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Wind News in the Region
Scientists: Tangier ripe for wind-energy project, The Virginian-Pilot (Oct.10th, 2008)
Caroline man generating his own electrical power, The Free Lance-Star (Sept 15th, 2008)
Wind is Given 2nd Look As Energy Needs Grow, Washington Post (Aug. 3rd, 2008)
Community Wind Energy 2008, Windustry (Feb. 28th, 2008)
USDA Outreach Conference at Virginia State University, USDA (Feb. 28th, 2008)
2008 Renewable Energy Workshops, North Carolina Wind Energy (Feb. 25th 2008)
Wind farm proposed near Elkins, Charleston Gazette (Feb. 13th, 2008)
An Island Of Energy, Daily News Record (Feb. 6th, 2008)
National Renewable Energy Laboratory
The National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) within the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) conducts the research and development necessary to implement renewable energy resources in the United States and works with States in refining renewable energy information across the country.
There's no shortage of renewable energy resources. North Dakota has enough wind to supply 35% of the total U.S. electricity demand. The sunlight falling on the United States in one day contains more than twice the energy we consume in an entire year. Fast-growing plants and other self-renewing resources awaiting the right technologies for harvesting. Continued research will ensure that these technologies are efficient, reliable and affordable.
In 2000, America imported more than half its oil at a cost of $109 billion, according to the Energy Information Administration (EIA). New energy technologies based on indigenous, self-renewing resources will help keep these dollars at home to strengthen the economy and create new jobs. A 2001 World Wildlife Fund study estimates that energy efficiency policies and renewable energy resource development could result in 1.3 million new jobs by 2020.
The EIA estimates that in 2000, 81% of all U.S. greenhouse gases were carbon dioxide emissions from energy-related sources. Clean energy sources such as sunlight and wind can be harnessed to produce electricity, process heat, fuel and valuable chemicals with little, if any, pollution. Sunlight also can be harnessed for tasks such as cleaning up contaminated soil and groundwater.
The National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) was established by the Solar Energy Research Development and Demonstration Act of 1974. Originally called the Solar Energy Research Institute, NREL began operating in July 1977 and was designated a national laboratory of the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) in September 1991.
