Environmental Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
trend which favored production incentives over investment subsidies, in
hindsight this option helped stimulate investment in an economic climate
where investment funds were diminished. By the end of 2010, there was
40,267 MW of installed wind power capacity in the nation.
By 2010, there was clear evidence that energy policymakers and
developers were beginning to focus efforts on exploiting offshore wind
power potential. In October 2010, the US Department of the Interior
finally signed off on the Cape Wind project, approving the nation's
first lease for wind energy development on the outer continental shelf.
In the same month, a consortium led by Google announced a plan to
finance a project known as the Atlantic Wind Connection—a 350-mile-
long electricity transmission cable with a capacity of 7,000 MW that
would be set 15-20 miles offshore from New Jersey to Virginia, to
facilitate offshore wind power development.
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This project would be
instrumental in providing the infrastructure necessary to further
develop offshore projects in the Atlantic region. In February 2011,
the US Department of Energy published the “National Offshore Wind
Strategy,” which declared an intent (OSWInD initiative) to facilitate
“54 gigawatts (GW) of offshore wind generating capacity by 2030, at
a cost of energy of $0.07 per kWh, with an interim scenario of 10 GW
of capacity deployed by 2020, at a cost of energy of $0.10 per kWh.”
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The strategy also advocates funding for technology development, mar-
ket barrier alleviation and constructing a next generation wind turbine
drive train.
In 2011 and 2012, the onshore wind program continued to gather steam.
Nationally, 19,742 MW of new capacity was added, bringing the total to
60,009 MW, an increase of 49% over the two-year period. Unfortunately,
once again political wrangling delayed extension of the PTC, which expired
on December 31, 2012. his time there was more to the story than politi-
cal bickering and criticisms that the PTC was unnecessary and excessive.
he ruling Democrats and the Republicans (who enjoyed a house major-
ity) had been locked in a contest of brinkmanship over how the 2013
federal budget should be apportioned, with the end result being a delay
in approving the iscal budget for 2013. his political battle made it dif-
icult for the Obama administration to authorize a timely extension of
the PTC. Fortunately for the wind power community, the PTC was once
again extended for one year on January 2, 2013 under the auspices of the
American Taxpayer Relief Act; however, the delay in signing an extension
has adversely afected the pace of wind power development in 2013 only
1,098 MW were added.
