WIND FIGHTS BACK

Wind industry fights to defend its position as clean energy alternative; Study, column downplaying wind energy's environmental benefits angers Denise Bode
Chris Casteel, September 5, 2010 (The Oklahoman)

"The Obama administration's emphasis on clean energy and the fight in Congress over energy legislation is creating some tension…[Denise Bode, CEO of the American Wind Energy Association [AWEA], said the] Western Energy Alliance, formerly the Independent Petroleum Association of Mountain States, released a report earlier this year that concluded renewable electricity mandates had actually caused pollution increases in Texas and Colorado because coal and natural gas plants operated less efficiently to accommodate the variability in wind sources."

"The study was cited in The Wall Street Journal column, written by Robert Bryce, a senior fellow at the Manhattan Institute, and that column was then cited by the Heritage Foundation, a conservative think tank in Washington…The wind energy association countered last week with Department of Energy figures showing carbon emissions had dropped steadily in Texas and Colorado as wind power was added to the mix. And it has cited studies projecting that emissions would drop by as much as 25 percent if wind generated 20 percent of [U.S.] electric power…"

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"…[T]here are [also high stakes] lobbying battles between coal and natural gas and nuclear versus renewable sources…Though pre-election fighting could further stall passage of energy legislation [with a national renewable energy standard (RES)requiring utilities to use a certain amount of renewable energy] in Congress, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid said last week that he still hopes to pass a bill before lawmakers adjourn for the year…"

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"…[AWEA] has been pushing hard for a renewable standard, arguing that it would spur manufacturing jobs while reducing emissions…But lawmakers from states in the [southeast], where wind isn't as plentiful or as easy to harness, have been strongly opposed to mandates…Trade groups for oil and gas companies…have not taken a public position on a renewable energy standard…[but] has been pushing hard since President Barack Obama took office against his proposals to change tax rules the industry considers vital…Democratic members of Congress also have proposed higher fees and penalties for offshore drilling.

"Some lawmakers have promoted a broader mandate, called the clean energy standard, which would allow for more than just renewable energy sources such as wind and solar energy. And groups representing natural gas companies have argued that natural gas should be included in such a standard…Bode recently suggested that the industry's future is dependent on a renewable energy standard, and she said she was in the fight 'to the bitter end.'"