Northwest Bucks National Wind Power Becalming (click here)
...The American Wind Energy Association tracks wind farm construction. The association's Elizabeth Salerno says the economy has taken a toll on her industry.
She figures a bigger reason for the slowdown is Congress stalling on extension of a tax credit for wind developers. But Salerno says wind farm expansion continues at a brisk pace in the Northwest.
Elizabeth Salerno: "It's an active region and the reason for that is both Washington and Oregon get it in terms of policy. Strong renewable portfolio standards have been put in place in both states really sending a signal to all the different companies active in wind that the region is open for business."
Salerno says in 2010's third quarter Oregon added more new wind generation than any other state including perennial chart leader Texas....
Hydroelectric supported by wind power, now that is a green solution.
BPA orders NW wind farms to curtail production (click here)
The Bonneville Power Administration twice ordered Pacific Northwest wind farms to cut production in recent days because it has a surplus of power from hydroelectric dams.
Associated Press
PORTLAND, Ore. —
The Bonneville Power Administration twice ordered Pacific Northwest wind farms to cut production in recent days because it has a surplus of power from hydroelectric dams.
The agency, which manages much of the power grid in the Northwest, confirmed it issued the orders during the early morning hours of Sunday and Monday, when demand is low.
The action rekindles a dispute from last year, when the agency curtailed wind turbines because the water from a large mountain snowpack left the region with more hydropower than the electrical grid could handle.
Michael Milstein, a BPA spokesman, said spring runoff has picked up in the past month or two. "Originally it wasn't looking like that wet of a year, but that has changed," he said....
