The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission proposed regulations this week at the request of the American Wind Energy Association intended to make it easier for wind energy projects to interconnect to the nation?s electric grid. The proposal makes good on a commission promise to resolve issues specific to wind power made when it adopted standard procedures for interconnecting generating facilities in 2003. Under the proposed rules, wind power projects would have to demonstrate their ability to continue operating when low-voltage conditions occur on the grid. To do so, they would have to be equipped with supervisory control and data-acquisition systems or other technologies that allow real-time communications with grid operators. ?The proposed rule is an important step in establishing a grid code with standards for wind interconnection,? said Christine Real de Azua, spokesperson for the American Wind Energy Association. ?It provides fair access to wind and it ensures wind energy will contribute to reliability.? California, according to the association, has 2,043 MW of wind generation capacity and some 368 MW of new wind power either proposed or under development. As wind power spreads, it is becoming more important in maintaining the reliability of the grid when low-voltage conditions occur, the federal commission said. Comments are due within 30 days after the proposal is published in the Federal Register. <i>(Docket No. RM05-4-000)</i>