Wind power

November 17, 2009 -- Today, President Barack Obama and President Hu Jintao announced a far-reaching package of measures to strengthen cooperation between the United States and China on clean energy. Attached are six fact sheets on the U.S-China clean energy announcements.    » read more »

Federally-funded project part of long-range lab modernization plan

ARGONNE, IL (November 17, 2009) – The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) is providing $8 million to Argonne National Laboratory for detailed design work for a new, world-class energy research facility. This is the first step in beginning work on what is expected to be a $95 million construction project.

The Energy Sciences Building (ESB) will provide an environment that will accelerate the pace of discovery by bringing together interdisciplinary teams of researchers in a space that can be adjusted to accommodate an evolving energy-related science agenda. Construction is scheduled to begin during fiscal year 2011.    » read more »

November 17, 2009 -- AUGUSTA – Maine Governor John E. Baldacci today escorted executives from Statoil around the State as part of a visit of officials from the Norwegian company. Statoil is working with the University of Maine on potential offshore wind power development.

Company officials, including the head of Statoil’s wind power business development, came to Maine to see firsthand the existing capacity and infrastructure, interest and commitment of the State and private partners to develop wind power off Maine’s coast. The tour showcased the Cianbro Eastern Manufacturing Facility in Brewer, the Fox Islands Community Wind Project on Vinalhaven, Brunswick Naval Air Station and Bath Iron Works.    » read more »

North Haven resident Chellie Pingree says Maine project is “example” for the nation

November 17, 2009 -- Congresswoman Chellie Pingree joined Governor John Baldacci, House Speaker Hannah Pingree and others to cut the ribbon on the Fox Islands Wind Project in Vinalhaven today. Pingree, a resident of nearby North Haven Island, said the wind turbines will serve as an example for the rest of the country.

“This project is a perfect example of what we can do across this country,” Pingree said. “Instead of paying some of the highest electric rates in the country to buy power generated in part by oil we’ve had to import from overseas, our communities will produce their own electricity right here at home. It’s a home-grown solution to our energy needs.”    » read more »

VINALHAVEN, Maine--Tuesday, November 17, 2009-- Harnessing Maine’s strong ocean winds, three wind turbines supplied by GE (NYSE: GE) now are producing power for the residents of Vinalhaven and North Haven, two year-round communities that comprise the Fox Islands located in Penobscot Bay in mid-coast Maine.

The wind facility, which has three GE 1.5-megawatt machines on site, was dedicated today as part of a ribbon-cutting ceremony held by the project developer, Fox Islands Wind, LLC. On average, the project is expected to generate approximately 11,600 megawatt hours of electricity per year, supplying the island’s communities with year-round cleaner, more affordable power.    » read more »

November 17, 2009 -- Beijing, China - Today, President Barack Obama and President Hu Jintao announced a far-reaching package of measures to strengthen cooperation between the United States and China on clean energy. Please see the attached fact sheets for additional details on each of the U.S-China clean energy announcements.    » read more »

EPA international clean energy partnership program grants funding to 11 countries

11/12/2009 -- WASHINGTON - The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is supporting the international Methane to Markets Partnership (M2M) by funding 21 new projects that will help 11 countries capture and use methane emissions from landfill, coal, agriculture, oil and natural gas operations. Methane, the primary component of natural gas, traps over 20 times more heat than carbon dioxide, making it a significant contributor to climate change.    » read more »

November 12, 2009 -- Denise Bode, CEO of the American Wind Energy Association (AWEA), will tour the DMI Industries wind turbine tower manufacturing facility in West Fargo, ND today and participate in a roundtable discussion with North Dakota government officials and industry executives. Bode’s visit will highlight the manufacturing jobs that wind power development creates and the need for comprehensive policy including a strong national Renewable Electricity Standard (RES) to ramp up this development and build up a strong manufacturing base.

An RES requires that a growing share of the nation’s electricity be generated from renewable sources.    » read more »

Nov. 12, 2009 -- Harrisburg – More than $23 million was approved this week for 36 new solar and other alternative and clean energy projects that will help maintain Pennsylvania’s status as a national leader in the drive to create a green economy, Pennsylvania Governor Edward G. Rendell said.

“From a geothermal energy system for the Sisters of St. Joseph in Erie; to a new high-energy-performance, mixed-use building in Lancaster, these are the kinds of investments that are crucial if we are to continue developing clean energy resources and enhancing our reputation as a leader in the field,” Governor Rendell said. “I’m committed to supporting growth and innovation that promotes energy conservation and efficiency, a cleaner environment, and a stronger green economy.”    » read more »

PITTSBURGH, Nov. 13, 2009 – PPG Industries (NYSE:PPG) was selected to receive a $741,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Energy to support the development of materials and automation processes for wind blade manufacturing. In partnership with MAG Industrial Automation Systems, PPG aims to optimize materials technologies and develop fiber glass prepreg placement techniques to improve wind blade reliability while reducing the cost of wind blade production.    » read more »

Seven-Year O&M Contract Covering 529 GE 1.5-MW Machines Highlights E.ON and GE’s Services Focus

SCHENECTADY, N.Y. -- November 12, 2009 -- GE (NYSE: GE) and E.ON Climate & Renewables (EC&R) North America have signed a seven-year operation and maintenance (O&M) agreement covering EC&R’s complete fleet of 529 GE wind turbines installed in the United States. The O&M deal is one of the largest wind services agreements ever signed by GE.

The agreement is designed to maximize turbine availability and energy production across EC&R’s U.S. installed base of GE wind turbines. In addition, the agreement reflects GE and EC&R’s shared goal of maintaining peak performance and reliability and building the world’s best running fleet.    » read more »

Ashtabula Facility Harnesses Power of Wind to Boost Economy, Senator says

November 13, 2009 -- Luverne – Senator Kent Conrad today met with leaders from Otter Tail Power Company to brief them on the status of Energy legislation in Congress and discuss the importance of North Dakota based wind energy projects.

“North Dakota’s success in the clean-energy economy is exciting. Nowhere is that success more evident than here in Finley where they are harvesting much more than crops. The Ashtabula facility is harvesting the power of the wind to create renewable electricity,” Senator Conrad said.

The new Ashtabula II wind farm consists of 35 turbines with the potential to produce up to 52.5 megawatts of electricity, enough to power more than 15,000 homes.    » read more »

North Dakota Has Potential to Be Nation's Powerhouse, Conrad says

November 12, 2009 -- Langdon – Senator Kent Conrad today met with management and employees of the Langdon Wind Energy Center and applauded their commitment to generating clean energy and creating jobs in Cavalier County.

“Anyone who has stood on the plains has felt the tremendous force of North Dakota’s winds. The Langdon Wind Energy Center is harnessing this clean, natural energy to power homes throughout the region,” Senator Conrad said. “This project is yet one more example of how we can use North Dakota’s powerful winds to reduce America’s dependence on foreign oil, keep energy prices affordable, and grow our state’s economy with additional jobs.”    » read more »

November 13, 2009 -- PITTSBURGH, PA- U.S. Senator Bob Casey (D-PA) today spoke at Carnegie Mellon University about Pennsylvania’s proud industrial and manufacturing heritage, natural resources and skilled workforce as a backdrop for the state’s transition to a clean energy economy. Senator Casey highlighted the important role Pennsylvania can play as our nation moves forward to regain control of our economy, our national security and our energy future.    » read more »

Mid-Atlantic Governors agree to formal tri-state partnership to develop renewable energy source

November 11, 2009 -- RICHMOND - Virginia Governor Timothy M. Kaine, Governor Martin O'Malley of Maryland, and Governor Jack Markell of Delaware agreed today on a tri-state partnership for the deployment of offshore wind energy in the Mid-Atlantic coastal region. The three states signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) creating a formal partnership that will build on the region's significant offshore wind resources to generate clean, renewable energy and a sustainable market that will bring new economic opportunities.    » read more »