Governors' Wind Energy Coalition

Life After Oil and Gas

By ELISABETH ROSENTHAL, New York Times • • Posted 2013-03-25 12:11:55

WE will need fossil fuels like oil and gas for the foreseeable future. So there’s really little choice (sigh). We have to press ahead with fracking for natural gas. We must approve the Keystone XL pipeline to get Canadian oil. This mantra, repeated on TV ads and in political debates, is punctuated with a tinge of inevitability and regret. But, increasingly, scientific research and the experience of other countries should prompt us to ask: To what extent will we really “need” fossil fuel in the years to come? To what extent is it a choice? [ read more … ]

Wind power here to stay in Iowa

• The Gazette • Posted 2013-03-25 12:12:15

With the recent layoff of 40 employees at Acciona Windpower in West Branch and larger furloughs last fall at Siemens Energy, Trinity Towers and other Iowa wind turbine component plants, the long-term viability of the industry has been questioned. But analysts who follow the electric power industry are quick to affirm the future of wind power as a long-term source of renewable energy. “Wind is not going anywhere,” said Shane Mullins, vice president of product development for the power industry at research firm Industrial Info Resources in Sugar Land, Texas. “Many wind turbine manufacturers did not receive any orders after June of last year as developers waited to see if Congress would extend the production tax credit before it expired on Dec. 31. With the extension of the PTC on Jan. 3, wind turbine construction projects that were put on hold last year are going to be dusted off. [ read more … ]

Note: News clips provided do not necessarily reflect the views of coalition or its member governors.

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	March 25, 2013
Life After Oil and Gas By ELISABETH ROSENTHAL, New York Times • • Posted 2013-03-25 12:11:55 WE will need fossil fuels like oil and gas for the foreseeable future. So there’s really little choice (sigh). We have to press ahead with fracking for natural gas. We must approve the Keystone XL pipeline to get Canadian oil. This mantra, repeated on TV ads and in political debates, is punctuated with a tinge of inevitability and regret. But, increasingly, scientific research and the experience of other countries should prompt us to ask: To what extent will we really “need” fossil fuel in the years to come? To what extent is it a choice? [ read more … ] Wind power here to stay in Iowa • The Gazette • Posted 2013-03-25 12:12:15 With the recent layoff of 40 employees at Acciona Windpower in West Branch and larger furloughs last fall at Siemens Energy, Trinity Towers and other Iowa wind turbine component plants, the long-term viability of the industry has been questioned. But analysts who follow the electric power industry are quick to affirm the future of wind power as a long-term source of renewable energy. “Wind is not going anywhere,” said Shane Mullins, vice president of product development for the power industry at research firm Industrial Info Resources in Sugar Land, Texas. “Many wind turbine manufacturers did not receive any orders after June of last year as developers waited to see if Congress would extend the production tax credit before it expired on Dec. 31. With the extension of the PTC on Jan. 3, wind turbine construction projects that were put on hold last year are going to be dusted off. [ read more … ] Note: News clips provided do not necessarily reflect the views of coalition or its member governors.
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