Wind Power News: Mississippi
These news and opinion items are gathered by National Wind Watch 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.
Mississippi’s first wind farm planned for Tunica
Two major renewable energy projects are planned for Mississippi, including the state’s first wind-power farm. Lawmakers said Wednesday that a $250-million wind farm is planned for Tunica County and a $140-million to $160-million solar farm for Chickasaw County. The state Senate approved allowing the local counties to provide tax breaks for the projects. The Tunica project, Tunica Wind Power LLC, would be the state’s first wind farm, state Public Service Commissioner Brandon Presley said. The Chickasaw solar farm would be . . . Complete story »
TVA gets community feedback on electricity generation
TVA doesn't plan to build any wind turbines in its region, however. Hydas cited the imminent expiration of the federal production tax credit, which will be phased out completely by 2024. "In the mid-2020s, after the tax credit expires, wind is about 40 percent more expensive than solar," Hydas said. "Solar is better for our system." Complete story »
County may host 1st wind farm in SE states
Seven years ago, Tunica County was suddenly a hotbed for renewable energy projects. In late summer and fall of 2011, multiple wind energy companies sought to place meteorological towers in Southeast Tunica County to gauge wind conditions over the course of a year. Since then, not much has happened to advance projects here, until last month, when local officials and some residents received packets from Steelhead Wind. Read more Complete story »
Southern Cross submits route plan
Southern Cross Transmission filed a petition with the Mississippi Public Service Commission on Tuesday formally proposing a route for the company’s 400-mile, 500-kilovolt wind energy line. The next step is for the Public Service Commission to OK the project, and commissioners indicated that vote could be several months down the road. The company, a subsidiary of Pattern Energy Group, has been in informal talks with landowners and public officials about the $700 million project, which will involve a transmission line . . . Complete story »
Company behind potential wind energy line needs more time
Mississippi’s Northern District Public Service Commissioner Brandon Presley gave an update Monday to WCBI on the potential Texas-to-Alabama wind energy line which could cross portions of the Golden Triangle. Southern Cross Transmission , the company behind it, needs more time to submit its proposal. Presley said that could come by late December or early next year. He wants the company to look at using Mississippi contractors and he wants residents to benefit from the energy. He says the company will . . . Complete story »
Presley speaks with landowners about energy project
In a public meeting at the Bell Schoolhouse Fire Station just outside Starkville Thursday, Public Service Commissioner Brandon Presley urged residents to reach out to representatives from Southern Cross Transmission if they have questions about the company’s proposed wind energy transmission line. “Let it not be said of you that you didn’t call on these people and that you didn’t file an objection,” Presley said at the meeting. Southern Cross Transmission, a subsidiary of the San Francisco-based alternate energy company . . . Complete story »
Public outcry against proposed transmission line
STARKVILLE, MS Around 40 property owners from the Bell Schoolhouse community unanimously voiced disapproval of the proposed Southern Cross Transmission project at a meeting Thursday evening. The project has been in discussion for around six years, residents said. The proposed high voltage, direct current transmission line project would run 400 miles of lines from Texas to the Alabama border. Southern Cross is a subsidiary of Pattern Energy Group, and Southern Cross sent out 6,500 letters to possibly affected residents. The . . . Complete story »
Concerns raised over transmission line project
In a meeting with representatives from Southern Cross Transmission, North District Public Service Commissioner Brandon Presley told the representatives Thursday the company must meet one-on-one with landowners concerned about the company’s utility line project. Southern Cross Transmission held an open house in West Point on June 30 to address landowners’ questions regarding the proposed project. Many of the property owners who attended the meeting left with more questions, Presley said. Southern Cross Transmission, a subsidiary of Pattern Development, is in . . . Complete story »
Wind power lines could affect Caledonia residents
Proposed routes for a $700 million wind power transmission project could pass through the Golden Triangle and generate hundreds of construction jobs. Southern Cross Transmission, a subsidiary of Pattern Energy Group, is in the early planning phases of a 400-mile, 500 kilovolt transmission line from west Louisiana to east Mississippi. Denton Gibbes, a Southern Cross Transmission spokesperson, said the company is still working to determine a final route for the transmission line. The project website says a final route should . . . 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 »
