Dedicated to Renewable Energy for America and the creation
of Millions of Jobs in America. Wind, Solar, Hydro, Biofuels, and
Geothermal Investment can free us from Borrowing money from China to
send to the Middle East for Oil.
A
full Wind Industry Market and Rankings Report will be available in April
2010.
AWEA
Releases U.S. Wind Industry Annual Market Report More electricity, more
jobs, a cleaner environment, and energy security
Washington, D.C.: The
U.S. wind energy industry is expanding as established industry leaders
maintain their top position and manufacturing continues to grow albeit at
a slower rate than in 2008, according to the annual
wind industry market report released today by the American Wind
Energy Association (AWEA). This year�s report features new categories for
offshore wind power and educational and training programs, as well as
expanded information under previously existing categories such as
manufacturing and project updates.
"Jobs,
business opportunities, clean air, energy security�wind power is
delivering today on all those fronts for Americans," said AWEA CEO
Denise Bode. "Our annual report documents an industry hard at
work and on the verge of explosive growth if the right policies�including
a national Renewable Electricity Standard (RES) -- are put in place.
A national RES will provide the long-term certainty that businesses
need to invest tens of billions of dollars in new installations and
manufacturing facilities which would create hundreds of thousands of American
jobs."
Highlights
from AWEA�s new report include:
The U.S. wind energy industry installed over
10,000 MW of new wind power generating capacity in 2009, the largest
year in U.S. history, and enough to power the equivalent of 2.4
million homes or generate as much electricity as three large nuclear
power plants.
In industry rankings, GE Energy remained #1 in
U.S. wind turbine sales; NextEra Energy Resources continued to lead
in wind farm ownership; and Xcel Energy continued to lead utilities
in wind power usage. At the same time, however, more companies
are now active in each of these areas, showing that the wind energy
market is diversifying as it expands.
There are 36 states that have utility-scale wind
projects and 14 states are in the "Gigawatt Club" with
more than 1,000 MW of installed wind capacity per state.
In state rankings, Iowa leads in terms of
percentage of electricity from wind power, getting 14% of its power
from the wind, and also leads in highest number of jobs in the
manufacturing sector. Texas consolidated its lead in wind
capacity and in largest wind farms installed.
The report's section on manufacturing shows that
in spite of a slowdown in wind turbine manufacturing in 2009
compared to 2008, 10 new manufacturing facilities came online in the
U.S. last year, 20 were announced, and nine facilities were
expanded. The largest category was wind turbine
sub-components, such as bearings, electrical components and
hydraulic systems. In all, the U.S. wind energy industry
opened, announced or expanded over 100 facilities in the past three
years (2007- 2009), bringing the total of wind turbine component
manufacturing facilities now operating in the U.S. to over 200.
All 50 states have jobs in the wind
industry.
Approximately 85,000 people are employed in the
wind industry today and hold jobs in areas as varied as turbine
component manufacturing, construction and installation of wind
turbines, wind turbine operations and maintenance, legal and
marketing services, transportation and logistical services, and
more.
To ensure a skilled workforce across the wind
energy industry, 205 educational programs now offer a certificate,
degree, or coursework related to wind energy. Of these 205
programs, the largest segments are university and college programs
(45%) and community colleges or technical school programs
(43%).
Despite the economic downturn, the demand for
small wind systems for residential and small business use (rated
capacity of 100 kW or less) grew 15% in 2009, adding 20 MW of generating
capacity to the nation. Seven small wind turbine manufacturing
facilities were opened, announced or expanded in 2009.
Offshore wind power is gaining momentum in the
U.S. The report lists seven projects with significant progress in
the planning, permitting, and testing process. Both the
federal government and several states established significant
milestones in 2009 to encourage offshore wind power development.
America�s wind power fleet of 35,000 MW will
avoid an estimated 62 million tons of carbon dioxide annually,
equivalent to taking 10.5 million cars off the road.
America�s wind power fleet will conserve
approximately 20 billion gallons of water annually that would
otherwise be lost to evaporation from steam of cooling in
conventional power plants.
The
U.S. wind energy industry installed 1,389 megawatts (MW) this quarter,
bringing to 4,204 MW the total of wind power projects completed in what
is expected to be another record year, the American Wind Energy
Association announced in its 3rd quarter market report.
With
even more reported under construction, the industry is on track to
surpass the banner year of 2007, when 5,249 MW were installed, with a
total of about 7,500 MW this year.
As
a result of recent manufacturing investment, AWEA estimates, the share of
domestically made components in wind turbines has risen from about 30% in
2005 to 50% today. The new facilities will create an estimated 9,000
jobs.
The
steps that the new Administration and Congress take to promote renewable
energy will therefore be critical. Long-term, stable policies are needed
to take full advantage of the industry�s role in stimulating job
creation and economic development, and to support growth of domestic
turbine and component manufacturing, which will be one of the leading
sources of new manufacturing jobs in the 21st century. These policies
include a long-term extension of the wind production tax credit (the
recent financial rescue package extended the credit for one year only), a
federal renewable energy standard, strong climate change legislation, and
investment in new transmission infrastructure.
The
federal production tax credit (PTC) is intended to provide wind
generators with incentives similar to those received by other electricity
producers. This inflation-adjusted tax credit is currently set at 2.0
cents per kWh of generation over the first ten years of a project's life
for projects reaching commercial operation prior to the credit's
expiration date. In December 2006, Congress extended the PTC through
December 31, 2008. Historically the PTC has been renewed only for short
durations (one to two years) and often retroactively after having
expired. This uncertainty has impeded the wind industry's investment in
equipment production capacity, while also inducing scarcity-driven
equipment and installation price increases as project developers race to
beat the PTC expiration deadline. Extension proposals ranging from three
to five years in duration are under consideration by Congress in the 2007
legislative session.
The
Renewable Energy Production Tax Credit which pays Utilities 2
cents/KWhour of Electricity is the single most important Tool which
drives Investment in Renewables that can create Jobs and free us from
sending Hundreds of Billions of dollars to the Middle East and Russia.
At
2007 Rates, in 10 years the US could install 10 x 5255 MW = 52,550 MW or
52 Gigawatt of Wind Power Capacity with off Peak power stored as Hydro
Power.
-versus-
The
Nuclear Industry's plan for 14 Plants to generate 28,800 MW or 28.8
Gigawatt at a cost of $188 Billion which includes $122 Billion of Public
Taxpayer Loan guarantees, and Public Accident Liability over $10.9
Billion (Public liability is Included in Price-Anderson Act of 2005
Energy Bill estimated by Sandia Labs to cost up to $600 Billion).
We have forgotten that JOBS are the
foundation to paying mortgages and buying goods.
Hundreds
of Thousands of our troops have served in Iraq while Congress and the
Senate fail often to promote industries which can provide Veterans jobs
when they return home.
You
want Jobs and a strong Economy? Then eliminate Tax Credits for Big Oil
and increase Tax Credits for Renewable Energy.
We
have the Best Wind, Solar, Geothermal, Hydro and Biofuel Resources in the
World. Global Companies want to invest in developing and profiting from
our Renewable Energy resources much like We invested in Middle East Oil.
We
can create 2 Million Clean Energy jobs in just 2 years with a $100
Billion investment. Imagine how many $700 Billion would create (14
Million New Jobs?):
Change
the focus to Job Creation and Invest $100 Billion annually in Renewable
Energy Investment Tax Credits. That alone can generate $700~800 Billion
of new Investment into our Economy Annually, along with Millions of Jobs.
In the long run it also frees us from sending Hundreds of Billions to the
Middle East for Oil.
Renewable
energy such as Wind, Solar, Hydro, Biofuels, and Geothermal creates
Millions of Jobs in Manufacturing, Construction, Maintenance,
Electronics, Networking, Mechanics, Fabrication, Steel, New materials
development, Education, and dozens of other industries.
E-Verify
(formerly known as the Basic Pilot/Employment Eligibility Verification
Program) is an Internet based system operated by the Department of
Homeland Security (DHS) in partnership with the Social Security
Administration (SSA) that allows participating employers to
electronically verify the employment eligibility of their newly hired
employees.
Failure to raise fuel efficiency
standards has cost our auto industry tens of thousands of jobs and
Billions of dollars in losses. Big Oil has corrupted government employees
charged with providing oversight and collecting Royalties. They are
stealing from the public at every level. High Oil prices have depressed
nearly every aspect of our economy from Food to Manufacturing, from
transportation to investing in new technologies.
We have the
Best Wind, Solar, Geothermal, Hydro and Biofuel Resources in the World.
Global Companies want to invest in developing and profiting from our
Renewable Energy resources much like We invested in Middle East Oil.
--BUT--
Oil companies
have corrupted both Republican Senators and Government employees charged
with collecting Royalties and in doing so have been stealing from our
Country, Families, and Troops. The Government Accounting Office (GAO)
released the following report regarding Oil and Gas Royalties. Bottom
line is Big Oil companies have been cheating the American Taxpayer in
addition to corrupting government employees charged with providing
oversight and collecting Royalties.
The Inflexibility of Royalty Rates to Changing Oil and
Gas Prices Has Cost the Federal Government Billions of Dollars in
Foregone Revenues. The GAO confirms; The Federal System for Collecting
Oil and Gas Revenues Needs Comprehensive Reassessment. I recommend a 1/3
Split between Federal, State, and Oil Companies -or- better when
contracted out for Global company bidding.
Unlike Oil,
every dollar of PTC generates 8 dollars of investment, which would
otherwise not exist. Given an 8 to 1 return in something that�s also
improves the Security of our Country, and frees us from dependence on
Middle Eastern Oil and borrowing money from China to pay for it, should
not be a Partisan issue. Stop letting Big Oil companies dictate the
future of America. Keep Jobs in America by expanding industries,
educational, investment, and career opportunities for Americans.
How do you
build a strong economy? The same way you did it before; invest in areas
where you have a competitive advantage. We once had it in Auto, Steel,
and machinery. We have it now in Wind and Solar natural resources. We
don�t have to Drill for Black Gold, its right in front of us, Blowing
across and Shining on our Faces.
