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Wind Power Is Poised to Spread to All States
All 50 states could become wind energy producers, according to an Energy Department report released Tuesday, once the next generation of larger, taller turbines in development hits the market. The bigger machines — reaching as high as 460 feet — could eventually make faster winds at higher altitudes an economical source of electricity, an important part of reaching the nation’s goals in fighting global warming, said Ernest Moniz, the secretary of energy. “We believe very much the central role of wind in meeting our climate challenges, and we’re very committed in this direction,” Mr. Moniz told reporters after speaking in Orlando, Fla., at the annual conference of the American Wind Energy Association, the industry’s main trade group. [ read more … ]
Energy Dept: New wind energy technology unlocks wind development opportunity in all 50 states
“The wind energy industry is a dynamic and innovative sector with great potential to further diversify our nation’s energy portfolio, as evidenced by the U.S. Department of Energy’s recent Wind Vision report. Technological advancements will bring the environmental and economic benefits of wind energy to states previously thought to have little wind energy potential. We are encouraged by the scientific and engineering innovation that continues to advance the nation’s wind energy development.” – Washington Governor Jay Inslee and Iowa Governor Terry Branstad, Chairman and Vice Chairman, Governors’ Wind Energy Coalition [ read more … ]
Larger wind turbines can lead to 50% more deployment — DOE report
The United States could increase its wind power deployment by more than 50 percent with larger components, but the outsized technology would also boost potential problems with transportation and wildlife deaths, according to a new report from the Energy Department. Wind hub heights — from the ground to the center of the blades — soaring to 110 meters would lower the overall costs of the renewable energy source because it could capture more power from the same amount of wind with longer turbines and larger rotors compared to current 80-meter technology, the report says. [ read more … ]
California Joins 12-State Climate Change Agreement Ahead Of 2015 UN Conference In Paris
California has joined a pact with 11 other states and countries to slash greenhouse gas emissions and tackle climate change. Gov. Jerry Brown signed an agreement Tuesday as part of a broader effort to pressure global leaders to adopt an aggressive emissions treaty at a United Nations-led summit in Paris later this year. “This global challenge requires bold action on the part of governments everywhere,” Brown said in a statement. “It’s time to be decisive. It’s time to act.” The 12-member agreement includes the U.S. states of Oregon, Washington and Vermont, as well as the Canadian provinces of British Columbia and Ontario. The Mexican states of Baja California and Jalisco also joined, along with the British country of Wales and states and provinces in Brazil, Germany and Spain. Together, the group represents more than 100 million citizens and $4.5 trillion in gross domestic product.
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Merkel, Hollande Commit to Global Climate Protection
German Chancellor Angela Merkel and French President Francois Hollande confirmed their commitment to fighting global warning Tuesday, gathering with others in Berlin to prepare for this year’s U.N. Climate Change Conference. Merkel and Hollande said in a joint statement that both countries “are firmly decided to take all efforts to reach an ambitious, comprehensive and binding U.N. climate agreement by the end of this year in Paris.” The preparatory talks in Berlin involve 35 countries. The Paris summit in December aims to curb climate change and rising global temperatures, which scientists say are largely driven by carbon emissions. [ read more … ]
Note: News clips provided do not necessarily reflect the views of coalition or its member governors.