http://www.windaction.org/ facts, analysis, exposure of wind energy's real impacts en-us Windaction hourly 1 http://backend.userland.com/rss http://www.windaction.org/articles/20361 Thu, 05 Mar 2009 16:19:41 GMT Highland County supervisors agreed Tuesday they could use some help getting the proposed industrial wind energy utility here off the ground ...Toward that end, supervisor David Blanchard suggested the county ask for $1.5 million in stimulus package money to pay for consultants who could assist. The 39-megawatt facility planned by Highland New Wind Development LLC has state and local permits to build and operate the plant, but there are strict conditions attached to each. http://www.windaction.org/articles/20361 http://www.windaction.org/articles/10833 Wed, 18 Jul 2007 16:32:58 GMT Norfolk Southern Railway Co., trying to preserve tax benefits it gained by investing in wind power generation facilities, filed a lawsuit Friday in U.S. District Court in Norfolk against Caithness Western Wind Partners LLC of New York and two related en ities. Caithness wants to sell certain wind power facilities over the objection of Norfolk-based Norfolk Southern, which invested more than $16.1 million with Caithness over the past four years to gain federal tax credits for renewable energy investments, acco ding to the filing. The railroad said its investments were based on the partnership lasting through at least 2011. Norfolk Southern contends any sale requires its written consent and that, if the transaction goes through, the railroad will have to pay millions of dollars in taxes and would be greatly harmed. It is seeking to block the sale. Michael Cole, an attorney with Caithness Energy LLC, the manager of Caithness Western Wind Partners, did not return calls for comment Tuesday. http://www.windaction.org/articles/10833 http://www.windaction.org/articles/10468 Sat, 30 Jun 2007 11:00:40 GMT Turning algae into fuel? Building a windmill on Tangier Island in the middle of the Chesapeake Bay? Setting wind turbines miles off the Virginia Beach coast? The ideas might sound futuristic, but they are the primary alternative-energy projects that the state will support with $1.5 million in research grants, to be awarded next week. http://www.windaction.org/articles/10468 http://www.windaction.org/articles/7189 Wed, 03 Jan 2007 12:52:30 GMT County officials estimated that, in addition to spending $5 million in the next five years to improve energy efficiency in its public buildings, Arlington will spend more than $400,000 in the coming months to plant 1,200 trees, buy more wind-generated power, hand out more than 2,000 fluorescent light bulbs at fairs and other events and provide free energy audits of more than a dozen homes. County officials want to give residents who buy hybrid cars a break on their personal property tax — an unusual perk for a Virginia community. Cost estimates on the tax break are not available. The tax break would require approval from the Arlington County Board, but other elements of the plan, such as distributing light bulbs, can go forward without board permission. http://www.windaction.org/articles/7189 http://www.windaction.org/articles/1949 Thu, 09 Mar 2006 19:57:24 GMT RICHMOND — A bill to give localities the option of how to tax wind utility equipment passed the House of Delegates Monday by a margin of 10 votes. http://www.windaction.org/articles/1949 http://www.windaction.org/articles/1279 Fri, 13 Jan 2006 19:02:32 GMT The bill is designed to give tax refunds and grants for using clean, efficient energy. One of its provisions would award grants of 0.85 cents for each kilowatt of electricity produced by a corporation from certain renewables, including wind utilities. http://www.windaction.org/articles/1279 http://www.windaction.org/articles/5889 Fri, 01 Sep 2006 22:01:50 GMT
A. My name is Charles Simmons and I have been retained to provide assistance to Highland Citizens in regard to the application of Highland New Wind Development, LLC to construct a wind generation facility in Highland County.

Editor's Note:This testimony provides an excellent description of how a grid works- particularly the role of 'economic dispatch' and 'spinning reserves'. It also addresses the methodology for estimating emissions savings and numerous other topics of interest. ]]> Q. Please state your name and position. A. My name is Charles Simmons and I have been retained to provide assistance to Highland Citizens in regard to the application of Highland New Wind Development, LLC to construct a wind generation facility in Highland County. Editor's Note:This testimony provides an excellent description of how a grid works- particularly the role of 'economic dispatch' and 'spinning reserves'. It also addresses the methodology for estimating emissions savings and numerous other topics of interest. http://www.windaction.org/articles/5889 http://www.windaction.org/articles/5057 Sat, 19 Feb 2005 16:50:26 GMT Editor's Note: This provides a good overview of the production tax credit, capacity factor, renewable portfolio standards, renewable energy certificates. and accelerated depreciation. Readers are encouraged to visit the author's site via the link below for the most current version, e.g. the author is planning to update the production tax credit information to the current prevailing rate of 1.9 cents per kWh. ]]> This page [author's website] is dedicated to economic information that applies to wind-power projects anywhere in the United States and specifically applies to the Highland New Wind Development project proposed for the northwestern corner of Highland County, VA. Let me say right up front that I am not an economist or tax accountant. I will try to compile factual information on the economics of wind power along with the opinions of recognized experts in this field. Editor's Note: This provides a good overview of the production tax credit, capacity factor, renewable portfolio standards, renewable energy certificates. and accelerated depreciation. Readers are encouraged to visit the author's site via the link below for the most current version, e.g. the author is planning to update the production tax credit information to the current prevailing rate of 1.9 cents per kWh. http://www.windaction.org/articles/5057 http://www.windaction.org/articles/7424 Wed, 17 Jan 2007 12:35:09 GMT The problem of carbon emissions and global warming is finally and rightly emerging as a major public concern. However, it remains to be seen whether public policy will move beyond wishful thinking and symbolic gesture to meaningful responses. Although the proposed Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS) legislation may seem like a step in the right direction, closer examination reveals that what little it may achieve in terms of benefit will be obtained at a disproportionately high cost. Simply stated, the proposed RPS legislation will not seriously reduce demand for electricity generation by traditional sources, and it will drive industrial-scale wind energy development in some of our most highly valued, scenic, and ecologically sensitive areas — including our mountain ridges and the Chesapeake Bay. http://www.windaction.org/articles/7424