Although the turbine is expected to generate more than enough electricity to power the sewer plant, it must still connect to the grid since the plant needs a consistent source of electricity, and the turbine's output could fluctuate depending on how windy it is, officials have said. The city also can sell the excess electricity back to the grid.

Taxes & Subsidies Maryland

Gov. Martin O'Malley (D) asked the state's congressional delegation Monday to advocate for funds to create jobs and for an offshore wind project. "There is no progress without jobs," O'Malley told the lawmakers Monday afternoon during a presentation of his 2012 congressional priorities.

Taxes & Subsidies Maryland

Mr. OMalley's proposal, which would require utility companies in Maryland to enter into a minimum 20-year wind-energy contract, failed to garner support from either Democrats or Republicans largely because it would increase consumer energy costs.

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The governor proposed adding a threshold test in which state regulators would kick out proposals projected to raise an average family's electricity bill by more than $2 a month in the first year. The administration anticipates the financial impact will decrease after the first year if fossil fuel prices continue to rise.

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State senator Paul Pinksy (D-Prince George's) and delegate Tom Hucker (D-Montgomery) have filed a bill mandating state utilities enter into long term contracts to purchase wind generated power. ...If the Pinsky-Hucker bill becomes law, Google and it's investment partners will be the only winners and Maryland utility customers will be the losers.

Taxes & Subsidies Energy Policy Maryland

If things go as planned, Delaware could be the first state in the U.S. to develop an offshore wind farm. NRG Bluewater Wind estimates it will take two years to obtain necessary permits ...Funding also may impact the project's timeline. Delaware's 200-megawatt offshore wind farm is estimated to cost $1.2 billion. Renewal of a federal tax credit for wind projects and approval of an application for a federal loan guarantee will be key, executives say.

Taxes & Subsidies Energy Policy Maryland

Perhaps some will remember that FSU received a much ballyhooed Maryland grant to study the performance of a wind and solar apparatus built several years ago on the campus. But where is the data showing how this project fared over the last 18 months? How much fuel did the campus save? What were the annual capacity factors? How much energy did the systems provide at peak demand times? Such data and more should have been presented so that the public would know how this equipment really performed. Now, thanks to the nation's taxpayers - the source of the DOE grant - here we go again, onward and upward in the name of energy du jour.

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Despite a potential windfall of $300,000 a year or more for schools, the Mineral County Board of Education will not take a position in support of the proposed Pinnacle Wind Farm prior to the September hearing on the project to be conducted by the West Virginia Public Service Commission. Officials from U.S. WindForce appeared before the school board earlier this month to preview the project atop Green Mountain just west of Keyser, as well as the plan to divert about three-quarters of the wind farm's property tax revenue to the school system. Opponents of the project appeared before the board at the same time.

Taxes & Subsidies Maryland West Virginia

A contract has yet to be drafted, but there was discussion during a work session Tuesday among the county commissioners and representatives from US Wind Force as to how the company would guarantee tax money to come into the county. "I'm trying to protect the people in Mineral County," Commission President Wayne Spiggle said. "I want to try to ensure they have the tax income from this industry. This industry has a unique taxation base."

Taxes & Subsidies Maryland West Virginia

Senate President Thomas V. Mike Miller and other leading Democrats are sponsoring a bill that would cut back the state's environmental review of proposals to build large wind turbines. Supporters of the bill include wind energy developer Wayne Rogers, former chairman of the Maryland Democratic Party, whose proposal to build up to 20 turbines in Garrett County has drawn objections from the state Department of Natural Resources. Opponents of a streamlined permit process worry that it would eliminate the public hearings now required before developers can clear forested mountaintops to build 40-story turbines that mar scenic views.

Taxes & Subsidies General Maryland

Under the terms of a four-year contract, Pepco Energy Services, an unregulated subsidiary of Pepco Holdings Inc., will supply more than 64 million kilowatt-hours of renewable energy credits to both firms as well as the Washington Square office building that Lerner and Tower jointly developed at 1050 Connecticut Ave. NW. Pepco did not disclose the contract's value.

Taxes & Subsidies General Maryland