Wind R&D; Cuts Are "Penny Wise & Pound Foolish," Says Wind Energy Group

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Wind R&D; Cuts Are "Penny Wise & Pound

Foolish," Says Wind Energy Group

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Wind R&D; Cuts Are "Penny Wise & Pound

Foolish," Says Wind Energy Group

Energy crisis calls for increased investments in both utility-scale

and small wind systems, says AWEA

DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, WASHINGTON, Apr. 9 -/E-Wire/-- The American Wind Energy Association (AWEA) today criticized the Bush Administration for proposing deep cuts in funding for the federal wind energy research and development (R&D;) program and other renewable energy research efforts.

"Cutting wind energy R&D; efforts during an energy crisis is penny wise and pound foolish," said Jaime Steve, Director of Legislative Affairs for the American Wind Energy Association. "Continued investment in clean, domestic energy alternatives like wind power will allow the industry to keep driving down costs by improving the efficiency of new high-tech wind turbines," Steve said.

"Just as wind-generated electricity is becoming a cost-competitive power source – with prices in the range of 3 to 6 cents per kilowatt-hour, depending on project size, local wind speeds, and availability of the 1.5 cent per kilowatt-hour federal production tax credit – the Bush Administration proposes pulling the rug out from under the industry. These cuts are not a sensible component of sound energy strategy," Steve said.

"Federal wind program personnel at the Department of Energy (DOE) and the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) have worked long and hard to develop a research program that cooperates with industry in solving real-world challenges," Steve said. Working with NREL, the industry has reduced utility-scale wind power costs by more than 80 percent over the last 20 years. Today, additional R&D; is needed to develop wind turbines capable of operating in areas with lower wind speeds. This would expand wind development potential by 20 times as well as allow the placement of turbines closer to existing transmission lines. Currently, clean, domestic wind energy accounts for about 2,500 megawatts of electric capacity in the United States, generating enough electricity to serve about 600,000 American households, or 1.5 million people. This figure is likely to double by mid-2002. "As the demand for electricity is increasing, now is not the time to abandon these successful efforts," Steve said.

DOE's wind program is currently funded at $40 million, $5 million of which is used for R&D; on small wind systems (rated 75 kilowatts and below). For fiscal year 2002, the wind industry is seeking an increase to $55 million, including $10 million for R&D; on small wind systems.

AWEA, formed in 1974, is the national trade association of the U.S. wind energy industry. The association's membership includes turbine manufacturers, wind project developers, utilities, academicians, and interested individuals. More information on wind energy is available at the AWEA web site: www.awea.org

American Wind Energy Association

Jaime Steve (202) 383-2506, Jon Chase (202) 383-2507, Christine Real de Azua (202) 383-2508

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