I think we’re about getting to the point where this may no longer be considered “news.” Nevertheless, green sources have once again reported that Google is dropping yet another boatload of sheckles on yet another wind farm, this time in California’s Mojave Desert.
Experts are saying that Google’s green infusion in the Alta Wind Energy Center could help boost California’s lackluster wind power industry.
“We just fell off a cliff,” said Gary Polakovic, a consultant for San Diego wind energy developer EnXco Inc. “But all eyes are on California now. It’s our chance to do this right.”
In a sort of economical pairing of the gargantuas, the search engine Goliath will be partnering with banking behemoth, Citibank, which also plans to pony up $55 million toward what is slated to be one of the world’s largest wind installations.
Upon completion, the Alta Wind Energy Center will generate approximately 1.5 gigawatts, enough to power 450,000 homes. According to developers, in addition to 1.5 GW, the wind farm will also churn out a 20% increase in California’s green jobs, while pumping more than $1.2 billion into Kern County.
California’s wind industry took some heavy blows over the past few years, what with permitting issues, the latest “Spotted Owl” concerns, and expiring government incentives.
“We stalled and fell behind,” said Lorelei Oviatt, planning director for Kern County. “It’s not just where the wind blows — if it were that simple, everyone would be happy.”
According to industry analysts, California’s woes have been a magnified version of the troubles facing the national wind industry. But the experts are keeping hope alive that California can still return to its “heady days.”
And heady they will be if Google has anything to say about it. The Mountain View based company has been dropping big coin on renewable energy projects around the nation, nearly half a billion at last count. With Gov. Jerry Brown having recently signed legislation which required California utilities to procure 33% of the electricity they sell from renewable sources we’re likely to see more gargantuan green infusions.
“We’re seeing this as a renaissance of California’s lead in the wind sector,” said Denise Bode, chief executive of the American Wind Energy Association.
Sources:
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