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ipal utilities have bought turbines to increase, the ultimate cost to <br /> ' from recognized industry leaders, consumers will go up substantial- <br /> at least those who submit bids for ly. Such a scenario will not only <br /> these small projects Some corn- hurt the wind industry, but dam- <br /> ' panies don't even consider bid- age utility credibility with cus- <br /> ding on small municipal projects comers. • <br /> A better question is, "Will the• The wind industry does not <br /> ' utility industry be required to seem to be responsive to the <br /> provide renewable energy no maintenance needs of communi- <br /> matter the cost?"The energy cost ty-based wind initiatives It may <br /> of wind-generated electricity is be time for municipal utilities to <br /> based on initial capital costs plus explore hiring their own commu- <br /> reasonable operation and mainte- nity-based wind technicians and <br /> nance expenses If operation and building spare parts inventories. <br /> ' maintenance expenses continue <br /> FERC's new wind interconnection rule poses <br /> reliability risks, charge APPA, NRECA, NERC <br /> A final rule on interconnection saying some provisions of the <br /> of wind energy "imposes unrea- final rule "present an unaccept- <br /> sonable risks on the reliability of able risk to the reliability of the <br /> regional transmission systems bulk electric system." <br /> and unduly discriminates in favor While some accommodations <br /> ' of wind investors and project op- to wind generators are justified, <br /> erators," APPA and the National FERC "must not grant wind gen- <br /> Rural Electric Cooperative Asso- erators more sw eeping preferen- <br /> ' ciation said. In asking the Feder- tial treatment unwarranted by the <br /> al Energy Regulatory Commis- technical limitations of wind <br /> sion to reconsider its approval of generation," APPA and NRECA <br /> the final rule, the two associa- said. "Doing so might benefit the <br /> tions said the agency departed wind industry in the short term, <br /> from the "carefully crafted and but at potential high costs to reli- <br /> balanced approach of the [pro- ability, consumers, wholesale <br /> ' posed rule] without reasoned markets, and the long-term inter- <br /> basis or adequate record sup- ests of the wind industry itself" <br /> port." APPA and NRECA cited six spe- <br /> ll The North American Electric cific provisions in the final rule <br /> Reliability Council also asked that should be changed. <br /> the commission to reconsider, <br /> • <br />