Wind Power News: Colorado
These news and opinion items are gathered by National Wind Watch to help keep readers informed about developments related to industrial wind energy. They are the products of the organizations or individuals noted and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of National Wind Watch.
Bennet, Udall scrambling to extend credit; Colorado senators say immediate outlook isn’t good
In old Hollywood movies, an actress stranded at the side of the road always could get the next car to stop by raising her skirt and showing a shapely leg. It might be time for Colorado Sens. Mark Udall and Michael Bennet to give that some thought as they try to get the Senate to renew a federal tax credit for wind power manufacturers. For the two Democrats, the credit means saving 1,600 jobs at four Vestas wind power plants . . .
Landowner sues over power line
A Pueblo County landowner has filed a lawsuit in district court, alleging that surveyors hired by Black Hills Energy wrongly moved established boundary markers in planning the route of a 36-mile transmission line. Robert Barrett owns 77 acres of land along Huerfano Canyon and the route of the transmission line. He is asking the district court to set aside the Pueblo County commissioners’ decision of Feb. 14 to grant Black Hills a permit for the transmission line, which would extend . . .
Wind power credit vote comes up short
A critical federal tax credit for Vestas and other wind-power manufacturers was rejected in the Senate on a 49-49 vote Tuesday that split on party lines with Democrats supporting it and Republicans literally turning thumbs down. The wind power credit was one of 19 business tax credit extensions in an amendment sponsored by Sen. Debbie Stabenow, D-Mich. Her measure covered businesses from wind power to bio-fuels and even credits for energy efficient home construction. Under Senate rules, the measure needed . . .
Vestas not so green after all
While the President is making a huge push for “green” energy over traditional methods such as gas and oil, a report from Danish wind turbine giant, Vestas, reveals the plant is not as “green” as everyone may think. The facility in Windsor produces turbines and has been hailed as an example of the success of green energy programs. However, the company has released data indicating the plant may not be as successful as people may think. In a report released . . .
Time to end wind tax credit
Colorado’s newspapers are loaded with pleas to extend the current 2.2 cents per kilowatt-hour Production Tax Credit for wind energy. With the exception of Republican Rep. Doug Lamborn, the entire Colorado congressional delegation signed a letter urging Congress to continue the PTC at a cost of $3.5 billion annually. We disagree with the majority and wonder why Americans should subsidize Colorado’s green fantasy and a resource that is neither practical nor economically viable. Former Xcel Energy CEO Wayne Brunetti outlined . . .
Wind rights bill gets overwhelming support in Colorado
Wind energy is a growing industry in Colorado, and right now landowners can actually sell the rights to the wind above their property. But that may soon change. Whoever thought of wind as something you own and can sell? It’s an intriguing concept that gaining popularity, and is now the focus of a landmark bill at the state Capitol. On the Eastern Plains vast stretches of farmland beckon wind developers. But in a state where agriculture is the second largest . . .
Tipton: Wind credit will be OK’d
Rep. Scott Tipton, R-Colo., said Friday he expects Congress to renew and extend the federal wind power tax credit when the Senate and House give final approval to a transportation bill they are considering. Speaking outside a workshop he was hosting for Pueblo-area businesses interested in overseas sales, Tipton said both Democratic and Republican lawmakers understand that Vestas Wind Technology and other wind-power manufacturers need the tax credit renewed as soon as possible or they face a slump in sales . . .
Utilities board kills plans for wind power
The Colorado Springs Utilities board on Wednesday shleved plans to buy 50 megawatts of wind power in the coming year, with board members saying it was just too expensive. Plans to add the wind energy had been in the works for months, but adding the renewable power would have increased average utility bills by 1-2 percent and the proposal was criticized by some local industries. “I’m just a no,” board member Angela Dougan said. “We can’t do this to our . . .
Wind energy tax credit discarded
It’s a tax credit that supposedly has no enemies, but that wasn’t true as a House and Senate conference committee finished work on a hard-fought tax bill Tuesday night — only to leave out the much-sought-after production tax credit for the wind power industry. That startling outcome left the Colorado congressional delegation scrambling for a new strategy — along with a new legislative vehicle to carry the wind power credit on behalf of Vestas American Wind Technology, which has four . . .
Payroll tax deal ignores needed Vestas tax credit
Colorado’s congressional delegation is scrambling today to find another strategy after a House and Senate conference committee ignored its request to extend a federal tax credit that Vestas American Wind Technology needs to encourage the sale of wind turbines. Sen. Michael Bennet, D-Colo., immediately filed a wind power amendment that lawmakers intend to attach to a pending transportation bill, while fellow Democrat, Sen. Mark Udall, launched a letter to the Senate leadership urging their support for the amendment. Vestas officials . . .
