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The Southern Minnesota Municipal Power Agency (SMMPA) announced on March 19 that it had started up two NEG Micon 950-kW wind turbines near Fairmont, Minn. The utility reports that the project was completed for $2.1 million. The turbines are expected to generate at least 5 million kWh of electricity annually for at least the next 25 years, enough for about 700 homes. The project was completed in near record time. "In under six months we went from Board approval to energy production," said Dan Hayes of SMMPA. "This was mostly because of quick action by the SMMPA Board and the overwhelming support we received from the Martin County Board; Fairmont Public Utilities; the landowners, Mark and Denice Kotewa; and the people of Fairmont."
SMMPA members began offering their customers a green power alternative in December 2000. There are currently about 800 customers of SMMPA members who buy wind power. Before its project was complete, SMMPA had been purchasing wind power from other suppliers. "SMMPA member customers are very interested in this generation alternative," said Larry Johnston, SMMPA's director of corporate development. "The first turbine completely sold out within two months." SMMPA provides electricity and related services to 18 municipally operated utilities, mostly in south-central and southeastern Minnesota. For more information about SMMPA and its wind power project, visit www.smmpa.com. Construction updates, with photos and in-depth information, are available at http://www.smmpa.org/athome/windpwr_upd.html. Source: AWEA Wind Energy Weekly 3/21/2003.
ERT (The Environmental Resources Trust, Inc.) is a Washington, DC-based, non-profit organization that pioneers the use of market forces to protect and improve the global environment. Founded in 1996, with the assistance of the Environmental Defense Fund, ERT is harnessing the power of markets to address the challenges of tempering climate change, securing clean and reliable power, and encouraging environmentally beneficial land use. For more information on ERT, go to: http://www.ert.net/.
Revenues from production of solar power at Wenatchee Valley College will be used to build three new solar power stations at schools in Chelan County through an agreement with the Bonneville Environmental Foundation (BEF). The 10-kilowatt solar array at Wenatchee Valley College is part of Chelan County PUD's Sustainable Natural Alternative Power (SNAP) program. The college installation features 132 solar panels on the roof of the Eller-Fox Science Center. The panels began producing energy about a year ago and to date have produced more than 10,600 kilowatt hours (kWh) or about half the total amount of energy used by a typical all-electric home in Chelan County. "The college is one of five local generators of alternative power in the SNAP program and, at 10 kilowatts, is a significant producer," said Jim White, senior engineer at the PUD. As such, the college will be entitled to about $13,000 of the annual payments made to local SNAP producers. Initially, the college intended to turn those proceeds back to the Bonneville Environmental Foundation, which provided startup funding for purchasing and installing the solar equipment. "We have been so impressed with the success of the SNAP program," said Angus Duncan, BEF President, "that we would like these dollars to stay in Chelan County and be used to install additional solar stations tied to education." The money will be used to help build solar installations at three schools in Chelan County. Students at the schools will be able to help install the solar panels, monitor their output, and compare their power production with that at other schools in the Pacific Northwest.
About SNAP: The SNAP program, initiated in 2001, links neighbors to neighbors, connecting small producers of solar and wind power in Chelan County with local customers interested in purchasing that power. In addition to the college, there are three other local solar producers and one wind producer. PUD customers pay a little extra on their electric bills to support solar and wind energy. All funds earmarked for SNAP go directly to the local producers who supply power into the PUD's electrical grid for use by local customers. For more information, visit the PUD's Web site www.chelanpud.org/snap or call the PUD's SNAPLine at 509-667-4242. Source: BEF Release 3/20/2003.
A developer of properties and a town in Pennsylvania are two of the most recent purchasers of green power -- electricity produced from renewable energy sources. Their purchases demonstrate the diversity of U.S. companies and government entities that are buying green power. The Tower Companies, a commercial and residential building developer, announced last week that it will buy 24 million kilowatt-hours of green power over 18 months, meeting between 25 and 50 percent of the electricity needs for its buildings in the Washington, D.C. area. See the Tower Companies press release at: http://www.towercompanies.com/tower_w/files/press13.html. Source: EREN Network News 3/19/2003.
A unit of a Houston-based renewable energy company is proposing to build a 182-megawatt wind-turbine electrical generation facility near Ellensburg in Central Washington. The unit, Sagebrush Power Partners LLC, in January submitted an application to the Washington state Energy Site Evaluation Council (EFSEC) to construct and operate the facility. EFSEC oversees major energy-facility construction in the state. A public information meeting is slated for March 12 in Ellensburg, and an environmental impact statement on the project will be required, EFSEC says. Sagebrush is a wholly owned subsidiary of Zilkha Renewable Energy, of Houston. The proposed project would be built in Kittitas County, on the ridges on both sides of state Route 97 about 12 miles northwest of Ellensburg. According to papers filed with EFSEC, it would include 121 wind-generation turbines measuring 249 feet tall with rotor diameters of 197 feet. Kittitas County is located on the edge of the eastern slope of the Cascade Mountains, and is known for its sustained winds.
In addition to the turbines themselves, the project would include construction of two substations, an operations center, underground and overhead electrical lines, and-access roads. No cost estimate for the project is included in the preliminary application made to EFSEC by Sagebrush. The power generated by the facility would be fed onto one of two big transmission lines that pass through the project property, one operated by Puget Sound Energy and the other by the Bonneville Power Administration. Sagebrush would install about 23 miles of underground power lines and two miles of overhead, 34.5 kilovolt lines, both of which would collect power generated by the turbines and carry it to the substations. The 90-acre property where the project is proposed is owned either privately or by the Washington state Department of Natural Resources, according to the filing. Source: Journal of Business 3/24/2003 via Energy Central 3/25/2003.
State regulators have approved contracts for one of the largest solar power projects in the nation. The Public Utilities Commission of Nevada voted 3-0 on Thursday to ratify contracts between Duke Solar Energy of Raleigh, N.C., and Nevada Power Co. of Las Vegas and Sierra Pacific Power Co. of Reno. Duke agreed to build the Eldorado Solar Electric Generating Station in the Eldorado Valley near Boulder City to generate solar power for the utilities. Duke expects to complete the plant by 2005. It will supply electricity to Nevada Power and Sierra so that the utilities will be able to comply with a state law that requires them to obtain some of their energy from so-called renewable sources. Renewable sources include geothermal power from hot underground water and wind power. The law requires the utilities to obtain some solar power although it is generally more expensive than wind and geothermal power.
Duke Solar agreed to provide the 50 megawatts of generating capacity to the two utilities for 15 to 17 cents a kilowatt hour over 20 years. It will generate enough electricity for 8,400 homes in Nevada, according to the PUC.Once completed, it will be the third largest solar plant in the country -- smaller only than the 160-megawatt solar plant at Harper Lake and the 150-megawatt plant at Kramer Junction, both in California. Source: Las Vegas-Review Journal 3/21/2003.
Western Water and Power Production (WWPP) recently announced plans to build a $50-million biomass electricity generation facility near the city of Raton, NM, that would convert "tree thinnings, agricultural waste and other combustible material" into power for between 20,000 and 35,000 homes. Additionally, WWPP officials joined with the state's Economic Development Department and Department of Energy, Minerals and Natural Resources earlier this month to introduce a new bill that would provide tax incentives for biomass-fueled power plants. "We need to get our electric costs low to get into the market," said WWPP president David Cohen. "The tax credit allows us to compete with other energy companies. It provides us a level playing field." The company said it is currently working to obtain permits for the new facility, with construction slated to begin "within a year" and operations to commence by 2005. Source: Albuquerque Journal 3/14/2003 via EIN Renewable Energy Today 3/24/2003.
In the Midwest, Environmental Power Corporation is forming a strategic alliance with Dairyland Power Cooperative in an effort to convert animal waste from poultry and swine farms into electricity. Environmental Power uses an anaerobic digestion process to convert manure into biogas, which is then burned to generate electricity. The company plans to deploy systems totaling 25 megawatts in capacity throughout Dairyland's service area. Dairyland Power Cooperative sells wholesale power to electric power cooperatives and municipal utilities in 62 counties in the states of Wisconsin, Minnesota, Iowa, Illinois, and Michigan. See the Environmental Power press release at: http://www.environmentalpower.com/news/pr_3-6-03.htm. Source: EREN Network News 3/19/2003.
More radio interviews, part of a series running through March on EarthNews Radio, are now airing on KCBS, CBS Radio Network affiliates, National Public Radio, and independent stations around the country. Stations in California include: KCBS and KALW in San Francisco, KNX 1070 AM in Los Angeles, KPOO 89.5 in San Francisco, KAZU 90.3 Pacific Grove, KALW 91.7 San Francisco, KVON AM in Napa, and KTEE 103.9 FM in Monterey. Topics include: Economics of Solar Design, Solar Design, Green Buildings Materials, and Passive Solar. Clips can be heard through March at the link below. http://www.scienceinterchange.org/en_audio.html. Source: Renewable Energy Alliance News 3/20/03.
The Local Government Commission-- The third edition of the Renewable Energy Assistance Packet: A Compendium of Resources for Local Governments is now available online at www.lgc.org/spire. The document was developed through the Local Government Commission's Stimulating Public-sector Implementation of Renewable Energy (SPIRE) program, with funding from the CEC's Renewable Energy Consumer Education Program.The update of the Assistance Packet features: additional case studies, expanded section on local energy policies and municipal solar programs, changes to CEC Buydown Program, formation, updated procurement information, and expanded section on solar bonds and resources for debt issuance. Source: Renewable Energy Alliance News 3/20/03.
In an effort to spread the news about the innovative energy research going on at the University of California, the UC Energy Institute has created Energy Notes. Energy Notes will be published quarterly and communicate the highlights of energy research taking place across all UC campuses. Visit the UCEI web site or let this link take you directly to the first edition of Energy Notes. http://www.ucei.berkeley.edu/energy_notes/UCEI_Energy_Notes.html. Source: E-mail from UCEI 3/25/2003.
The North America Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP) is developing a voluntary certification program for installers of photovoltaic (PV) systems. This document outlines the requirements that candidates for PV installer certification will need to meet in order to become certified. These requirements were developed by the NABCEP PV Technical Committee and by the Board based on input from stakeholders, extensive deliberation among committee and board members, research of skill requirements for existing trades, and examination of certification and licensure pathways for similar trades. Information on this background research is available online at References: http://www.irecusa.org/articles/static/1/binaries/ReferencesforRequirements.doc.
The NABCEP PV Installer Certification is not intended to prevent qualified individuals from installing PV systems nor to replace state licensure requirements. It is meant to provide a set of national standards by which PV installers with skills and experience can distinguish themselves. Certification will provide an educational tool for consumers and may encourage increased financing and reduced insurance rates for PV projects. It will be available voluntarily to those PV installers who feel they will benefit from it. Background information on the development of these requirements, including the PV Installer Task Analysis, a listing of Members of the Board and PV Technical Committee, results from the two "Call for Comments" periods, and other information is available either online or by request. NABCEP is an open process, receiving stakeholder comment at all times and making documents and other information available upon request.
Target Candidate for PV Installer Certification: Person responsible for the system installation (e.g., contractor, foreman, supervisor, or journeyman). To become certified, an applicant must:
The certification time period will be three years. To maintain certification, certificants will complete a continuing education requirement and a specified number of documented installations every three years. See maintenance requirement below.
Requirements to Sit for Certification Exam:
3.1 To qualify to sit for the NABCEP PV Installer Certification examination, the candidate must demonstrate that he/she meets at least one of the following minimum entry requirement tracks:
3.2 A NABCEP Application Review Committee will review applications and decide whether candidates meet the spirit of the NABCEP qualifications to sit for the certification examination. This Committee will be made up of experienced PV installers with an understanding of the different types of situations and constraints experienced by installers in the field. Reviewers will be non-competitive industry peers with no financial or other affiliation with applicants -- every effort will be made to ensure the objectivity of the Reviewers.
3.3. For purposes of this process, experience installing PV systems requires being in a responsible role in decision-making on the job. This includes the foreman, supervisor, site manager responsible for the quality of the installation, or experienced person performing the trade without supervision. There may be several workers that do not carry supervisory responsibility on the jobsite who are aspiring to this role. In these cases, the supervisor may be called upon to make a judgment as to the role of the worker in the process of documenting their experience.
3.4 Definition: one (1) year of experience = one year in a responsible role on the job installing PV systems, in the role of foreman, supervisor, site manager, or experienced worker performing PV installation work without direct supervision. This year must include installation of at least two PV systems totaling 1KW. At least one installation each year must be a system with an inverter and subject to a complete electrical permitting and inspection process by a permitting authority -- OR, in the absence of such, an appropriate underwriter authorized to provide an inspection certificate. In regions where neither of these inspection options exist, the Application Review Committee will judge experience based on supplied documentation.
3.5 In order to document required experience, candidates for certification may be asked to list all employment, experience, education, and existing licenses, registrations, certifications and any other credentials pertinent to their application and their qualifying category. Candidates who are self-employed will need to obtain signed-off building inspection certificates. Customers alone cannot be used to verify employment.
In order to document the minimum 2-systems required per year of experience, candidates may be asked to provide a concise description of work performed at the job site and the level of their responsibility, number of full-time equivalent workers supervised, location of the job site, system owner contact information, and any permits or inspection certificates involved. If a license for solar installation is required in the jurisdiction in which the work is performed, candidates shall be asked to submit their license number -- or the license number under which the work is performed -- on their application.
3.6 Although training is strongly encouraged, it is not a requirement for achieving this certification when candidates meet the experience or other entry requirements. However, the exam is such that some level of training will likely be necessary for most applicants to achieve a passing score. Candidates are therefore encouraged to seek training classes as needed. It is recommended that applicants look for training courses with Institute for Sustainable Power (ISP) accreditation or similar accreditation (see section 7 for details on solar standards for training & accreditation).
3.7 NABCEP will accept training to meet entry requirement option (b) when the training meets the following outcomes:
Types of training programs may include (but are not limited to):
3.8 Should an applicant be rejected, the reason(s) for rejection will be produced and the applicant will be able to either resubmit their application with additional information or make an appeal for their application to be reconsidered by the NABCEP Appeals Committee.
Examination
4.1 Each candidate must pass a written examination to qualify for certification. A list of references and documents pertaining to the test will be made available in a Study Guide.
4.2 The examination will be based on supplied scenarios and situations, with multiple-choice questions requiring various calculations, knowledge of the relevant National Electrical Code sections, knowledge of safety practices, PV-system assessments, installation requirements, and customer interaction issues.
4.3 The test will be open book with an allotted time of no more than four hours for candidates to complete the examination.
Code of Ethics
5.1 As a part of the application process, candidates will sign a Code of Ethics indicating that they will maintain professional and ethical business practices.
5.2 A Code of Ethics serves the purpose of protecting consumers and quality installers from the degradation of the value of the certification if unethical certificants do not perform up to the standards the credential was developed to encourage.
5.3 Violation of the Code of Ethics may be grounds for disciplinary action (possibly suspension or removal of an installer's certification status). See item 6.4 below.
Maintaining Certification
6.1 Certification is valid for three (3) years from the date of issuance. To maintain certification, the certified installer must document the following:
6.2 Contact hours are defined as instructor-led class time (not including class breaks). Candidates for certification maintenance will need to provide NABCEP with proof of attendance for the number of contact hours claimed.
6.3 A wide variety of training sources can provide contact hours meeting the 18-hour continuing education requirement. See 3.7 above for a list of examples of training programs that might be used toward meeting this requirement.
6.4 Certificants against whom complaints are brought will be notified and will have the opportunity to refute the complaints against them. If a review process finds the certificant in violation of the Code of Ethics or if he/she is consistently performing work that does not reflect the skills and experience required for certification, certification status may be revoked. This process will include testimony and appeals opportunities.
Conclusion
The NABCEP PV Installer certification has been developed in accordance with certification industry best-practices. NABCEP has endeavored to follow the requirements of ISO draft standard 17024, "General Requirements for Bodies Operating Certification Systems of Persons."
These requirements for PV Installer Certification were subject to two public comment periods during the course of which over 400 comments were received. These comments were considered carefully and the draft certification requirements were adjusted accordingly. NABCEP standards will be subject to periodic review and revision in order to continue to be relevant to changes in the field. Accepted by Board Vote on January 28, 2003. Source: IREC News 3/21/2003.
The Senate Environment and Public Works (EPW) Subcommittee on Air Quality, chaired by Senator George Voinovich (R-OH), held a hearing focused on S. 385, the Fuels Security Act of 2003, which includes the RFS fuels agreement, on March 20th. Several witnesses spoke in favor of the agreement, including the American Petroleum Institute, National Corn Growers Association (NCGA), U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Opposition was led by organizations that represent MTBE producers, the Oxygenated Fuels Association and National Petrochemical and Refiners Association. In his opening remarks, Chairman Voinovich stated, “The legislation that we are here to discuss today – a compromise that will triple the amount of domestically-produced ethanol used in America – is one essential tool in reducing our dependence on imported oil…I believe that increasing our use of alternative and renewable fuels such as ethanol and biodiesel is a key element in our effort to construct a viable energy policy. During the last Congress, I – along with several of my colleagues - worked to develop an ethanol package that provides a tangible benefit for the American people. Passage of an ethanol bill will protect our national security, economy, and environment.” Source: RFA Release 3/25/2003.
DOE Assistant Secretary for Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy David Garman added, “Biofuels can play an important role in reducing our dependence on foreign oil while reducing emissions of criteria pollutants and carbon dioxide. The [Bush] Administration supports legislation such as S. 385 that phases out the use of MTBE across the country in a reasonable timeframe and in the context of a national renewable fuels standard designed to achieve a five billion gallon annual average use target by the year 2012.” Garman further noted that while the Administration prefers an RFS to be part of comprehensive energy legislation, if that package begins to split apart, the Bush Administration would support passing a stand-alone RFS bill. Source: RFA Release 3/25/2003.
According to the European Wind Energy Association (EWEA), a recent international survey conducted by the European Commission (EC) indicates that renewable energy "is a top priority for European citizens." Additionally, EWEA said results of the survey, known as the "Eurobarometer," reveal that research into such renewable energies as solar and wind "is significantly more popular [than] other energy-related research in the European Union [(EU)]."
"Energy policy should catch up with public opinion," said EWEA policy director Christian Kjaer. "The powerful public support for renewable energy over fossil fuels and nuclear power expressed by EU citizens should form an important basis in the shaping of future European energy policies."
EWEA said 76 percent of survey respondents maintained that the use of fossil fuels adversely affects air quality, while 40 percent stated that renewables "will prove the least expensive energy resources by 2050." Additionally, EWEA revealed that 67 percent of respondents said renewable energy resources "will be the best for the environment in 2050," and 69 percent expressed support for more renewable energy-related research. "In two decades, Europe will be importing 70 percent of its energy unless we change direction; renewables can plug the gap in the European energy supply," said Kjaer. Contact: Luisa Colasimone, EWEA, phone 02-546-19-81, website http://www.ewea.org. Source: EIN Renewable Energy Today 3/10/2003.
Even if it cost more to burn a light, 82 percent of Colorado residents queried in a major study want more of their electricity generated through renewable resources, primarily wind and solar Wells Fargo Public Opinion Research Program at the University of Colorado at Denver, conducted the survey. The responses were "striking," said Peggy Cuciti, director of the program. No matter how the data is cut, Cuciti said, the results are the same - overwhelming in support of using more renewable energy and continued renewable energy research. Electricity generated by wind turbines typically costs around five cents per kilowatt hour (kWh). Proponents say this is competitive with traditional sources of electrical generation and is the cheapest renewable energy source. Considering factors such as the rising cost of fossil fuels, the cost of pollution including greenhouse gasses, and the cost of site rehabilitation when a power plant closes, the cost of wind power is competitive with, and may actually be less than, fossil fuels, supporters believe. And, once a wind turbine is installed, the operating costs are minimal and the fuel is-free. Colorado is ranked 11th in the country for wind energy potential, but the state's primary sources of electricity come from burning coal and natural gas. With greenhouse gases increasingly damaging the earth's atmosphere, proponents of renewable energy want the Colorado legislature to require about 8 percent of the state's energy needs to come from renewable energy by 2010. Fourteen states, including Texas, use renewable energy requirements to ensure that a minimum amount of energy in their state comes from clean energy sources. A recent report by Colorado Public Interest Research Group (CoPIRG) said studies show developing wind power in rural areas can pay big returns to the economy, and that in many cases windgenerated electricity competes favorably with the cost of fossilfuel power. Of course, it is pollution free. Austin-based Cielo Wind Power aims to use as many local workers and contractors as possible, employing as many as 300 people during construction of a project there, and approximately one technician for every eight turbines in operation. In 2001, the Texas wind industry employed more than 2,500 workers.
"Diversifying our energy supply with clean, domestic resources creates jobs - especially in rural areas, brings new income and economic development to farmers and ranchers, and helps stabilize electricity prices," a CoPIRG study reports. It also reports that the west's continued drought could reduce the availability of hydro- generated electricity - although the more likely scenano is an increase in the cost of electricity produced by water. National wind energy developers have joined with Colorado and Utah nongovernmental groups to establish a regional renewable energy trade group called the Interwest Energy Alliance. It advocates public policies promoting renewable energy technologies such as using wind and solar energy for power, said founder Craig Cox. "Given proper public policy support, wind and other renewable energy technologies could provide over $1 billion of economic development benefits in Colorado over the next 20 years," Cox said. He said rural areas hard hit by the economic downturn stand to benefit most from the development of wind and other renewable energy sources.
House Speaker Lola Spradley, R-Beulah, and Sen. Ken Kester, R- Las Animas, intro duced a renewable standards bill to the legislature in February, and it is working its way through the process. But early on, House Bill 1295 is generating a positive buzz. HB 1295 proposes a goal for Colorado to generate 900 megawatts annually from renewable energy by 2010. Wind would be the main source, but the bill also encourages solar and biomass electric generation. The proposal also has support from companies that produce electricity in conventional ways - hydropower and the burning of coal and natural gas, Colorado farmers also apparently like the idea, as they struggle for ways to make a living from their farms. CoPIRG's recently-released report said developing wind power is a win-win situation for everyone. "Our research demonstrates wind energy is economical and good for our economy," coauthor Stephanie Bonin said. "Wind power is a new kind of crop Colorado's farming and ranching communities can loot for income... more wind energy means more jobs, more money for rural schools and a greener future for many farmers and ranchers in Colorado."
The Independent Bankers of Colorado, too, believes HB 1295 could be an inventive economic development program for the financially struggling Eastern Plains communities. Additionally, because wind farm are taxed as industrial operations, they pay taxes. For example, Prowers County's tax revenue increased by 29 percent because of the Lamar wind farm. The Lamar project is the third-largest wind farm in the nation, generating 162 megawatts. That is enough power to serve about 75,000 homes. The revenue from the wind farm is vitally important to that area, which has the lowest per capita income in Colorado. "We are in desperate need of new economic development that will mitigate the almost ruinous results of the drought in a region which is so dependent on agricultural products and cattle," said Leon Sparks, superintendent of the Lamar Utilities Board. The first goal of the Interwest Energy Alliance will be to advance a renewable portfolio standard in the Colorado and Utah legislatures. said Hal Boyd, GE Wind Energy's vice president for government relations. He said the renewable portfolio standard ensures that a cer tain amount of each state's electricity is produced from renewable energy sources. Currently, the total U.S. production of wind power is around 4,300 megawatts or 4.3 billion watts. This is enough energy to power approximately three million U.S. households, experts said. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, all U.S. electrical energy needs could be met by the wind in Texas and the Dakotas alone. Locally, the options to purchase electricity generated through wind power is available through the utilities office. Colorado Springs Utilities sells wind-generated electricity in the form of "blocks." One block costs an additional $3.00 a month, and equals 100 kilowatt hours of electricity - about 20 percent of an average home's monthly electric usage. For more information on wind-generated electricity, go to www.cogreenpower.org, or call the city utilities office. Source: The Colorado Springs Business Journal 3/24/2003 via Energy Central 3/25/2003.
The persistent wind in Montana and Wyoming may eventually do more than just blow off hats and stir up dust. The federal government says both states are good candidates for wind energy development on public lands, including near Billings, Missoula, Great Falls and in southern Wyoming near Rawlins and Rock Springs. In a new report, the Interior Department identifies 65 areas in 11 Western states under the Bureau of Land Management's jurisdiction that have potential for renewable energy development, including wind power and solar, geothermal and "biomass" power, based on consumption of plants and trees. "Eventually we're going to run out of oil; that's not a doomsday thing, but someday it's going to happen," said Mike Kirby, associate director of the BLM's National Science and Technology Center in Denver.
Although oil and gas development is a critical part of the Bush administration's National Energy Plan, the development of renewable energy sources also plays a role. "We're trying to move from the non-renewables and reduce our dependence on imported oil. If we can do that through wind or solar and eventually biomass, it's a security thing," Kirby said. There is widespread potential for a mix of renewable development on public lands in California and throughout the Southwest, especially because of developed infrastructure, such as transmission lines, and incentive programs. In Montana and Wyoming, the wind may be the biggest renewable asset.
The report says there are six BLM areas in Montana and six in Wyoming with high potential for wind power development. In order to qualify, each area had to have steady wind and be within 50 miles of a road and 25 miles of a transmission line. Kirby said some might be surprised that only a few spots meet those requirements. "It only seems like it's blowing all the time," Kirby said. "In some areas, the wind blows like mad in the spring and fall, is dead calm in the summer and intermittent in the winter. Unless you can keep the blades turning regularly, there's no money in it." The remoteness of many locations is also a problem. Building new transmission lines can cost as much as $1 million a mile, which can be too much for an out-of-the-way wind project. 'If you're 50 or 75 miles away from the market, you've got no market because you can't afford to build the interconnect," Kirby said. Still, with wind power as the fastest-growing renewable energy Source in the country, companies are likely to use the Interior report to hunt for new investments. "The report is about potential," said Gary Schmitz, spokesman for the National Renewable Energy Laboratory in Golden, Colo., which helped write the study. "It provides maps that really show where the opportunities are. How those opportunities play out is anyone's guess." Solar development continues to be relatively expensive about 20 to 25 cents per kilowatt hour to produce - while wind is around 3 to 4 cents, making it competitive with natural gas and even coal in some parts. Biomass, the process of converting plants and other materials into ethanol or electricity, is also coming on strong with rapidly developing technology. Source: Billings Gazette 2/27/2003 via Energy Central 3/25/2003.
The Los Angeles Department of Water and Power won its second consecutive "customer satisfaction" award, ranking highest in the Western U.S. by midsize business customers, according to a national study of electric utility customers conducted by J.D. Power and Associates. "Winning the J.D. Power Award for outstanding customer satisfaction demonstrates the LADWP's strong commitment to providing local businesses with reliable and reasonably-priced energy service," said Los Angeles Mayor Jim Hahn. "The City of Los Angeles continues to work toward improving services to businesses, and receiving this award for the second consecutive year shows that we are making great progress. I am proud of the LADWP's employees and congratulate their commitment to outstanding customer satisfaction."
The J.D. Power and Associates 2003 Electric Utility Midsize Business Customer Satisfaction Study reflects the opinions of more than 6,900 midsize businesses concerning the largest 43 electric utilities in the United States. The survey's Western Region includes 10 electric utilities from the states of Arizona, California, Colorado, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Utah, Washington, and parts of Idaho. Midsize business customers ranked LADWP highest in the West overall on the J.D. Power and Associates Customer Satisfaction Index. According to the study, LADWP outscored its competition in index factors, including: power quality and reliability; price and value; and company image. The other factors are billing and payment and customer service. "Rather than getting complacent when we received this top honor in 2002, we worked even harder during the course of the last 12 months to respond to our customers' needs by launching several new initiatives," said LADWP General Manager David Wiggs. "This is a testament to our employees' continued hard work and dedication. I congratulate them all for a job well done." Wiggs cited the Department's new power quality unit, cable and pole replacement program, and award-winning tree-trimming program, as well as its continued stable rates among the initiatives that helped LADWP maintain high customer satisfaction. The J.D. Power and Associates study defines midsize business customers as "businesses that spend an average of $1,500 to $25,000 per month for electric service." The Los Angeles Department of Water and Power serves more than 3.8 million people in Los Angeles and was established more than 100 years ago to provide water and electric needs to the city's businesses and residents. To learn more about the LADWP, log on to www.ladwp.com. Source: Business Wire 3/19/2003 via Power Marketers.com 3/19/2003.
A superior court judge in Los Angeles, CA recently ruled in favor of the city of Palmdale, CA in a lawsuit claiming that the Palmdale Water District (PWD) had violated the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) by approving plans to build a wind turbine near Lake Palmdale. As a result of the ruling, city officials said PWD must prepare an environmental impact study (EIS) on the project, which would provide power to a PWD water treatment plant and a boost-pump facility. "I'm not concerned with the one windmill," said Palmdale mayor Jim Ledford. "I'm concerned about the windmill farm." In its original filing, the city challenged PWD's "mitigated negative declaration" (MND) for the wind turbine project, which acknowledged that the project could threaten the environment but noted the turbine would be constructed "in such a way that the harm would be insignificant." City officials said the lawsuit refuted the MND by asserting that the document did not consider "visual blight, the impact on birds and the potential for earthquake damage." "This ruling should alleviate concerns about aesthetics and seismic activity," said PWD general manager Dennis LaMoreaux. PWD officials said the agency will "re-examine the economic aspects of the $1.2-million project" due to the "additional expense and time for an [EIS]." Source: Los Angeles Daily News 3/20/2003 via EIN Renewable Energy Today 3/25/2003.
Iowa governor Tom Vilsack recently introduced plans to provide approximately $50 million for renewable energy projects throughout the state to "help Iowa become more energy independent, create jobs and spur business investment." "Renewable energy can help fuel the transformation of Iowa's economy," said Vilsack. "We need to pursue an aggressive strategy for renewable energy development. This could be the spark that will light a fire under the Iowa economy." Under the plan, the state will provide $10 million to school districts to encourage the use of wind energy and $5 million to the Iowa Energy Center for the construction of "small renewable energy systems." Additionally, the plan allocates $10 million for biomass-fueled electricity generation systems and $5 million for grants to support the purchase and installation of "anaerobic digestive systems." Vilsack noted that the plan will also include $10 million for "grants and loans to develop transmission and distribution systems for wind energy," as well as additional $10 million to support the construction of wind generation facilities. Contact: Office of Governor Vilsack, website http://www.governor.state.ia.us. Source: EIN Renewable Energy Today 3/10/2003.
At the next California Energy Commission Business Meeting, the following renewable energy issues will be discussed:
Contact: Suzanne Korosec, (916) 654-4516. (15 minutes)
Contact: Suzanne Korosec, (916) 654-4516. (15 minutes)
For a complete agenda of the meeting, go to:
http://www.energy.ca.gov/business_meetings/2003_agendas/agenda_2003-04-02.html. Source: E-mail from CEC 3/23/2003.
This news item comes to you as a service of Western's Renewable Resources Program.
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