Wind Energy

Compressed Air Technology To Store Wind Energy

Courtney Flatt — Fri, 24 May 2013 23:48:12 +0000

Renewable energy storage is one step closer becoming a reality in the Northwest. Researchers are proposing a new system that could store enough wind energy to power 80,000 homes for a month. But researchers aren’t proposing fields lined with batteries. They’re using some of the Columbia River Basin’s natural geography and compressed air.

No New Wind Farm Construction In PNW This Year

Courtney Flatt — Thu, 09 May 2013 16:16:43 +0000

You may have seen wind turbines springing up all over the Pacific Northwest in the past decade. So far this year, the region’s wind industry has faced a different story. For EarthFix, Courtney Flatt has more.

Oregon Adds Wave And Offshore Wind Zones To Its Sea Plan

Amelia Templeton — Mon, 28 Jan 2013 14:38:51 +0000

Oregon adopted new zoning rules for its territorial sea yesterday. The rules set aside about 2 percent of the Oregon coast for wave and offshore wind energy. Amelia Templeton from our EarthFix team reports the decision was not welcomed by some Dungeness crab fisherman.

Seattle Firm Wins Grant To Build Offshore Wind Platform

Amelia Templeton — Thu, 13 Dec 2012 14:23:49 +0000

Seattle company Principle Power wants to take turbines out to sea. The feds today awarded the company 4 million dollars to design an offshore wind power facility. It would be anchored off the Oregon coast near Coos Bay. Amelia Templeton reports.

Obama Blocks Wind Farm Construction By China Company

Courtney Flatt — Sat, 29 Sep 2012 00:12:51 +0000

President Obama has blocked a Chinese company from building wind farms in northeastern Oregon. the president cited national security concerns at a nearby Navy facility.

Wind Tower Manufacturer To Close Plants

Courtney Flatt — Thu, 13 Sep 2012 00:45:50 +0000

A wind tower manufacturer says it’s closing plants in Washington and Nebraska. Manufacturing company Katana Summit is looking for a buyer for its operations in the two states. If that doesn’t happen by November 1, the plants will shut down.

New Wind Power Generators In Eastern Washington

Steve Jackson — Wed, 02 May 2012 23:24:22 +0000

You may be familiar with the sight of wind turbine generators in the Columbia Gorge, but soon, dozens of the tall structures will be built some 40 miles south of Spokane.

Sec. Salazar Announces New Rules for Wind Farms To Protect Wildlife

Cassandra Profita - Oregon Public Broadcasting — Fri, 23 Mar 2012 23:34:27 +0000

The Obama administration released new rules Friday for protecting wildlife from wind farms.

In a morning news conference, Interior Secretary Ken Salazar said the voluntary rules offer ways to reduce the number of birds and bats that are harmed by wind farms. They focus on choosing sites with low wildlife risks, and designing the sites to avoid disturbing habitat.

BPA Wind Power Sets New Record

Courtney Flatt — Thu, 22 Mar 2012 12:40:31 +0000

RICHLAND, Wash. – Wind farms have generated a record-breaking amount of power this month. As correspondent Courtney Flatt reports, the Bonneville Power Administration is hoping to avoid over-generation problems that happened last spring.

Gregoire Approves Controversial Columbia Gorge Wind Facility

Ashley Ahern — Tue, 06 Mar 2012 00:34:33 +0000

Washington Governor Chris Gregoire has approved the Whistling Ridge Wind Energy Project in Southern Washington.