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Wind Power News: Florida
These news and opinion items are gathered by National Wind Watch in its noncommercial educational mission to help keep readers informed about developments related to industrial wind energy. They do not necessarily reflect the opinions of National Wind Watch. They are the products of and owned by the organizations or individuals noted and are shared here according to “fair use” and “fair dealing” provisions of copyright law. The original articles, links to which are provided, may have additional links and photos and other media that were not included here.
Lawmakers to tout renewable energy amendment
A group of state lawmakers launched an initiative Tuesday to educate voters on a proposed constitutional amendment that would give commercial property owners a tax break on renewable-energy devices similar to one given to residential property owners. Part of the education process will be to ensure voters know the proposal on the August primary ballot isn’t tied to a more controversial solar-energy amendment that will go before voters in November. Sen. Jeff Brandes, R-St. Petersburg, said Tuesday that having the . . . Complete story »
A state-by-state look at renewable energy requirements
Twenty-nine states and the District of Columbia have requirements that utilities get a certain amount of their electricity from renewable sources. Nine additional states have goals for renewable energy, while a dozen others have no targets. A state-by-state look at renewable energy policies. ALABAMA No renewable energy standard. ALASKA A bill passed in 2010 sets a goal, but not a requirement, for Alaska to receive half its electricity from renewable and alternative energy sources by 2025. ARIZONA Public utilities must . . . Complete story »
Department of Energy: Taller turbines would bring wind energy to Florida
Long dismissed as a wasteland by wind-energy producers, it turns out Florida does have enough breeze to generate lots of electricity – but it will take some reaching to get it, according to new federal findings. The U.S. Department of Energy released a report Tuesday that argues wind energy can spread from 39 states to the rest of the nation by installing taller generators. Those propellers on poles would have to be more than incrementally higher to tap profitable winds at . . . Complete story »
PSC approves Gulf Power’s wind project
Gulf Power on Tuesday received unanimous approval from the Florida Public Service Commission on an agreement that will make the utility a leading purchaser of wind generation among Florida utilities. The project, called Kingfisher Wind, will be built in central Oklahoma, where conditions are favorable for wind energy. The agreement is the first of its kind in the state. “Kingfisher Wind will help Gulf Power add renewable energy that makes environmental and economic sense,” said Jeff Rogers, external communications manager . . . Complete story »
Wind turbines not catching on in the Keys
In an area where most of the residents pride themselves on being environmentally aware, the Florida Keys often are a lab for sustainability. That includes using wind turbines to generate electricity. February will mark three years since Keys Energy Services, the electric company from the Seven Mile Bridge south through Key West, installed two at its Cudjoe Key substation. They don’t produce lots of energy, but they do produce energy. One is 63 feet tall and the other 35 feet. . . . Complete story »
NextEra Energy focusing on wind, sun projects outside Florida
The parent company of Florida Power & Light has just spun off a new company for big sun- and wind-energy projects, but don’t expect any of those ventures in South Florida soon. The NextEra Energy Group already ranks as the largest producer of wind and sun energy in North America, with huge wind farms in the Dakotas and massive solar arrays in the California desert. Big renewable-energy projects make the most economic sense in areas that have strong wind, steady . . . Complete story »
Florida candidate Crist courts green vote without mentioning green costs
Call it a green energy pledge for greenbacks. Florida gubernatorial candidate Charlie Crist, a Democrat, has vowed to use his future authority as governor to impose renewable energy standards similar to the 20 percent mandate he championed when last serving as Florida’s chief executive. That much Crist made clear at a recent solar energy rally at the Florida Capitol in Tallahassee. The event was sponsored by the Southern Alliance for Clean Energy, a 501(c)3 nonprofit. “Right now we’re not utilizing . . . Complete story »
Wind turbines now spinning at Hilton hotel
The Hilton Fort Lauderdale Beach Resort officially powered up six wind turbines Wednesday that are expected to help reduce its energy consumption and costs. The wind turbines were installed on the rooftop of the 25-story hotel in September and have been undergoing final inspections and tests to get them ready. “We tested them last week, and they worked great and looked great,” General Manager Andreas Ioannou said Wednesday shortly before festivities kicked off to launch operations. “It’s an exciting day . . . Complete story »
A double standard for saving birds
When the bird rescue people rescue birds, they don’t just tend to their wounds, hand-feed and shelter them. They name them. For example, there’s Norman, an eastern screech owl rescued by the Second Chances Wildlife Rehabilitation Program at the Texas State Aquarium. Birds also receive considerable protection from the federal government. Citgo learned this the hard way when the government prosecuted the company for contributing to the deaths of four cormorants, five pelicans and 25 ducks at one of its . . . Complete story »
Attention, birds of the Everglades: Avoid the windmills!
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. – When you think of Florida, you probably think of sun, not wind. But if things keep marching along, Palm Beach County is going to become the wind capital of the Sunshine State. Last month, the Florida Department of Environmental Protection approved an environmental permit for a company to build 114 wind turbines – each of them far taller than the Statue of Liberty – on 13,000 acres of farmland east of Belle Glade. We’re talking about a metallic . . . Complete story »
