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Mark Del Franco
Focusing on all aspects of the wind industry, Mark Del Franco has served as editor of North American Windpower magazine since 2008. From the ongoing saga of the production tax credit to the development of the U.S. offshore wind industry to Ontario's feed-in tariff struggles, Del Franco has covered it all in U.S. and Canada.
Damning Renewable Energy Measures Advance In Three Key Wind States
As state legislative sessions kick into high gear, three damning pieces of legislation - including two particularly crippling bills for wind energy -...
Texas Hardball: As Lone Star Legislators Engage In Stalemate, The Clock Is Ticking On...
It has been two weeks since the Texas Senate voted to advance a crippling anti-wind bill that would repeal the state's renewable portfolio...
DOE To Consider Dominion’s Request For Extension During Down-Select Project Review
The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) says it will consider Dominion Virginia Power's request for an extension during its annual project assessment later...
Extreme Anomalies Result In Generation Shortfalls At Western U.S. Wind Projects
Unusually low wind conditions encompassing wide swaths of land have led to severe generation shortfalls at many U.S. wind farms. During the first...
With Potential Repeal Of RPS, Wind Developers In Lone Star State Face Texas-Sized Headaches
If a Texas Republican has his way, the state will end its renewable portfolio standard (RPS), undo the billion-dollar competitive renewable energy zones...
Suzlon Sells Senvion To Centerbridge Partners
In a $1.2 billion all-cash transaction, Suzlon Group has signed a binding agreement to sell turbine subsidiary Senvion to Centerbridge Partners, a private...
Utilities Deal “Near-Fatal” Blow To Cape Wind: UPDATED
Utilities National Grid and NSTAR have terminated their power purchase agreements (PPAs) with Cape Wind Associates, claiming the embattled offshore wind developer did...
Nordex Turbine Collapses In Northern Ireland
On the evening of Jan. 2, a single Nordex N80-2.5 MW wind turbine crashed on the grounds of the Screggagh wind farm, located...
A Long, Strange Trip Indeed: Looking Back At The Top 10 Wind Energy Stories...
From the freezing of Ohio's Alternative Energy Portfolio Standard to the uncertainty on Capitol Hill, 2014 was packed with plenty of drama and...
GE Turbine Partially Collapses At Kansas Wind Farm Owned By Enel Green Power
A GE 1.85 MW turbine with an 87-meter rotor partially collapsed last week at the Buffalo Dunes wind farm, located near Garden City,...
As Congress Deliberates Tax Extenders, Could A Wind PTC Renewal Be Near?
The controversial wind production tax credit (PTC) appears to be gaining momentum during the lame-duck session of Congress. Although there is no definitive...
GE Blade Crashes At Mehoopany Wind Farm In Pennsylvania
A blade attached to a GE 1.6 MW wind turbine crashed to the ground during the early morning hours of Nov. 2 at...
Quebec’s Wind Energy Forecast: Cloudy With An Increased Chance For Pessimism
Quebec wind advocates were relieved when the government finally released a request for proposals (RFP) calling for 450 MW of installed capacity. The...
Canadian Wind Industry Urges For More Federal Support
If Canadian wind energy is to continue its ascent, the federal government needs to reaffirm its commitment to the renewable energy technology, according...
Catching Up With The DOE’s Down-Select Offshore Winners
Since being selected in May by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) as recipients of follow-up funding for advanced technologies, Dominion Virginia Power,...
The Song Remains The Same: Ontario Seeks More Science Before Lifting Offshore Ban
The Ontario government recently issued a pair of requests for proposals (RFPs) calling for the further study of noise impacts from proposed offshore...
AWEA Assumes Control Over Offshore Wind Development Coalition
In an effort to align federal policy objectives, the American Wind Energy Association (AWEA) and the Offshore Wind Development Coalition (OWDC) have entered...
Quebec Government Postpones Wind Power RFP; No New Date Scheduled
The Quebec government has postponed a request for proposals (RFP) calling for 450 MW of installed wind capacity for eastern Quebec and other...
IRS Issues More PTC Guidance, Easing Some Wind Industry Concerns
On Aug. 8, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) issued guidance to wind developers and investors further spelling out what it means for a...
Suzlon Facility Lends Key Assist In Developing ‘The Wind Technicians Of Tomorrow’
Online learning institution Herzing University and turbine manufacturer Suzlon Wind Energy Corp. have teamed up to create an innovative training curriculum for wind...