Knowledge Problem

Will Wind Energy Follow Ethanol’s Path?

Michael Giberson

The ethanol industry is suffering and The Wichita Eagle asks, “Will wind energy follow ethanol’s path?

The answer is: Possibly. It depends on politics, the health of the credit markets and the price of coal, oil and natural gas.

Oil prices are moving up, recently exceeding $70 bbl in NYMEX trading, but gas and coal prices haven’t followed. For ethanol, oil prices are more important; for wind, gas and coal.  Credit markets seem to be opening up a bit, but slowly.  What about politics?

“[Wind power] polls extremely well,” [AWEA policy director Rob Gramlich] said. “Both Republicans and Democrats support it.”

I guess if you can’t be good, it is good to be popular.

HT to the Caprock Plains Wind Energy Association.