photo: FateOne
Overshadowed by PG&E’s 553-megawatt solar power plant deal this week was the California utility’s agreement with PPM Energy to buy 85 megawatts of wind energy from its new Oregon wind farm. That means PG&E now has 711 megawatts of wind power online with nearly a gigawatt under contract, according to PG&E (PCG) spokesperson Jennifer Zerwer. Tapping wind energy from border states like Oregon lets PG&E avoid the transmission obstacles that have bedeviled wind-rich Southern California where needed and expensive upgrades to power lines are slowing new projects. PG&E already obtains a large amount of hydro power from Oregon so it can piggyback new wind energy sources on to existing transmission lines. This week’s announcements underscores how the United States has become a rich market for overseas green energy companies. So far PG&E’s big solar power deals have been with Israeli companies while its latest wind energy agreement is with a subsidiary of the U.K’s ScottishPower, which recently agreed to be acquired by Spanish energy giant Iberdrola. PG&E, meanwhile, is investigating getting wind energy from British Columbia and is talking to U.K. wave energy company Ocean Power Delivery about building a wave farm off the Northern California coast.
PG&E’s Big Wind Deals
July 27, 2007 by Todd Woody
Green Wombat 
These are the times I revel in California’s regulatory regimen. Announcements like these almost make it seem like the PG&E is doing the environmentally sensible i.e. *right* thing…finally.
I agree. Generlly speaking, I’m not a fan of regulation. But there is no “one size fits all” solution when it comes to public policy.
The fact is, someone needs to provide
sensible direction to the energy industry. Since Washington has abdicated the responsibility, I applaud California for stepping forward, along with PG&E, for doing the right thing.
Without regulation and mandates, the Coal plants will continue to produced electricity citing lower prices.
California has mandated, which means is the law to provide 20% of the state energy from alternative energy.
Wheather the electric companies achieved those goals through solar,wind, bio-mass,cow manured is up to the market.
As copyright holder of that image, I don’t mind you using it. It is actually quite nice to see that someone liked it. I’d prefer you had asked permissions. Hell, I just would have loved if you had let me know. I only found that it was used by coincidence. This looks like a great site though. Please continue to use the photo as long as you maintain the Flickr link. Thanks.
-Kyle