Updated by Staff

Wind Trade Association Balks at “Buy America” Senate Proposal

A “buy American” proposal for wind energy funding pending in Washington could slow development and hurt job creation, according to some in the industry.

“At a time when the construction unemployment rate is nearly 25 percent and the manufacturing unemployment rate is 13 percent, this proposal would cost 50,000 American workers their jobs,” according to a statement by the head of the American Wind Energy Association, Denise Bode.

New York Senator, Sen. Charles Schumer,  put forth a stipulation, supported by three other senators, which stop  funding from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act to wind energy developers that use foreign-made components. According to Schumer’s office, $1 billion in ARRA funding has gone to foreign companies.

While the proposal is seen as helping to create jobs, the AWEA says it would “torpedo one of the most successful job creation efforts of the Recovery Act.”

WELD COUNTY DEVELOPMENT WANTS
MORE TURBINES

The Cedar Creek wind farm in Weld County already operates 273 turbines and is looking to add more this year.  The development generates approximately 300 megawatts now, which is enough to serve roughly 90,000 homes.

David Gonzalez of BP Wind Energy spokesman, David Gonzalez, says plans call for installing an additional 100+ turbines on 30,000 acres east of the existing units. If the plan becomes reality, up to 300 megawatts of power will be added.

BP Wind Energy says it hopes to begin construction this summer, with about 250 workers involved. Once operational, 12 to 14 permanent workers would be needed to maintain the turbines. The county planning commission on recently approved the proposed expansion. County commissioners also must approve it.

COLORADO SPRINGS WIND BUSINESS IN LIMBO

What would have been Colorado Springs’ first wind company now apparently won’t be.  Following a statement from the Colorado Springs Regional Economic Development Corp.raising questions about the business practices and technology of his employer, Rocky Wind Power chief financial officer Steve Stultz said the deal to bring the company to the area was on hold.

“It would be a very big struggle to try to do it at this point,” he said.

Rocky Wind leased 14,000 square feet of space for a manufacturing and sales facility, where it planned to employ 25 people making small wind turbines for rooftops and streetlights. At a news conference announcing the company’s arrival last week, Stultz said he hoped Rocky Wind would grow to employ as many as 140 people.

STATES COALITION  URGING FED ACTION TO BOOST WIND POWER

WASHINGTON — A coalition representing the governors of 29 states, including Colorado, is urging the federal government to take steps to boost wind energy, such as setting a renewable energy standard requiring utilities to produce at least 10 percent of their energy from renewable sources by 2012. The percentage is far less than the 30% renewable energy standard about to become law in Colorado, but it would be a major national step forward say coalition members.

The governors said in letters to President Barack Obama and Congress that although the House began to address increasing wind power’s role in legislation it passed last year, they are eager to see the Senate follow through in upcoming weeks.