Vol. 21, #1015
11 October 2002
 
American Wind Energy Association
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Editor: Kathy Belyeu
AWEA Staff
Randall Swisher
Executive Director
Tom Gray
Deputy Executive Director/Director of Communications
Jim Caldwell
Policy Director
Mary Childress
Director of Finance and Administration
Kim Dresser
Director of Membership Services
Jaime Steve
Legislative Affairs Director
Kathy Belyeu
Strategic Communications
Stefanie Brown
Conference Manager
Jon Chase
Assistant Director of Legislative Affairs
John Dunlop
Great Plains Representative/Standards Manager
Krista Koberlein
Membership Assistant
Chris Nester
Project Coordinator
Christine Real de Azua
Assistant Director of Communications/
International Policy Analyst.
Judy Sison
Accountant
David Wooley
AWEA Northeast Policy Director
Ron Lehr
AWEA Western Regional Representative
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IN THIS ISSUE
Entergy creates category for renewables in planning process
Entergy, one of the largest U.S. utilities, with service territories in Louisiana, Arkansas, Texas, and Mississippi, has issued a request for proposals (RFP) for power that includes a request for renewable energy generation.

Energy Northwest starts up 48-MW wind project
At noon on September 25, the Nine Canyon Wind Project began commercial operations. The 48-MW project is owned and operated by Energy Northwest.

NREL prepares to issue Phase II of low wind speed research
The National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) has issued a pre-solicitation notice and request for comments for the second phase of its research into low wind speed wind turbine design.

W.Va. examining allowing small generators to net meter
On October 7, the West Virginia Public Service Commission (PSC) said it will launch a general investigation into a net metering pilot program, which would allow homeowners to be reimbursed for any excess electricity they generate from renewable sources like wind and solar generators.

U-Mass responding to public interest with wind research program
On September 19, the University of Massachusetts Amherst announced that it would be conducting a program to loan anemometers.

Palmdale, Calif., proposes investing in large wind turbine
The Palmdale Water District has proposed constructing a utility-scale wind turbine at the water treatment plant near Lake Palmdale, not far from Tehachapi, Calif.

Vestas to acquire casting capability
On October 10, Vestas announced that it had signed a letter of intent to purchase the casting manufacturer Windcast Group A/S.

Western N.C. university to host small wind conference
Appalachian State University, in Boone, N.C., will host a small wind workshop November 15-16, with Mick Sagrillo as instructor.

AWEA seeks speakers for WINDPOWER 2003
AWEA has issued a call for papers and is now accepting abstracts for the WINDPOWER 2003 Conference & Exhibition scheduled for Austin, Texas on May 18-21, 2003.

 

 
NINE CANYONS PROJECT
BEGINS OPERATIONS

 
At noon on September 25, the Nine Canyon Wind Project began commercial operations in eastern Washington state. The 48-MW project is owned and operated by Energy Northwest. The last of the 37 Bonus 1.3-MW turbines wind turbines was erected at the end of August, followed by a period of extensive acceptance testing. Developer Renewable Energy Systems (RES) was the general contractor.

"RES and Bonus have built us a terrific wind energy project," said Dan Porter, project development manager for Energy Northwest. "The quality of the installation is very impressive, a direct result of the dedication and cooperation of the RES and Bonus project managers and construction crews."

Benton County Public Utility District (PUD) designed and built the electric sub-station for the project and the four-mile line that transmits the power to the regional grid. Power from the project is purchased by a group of eight Public Utility Districts in Washington: Benton PUD, Chelan PUD, Douglas PUD, Grant PUD, Grays Harbor PUD, Lewis PUD, Mason PUD No. 3, and Okanogan PUD. Columbia Generating Station also has purchased a portion of the power generated by the plant.

"The Nine Canyon Wind Project was developed to meet the growing demand for renewable resources in the region," said Vic Parrish, Energy Northwest's CEO. "A project that combines public power and renewable energy is a real asset to the Northwest."

A dedication ceremony is set for mid-October.

For additional information, contact Gary Miller, phone (509 ) 377-8728.