Originally published November 28 2005
Pennsylvania leads the nation toward renewable energy
by Mike Adams, the Health Ranger, NaturalNews Editor
Though alternative energy is still not cost-effective for the average consumer, Pennsylvania colleges and environmental groups are leading the movement toward green energy.
The simple fact is, alternative energy in all its forms is not yet competitive on the price front for everyday users.
If there is a bright spot on the horizon, however, it can be seen on the hills at milepost 115 near Somerset along the Pennsylvania Turnpike, where six huge wind turbines that stand 210 feet tall with 231-foot diameter rotors can be seen.
It is one of six so-called wind farms in the state that have the capacity to generate 129 megawatts -- enough to power almost 45,000 homes -- with more projected to come on line.
Community Energy, the lone provider of alternative energy sources to local customers following Green Mountain's exit, develops wind farms and markets power from wind as well as solar and hydroelectric energy.
But it charges 2.5 cents per kilowatt hour above whatever Duquesne Light and another regional utility, Penn Power, charge for electricity, a premium it says environmentally conscious consumers and businesses are willing to pay.
That includes electricity generated from wind, solar, geothermal, biomass or plant matter, and hydro power.
Alternative fuels also can include ethanol from corn, biodiesel made from vegetable crops and methane made from waste or other sources.
Last year, alternative sources accounted for about 6 percent of total U.S. energy consumption, a share that has been fairly stable for years, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration.
The credit covers wind, biomass -- the breakdown of plant and vegetable matter -- and small hydro and geothermal projects among others, with the goal of attracting investment to improve the technologies and make them more competitive.
Mr. Halley, of Community Energy, said wind turbines have become more efficient and their costs have dropped about 80 percent since 1980 to about four to eight cents per kilowatt hour today, vs. about 38 cents to 40 cents 25 years ago.
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