Wind Power News: Arizona
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.
New ballot measure crops up in Arizona clean energy fight
Republicans who control the Arizona Legislature are moving to put their own version of an increased renewable energy mandate on the November ballot. If approved, the new measure would compete with one being circulated by Clean Energy for a Healthy Arizona. Both measures would insert a constitutional mandate to require 50 percent of the state’s electricity come from renewable sources like wind and solar by 2030 – but the new legislative version would allow state utility regulators to sidestep the standards . . . Complete story »
Utility writes its own renewable energy ballot measure
Afraid that voters might like a renewable energy mandate, the state’s largest utility is working with lawmakers to put its own alternative on the November ballot. On paper, what’s going to the Senate Appropriations Committee Tuesday has the same goal as the initiative of having 50 percent of what’s generated in Arizona produced by renewable sources like wind, solar and geothermal by 2030. That compares with the current mandate of the Arizona Corporation Commission for 15 percent renewable by 2025. . . . Complete story »
Greater Phoenix Chamber Opposes “Clean Energy For A Healthy Arizona Amendment”
PRESS STATEMENT MEDIA CONTACT: Janelle Tassart C: 480.215.2149 | O: 602.495.6480 jtassart@phoenixchamber.com FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: March 22, 2018 Greater Phoenix Chamber Opposes ballot initiative “clean energy for a healthy arizona amendment” PHOENIX – Today, the Greater Phoenix Chamber of Commerce’s Board of Directors opposed the proposed ballot initiative titled the Clean Energy for a Healthy Arizona Amendment. This initiative, filed by an out-of-state group funded primarily by California billionaire Tom Steyer, would amend Arizona’s State Constitution and require Arizona utility . . . Complete story »
Feds investigate Arizona wind farm for killing protected species
Federal authorities have opened a criminal investigation of a southern Arizona wind farm for the deaths of an endangered bat and a federally protected golden eagle. In the latest clash between renewable energy companies and protectors of wildlife, federal authorities have opened a criminal investigation of a southern Arizona wind farm for the deaths of an endangered bat and a federally protected golden eagle. Investigators from the U.S. Justice Department’s Environmental and Natural Resources Division are looking into the death . . . Complete story »
Senate panel approves legislation to override energy initiative mandate
State senators voted Wednesday to give utilities a way to avoid having to get half their electricity from renewable sources by 2030 even if voters mandate that they do so. HB 2005 would not directly overrule the effects of the initiative being financed by California billionaire Tom Steyer. The Clean Energy for Healthy Arizonans measure, if approved by voters, would sharply boost existing commission rules that require that 15 percent of all power come from renewable sources like wind, solar . . . Complete story »
Bat, eagle deaths at wind farm prompt federal probe
The U.S. Department of Justice is reviewing a criminal investigation of a wind-energy farm in southeastern Arizona to determine whether prosecution is warranted in the deaths of a federally protected golden eagle and an endangered bat, according to federal wildlife officials. A monitoring report indicated that the 15-turbine Red Horse Wind 2 project near Willcox caused the deaths of the eagle and a lesser long-nosed bat during its first year of operation between July of 2015 and 2016, the Arizona . . . Complete story »
Willcox-area wind farm under investigation for bat, eagle deaths
Southern Arizona’s only wind-energy farm is under a federal criminal investigation because its turbines killed an endangered bat and a federally protected golden eagle, law enforcement officials say. An endangered lesser long-nosed bat was among an estimated 2,606 bats killed in turbines at the Willcox-area Red Horse Wind 2 project in its first year, a monitoring report prepared for the operator shows. That’s more bats than the national, annual average killed at a wind farm, said Jim DeVos, an assistant . . . Complete story »
Problems with a carbon tax
While President Donald Trump wants to cut taxes, there are others who hope to raise them – by taxing carbon. The idea has long been supported by environmentalists and left-leaning groups, but recently it has found support among some establishment Republicans. The notion is that by taxing carbon, the country would use less, reducing our impact on climate change. However, there are a number of problems with the plan. There is no viable alternative to carbon-based fuels. The goal of a . . . Complete story »
NextEra Energy exploring possibilities for wind farm near Concho
CONCHO – A company that bills itself as the world’s largest renewable energy provider is exploring the possibility of constructing a wind farm near Concho. NextEra Energy Resources, of Juno Beach Fla., also owns Florida Power and Light, a power company with a portfolio of natural gas and nuclear generating operations, as well as utility-scale solar installations in Florida that serves 10 million customers. The company also owns 110 wind and solar installations in 29 states and in Canada. The Fortune . . . Complete story »
Wind power project moving toward 2020 deadline
“This project will be built,” a key official in the proposed wind-power electric transmission line from New Mexico to Arizona promised Lincoln County commissioners at their meeting last week. To take advantage of the full production tax credit, a commercial operation must be running by 2020, and representatives of SunZia and Pattern Energy said their firms are up to the job. Several county ranch owners are involved in providing rights of way for the wind turbines and transmission line. Martin . . . Complete story »
