by Britton Rife | Jul 9, 2021 | News
DWEA’s annual business conference and lobby day is your best opportunity to learn what’s new in behind-the-meter distributed wind, including DOE’s exciting new programs to advance distributed wind’s contribution to clean energy and resiliency. DWEA’s half-day “DW on the Hill” event allows the industry and its supporter to take our message to Congressional leaders. The agenda, registration and highly discounted hotel reservations are available HERE.
by Britton Rife | Feb 9, 2018 | Uncategorized
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 9, 2018
DWEA Lauds New ITC Legislation Supporting Distributed Wind Power
Industry Now Well Positioned for Rapid Growth
Durango, Colorado. Today, Congress passed new legislation to provide a multi-year extension of the Investment Tax Credit (ITC) for small wind systems (100kW and below), and other clean energy technologies. The bill, included in today’s budget deal, provides parity with solar energy’s tax extension passed into law at the end of 2015. Notably, the legislation reinstates projects installed in 2017, as well as extends both the business and residential ITC through 2021.
“This is an exceptionally important day for the distributed wind industry and we applaud champions like Reps. Reed, Thompson, Blumenauer, and Cole, Senators Carper, Heller, Wyden, Schumer, Bennet, Thune, Grassley and many others for making this fix happen,” stated Jennifer Jenkins, Executive Director of the Distributed Wind Energy Association (DWEA).
“With long term federal policies on parity with solar, the U.S. distributed wind industry can finally refocus its efforts on cost reduction, technology improvement, and broad market adoption. This will surely lead to thousands of new American jobs and much needed rural economic development throughout the country” said Russell Tencer, DWEA Board President.
“The last few years have been a struggle due to cheap solar imports and unbalanced federal tax policy. We are preparing to launch a breakthrough small wind turbine that cuts energy production costs in half, so a fix to the federal tax credit issue is very timely for us,” said Mike Bergey, CEO of small wind turbine manufacturer Bergey Windpower and past president of DWEA.
“We have aligned with local U.S. customers to generate significant business opportunities for Eocycle,” reported Richard Legault, CEO of the Canadian-based wind turbine manufacturer with offices in the U.S. “We’ve just been waiting for the ITC to get extended to invest in this fertile market.”
“Placing small wind on parity to solar for the Investment Tax Credit allows corporations as well as small businesses and farms in the heartland of our country to realize the monetary value of their natural renewable resources,” stated Ciel Caldwell President and Chief Operating Officer of Northern Power Systems. She continued, “This will also support expansion of our United States operations as we continue to deliver reliable, technologically advanced turbines.”
“This type of support for distributed wind power grows America’s small businesses and supports the growth of U.S. manufacturing jobs. It also builds economic opportunity and energy self-sufficiency in rural towns from Maine to California,” noted Jenkins.
Since the end of 2015, the distributed wind industry has suffered many rounds of layoffs while waiting for the fix. “We are elated and ready to get back to work on the immense potential of the U.S. distributed wind market,” noted Tencer.
Many thanks are due all of the bi-partisan sponsors of bills such as HR 1090, and S2256.
DWEA projects 30 gigawatts of distributed wind capacity by 2030 and tens of thousands of new jobs with the right policies in place. DWEA’s white paper can be found here: https://distributedwind.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/DWEA-Distributed-Wind-Vision.pdf
About the Distributed Wind Energy Association
The Distributed Wind Energy Association is a collaborative group comprised of manufacturers, distributors, project developers, dealers, installers, and advocates, whose primary mission is to promote and foster all aspects of the American distributed wind energy industry. Distributed wind, commonly referred to as small and community wind, is the use of typically smaller wind turbines at homes, farms, businesses, and public facilities to off-set all or a portion of on-site energy consumption. DWEA seeks to represent members and associates from all sectors with relevant interests pertaining to the distributed wind industry. For more information on DWEA, please go to www.distributedwind.org. Follow us on Twitter @DWEA and like us on Facebook
For more information
Jennifer Jenkins, DWEA Executive Director
jjenkins@distributedwind.org, 928-380-6012
by Britton Rife | Oct 27, 2017 | News
DWEA Hosts Distributed Generation Workshop in Yuma, CO
Yuma, CO – On December 4th the Distributed Wind Energy Association (DWEA) will host a full-day Distributed Generation (DG) Workshop at the Community Center in Yuma, CO. The workshop is the second in DWEA’s “State of the State” initiative which is bringing community workshops aimed at increasing exposure about market opportunities in distributed generation to key states. The full-day workshop costs $15-$25 to attend and includes lunch and a networking reception. Space is limited and registration is required.
Colorado is a leader in distributed generation installations, ranking eighth nationally for distributed wind and eleventh for solar capacity. With over 27.3 MW of installed capacity and a significant economic potential in Yuma County alone of 35-70 MW, Colorado stands ready to lead in the national US distributed wind market’s growth. The distributed generation industries are poised to grow dramatically over the next few years. The Colorado DG Workshop provides the perfect opportunity to explore how homeowners, farmers, and businesses can leverage distributed renewable energy resources for local economic benefit.
Attendees will hear from distributed wind and solar manufacturers, project developers, and operations and maintenance providers as well as policy makers and industry experts on the fundamentals of DG, success stories, policy updates, and market opportunities in Colorado. For a mid-day highlight, Former Colorado Governor Bill Ritter will give the keynote address and discuss the role of distributed generation in the new energy economy while highlighting opportunities for Colorado to continue to be a leader in DG.
“Colorado already has an advanced distributed wind market, as evidenced by the diversity of industry manufacturers, project developers, installers, and research facilities as well as top ten rankings for installed wind capacity, but we want to help the market grow to reach its full potential,” said Jennifer Jenkins, DWEA Executive Director. “Distributed wind provides unique opportunities for farmers, businesses, homeowners, and communities to control their energy costs and boost their bottom lines by producing their own clean, renewable energy. Colorado, with its abundant wind and land resource, presents a significant opportunity for on-site power projects and local job creation. We are thrilled to host this event,” Jenkins continued.
“The rapid growth of on-site renewable energy in Colorado has concentrated in the more urban and suburban communities, leaving the rural and agricultural regions of the state underserved. If rural electric cooperatives, state and local officials, and distributed energy developers work together, an untapped market can be realized and lead to economic opportunities for all stakeholders,” said Russell Tencer, United Wind CEO and DWEA Board President.
Rural cooperatives and utilities, farmers and agricultural producers, state and local policy makers, cleantech industry members and advocates, and all other interested parties are invited to participate. The full Colorado Distributed Generation Workshop agenda, registration information, and additional details are available at https://distributedwind.org/event/colorado-distributed-generation-workshop/.
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The Distributed Wind Energy Association is a collaborative group comprised of manufacturers, distributors, project developers, dealers, installers, and advocates, whose primary mission is to promote and foster all aspects of the American distributed wind energy industry. Distributed wind, commonly referred to as small and community wind, is the use of typically smaller wind turbines at homes, farms, businesses, and public facilities to off-set all or a portion of on-site energy consumption. DWEA represents members from all sectors with relevant interests pertaining to the distributed wind industry. For more information on DWEA, please go to www.distributedwind.org. Follow us on Twitter @DWEA and like us on Facebook.
For more information:
Jennifer Jenkins, Distributed Wind Energy Association
jjenkins@distributedwind.org, (928) 380-6012
by Britton Rife | Sep 19, 2017 | News
CEBC and DWEA co-host Distributed Generation Workshop in Wichita, KS
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 19, 2017
Wichita, KS – On September 27th the Clean Energy Business Council (CEBC) and Kansas Department of Commerce in partnership with the Distributed Wind Energy Association (DWEA) will host a half-day Distributed Generation (DG) Workshop following the Kansas Energy Conference (September 26-27) at the DoubleTree by Hilton Wichita Airport in Wichita, Kansas. The half-day DG Workshop will follow the conference on September 27th and is available as a complimentary add-on for full conference attendees and available to others at a nominal cost. Space is limited and registration is required.
The DG workshop will kick-off the CEBC’s “Around the State” initiative, which will include a total of four community workshops aimed at increasing exposure about market opportunities in renewable energy within Kansas. The workshop will also mark the beginning of a series of state-focused distributed wind outreach events to be hosted by DWEA and member companies as part of DWEA’s State Policy Program.
“The Clean Energy Business Council (CEBC) is exploring how businesses can capitalize on distributed energy resources in Kansas and the Greater Kansas City Metro. The DG workshop is a perfect venue for stakeholders to discuss the opportunities and next steps to make Kansas a leader in distributed generation. While Kansas has excelled in utility scale wind power, we’ve barely scratched the service for distributed solar and wind. We’re excited to see the synergy distributed wind and solar companies create through the CEBC,” said Dorothy Barnett, Executive Director of CEBC. “Many of our business members have expressed an interest in developing the Kansas distributed wind market. Distributed wind provides unique opportunities for farmers, businesses, homeowners, and communities to control their energy costs and boost their bottom lines by producing their own clean, renewable energy. Kansas, with its abundant wind and land resource, presents a significant opportunity for on-site power projects. We are thrilled to partner on this event,” said Jennifer Jenkins, Executive Director of DWEA.
Workshop attendees will hear from distributed wind and solar manufacturers, project developers, and operations and maintenance providers as well as policy makers and industry experts on the fundamentals of DG, success stories, policy updates, and market opportunities in Kansas.
“On-site energy technology, like distributed wind, is a tool for creating local economic prosperity. Not only can a small wind system help a farmer stabilize their electricity rates and ultimately save over the long-term, but growth of the industry in Kansas will lead to the creation of great local jobs and attract new industries looking to procure on-site renewable energy,” said Jason Kaplan, General Counsel at United Wind, as well as DWEA and CEBC member.
Rural cooperatives and utilities, farmers and agricultural producers, state and local policy makers, cleantech industry members and advocates, project developers, corporate purchasers, and all other interested parties are invited to participate. The full Kansas Energy Conference and Distributed Generation Workshop agenda, registration information, and additional details are available at http://cleanenergyforbusiness.com//ks-energy-conference
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The Clean Energy Business Council originated in 2016 to identify and make progress on advanced energy barriers businesses face in Kansas and the Greater Kansas City Area. The Council is a member-driven initiative, comprised of business leaders and other members passionate about harvesting corporate economic opportunities in the areas of clean energy and energy efficiency. The Clean Energy Business Council works collaboratively through complex energy issues by engaging on the legislative and regulatory levels, building a strong network of businesses, and providing its members with rich educational and networking resources. The Council is a program of the Climate + Energy Project. www.cleanenergyforbusiness.com
The Distributed Wind Energy Association is a collaborative group comprised of manufacturers, distributors, project developers, dealers, installers, and advocates, whose primary mission is to promote and foster all aspects of the American distributed wind energy industry. Distributed wind, commonly referred to as small and community wind, is the use of typically smaller wind turbines at homes, farms, businesses, and public facilities to off-set all or a portion of on-site energy consumption. DWEA represents members from all sectors with relevant interests pertaining to the distributed wind industry. For more information on DWEA, please go to www.distributedwind.org. Follow us on Twitter @DWEA and like us on Facebook.
For more information:
Dorothy Barnett, Clean Energy Business Council
barnett@climateandenergy.org, (785) 424-0444
Jennifer Jenkins, Distributed Wind Energy Association
jjenkins@distributedwind.org, (928) 380-6012
by Britton Rife | Sep 7, 2017 | News
For Immediate Release
Washington, DC
September 7, 2017
Contact: Lloyd Ritter (202) 215-5512
The Agriculture Energy Coalition today issued the following statement thanking Sen. Al Franken (D-MN), Sen. Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Sen. Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) for introducing the Agricultural Energy Programs Reauthorization Act of 2017, which will reauthorize programs in Title IX of the Farm Bill and provide robust funding through 2023.
“We commend Sen. Franken for introducing this important bill to reauthorize and enhance Farm Bill energy programs,” said Lloyd Ritter, executive director of the Agriculture Energy Coalition. “If adopted, the legislation would improve already valuable programs. For instance, it would make renewable chemicals facilities fully eligible to participate in the Biorefinery, Renewable Chemical, and Biobased Product Manufacturing Assistance Program. It would also expand the BioPreferred program, improve the already popular REAP program by expanding support to a variety of sustainable, commercial clean energy technologies, and add new mandatory funding to create economic and energy opportunities for rural America. We are grateful for the Senator’s efforts.”
“Crop prices and farm incomes have been declining, so farmers are counting on the Farm Bill to help them develop new markets and new economic opportunities,” said Brent Erickson, executive vice president of BIO’s Industrial & Environmental Section. “The energy programs this bill supports will help revitalize the agriculture and manufacturing sectors in America and promote innovation in the biobased economy, and we thank Sen. Franken for his leadership.”
“Farm Bill energy programs help farmers improve efficiency, reduce farm energy costs, and access new revenue streams,” said Roger Johnson, president of the National Farmers Union. “NFU is thankful for Senator Franken’s leadership on these programs, and is especially supportive of the increase in funding for the Rural Energy for America Program. Congress should continue to support programs that incentivize smart, clean energy use and production on the farm and in rural areas.”
“This season’s raging forest fires out West illustrate the importance of funding for the removal of hazardous fuel from federal lands through programs like Biomass Crop Assistance Program,” said Carrie Annand, executive director of Biomass Power Association. “Taking high risk fiber out of the forest promotes forest health; taking it to a biomass facility ensures that we are getting value out of that material by making it into fuel for electricity. We commend Senator Franken for including BCAP in his draft Farm Bill Energy Title, and we look forward to working with him to ensure that it is included in the final bill.”
“The rural and agricultural communities of our country are the backbone of our economy, and providing these farmers the tools to leverage on-site technology, like distributed wind, will reap benefits for all,” said Jason Kaplan, United Wind, and Distributed Wind Energy Association member.
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