Wind Power News: Tennessee
These news and opinion items are gathered by National Wind Watch in its noncommercial educational effort 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.
Appalachian Power plans for its renewable energy future
While capturing more sunlight and wind to produce its electricity, Appalachian Power Co. will continue to burn coal in two large power plants in West Virginia until 2040. That, at least, is one way that Appalachian says it could meet a state-imposed mandate that requires its Virginia customers to receive all-renewable power by 2050. During a State Corporation Commission hearing last week, the utility presented six different options for complying with a sweeping state law passed in 2020 by the . . . Complete story »
Used wind turbine blades being cut up and hauled to Tennessee
ELLSWORTH, Iowa – They had been piled there for over a year, about 400 huge wind turbine blades removed when their turbine was “repowered,” and when the original solution to dispose of them didn’t work out MidAmerican Energy took action to clear the stockpile. When wind turbines are “repowered” the blades, mostly fiberglass, have been a problem. MidAmerican wants them recycled and now that is going to happen. Working with Carbon Rivers, a Tennessee company that has developed a new . . . Complete story »
TVA: Buffalo Mountain wind farm access closed in November due to removal of turbines
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – TVA announced that it will be removing three original test wind turbines at Buffalo Mountain that have reached their end of life. For public safety, there will be no access allowed in the area around the turbines during the month of November because they are using heavy equipment to decommission the turbine material, TVA officials said. All recyclable materials will be recycled. TVA said that the remaining 15 wind turbines operated by Invenergy LLC will continue to generate . . . Complete story »
Are windmills worth the price that come with them?
I fear an ill wind is blowing. Maybe wind is indeed the clean-energy cure-all of the future, as climate-change activists claim. Maybe windmills will eventually help wean us from fossil fuels and save the environment. But in the short term they may ruin it. Former Tennessee Sen. Lamar Alexander, one of the most pro-environment politicians in modern history, adamantly opposes windmills. He supports alternative clean-air initiatives, including nuclear energy. I agree. As a life-long outdoorsman and environmentalist, I don’t like . . . Complete story »
Lights off: Lessons learned from Texas power grid failure
Could a collapse of the power grid like the one that crippled Texas during a major winter storm earlier this month happen in Northeast Tennessee? While anything is possible during a once-in-100-years severe weather event like the one that swept through the nation’s midsection nearly two weeks ago, BrightRidge CEO Jeff Dykes said this region’s power provider is “in a much better position to handle” such a scenario. He said the Tennessee Valley Authority, which provides power to most of . . . Complete story »
Will Biden’s 100% clean energy plan work? Look to TVA
[Outgoing longtime Sen. Lamar] Alexander recently warned TVA not to follow the example set by California, criticizing the Golden State for adding renewables and backing away from nuclear.... "The combination of that nuclear power, hydropower and natural gas in Tennessee has given us one of the cleanest areas," he said recently on the Senate floor. "So we need a realistic energy policy, not a fanciful one." Alexander used the opportunity there and again in a video message to TVA's board to take aim at California — a popular whipping post for Republican elected officials in the South who work on energy issues — arguing that the state's electricity rates are high because of its clean energy policies. "They are in for an unpleasant future," he said. Complete story »
Editorial: Virginia can’t fix planetwide climate problem
Kingsport and regional customers of Appalachian Power are facing a down payment on Virginia’s Clean Economy Act, which intends to make the state 100% carbon free by 2050 to combat climate warming. Appalachian Power just announced that it will acquire or contract for 210 megawatts of solar power and 200 megawatts of wind power over the next five years as part of its long-range plan to meet the targets established by the act. Customer bills will increase as the company . . . Complete story »
Local power companies make plans to generate power in the Tennessee Valley
Over the past 85 years, EPB has helped electrify Chattanooga, create America’s first Gig city and propel the city’s emerging innovation economy. Chattanooga Mayor Andy Berke praised EPB last week as “the most progressive, creative and innovative utility in the country.” But for all its power, EPB has always relied upon the Tennessee Valley Authority to supply its energy – until now. Chattanooga’s city-owned utility is among a growing number of local power companies in the Tennessee Valley that are preparing . . . Complete story »
Alexander: Spend More on Clean Energy Research Instead of Wasteful Wind Tax Credit
“Instead of subsidizing wind developers we could be using that money to double the amount we spend on research and development to make truly bold breakthroughs that will help us provide cleaner, cheaper energy, and raise family incomes.” – Senator Lamar Alexander WASHINGTON, November 19, 2019 – United States Senator Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.) today said asking the American taxpayer to pay more to extend the wind production tax credit – “the most wasteful, conspicuous taxpayer subsidy in Washington D.C.” – is . . . Complete story »
Floor Speech: Spend More on Clean Energy Research Instead of Wasteful Wind Tax Credit
I have come to the floor to talk about the wind production tax credit which is so generous that in some markets wind developers can actually give away their electricity for free and still make a profit. The wind production tax credit has been extended 11 times and has been on the books for more than 25 years. Four years ago we thought it was ended. Congress asked taxpayers to provide another $24 billion, according to the Joint Committee on . . . Complete story »