Wind-turbine bill passes in House

WASHINGTON -- The House on Wednesday passed legislation that would launch a $1 billion program to make wind turbines more efficient and reliable.

The measure, sponsored by Rep. Paul Tonko, Democrat of New York, aims to ensure that massive wind-generating turbines -- some with blades spanning 100 yards -- can be more cost effective in harnessing power from the wind.

Right now, wind power makes up about 2 percent of the nation's electricity portfolio. But the Energy Department last year predicted that with the development of more efficient and cheaper turbines, wind could provide 20 percent of U.S. electricity supplies by 2030.

"Wind energy has been and continues to be a very important part of the electricity-generating portfolio in this country, and, in particular, in my state of Texas," said Republican Rep. Ralph Hall. Technology can make "wind turbine systems and farms more efficient and more effective," he said.

Tonko said more research is needed to overcome the "many significant technical issues" facing wind-based electricity generation.

One of the biggest barriers is the high cost of transporting ever-growing rotary blades and heavy tower components from assembly plants to wind farms in gusty but often remote regions.

Under Tonko's bill, the proposed wind research, development and demonstration program would get up to $200 million annually over five years to spur the creation of low-cost transportable towers and larger, lighter and more affordable blade materials.

Tonko said the initiative could leverage nanoscience research by businesses and research institutions that are working at the molecular level to create lighter and more durable materials.

That is especially important as blades continue to grow in size, Tonko said.

The Energy Department program also would be tasked with improving gearbox reliability and developing cheaper automation and assembly techniques for large components. It also would support research on the computational modeling and simulation of wind-energy systems -- a direct response to the challenge of generating power from erratic, sometimes unpredictable wind.

Scientists testifying before Congress earlier this year said that improved forecasting and modeling techniques could lead to big gains in generation by guiding decisions about where to place turbines.

The legislation passed the House by a unanimous voice vote. Tonko said he was working to build support for the measure in the Senate.

If the measure becomes law, it would be up to Congress to appropriate money to the Energy Department program during the annual budget process.