July is milestone month for wind power and carbon-free planning

History may look back on July 2008 as the month when America's political agenda and energy needs converged on alternative sources of energy to oil.

The transmission of wind energy from geographic locations best suited to generate it to populations that demand it is a top issue in the business. Yet, even if you can navigate local opposition and the regulatory process in siting a wind farm, some interests have turned to stopping the infrastructure necessary to transmit this energy as the strategy to oppose wind energy development.

Here are some key developments:

• On July 18, the Texas Public Energy Commission agreed to spend $5 billion of our money to build transmission from wind farms in West Texasto the rest of the state.
• T. Boone Pickens, who made his fortune in Texasoil, launched the Pickens Plan to make the US the Saudi Arabia of wind power, prompting some to wonder why a Texas oilman is spending $58 million in a PR campaign for wind power
• Then, former US vice president Al Gore has challenged the American public to produce all of its electricity from renewable sources within 10 years.

On top of these possible milestones came a spate of critiques and support:

• Wind sails into Pennsylvania power scene
• Scotland may become new world giant in green energy
• Rush of wind power to hit the Northwest
• Pascal Levensohn’s thoughts on Pickens Plan
• Advantages and disadvantages of wind power hotly disputed
• New York Times on T. Boone Pickens rides the wind
• Residential Wind Power -- useful link for related wind energy stories

Your thoughts?

Comments

[Residential Wind Power]

There is definitely something stirring in the renewable energy sector in the United State and Internationally.

More and more are we seeing wind farms and solar farms being established as a way to provide our energy needs into the future.

Lets hope that the rest of 2008 is as strong as the month of July for acceptance and movement in wind power.