Posts Tagged ‘wind turbine’

MMS releases final rule for offshore renewable energy's leasing

Written by Mike Pisauro on April 22nd, 2009 in Federal, Global Warming, Ocean, Renewable Energy, Wind | No Comments »

On Earth Day, MMS released for publication the final rule on offshore renewable energy leasing of the outer continental shelf.  The 579 rule.  You can find the rule (here) and the much much shorter press release (here).  This is good news for New Jersey.  Once the rule takes affect after 60 days, the three proposed wind farms can begin the leasing process.  Assuming the environmental impact statements show that the harm to the ocean environment is minimal or none then NJ can get just a little closer to its goal under its energy master plan.

Hopefully, I will get a chance to reveiw the final rule and I will post my thoughts.

Happy Earth Day!

U.S. somehow is #1 for wind energy

Written by Mike Pisauro on December 31st, 2008 in legislation, Renewable Energy, Wind | No Comments »

The American Wind Energy Association noted in their 2008 Year End Review that the United States is #1 for wind energy production.  We as of September 2008 produce more than 21,000 megawatts of electricity from wind turbines.  AWEA’s news release is here.  Given the Bush administration’s lack of interest in renewable energy and the almost expired tax credits for renewable energy, this is fairly amazing.

With President Elect Obama’s professed support for renewable energy and NJ’s goal of 30% of our electricity coming from renewable sources in our new energy master plan, I hope NJ and the rest of the Country can improve on this milestone.  Given local opposition to the installation of wind turinbes in New Jersey I do have my doubts whether NJ will be a leader in wind energy.  That opposition comes from towns and individuals seeking to ban wind turinbes or objecting to their installation.  There is at least on bill in the legislature which would make it somewhat easier for a person or business to install wind turbines on their property but that bill cannot get a hearing in an Assembly committee and does not seem to be moving in the Senate either.

I have hopes, but I am not holding my breath.    Hopefully 2009 brings better things.