Place this little gem in the “tell me something I didn’t know” file – Wind Power Wanes With Fading Federal Incentives

According to the post, “when the credit markets dried up in 2008, so did the money for new projects. The White House and Congress threw the industry a lifeline with the stimulus package in the form of investment tax credits.

Right now, if you build a wind project, the government will, essentially, cut you a check for 30 percent of the cost. But that incentive is running out of rope and scheduled to expire at the end of 2010. That deadline prompted a lot of activity last year. (is this a continuation of the “cash for clunkers” concept?)

“Everybody moved their projects forward into 2009 to take advantage of it,” says George Sterzinger, executive director of the Renewable Energy Policy Project. But now, he says, some developers are waiting to see if the credit will be extended. (by darn, I think it is!)

And with natural gas relatively cheap now, some utilities are choosing to build gas power plants rather than wind farms.”

Of course, the wind industry lobby – the American Wind Energy Association (AWEA) – wants a Renewable Electricity Standard to force utilities to buy the occasional gust of wind regardless of the cost, which, as a taxpayer and consumer will ultimately become your problem.  Smile!

“We’re kind of stuck without that long-term policy in place that sends the signals to the utilities that they need to purchase wind as part of a diversified portfolio,” says Denise Bode, CEO of the American Wind Energy Association.”  Notice how Ms. Bode tries to soften the mandate by suggesting it would simply send a signal?

Well, Glenn Schleede has a few thoughts about a Renewable Electricity Standard and we suggest you take a good look:

Allegheny Treasures Note:  “Mr. Schleede is the author of many papers and reports on energy matters.  He is now retired but continues to analyze and write about federal and state energy policies, particularly those affecting wind energy.”

“Until retiring, Schleede maintained a consulting practice, Energy Market and Policy Analysis, Inc. (EMPA)  Prior to forming EMPA, Schleede was Vice President of New England Electric System (NEES), Westborough, MA, and President of its fuels subsidiary, New England Energy Incorporated. Previously, Schleede was Executive Associate Director of the U.S. Office of Management and Budget (1981), Senior VP of the National Coal Association in Washington (1977) and Associate Director (Energy and Science) of the White House Domestic Council (1973).  He also held career service positions in the U.S. OMB and the U.S. Atomic Energy Commission.”

“He has a BA degree from Gustavus Adolphus College and an MA from the University of Minnesota.  He is also a graduate of Harvard Business School’s Advanced Management Program.“