U.S. short on line capacity to fully use wind, solar power

The U.S. has inadequate transmission capacity to carry the electricity that wind and solar power projects could produce, according to a report by two renewable-energy groups.

The wind power projects waiting to be hooked up to transmission lines could supply 20 percent of the nation’s electricity needs, according to the report issued by the Solar Energy Industries Association and the American Wind Energy Association.

The $787 billion stimulus legislation signed Tuesday by President Barack Obama includes at least $14 billion in tax breaks for wind and solar electricity and establishes a grant program to help finance projects. It also devotes $11 billion in spending to new transmission lines and so-called smart-grid technology.

Detroit News