Wind power

Idaho Power Seeks to End Excess Green Energy Credit Payouts

Aaron Kunz — Fri, 26 Apr 2013 13:45:24 +0000

If you use solar panels or wind turbines to generate your own power, you can sell the electricity you don’t use back to your utility. But one Northwest power company wants to stop sending checks to customers who are big energy producers. EarthFix reporter Aaron Kunz explains.

Wind Power Tax Credit to Expire Soon

Courtney Flatt — Mon, 31 Dec 2012 14:15:37 +0000

Some clean energy jobs will disappear from the Pacific Northwest in 2013. Industry leaders say that’s a consequence of letting a wind tax credit expire on Monday. Reporting for EarthFix, Courtney Flatt has more.

Federal Energy Commission Makes Statement on Wind Energy

Aaron Kunz — Fri, 21 Sep 2012 13:02:57 +0000

A federal energy regulator sided with wind energy producers in their dispute with Idaho Power. Earthfix Reporter Aaron Kunz explains.

Wind Turbines Undamaged by Central Wash. Fire

Courtney Flatt — Fri, 24 Aug 2012 14:35:57 +0000

There’s been some speculation over the years as to how wind farms would hold up in the event of a large wildfire. Now, the verdict is in. From EarthFix, Courtney Flatt reports a central Washington wind farm was not damaged.

Scorched earth surrounds wind turbines just outside Cle Elum, Washington. A fire that drove through over the last week and a half destroyed more than 50 houses and has burned an estimated 23,000 acres.

Northwest Utilities Exceed Green Power Minimum

Tom Banse — Tue, 31 Jul 2012 00:00:33 +0000

Electric utilities in the Northwest have overachieved in meeting requirements to add renewable energy to their portfolios. That's according to fresh regulatory filings.

BPA Shuts Down Wind Farms and Promises Compensation

Amelia Templeton — Wed, 02 May 2012 13:34:11 +0000

Wind farms along the Columbia River were asked to shut down for about 10 hours over the weekend. For the second year in a row, spring rain and snowmelt have led to an oversupply of hydropower on the Columbia River. Amelia Templeton reports.

Report: Chinese Companies Consider Vestas Takeover

Courtney Flatt — Tue, 17 Apr 2012 13:20:09 +0000

A prominent wind energy company – with North American headquarters in the Pacific Northwest – may be acquired by a rival Chinese corporation. Correspondent Courtney Flatt has more.

A Danish newspaper is reporting that two Chinese companies are considering takeover bids for Vestas Wind Systems. The Danish firm’s North American headquarters are based in Portland.

Vestas has faced financial trouble over the past year. The company’s chairman and chief financial officer resigned in February.

Landowner Caught In Middle Of Wind Moratorium

Aaron Kunz — Mon, 05 Mar 2012 14:48:22 +0000

BOISE, Idaho -- Wind energy is facing some tough opposition in one Northwest state. Idaho lawmakers are hearing concerns that utilities and their customers are paying too much for power because of subsidies for wind energy. But on the other side of the argument, there are some who benefit from wind. Aaron Kunz reports.

Idaho Panel Advances Wind Energy Moratorium

Sueann Ramella — Tue, 28 Feb 2012 14:05:08 +0000

BOISE, Idaho — A controversial bill that would stop the wind energy industry for two years has narrowly passed an Idaho House panel.

The House Local Government Committee passed the measure late Wednesday. The vote followed nearly four hours of testimony from supporters and opponents.

This bill doesn’t do away with government subsidies for wind farms. But it does put the brakes on an industry that has seen tremendous growth over the past several years.

Republican lawmaker Christy Perry opposed the bill.

BPA Offers "Compromise" To Wind Energy Companies

Rob Manning — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 01:18:39 +0000

The Bonneville Power Administration has offered a solution for its dispute with wind energy producers. As Rob Manning reports, BPA's offer of compensation is not appeasing wind developers.