SMALL WIND E-NEWSLETTER
March 2004
Issue No. 9, February 26, 2004
Editor: Larry Sherwood, Interstate Renewable Energy Council
The current Small Wind Newsletter is also available on the web at http://www.irecusa.org/smallwindenergy/e-newsletter.html . If you have trouble with links in this e-mail message, try the web version of the newsletter.
Article summaries follow the Table of Contents
TABLE OF CONTENTS
NEWS
(1) TEXAS Highway Rest Stops Powered by Wind
(2) NORTH CAROLINA Wind Turbine Promotes Core Mission at Apple Farm
(3) VIRGINIA Small Wind Incentives Program Announced
(4) PENNSYLVANIA Awards $5 million in Energy Harvest Grants
(5) IOWA Net Metering Case in the National News
(6) MINNESOTA Incentive for Small-Wind Systems Fully Subscribed
(7) Web Site Helps with Farm Bill Funding for 2004
(8) Small Wind State Stakeholders to Meet
(9) Global Windpower 2004 Conference
(10) Northeast Wind Energy Teachers Workshops
(11) ICMA to Host Wind Energy Webcast
(12) Upcoming Small Wind Events
INTERCONNECTION AND NET METERING
(13) WISCONISN - Interconnection Standards Become Law
(14) NEVADA - PUC Adopts Interconnection Rules, Raises Net Metering Limit
INCENTIVES
(15) ILLINOIS Clean Energy Community Foundation Grants
(16) NORTH DAKOTA Wind Personal Tax Credit
RESOURCES
(17) Links to State Regulatory and Net Metering Information
(18) ONTARIO Small Wind Fact Sheet
LINKS TO SMALL WIND IN THE NEWS
(19) Boston Globe
ABOUT THE SMALL WIND NEWSLETTER
Includes information on how to subscribe and unsubscribe.
NEWS
(1) TEXAS Highway Rest Stops Powered by Wind
Two Texas highway rest stops now feature wind turbines. The Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) paid for the installations as part of its regular rest stop rebuilding program. The Alternative Energy Institute (AEI) installed the turbines and will operate them for two years. AEI will also train TxDOT personnel to evaluate problems, monitor turbine performance, and perform simple repairs and after two years, TxDOT will be responsible for the turbines. Full article.
(2) NORTH CAROLINA Wind Turbine Promotes Core Mission at Apple Farm
Ron and Suzanne Joyner operate a small orchard and nursery that specializes in preserving antique and heirloom apples in the Appalachian Mountains of North Carolina. With the help of a small wind turbine, they’re also looking to preserve old-fashioned self-reliance. The Joyners’ 75-acre apple farm near Lansing features all the modern appliances of American life, yet they are not connected to the power grid. Full article.
(3) VIRGINIA Small Wind Incentives Program Announced
The James Madison University Office of the Virginia Wind Energy Collaborative (VWEC) announces the first solicitation for applications to the Virginia Small Wind Incentives Program (VSWIP). This innovative program seeks to make the purchase and installation of small wind turbines more economically feasible for Virginia landowners. Full article.
(4) PENNSYLVANIA Awards $5 million in Energy Harvest Grants
The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection announced 32 grant recipients who will receive $5 million in state Energy Harvest grants. These grants will leverage another $13 million in private funds to promote advanced energy technologies proven to generate jobs, improve air quality, preserve land, protect watersheds and enhance energy security. Six of the grant projects include small wind turbines. Full article.
(5) IOWA Net Metering Case in the National News
National Public Radio’s “Morning Edition” featured a story on the net metering tribulations of an Iowa farmer as he wrestles with his electric cooperative over net metering for a 65 kW wind turbine he installed. The story covered the volumes of litigation between the cooperative utility and Greg Swecker and included an extensive interview with Mr. Swecker. To the best recollection of all the advocates of net metering, this is the first time the issue has been presented to a national media audience. Full article.
(6) MINNESOTA Incentive for Small-Wind Systems Fully Subscribed
The Minnesota Department of Commerce (MDC) announced on November 7 that its production incentive for small-scale wind systems that are rated at less than 2 MW has reached its capacity. Full article.
(7) Web Site Helps with Farm Bill Funding for 2004
A new web site provides information if you are considering applying for funding available through the “Farm Bill,” Section 9006. Operated by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory and the U.S. Department of Agriculture, will help potential renewable energy applicants navigate the many complexities of the funding process. Full article.
(8) Small Wind State Stakeholders to Meet
Small Wind State Stakeholders will meet will be the morning of April 2 in Chicago as part of the Wind Power America State Summit immediately after the Global Windpower 2004 Conference. This meeting will share information between the states and follow-up on some of the priority issues identified at last year’s meeting. Full article.
(9) Global Windpower 2004 Conference
The American Wind Energy Association presents Global Windpower 2004 on March 28-31 in Chicago, IL. Pre-conference seminars will include a full-day session, Taking Small Wind to the Next Level: Reaching Industry Goals. Full article.
(10) Northeast Wind Energy Teachers Workshops
These full day workshops will appeal to middle/high school science teachers who are interested in renewable energy, physics, engineering and design. No knowledge of wind energy is required to attend the workshop and they are offered free of charge. Full article.
(11) ICMA to Host Wind Energy Webcast
The International City/County Management Association (ICMA) will host a webcast, Wind Energy: Opportunities for Local Governments, on March 24, 2004, to inform local governments about wind energy opportunities for their jurisdictions. Full article.
(12) Upcoming Small Wind Events
Listing of upcoming small wind events.
INTERCONNECTION AND NET METERING
Check the Interstate Renewable Energy Council’s Connecting to the Grid web site for the latest interconnection news.
(13) WISCONISN - Interconnection Standards Become Law
Wisconsin's interconnection standards became law on February 1, 2004. The new rules define the application procedures that utilities and customers must observe during the application process. Full article.
(14) NEVADA - PUC Adopts Interconnection Rules, Raises Net Metering Limit
On December 17, 2003, the Nevada Public Utilities Commission (PUC) voted to adopt interconnection rules for customers of Nevada Power or Sierra Pacific Power with new on-site generation. By ensuring that the state's new rules are largely consistent with proposed the IEEE 1547 standards, California Rule 21, and the NARUC model interconnection agreement, Nevada has positioned itself at the forefront of interconnection standards nationwide. Full article.
INCENTIVES
New Incentives reported by DSIRE. The Database of State Incentives for Renewable Energy (DSIRE) is a comprehensive source of information on state, local, utility, and selected federal incentives that promote renewable energy. To access state-by-state incentives and policies that promote wind energy technologies, click here and select "wind" from the drop-down menu.
(15) ILLINOIS Clean Energy Community Foundation Grants
Nonprofit organizations and local or state government agencies may apply for funding for small-scale solar or wind generation systems through the "rolling review" process. Eligible small wind turbine projects will receive $500 per kW, with a maximum system capacity of 20 kW. Foundation funding for these systems will be limited such that no more than 80% of the total cost of a project is being provided by the ICECF and by government renewable energy funding programs. Nonprofit organizations and state or local government agencies with wind projects larger than 20 kW may seek funding in the January or July competitive grant cycles. Full article.
(16) NORTH DAKOTA Wind Personal Tax Credit
This statute allows any taxpayer - individual or corporation - to claim an income tax credit of 3% per year for five years for the cost of equipment and installation of a geothermal, solar, or wind energy device. Full article.
RESOURCES
Click here for archived articles and links to Small Wind Resources.
(17) Links to State Regulatory and Net Metering Information
(18) ONTARIO Small Wind Fact Sheet
The Ontario Ministry of Agriculture and Food released a Fact Sheet, Electricity Generation Using Small Wind Turbines at Your Home or Farm. The 12-page document was written by Steve Clarke. Full article.
LINKS TO SMALL WIND IN THE NEWS
(19) Boston Globe, February 12, 2004, Residents wary of school turbine. Full article.
ABOUT THE SMALL WIND NEWSLETTER
The Small Wind Newsletter is published electronically every other month by the Interstate Renewable Energy Council. The Small Wind Web Site contains news, resources, and links.
To subscribe, go to http://www.irecusa.org/smallwindenergy/newslettersub.html, fill in the subscription form, and then click on subscribe. There is no fee for subscriptions.
If you have comments or news items, please send them to Larry Sherwood.
No comments:
Post a Comment