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A mighty wind

New England plays catch-up in the green-energy race
By MIKE MILIARD  |  August 24, 2009


VIDEO: A tour of Stetson Wind

Why wind power blows: Why we shouldn't overload our energy basket with wind eggs. By Deirdre Fulton.

Holding a finger to the wind: An energy expert forecasts a blustery day ahead for the region. By Mike Miliard.

Photos: Stetson Wind in Maine. By Mike Miliard.

This past Earth Day, President Barack Obama, speaking at an Iowa wind-turbine factory, delivered a gusty peroration. "The nation that leads the world in creating new energy sources will be the nation that leads the 21st-century global economy," he said. "America can be that nation. America must be that nation."

Earlier this month, speaking at Harvard, Energy Secretary Steven Chu lamented that we're not that nation. Not yet. Even as the cost of creating wind power "has come down by more than a factor of 10" in recent years, he said, we've so far nonetheless "fundamentally surrendered" the development of green-energy technology to Europe and Asia. "We have an opportunity to be an innovation leader," he added, calling for a "new industrial revolution."

New England may be used to being the birthplace of revolutions, but in the case of wind power, that ship has sailed. States out West are far outproducing us, and will likely continue to. That said, we still could be a player in the nascent wind industry; we've just got some catching up to do.

The president has called for wind energy to contribute 20 percent of America's electricity needs and create as many as 250,000 jobs within the next two decades. So far, Texas is far and away the national leader, with more than 8000 megawatts worth of turbines churning the air. (One megawatt, or one million watts, is enough to power 400 to 500 homes.) But here in New England, more and more towers are going up among trees and atop mountains as we start to take advantage of the most viable green-energy source the area has to offer.

Development of renewable resources "has the potential to skyrocket," says Vamsi Chadalavada, senior vice-president and chief operating officer for ISO New England, which runs the six states' electrical grid. And wind, he says, "makes up about 85 percent of [the] proposed renewable projects in the region."

Maine, the most oil-dependent state in the country, has set out to establish itself as the wind-power leader in the region. At this point, Maine produces more than 100 megawatts, compared with just a quarter of that in New Hampshire, and six or so megawatts each for Massachusetts and Vermont. (Connecticut produces no wind energy, and Rhode Island has just two turbines— although more are planned.)

It's probably an overstatement to say, as Democratic representative Chellie Pingree did on The Colbert Report last week, that "Maine is going to be the wind capital of the world."

But with ample open space and an elected leadership intent on embracing the state's potential there's plenty of room to grow. With Maine — like all New England states — mandating that an increased percentage of its energy come from renewable sources, there's plenty of incentive to do so: Governor John Baldacci has pledged to see 3000 megawatts of wind power installed statewide by 2020.

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Related: Photos: Stetson Wind in Maine, Exploring deep within, The rain in Maine, More more >
  Topics: News Features , Barack Obama, Barack Obama, Stetson wind,  More more >
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Comments
Re: A mighty wind
Your article is well spun and wind industry positive, but factually inaccurate concerning this company. Firstwind, under investigation in NY State for civic corruption, breaching laws of municipal process to permit, and allegations of bribery. Self-serving inaccurate wind noise studies, bogus studies with no independent review. This process is continuing in Maine. For your information, Mars Hill is a testimony to corruption and breach of citizen rights. No independent noise review, a state DEP bought and paid for by the wind industry. An ex governor, King, jumping on board to benefit from the tax loopholes and green credits that are the only reason for their possible financial viability.Maines resources, landscape raped for little gain to the locals,. Only a few major land owners benefit, and small landowners loosing their value on pristine lake properties in numerous communities and noise in noiseless rural hills.Calls have been made for investigation of the entire process in Maine by lawyers requesting investigation of Firstwind, this wonderful company, Firstwind, with the likes of ex-Enron executive Gaynor ,now seeing more green by financial leveraging the likes of which are unbelievable, unless you also enjoy having more AIG's to bail out. There are local suits against the Rollins project for breach of local land ordinance laws, 1st amendment destruction of local citizens voices who are in opposition, breach of open meeting laws and FOIA breaches. Superior court suit, DEP Supreme court appeal against an expedited process that smells to the highest levels. Collusion, influence peddling in state government, with a wink and a nod from Governor of Maine, Mr. Baldacci. Even Firstwinds legal representation has a direct tie to the Chair of the Maine Energy Committee. Great idea this wind scam is, as long as you breach constitutional rights of the citizens in Maine for corporate greed and process manipulation for a scam that will never even produce 5 percent of New England electrical energy generation. Remember one thing if you look at the facts of the wind scam. Not one fossil fuel plant has ever been replaced by these financially bogus blow toys. They do produce great tax equity financing and more rape of US tax payer dollar. Make the turbines turn by grid or wind, and the green credits flow. The scam continues!  
By windscammer on 09/25/2009 at 9:21:02
Re: A mighty wind
Your article is well spun and wind industry positive, but factually inaccurate concerning this company. Firstwind, under investigation in NY State for civic corruption, breaching laws of municipal process to permit, and allegations of bribery. Self-serving inaccurate wind noise studies, bogus studies with no independent review. This process is continuing in Maine. For your information, Mars Hill is a testimony to corruption and breach of citizen rights. No independent noise review, a state DEP bought and paid for by the wind industry. An ex governor, King, jumping on board to benefit from the tax loopholes and green credits that are the only reason for their possible financial viability.Maines resources, landscape raped for little gain to the locals,. Only a few major land owners benefit, and small landowners loosing their value on pristine lake properties in numerous communities.Calls have been made for investigation of the entire process in Maine by lawyers requesting investigation of Firstwind, this wonderful company, Firstwind, with the likes of ex-Enron executive Gaynor ,now seeing more green by financial leveraging the likes of which are unbelievable, unless you also enjoy having more AIG's to bail out. There are local suits against the Rollins project for breach of local land ordinance laws, 1st amendment destruction of local citizens voices who are in opposition, breach of open meeting laws and FOIA breaches. Superior court suit, DEP Supreme court appeal against an expedited process that smells to the highest levels. Collusion, influence peddling in state government, with a wink and a nod from Governor of Maine, Mr. Baldacci. Even Firstwinds legal representation has a direct tie to the Chair of the Maine Energy Committee. Great idea this wind scam is, as long as you breach constitutional rights of the citizens in Maine for corporate greed and process manipulation for a scam that will never even produce 5 percent of New England electrical energy generation. Remember one thing if you look at the facts of the wind scam. Not one fossil fuel plant has ever been replaced by these financially bogus blow toys. They do produce great tax equity financing and more rape of US tax payer dollar. Make the turbines turn by grid or wind, and the green credits flow. The scam continues  
By windscammer on 09/25/2009 at 9:22:37

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