by DWEA Site Admin | Sep 19, 2014 | News
New legislation extends expired all important clean energy tax provisions including the distributed wind Investment Tax Credit (ITC)
Congress continued to move forward on extending vital clean energy tax provisions that expired earlier this year, which includes the Investment Tax Credit for distributed wind.
“I continue to be impressed with Representative Blumenauer’s leadership in support of our industry,” said Jennifer Jenkins, Executive Director of the Distributed Wind Energy Association (DWEA). “A renewed ITC will provide business certainty to the community and distributed wind segments of the wind industry that are generally unable to utilize the PTC. This incentive enables them to continue to drive economic development across farms, schools, business, and communities across the country. Distributed wind projects are present in all 50 states, providing clean, homegrown, affordable power; helping to keep the lights on and Americans at work. In order for this industry to continue to grow and expand we urge swift passage of the ITC when Congress returns from recess.”
The bill was introduced with 17 co-sponsors who should also be applauded for their leadership:
Rep Davis, Danny K. [D-IL-7]
Rep Kind, Ron [D-WI-3]
Rep Langevin, James R. [D-RI-2]
Rep Larson, John B. [D-CT-1]
Rep Lee, Barbara [D-CA-13]
Rep Levin, Sander M. [D-MI-9]
Rep Lewis, John [D-GA-5]
Rep Loebsack, David [D-IA-2]
Rep McDermott, Jim [D-WA-7]
Rep Moran, James P. [D-VA-8]
Rep Neal, Richard E. [D-MA-1]
Rep Pascrell, Bill, Jr. [D-NJ-9]
Rep Rangel, Charles B. [D-NY-13]
Rep Ryan, Tim [D-OH-13]
Rep Sanchez, Linda T. [D-CA-38]
Rep Schwartz, Allyson Y. [D-PA-13]
Rep Thompson, Mike [D-CA-5]
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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 is the use of wind turbines at homes, farm and ranches, businesses, public and industrial facilities, off-grid and other sites connected either physically or virtually on the customer side of the meter to offset all or a portion of local energy consumption or to support grid operations. 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
by DWEA Site Admin | May 30, 2014 | News
New legislation expands limits on small wind ITC to include broader distributed wind industry
Washington, DC – Today, Representatives Earl Blumenauer (OR-03) and Tom Cole (OK-04) introduced the Rural Wind Energy Development Act to provide an investment tax credit to ranchers, farmers, and small businesses to offset the up-front costs of owning a distributed wind turbine. This modest expansion of current law will keep small business energy jobs growing across the United States.
Distributed wind projects are present in all 50 states, providing clean, homegrown, affordable power and economic development across the United States. These systems are commonly, but not always, installed on residential, agricultural, commercial, industrial, and community sites and can range in size from a few-hundred-watt, off-grid turbine at a remote cabin or a 5-kW turbine at a home to a multi-MW turbine at a manufacturing facility.
“I applaud Representatives Blumenauer and Cole for their leadership at this critical time for our industry,” said Jennifer Jenkins, Executive Director of the Distributed Wind Energy Association. “This industry is bigger than just one job or one type of turbine. We have an entire supply chain here in the U.S. providing parts for a wide range of distributed wind systems, while employing Americans and providing American-produced electricity. This legislation will provide stability and certainty for the entire distributed wind market and allow this American success story to go on.”
The Congressmen issued the following statements earlier today:
“Community wind energy not only creates American-produced electricity, but American jobs as well,” said Blumenauer. “Approximately 90% of distributed wind turbines sold in the U.S. are made here, according to domestic manufacturing content, creating non-exportable, family wage jobs.”
“I am pleased to once again work with my friend and colleague in furthering the success of the same credit we worked to create in 2008,” said Cole. “Not only does the credit play an important role in encouraging and developing an all-of-the-above energy approach for our nation, but it also ensures that America continues to be a leader in innovation. By modestly increasing this credit, we can continue to encourage economic development, especially in our rural communities.”
The existing investment credits, which may be taken in lieu of the federal Production Tax Credit for large-scale wind projects, have worked very well, but are too limiting. This bill strikes the existing 100 kilowatt nameplate limitation for small wind systems, and expands the maximum wind turbine size to 20 megawatts, in line with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission definition of distributed wind power.
This will provide stability and certainty for the distributed wind market and unlock the necessary investment to grow our global leadership role in distributed wind power, while helping Americans take advantage of clean, renewable, affordable power.
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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 is the use of wind turbines at homes, farm and ranches, businesses, public and industrial facilities, off-grid and other sites connected either physically or virtually on the customer side of the meter to offset all or a portion of local energy consumption or to support grid operations. 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
Lauren Glickman, Communications Manager
Lglickman@distributedwind.org,
by DWEA Site Admin | Feb 28, 2014 | News
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Feb 28, 2014
FOR MORE INFO: Lauren Glickman
Email: Lglickman@distributedwind.org
Tel: 504-258-7955
Blumenauer Receives Legislator of the Year Award from the Distributed Wind Energy Association
WASHINGTON – Representative Earl Blumenauer today received a Legislator of the Year Award from the Distributed Wind Energy Association for his true leadership for distributed wind power.
Mike Bergey of Bergey Windpower, Steve Shum of Xzeres Wind and Jennifer Jenkins of the Distributed Wind Energy Association presented the Congressman with the award. Blumenauer successfully led efforts in Congress to enact the small wind Investment Tax Credit (ITC). His efforts have not stopped there. He has been a champion of the industry on many fronts, including the pursuit of more distributed wind funding from the Department of Energy.
“I am very grateful for this award,” said Congressman Blumenauer. “Wind energy is a key part of our renewable energy mix. Investing in wind diversifies our energy supply and strengthens our resilience to energy related challenges, while improving our national energy security. I will continue working as hard as I can to support wind energy and ensure that it remains a strong and viable option for millions of Americans and creates living wage, non-exportable jobs.”
“I want to thank Congressman Blumenauer for his strong support of distributed wind power and this American success story.,” said Jennifer Jenkins, Executive Director of the Distributed Wind Energy Association. “Our industry is at a critical crossroads, but with his leadership on driving policies, we are provided with the certainty we need to continue to grow.”
Distributed wind is present in all 50 states, stimulating local economies and providing American jobs. Compared to traditional, centralized power plants, distributed wind energy installations directly supply power to the local grid near homes, farms, businesses and communities– helping to improve grid reliability and efficiency. Turbines used in these applications can range in size from a few hundred watts to multi-megawatts, and can help power remote, off-grid homes and farms as well as local schools and manufacturing facilities. Distributed wind installations comprise more than 68% of all wind turbines installed in the United States (on a unit basis) over the past ten years.
In Oregon, the State’s natural wind resources generate approximately 1700 megawatts of electricity. That’s enough power to meet the needs of nearly 700,000 average American homes. Oregon currently has the 5th most wind power capacity installed of any state.
“As an Oregon based manufacturer with over 9,000 turbines installed around the world, XZERES Corp sincerely appreciates Congressman Blumenauer’s support and confidence that distributed wind systems have a place in today’s energy landscape. Our Skystream 2.4kW and 442SR 10kW small wind turbines are found throughout Oregon, powering schools, farms, homes, wineries and more and we look forward to further progress domestically to compliment our global efforts”, stated XZERES CFO Steve Shum.
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 attract 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. Join us for Distributed Wind 2014: A Capitol Hill Event for Small and Community Wind on February 27-28 in Washington, D.C.
