Topic: Wind Energy

Where gas prices are highest

Gasoline is a very visible price, and closely watched by many drivers.  Petroleum prices impact many products, from food to industrial production.  While the cost of crude is the major factor in gasoline price volatility, some countries levy taxes on fossil fuels.   Here are ten countries where high gas prices are the norm, according to British insurance firm Staveley Head.

Don't believe the headlines. Wind farms do not cause 'global' warming.

A recent study published in Nature Climate Change suggests that large wind farms could be pulling down hot air at night, raising the average temperature of the local region. The results of the study, however, have been widely misconstrued in the news media. 

How wind farms could cause local (but not global) warming

The atmospheric turbulence caused by large wind farms could cause local temperature increases, a new study indicates. 

Wind power: America's future?

Wind power is currently the largest nonwater source of renewable energy in the US, and its use has grown by 350 percent since 2006.

Three ways Africans are making cheap do-it-yourself electricity

In countries like Kenya and Tanzania, most people lack access to electricity. Wind turbines made from local scrap and a 'Netflix' model for distributing batteries may be solutions.

Top 5 nations that use renewable energy

Here are the top users of renewables, not counting biofuels or hydroelectricity.  Numbers indicate country percentage of total global renewable usage.

Palestinian solar power: why Israel may turn out the lights

As peace negotiations remain stalled, a project to bring rural electrification to Palestinian communities in the West Bank faces demolition by Israel. 

Gas prices fact check: Six ideas in Congress, but can they work?

Soaring gas prices have also shown a consistent and significant ability to push members of Congress over the deep end. Here's the experts' take on 6 ideas floating through Congress.

A case of Big Wind bullying in Mexico?

Follow-up on a Monitor cover story: A local activist is arrested days before a planned confrontation with a Mexican wind power company.

Readers Write: Wind turbines bad for earth, people; wrong US motives in Afghanistan

Letters to the editor for the weekly print issue of February 20, 2012: One reader argues that large industrial wind turbines are inefficient, harmful to communities, and non-eco-friendly. Another sees no validation for the US staying in Afghanistan for economic reasons and influence.

Obama opens door to offshore wind power along mid-Atlantic coast

Interior Secretary Ken Salazar announced plans Thursday to open four new wind-leasing regions for wind farms along the mid-Atlantic coast. States look forward to a positive economic impact.

Green energy isn't always good energy

Wind, solar, hydro, and geothermal seem mostly benign -- in part because they are still a small part of the energy equation. But when green gets big, it can be controversial.

Wind power: Clean energy, dirty business?

In the developing world, where land-intensive wind turbines are being rapidly constructed, wind power has often turned clean energy into dirty business.

The 'wind rush': Green energy blows trouble into Mexico

Green energy's big success is a rude awakening in the isthmus of Mexico.

Climbing higher at German wind farm

A German wind farm offers a ropes course at the foot of a towering wind turbine, providing an alternative view of green energy.

Will wind power stoke demand for batteries?

Batteries can store wind power accumulated at night, when people aren't using much electricity.

What can Congress do to create jobs? Five Democratic proposals.

Amid fears that the economy may be headed into a second recession, both Republicans and Democrats say creating jobs is their top priority. But the two parties are far apart on their approaches. Here are the Democrats' top five priorities.

Germany's trouble with abandoning nuclear power

Now that Germany is turning away from nuclear power, it is more reliant on renewable and traditional energy sources – both of which comes with problems of their own.

Home solar gets $280 million boost from Google

Home solar is target of Google's largest clean-energy investment yet. Under home solar program, homeowners would get free rooftop panels, paying set amount for the power.

Wind power project wavers after subsidy cuts

Wind power development off Delaware's coast is delayed after Congress cuts back two loan guarantee programs. Is company having second thoughts about the wind power project?

Gold mine reopens in California desert

Gold mining jobs are coming to Mojave, Calif. Run-up in gold, silver prices causes Golden Queen Mining to restart operation.

Renewable energy: Two wind deals. One loser?

Renewable energy mandate from Massachusetts causes two utilities to make deals. One renewable energy deal might save ratepayers money. The Cape Wind project will cost them $1.2 billion.

Japan nuclear crisis: Seven reasons why we should abandon nuclear power

The disaster at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power station underscores – yet again – the need to abandon nuclear power as a panacea for energy independence. Experts may never determine what caused all of the emergency cooling safety systems at Daiichi to fail completely. But they have learned that they are nearly powerless to bring the smoldering units under control. In the meantime, significant amounts of radioactive gas have vented, and partial meltdowns of at least two reactors have occurred. Indeed, nuclear power will never live up to industry promises. As a whole it is ultimately unsafe, an accident waiting to happen, and far more expensive than proponents admit.

Colby College professor Paul Josephson gives seven reasons why we should abandon nuclear power and instead turn to solar, wind, and other forms of energy production that won’t experience such catastrophic accidents.