It has been a dreadful time for the US wind industry. Strong growth was replaced last year by a slump in installations. Turbine makers with new manufacturing facilities found themselves facing massive overcapacity. Developers such as Acciona, EDP Renov á veis and Iberdrola are slashing investment, as opportunities begin to dry up.. On top of all that, the industry was outmanoeuvred by the fossil-fuel lobby, as - despite the opportunities presented by the BP oil spill - a federal renewable portfolio standard fell off the political agenda.