Documents filed under Taxes & Subsidies
National Wind Watch does not oppose funding of research and development for wind energy, but stresses that any increases in monies allocated be correctly focused. Most of any future research and development should now be focused on the detrimental impacts and mitigation techniques of wind development including, but not limited to: actual impacts on property values in areas where wind development occurs; actual net impacts on employment; life cycle analysis of environmental impacts (positive and negative); grid system stability and reliability under increasing penetration of wind, and within lower quality wind sites. Given the inherent and perceived conflict of interest, National Wind Watch recommends that the National Renewable Energy Laboratory NOT hold responsibility for such analysis but only be permitted to participate.
Draft 2004 New England Marginal Emission Rate Analysis

Regulatory subsidies to renewable energy in Victoria

Driving Investment In Renewable Energy In Victoria - Options for a Victorian market-based measure

An analysis of Whole Foods’ January 9, 2006, “wind energy” Purchase

Overblown Wind
Financial Impacts of Wind Turbines on Communities in Western Massachsetts- A Closer Look

Wind Farms: Frequently Asked (Legal) Questions
In community after community where industrial-scale "wind farms" have been proposed, mundane and sparsely-attended board meetings have been transformed into standing-room-only affairs. Residents and property owners are anxious to know whether rumored plans to construct twenty, fifty or even a hundred of the 400-foot tall wind turbines are "a done deal." Most significantly, the electorate wants to know the extent to which their town has the power to decide whether or not wind farms will dominate their rural landscape. /p
Wind Power Facility Siting Case Studies: Community Response

"Big Money" Discovers the Huge Tax Breaks and Subsidies for "Wind Energy"

Economic Factors for Wind Projects - With special refererence to Highland New Wind Development
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.
Creative Financing Structures Provide Breath of Fresh Air for Wind Power Projects
To maximize the advantages that the production tax credit offers, however, requires a closer look at how wind power facilities are financed. Unlike most power projects which are financed based on their revenues from power sales, financing for wind power projects depends heavily on the production tax credits.
Tom Hewson Analyses Carbon Dioxide Savings of Gray County Wind Farm (KS)
Given its location, Gray County would have displaced mostly NGCC and some oil fired generation. Using the average 2003 NGCC heatrate for the sub-powerpool (7,478 Btu/kWh) and the average CO2 content of natural gas (116 #CO2/MMBtu), the project may have displaced only 158,000 tons of CO2 in 2003 (0.00207% of 2003 US estimated emissions according to the USDOE report entitled Emissions of Greenhouse Gases in the United States, 2003 (issued December 13, 2004). (Note in 2002, the output was less and it would have displaced only 140,000 tons).
Distorting The Wealth Of Nature - Subsidies and Favoritism for Energy
....there are too many forms of subsidies and favoritism to determine accurately which energy sources get the best treatment, although some interpretations can be made. In any case, those who argue that their technology should receive more in order to compensate for another technology’s subsidies are being disingenuous. Congressional subsidies in the latest energy bill will only make matters worse.
ABA -Renewable Energy: What Kinds Of Incentives Are Needed & How Do The Current Available Incentives Work?

Reduction in Carbon Dioxide Emissions: Estimating the Potential Contribution from Wind Power

Facing up to the True Costs and Benefits of Wind Energy

Wind - Facts or blowing hot air?

Community Wind Financing: A Handbook by the Environmental Law & Policy Center

Financing Wind Power Projects
