QUICK NEWS, February 13: PRES PREVAILING W/PUBLIC ON PIPELINE; MONEY FROM CHINA FOR WIND HERE AND EVERYWHERE; AZ’S BIG SUN BOOM

PRES PREVAILING W/PUBLIC ON PIPELINE
Recent Swing State Polling On The Keystone XL Pipeline
Geoff Garin and Allan Rivlin, February 3, 2012 (Hart Research Associates)

"…Seven in nine voters [in four key battleground states, Ohio, Michigan, Iowa, and Colorado] now say they have heard or read about the controversy involving the Keystone XL pipeline, and despite a sustained ad campaign by the oil industry in several of these states, President Obama continues to hold the high ground over the Republicans in Congress on both jobs and energy. By 45% to 38%, voters in these battleground states trust Obama over congressional Republicans on addressing America’s energy needs. Similarly, President Obama holds an advantage of 44% to 39% on promoting jobs.

"…Before hearing any arguments…32% say Obama made the right decision in this matter, 43% said he made the wrong decision, and 25% have no opinion or are undecided…After hearing pro and con arguments…47% conclude that Obama’s decision was the right one, and 36% say it was the wrong one; 17% still have no opinion…'

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'The most effective arguments in moving voters to support the President and oppose the pipeline involve the risk of a toxic oil spill over an aquifer that provides fresh water and water for farming to one-third of the United States—a concern that is compounded by questions about TransCanada’s safety record and the number of spills that have occurred in the first year of the Keystone One pipeline. Under these circumstances, there is broad concurrence that the President should not give the project a go ahead until he is satisfied that the project will not be dangerous or lead to an environmental and economic disaster.

"…There also is a sharp decline in the salience of the proponents’ case regarding its impact on America’s energy security, as voters learn the likelihood of the refined oil being shipped off for export…[M]ore than three-quarters of voters oppose building the pipeline if there is not a requirement for all of the oil to stay in the United States…[and there is significant mistrust of both the oil industry and the Republicans in Congress…"


MONEY FROM CHINA FOR WIND HERE AND EVERYWHERE
Goldwind signs loan deal for foriegn expansion
James Quilter, 10 February 2012 (Windpower Monthly)

"Goldwind has secured a credit agreement with Xinjiang Uygur branch of the Export-Import Bank of China to finance the manufacturer's expansion overseas…The five-year deal consist of credit loans and guarantees to Goldwind for the development of projects in overseas markets and the export of equipment.

"This is the second finance deal Goldwind has signed this month. On 1 February Goldwind signed an agreement with China Development Bank (CDB) for $5.6 billion."

Funding like this is why there are so many Chinese names on this list. (click to enlarge)

"Goldwind has been busy on the international market over the last year. The manufacturer's US foothold includes the 4.5MW pilot Uilk project in Minnesota and 109.5MW Shady Oaks in Illinois, to be completed this quarter.

"The CDB finance is to help construct projects in Goldwind's domestic market. Under the agreement, Beijing Tianrun New Energy Co. Ltd., a Goldwind subsidiary, will receive the loans from CDB up to 2013 to develop, construct and operate wind farms in China. It will also and launch and acquire companies…"


AZ’S BIG SUN BOOM
Large-Scale Solar Booming in Arizona
D.A. Barber, 2012 February 6 (Energy Trend)

"…Until recently, Arizona’s power generators included four coal-fired power plants and the largest nuclear power plant in the U.S…But in 2011 the state had become very aggressive in expanding its solar output and is fast becoming a showcase for a variety of solar technologies not found in other areas of the U.S., including projects using SunPower’s C7 Tracker technology, Areva's Compact Linear Fresnel Reflector technology, and EnviroMission’s "solar updraft" technology.

"…[The state has 300 days of sunshine, high quality solar insolation, vast stretches of open desert near both major metropolitan areas and] has been pushing a solar manufacturing “cluster” for several years with some success luring manufacturers such as thin-film solar giant, First Solar. California-based inverter manufacturer Power-One Inc. is also among the newest solar manufacturers to move to Arizona, opening a 120,000-square foot facility in Phoenix in 2011."

The resource warrants the boom. (click to enlarge)

"Since China-based Suntech Power opened its Arizona manufacturing plant in October 2010, the facility has grown steadily. By May 2011, the 117,000-square foot facility began running 24 hours per day bringing the annual production to about 50MW, representing 15,000 Suntech 280W solar panels per month…Germany-based Solon ceased production of PV modules in Tucson at the end of October 2011…

"…Arizona will be generating an additional 720MW by 2014…As of October 18, 2011, there were already three large-scale utility projects under construction…Between December 2011 and mid-January 2012, there were a number of medium and large-scale projects approved… that will add over 800MW of additional solar power…Other recently approved projects in Arizona involve using some emerging solar technologies for the first time on a large scale…Arizona seems likely to be a huge market for various solar power equipment suppliers over the course of the next several years."