renewable energy projects, including a 100MW wind project and new transmission lines.
Wicked Local reports the Green Communities Act, a new state law adopted in Natick, Massachusetts, will provide financial incentives to install renewable energy sources. The act provides $10 million a year for towns and cities to become green communities and to own and operate their own electric utility companies. Town officials, homeowners, and tenants can purchase renewable energy sources and pay it off on their monthly bill. Natick has also adopted conservation by changing their lights to more efficient bulbs, placing air conditioning and heating units on timers, and limiting the use of company vehicles.
ajc.com reports that researchers from Georgia Tech have studied wind power on Tybee and Jekyll Island, Georgia and believe a wind farm could be feasible. In order for that to happen, more tests have to be conducted and Southern Co. needs a federal permit to install the 300′ meteorlogical tower to collect information. The study would require three years and $3 million to complete, and nothing will happen without a federal tax break.
Telegraph.co.uk reports Al Gore says that the attack on global warming will also save the economic and security crisis in the United States. The Alliance for Climate Protection has an estimated $1.5- $3 trillian cost for his 30-year plan. According to Gore, the most important policy change will be to introduce a tax on carbon dioxide pollution. Barack Obama is supporting Gore’s challenge while energy experts say that Mr. Gore has suggested too fast of a turnaround.
The Earth Times reports Dakota Wind Energy will have a public offering for South Dakota landowners to have part of a 750MW community owned wind farm. If a landowner grants the wind farm developer wind-related rights they are eligible for a traditional cash payment or units in the Dakota Wind Energy company.
Blogging Stocks reports First Trust ISE Global Wind Energy ETF allows people to own up to 52 wind stocks at one time. Many of the options are with foriegn wind developers and their success does not rely on green energy tax credits and incentives.
African Energy News Review reports T.Boone Pickens has purchased the first 500 wind turbines for the 2,700 turbine project in Texas. The project is expected to be the world’s largest wind farm cretaing 4,000MW of electricity. Farmers with turbines on their land will receive between $10,000 and $20,000 a year in royalties per turbine. In addition, the Integration of Renewable Energy on the Farm has completed their website to provide a resources for information and tools related to renewable energy.
FarmOnline reports the proposed Silverton Wind Farm Development in New South Wales, Australia could provide 1,000 MW of wind energy to provide electricity for 40,000 homes. Farmers are looking to be compensated for the land used for this wind farm development as other areas of the country pay up to $5,000 per wind turbine, annually.
Market Watch reports 1,400 MW of wind energy was installed in the first three months of 2008 across the United States. According to the American Wind Energy Association, if that pace continues, a total of 5,600 MW could be installed, surpassing the originally predicted 5,300 MW. The executive director of the AWEA expects an influx of wind projects in the fourth quarter because the tax credit has yet to be renewed by Congress.
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.