Political observers at the Oklahoma State Capitol predict the anti-wind effort of some state legislators will not go away, just because the Senate on Monday voted down an effort to eliminate refundability of tax credits for wind farms. Still to be decided are two remaining bills that could also target the capping of credits. As …
Despite impassioned pleas that the state no longer can afford to pay subsidies to the Oklahoma wind industry, the State senate late Monday rejected House amendments to a bill to eliminate the refundability of tax credits. The vote was 18-23 against the House amendments. “We’re subsidizing an industry with a subsidy we can’t afford,” argued …
A company has won approval from Texas regulators for the construction of a large wind farm in far west Texas. Xcel Energy won the approval from the Public Utility Commission of Texas to build the 478-megawatt Hale Wind Project near Plainview, Texas. The wind farm will be one of two to be built in the …
The bill that prompted the wind industry to predict lawsuits against the state of Oklahoma won approval Wednesday in the state House of Representatives. Senate Bill 888, which calls for a cap on tax credits to wind farm operations was approved on a vote of 51 to 46. Officially, the bill, if passed by the …
Public Service Company of Oklahoma (PSO), Oklahoma Industrial Energy Consumers (OIEC) and Walmart have reached a settlement agreement on PSO’s proposed Wind Catcher Energy Connection project (Wind Catcher). Together, PSO, OIEC and Walmart are requesting the Oklahoma Corporation Commission (Commission) approve the project under the terms of the settlement agreement – terms which collectively result …
After California-based Wells Fargo announced a new $200 billion renewable energy financial commitment last week, the company wrapped up $70 million in tax-equity funding for wind projects in Nebraska, Indiana and California. The funding is for Pacific Plains wind farms including a 90 megawatt Cottonwood wind operation in Webster County, Nebraska. Wells Fargo has teamed …
House leadership at the Oklahoma state capitol has reportedly turned down economic concessions made by the wind industry in a fight over taxes. Mark Yates, Oklahoma Director of the Wind Coalition says if the House follows through with its plans it will be “recorded as one of the darkest years in our history.” It’s the …
Another wind industry leader is speaking out against possible plans in the Oklahoma legislature to put a tax on wind farm operations. He is Ron Flax-Davidson who is chairman and CEO of PNE Wind USA,Inc. a firm based in Chicago. The company is in the process of building the Chilocco Wind Farm to be located …
Billionaire Warren Buffett obviously sees something in the wind industry….there’s money to be made! A report from the American Wind Energy Association shows his Berkshire Hathaway Energy is now the top US ranked investor owned utility group for wind power. The firm surpassed Xcel Energy in 2017 with 6.751 GW owned or under contract. BHE …
Enel Green Power recently supported the Oklahoma KidWind Challenge in Norman, Oklahoma. Students from around the state participated in a wind turbine contest, winners were invited to the national competition. The event wrapped up a year-long effort of education workshops for teachers and students sponsored by Enel Green Power. During the statewide challenge, 46 students …
