News
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USA
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Study argues PTC unneeded, acknowledges short-term contraction likely
November 2, 2012 by Nick Juliano in E&E News
November 2, 2012 by Nick Juliano in E&E News
A new study funded by opponents of a key wind industry tax credit argues that the incentive should disappear this year because wind developers have a bright long-term future driven by state-level renewable energy policies.
Also filed under [
Tax Breaks & Subsidies]
The wind industry, fighting to hold onto a generous tax credit set to expire in December, has been arguing that it does not need the support forever - just a little while longer, until it can compete with fossil fuels on its own.
Also filed under [
Tax Breaks & Subsidies]
President Barack Obama has been under fire from Republicans for supposedly waging a "war on coal." But Iowa and Colorado appeared to offer him a chance to turn the tables - letting him accuse Mitt Romney of declaring war on wind. ...So far, polls don't show the issue giving Obama a major advantage in either state.
Also filed under [
Tax Breaks & Subsidies]
NextEra plans for post-PTC world; Even though it expects a short extension
October 25, 2012 by Bill Opalka in RenewablesBiz
October 25, 2012 by Bill Opalka in RenewablesBiz
NextEra Energy Inc. remains on track to set a record for new wind installations in 2012, putting its total about 10,000 MW. But the company said its NextEra Energy Resources until will see a significant drop-off in activity in 2013, even Congress extends the federal production tax credit (PTC) for wind sometime after the election.
Also filed under [
Tax Breaks & Subsidies]
Idaho Power and other utilities have been scuffling with wind farms over whether utilities can curtail contractually-required purchases at times when few customers need electricity.
Also filed under [
Energy Policy|
Idaho]
Layoffs, failures test Colorado's "new energy economy"
October 22, 2012 by Steve Raabe in The Denver Post
October 22, 2012 by Steve Raabe in The Denver Post
The resilience of Colorado's vaunted "new energy economy" is being tested after a series of job cuts, financial setbacks and political firestorms. ...Hard times for the green industries stem from a combination of technical challenges, low-cost foreign competition and an uncertain outlook for government support of alternative energy.
Also filed under [
Impact on Economy|
Colorado]
Independent analysts project fewer installations next year, even if the credit is extended, because low natural gas prices are making it difficult for wind to compete in electricity markets and demand is slackening as state-level renewable portfolio standards are being met
Also filed under [
Tax Breaks & Subsidies]
While several companies have been warnings of weaker demand in emerging economies, GE said revenues in its "growth market" businesses were up 9 per cent, with double-digit growth in China, Africa and Latin America.
However, one conspicuous weak spot was demand for wind turbines.
Also filed under [
General]
Chinese wind power firm suing Obama vows to fight all the way
October 18, 2012 by Wan Xu and Don Durfee in Reuters
October 18, 2012 by Wan Xu and Don Durfee in Reuters
The lawsuit is viewed as a long shot given the president's broad authority on national security matters and the fact that courts do not often second guess the executive branch on security issues.
But Ralls Chief Executive Wu Jialiang, one of the Sany executives who owns the company, said he was determined to press ahead.
AWEA meeting to probe details of possible PTC phaseout, long-term policy needs
October 18, 2012 by Nick Juliano in E&E News
October 18, 2012 by Nick Juliano in E&E News
The overarching goal is to determine "what does the industry need to stay alive, basically," said one industry lobbyist familiar with the meeting ...Congress is expected to address the immediate fate of the PTC during a lame-duck session, although the future of the credit and myriad other issues largely hinge on the outcome of the elections.
Also filed under [
Tax Breaks & Subsidies]
Wind farms stir up controversy with green power, income and jobs
October 18, 2012 by Alan Yu in MeDill Reports
October 18, 2012 by Alan Yu in MeDill Reports
According to Glaess, Minnesota is losing money from the excess power because a state mandate requires the state to generate a certain amount of power from renewable sources, and it requires the state to buy that power, whether it is needed or not.
"It's a terrible policy to make these mandates," Glaess said.
Also filed under [
Impact on Economy]
Growing wind-turbine opposition creates hurdles for states
October 16, 2012 by David Hatch in Governing
October 16, 2012 by David Hatch in Governing
The lingering public perception of gentle Dutch-style windmills in the countryside does not match wind’s stark reality, critics say. Turbines are industrial machines that can exceed the height of the Statue of Liberty, and they’re increasingly financed by subsidiaries of Big Energy giants such as BP and Florida Power & Light.
Layoffs at wind facilities now occurring; Vestas is cutting 18 percent in Colorado
October 15, 2012 by Bill Opalka in Energy Biz
October 15, 2012 by Bill Opalka in Energy Biz
Last week Vestas reduced its manufacturing workforce at the Brighton and Windsor facilities.
"Overall, about 18% of Vestas' entire Colorado manufacturing workforce was affected this week at its two blade factories. In 2012, Vestas' manufacturing workforce in Colorado has decreased from more than 1,700 to about 1,200 people."
Also filed under [
General]
New rule could lead to more wind energy curtailment in Midwest
October 12, 2012 by Mark Del Franco in North American Windpower
October 12, 2012 by Mark Del Franco in North American Windpower
Under the current market rules, existing non-dispatchable resources - including wind energy - are the last to be curtailed. However, under the new rule, wind projects placed in service after Oct. 15 will no longer be afforded that benefit and could be curtailed as early as natural-gas and coal-fired generation.
Also filed under [
General]
Vestas Wind Systems lays off 200 workers at its Windsor blade factory
October 11, 2012 by Steve Raabe in The Denver Post
October 11, 2012 by Steve Raabe in The Denver Post
Wind-turbine manufacturer Vestas Wind Systems made its largest Colorado job cut Thursday, laying off about 200 workers at its Windsor blade plant.
The cuts represent 29 percent of the plant's workforce. Vestas also had laid off workers at plants in Brighton and Pueblo.
Also filed under [
Tax Breaks & Subsidies|
Colorado]
The Alliance to Protect Nantucket Sound, Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility and a handful of other groups yesterday filed a motion for summary judgment in one of five pending lawsuits aimed at preventing the construction of 130 wind turbines on roughly 25 miles of the sound.
Also filed under [
General|
Massachusetts]
Wind turbines take steep toll on birds and bats
October 11, 2012 by Zulima Palacio in Voice of America
October 11, 2012 by Zulima Palacio in Voice of America
Thousands of birds and bats are killed every year by collisions with the the wind towers and their giant blades. Environmental activists are taking the wind energy industry to court to find a solution. ...Despite efforts to reduce wildlife collisions, no permanent solution has been found. The wind industry opposes shutting down or limiting turbine operations.
Also filed under [
Impact on Wildlife]
IRS says 'tax avoidance' at heart of Solyndra bankruptcy plan
October 11, 2012 by Jim McElhatton in The Washington Times
October 11, 2012 by Jim McElhatton in The Washington Times
"The only reason for the shell corporation to exist post-confirmation is to enable its owners to exploit these tax attributes, which would be lost in liquidation," the IRS argued in court papers.
One owner valued the so-called tax attributes at $150 million, dwarfing the $7 million to $8 million set aside by the reorganization plan for unsecured creditors.
Also filed under [
Tax Breaks & Subsidies]
Wind projects stalled over tax credit uncertainty
October 10, 2012 by Will Brumleve in The News-Gazette
October 10, 2012 by Will Brumleve in The News-Gazette
But deep differences over spending in Congress have made the PTC's fate uncertain. And that uncertainty has stalled wind farm development nationwide and led to cutbacks at major U.S. turbine manufacturing plants.
Also filed under [
Tax Breaks & Subsidies|
Illinois]
Vestas cuts 75 workers at its Brighton wind turbine blade factory
October 10, 2012 by Mark Jaffe in The Denver Post
October 10, 2012 by Mark Jaffe in The Denver Post
Vestas Wind Systems, the wind turbine manufacturer that built four factories in Colorado, announced its third round of job cuts on Tuesday, firing 75 workers at its blade factory in Brighton.
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