Wind Energy News

Offshore Wind Power Resolution Introduced in Delaware Legislature. By Aaron Nathans, Wilmington News Journal, January 18, 2008. "Twenty-eight [Delaware] lawmakers have co-sponsored a resolution that recommends passage of an offshore wind power contract. It was filed Thursday by Rep. Robert Valihura (R-Talleyville); half of the Republican-controlled House, including Speaker Terry Spence, had signed on as co-sponsors. The resolution says Controller General Russ Larson should approve a 25-year contract for Delmarva Power to buy offshore wind power from Bluewater Wind. At a meeting with three other state agencies last month, [the controller] declined to sign the contract because of division among the legislative leadership... One co-sponsor, Rep. Peter Schwartzkopf (D-Rehoboth Beach), said he hoped the measure would pass in the House and move to the Senate... But it faces an uncertain future there. While seven of 21 senators co-sponsored the resolution, including three Democrats, none of the Democratic majority leadership had signed on. Senate Majority Leader Anthony DeLuca could not be reached for comment Thursday. Sen. Harris McDowell III, D-Wilmington, chairman of the Senate Energy and Transit Committee, said he will first hold hearings on a broad range of renewable energy sources [which] could hold up consideration."
U.S. Wind Industry Breezed Along at 45 Percent Growth Last Year. By Rebecca Smith, WSJournal, January 18, 2008. Subscription required. "Two forms of renewable energy -- wind and solar power -- enjoyed substantial growth last year, spurred by federal and state energy policies and incentives that support green energy sources. The U.S. wind-power industry grew in size by 45% last year, adding a record 5,244 megawatts of capacity that amounted to a third of all new generating capacity built in the U.S. in 2007, according to the American Wind Energy Association. General Electric led the pack as the nation's largest supplier. The solar industry grew at a similar clip, though from a much smaller base, adding more than 300 megawatts of capacity last year, according to the Solar Energy Industries Association. Additions are expected to roughly double this year. Large commercial solar installations now exceed home installations in California, reversing a long-term pattern and likely a bellwether for other states... One worry for the sector is the expiration, at the end of 2008, of certain federal tax credits that have spurred development."