This map shows U.S. wind power installations by state. Washington and Oregon rank No. 6 and 7, respectively. Texas ranks No. 1, with 10,223 megawatts of wind energy installed.
credit:
American Wind Energy Association
RICHLAND, Wash. – A new report (PDF) from the American Wind Energy Association ranks Washington No. 6 and Oregon No. 7 in wind energy installations though the third quarter of this year. The states rank high even though neither Oregon nor Washington added or expanded any wind projects during the past three months.
Nationwide, this was the busiest quarter since 2008, the report states. Renewable Northwest Project deputy director John Audley says more companies are working to complete projects before the federal production tax credit and state incentives end next year.
“We’re seeing quite a build-out as reflected in the third-quarter statistics,” Audley says.
For the Pacific Northwest, Audley says, previous wind installation projects have been much more productive. He says this year’s projects are much smaller in number than in 2010.
“What we are suffering from in the Pacific Northwest is the kind of economic malaise that makes the demand for new power sources harder to find,” he says.
Audley does expect to see wind energy installation pick up through next year, if companies can find a market to sell power. He says companies consider several variables when looking for a market:
A strong economy where customers and industries are looking for power.
A market for renewable power, encouraged by state renewable energy standards.
Sufficient access to transmission lines.
Renewable Northwest Project estimates that Washington (PDF) has received $5.6 billion in wind energy investments, and $40 million in property tax revenue. The organization estimates that Oregon (PDF) has received $4.5 billion in wind energy investments, and $55 million in property tax revenue.
Currently, Washington has installed 2,356 megawatts of wind energy, Oregon has 2,305 megawatts, and Idaho has 475 megawatts.
Share your experiences as part of EarthFix's Public Insight Network.
Oregon/Washington: Is there buzz in your community about coal trains or new export terminals?
Join our Public Insight Network!
EarthFix is a public media project of Oregon Public Broadcasting and Boise State Public Radio, Idaho Public Television, KCTS 9 Seattle, KUOW Puget Sound Public Radio, Northwest Public Radio and Television, Southern Oregon Public Television and the Corporation for Public Broadcasting.
