Wind

The U.S. Department of Energy announced this morning that it awarded its first (and probably largest) renewable energy cash-assistance grant.

The wind farm was built on land owned by the Kenedy Ranch, developed by Spanish firm Iberdrola Renewables. San Antonio utility CPS Energy and South Texas Electric Cooperative are purchasing electricity from the 202-megawatt facility, which began operating in April.

(A note of interest, a good portion of the surface rights on the Kenedy Ranch are owned by the order of the Oblates Missionary of Mary Immaculate. They were donated the surface rights 35 years ago, but not the oil and gas mineral rights.  The joke for 33+ years was that they got cactus, mesquite, and rattlesnakes and no oil and gas royalties.  Today the hydrocarbon royalties are close to minimal but the surface rights for wind are bringing the oblates over $1 million per year in royalties.)

http://www.wind-watch.org/news/2009/09/01/doe-awards-114-million-cash-grant-to-south-texas-wind-farm