Renewable Energy in the Northwest Wind Energy

							Renewable Energy
in the Northwest:
   Wind Energy
           Presented By
           Stephen C. Hall
           STOEL RIVES LLP


           Journal of Environmental Law and
           Litigation Symposium
           University of Oregon School of Law
           October 10, 2008


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Benefits of Wind Energy

•   Clean, renewable
•   Predictable costs
•   Economic benefits to rural communities
•   Low impact on the environment
•   Green collar jobs
•   Abundant resource
•   Displaces thermal generation

                                             2
Fact Sheet: Total U.S. Wind
Generation
• 1985—1000 MW
• 1999—2000 MW
• 2003—5000 MW
• 2006—10,000 MW
• 2008—20,000 MW



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Source: AWEA Wind Energy Association (www.awea.org)


                                                      4
Creating Electricity from
the Wind

•   Wind turbine   •   Transformer
•   Rotor          •   Collection point
•   Shaft          •   Substation
•   Nacelle        •   Transmission lines
•   Gearbox        •   Load
•   Generator

                                            5
Fact Sheet: A Utility Scale
Wind Turbine
• 120-foot blades
• 240-foot rotor
• 240-foot tower
• Power production: 1.8 MW
  (1800 kilowatts)
• Installed cost: ~$1.5 million
• Life of project: 25 years

                                  6
Policy and Economic
Incentives
• Federal and state tax credits/incentives
• Renewable Portfolio Standards
• Carbon policy; e.g., cap and trade




                                             7
Challenges for Wind

• Transmission
• Wildlife issues
• Aesthetics
• Wind integration




                      8
Meet the Players in a Typical
Wind Project
• Developer
• Landowner
• Utility
• Contractors
• Equipment manufacturers
• Investors/lenders

                                9
What is the Role of Lawyers
in Developing Wind Energy?
•   Site control
•   Interconnection agreements
•   Permitting/siting
•   Regulatory approvals
•   Power purchase agreements
•   Equipment procurement agreements
•   Construction and O&M agreements
•   Tax law
•   Corporate structuring
•   Project finance/debt
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To order any of our “Law of” books, please contact:
 Stephen C. Hall * 503.294.9625 * schall@stoel.com * www.stoel.com




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