Wind Power as a Viable Solution to Meeting Alternative Energy Needs
Electric bills and fuel bills are rising steadily—but the cost of wind turbine energy is zero, and the cost of installing and hooking up a turbine is steadily coming down as demand rises and more commercial success is realized by various companies producing the turbines and researching technologies to make them ever more efficient. In addition, people are moving away from the traditional electric grids and the fossil fuels for personal reasons including desire for greater independence, the desire to live remotely or rurally without having to “go primitive”, political concerns such as fears of terrorist strikes on oil fields or power grids, or concerns about the environment. Again, this motivation to get away from the traditional energy sources is the same one that causes people to seek the power of the wind for their energy, giving more business opportunities to profit from wind turbine production and maintenance, which drives their costs down for the consumers. In nearly thirty states at the time of this writing, homeowners who remain on the grid but who still choose to use wind energy (or other alternative forms) are eligible for rebates or tax breaks from the state governments that end up paying for as much as 50% of their total “green” energy systems' costs. In addition, there are 35 states at the time of this writing where these homeowners are allowed to sell their excess energy back to the power company under what are called “net metering laws”. The rates that they are being paid by the local power companies for this energy are standard retail rates—in other words, the homeowners are actually profiting from their own energy production.
Some federal lawmakers are pushing to get the federal government to mandate these tax breaks and other wind power incentives in all 50 states. Japan and Germany already have national incentive programs in place. However, “A lot of this is handled regionally by state law. There wouldn't really be a role for the federal government,” the Energy Department's Craig Stevens says. And as might be imagined, there are power companies who feel that it's unfair that they should have to pay retail rates to private individuals. “We should [only have to] pay you the wholesale rate for ... your electricity,” according to Bruce Bowen, Pacific Gas & Electric's director of regulatory policy. However, the companies seem to be more worried about losing short term profits than about the benefits, especially in the long run, of the increased use of wind turbines or wind farms. Head of the Center for Energy Efficiency and Renewable Technologies of California V. John White points out, “It's quality power that strengthens the grid.”
Comments
Menu
My Articles
Geothermal Power As Alternative EnergyWind Power As A Viable Solution To Meeting Alternative Energy Needs
What Is Alternative Energy
An Energy Alternative: Free Energy
Renewable Fuels For Alternative Energy
Investment Into Alternative Energy Research And Development
The Ways That The Military Is Using Alternative Energy
Alternative Energy For The Home
Some Suppliers Of Alternative Energy
University Research Into Alternative Energy
Consultants On Alternative Energy
Government Grants For Alternative Energy
Investments In Alternative Energy
Pursuing Alternative Forms Of Energy
How To Seek Grants For Alternative Energy R & D
Alternative Energy In Ireland
Jobs In Alternative Energy Fields
An Alternative Energy Education Method
Investing In Alternative Energy Stocks
Biofuels As Alternative Sources Of Energy
Solar Energy Collecting As An Alternative Energy Source
Developing Nuclear Power As Alternative Energy
Alternative Energy From The Ocean
Resources For Alternative Energy
My Articles Geothermal Power As Alternative Energy We should be doing everything possible to develop geothermal.. An Alternative Energy Education Method The best method of educating young people about alternative.. Developing Nuclear Power As Alternative Energy Many researchers believe that harnessing the power of the.. How To Seek Grants For Alternative Energy R & D If you are someone who wishes to begin researching and developing alternative.. |
|
|
Related News:
|