For two decades, the capacity factor of wind power measuring the mean energy delivered by wind turbines has been assumed at 35% of the name plate capacity. Yet, the mean realized value for Europe over the last five years is closer to 21% thus making levelized cost 66% higher than previously thought. We document this discrepancy and offer rationalizations, emphasizing the long term variations of wind speeds. We conclude with the consequences of the capacity factor miscalculation and some policy recommendations. Click on the link below to download the full document.

This motion was filed with the Vermont Public Service Board on Sep 22, the day hearings were to begin for the Deerfield Wind LLC proposal. Deerfield Wind LLC is seeking to erect 15 industrial scale wind turbines in the Green Mountain National Forest. In response, the Vermont Public Service Board ordered that the hearings be rescheduled to December 1, 2008.

The Deerfield Wind Energy facility is the first wind plant to be proposed for US National Forest lands. The Draft Environmental Impact Statement released by the US Forest Service can be accessed by clicking on the link(s) below. Comments will be accepted through until the end of November 2008.

The Vermont Public Service Board has issued an order regarding violation of a 2003 Certificate of Public Good issued to enXco authorizing construction of two wind measurement towers ("met towers") on Lowell Mountain. The CPG required that the towers be removed within five years of the date of the CPG. The order detailing the violation and subsequent agreements is listed below.

The Logan County, IL zoning board of adjustment is conducting a public hearing on Horizon Wind's Rail Splitter wind facility. Mr. Len Freeman of Emden, IL presented this testimony before the Board. An excerpt of Mr. Freeman's testimony can be read below. His full testimony can be accessed by clicking on the link below.

The below statement was filed with the Logan County Planning Commission in regard to the Rail Splitter wind energy facility proposed for Logan County, IL.

This report is a culmination of eight months of effort by the Champaign County (Ohio) Wind Turbine Study Group (“WTSG”). It contains the results of the research and critical analysis compiled by the group regarding fourteen readily identifiable issues associated with wind energy development. The letter introducing the report is listed below along with the report's table of contents. The full document can be downloaded by clicking on the link at the bottom of the page.

Attorney George Cavros of Fort Lauderdale, FL delivered the below letter to the St. Lucie County Board of County Commissioners on behalf of the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC). The letter is in reference to the proposed FP&L wind turbine project on Hutchinson Island.