Commerce Clause Challenge to Renewable Portfolio Standards

TransCanada Power Marketing Ltd. is suing the Commonwealth of Massachusetts under the Commerce Clause and 42 U.S.C. § 1983 for declaratory and injunctive relief and damages for facially discriminating against out-of-state renewable energy sources.

According to its April 16, 2010 complaint, TransCanada Power Marketing is a power marketing company that purchases electricity wholesale and sells it to distribution utilities and retail customers in the northeastern U.S., and it is affiliated with other corporations that generate power in the northeastern U.S., Arizona, and Canada. It is also licensed to supply retail electricity in Massachusetts. TransCanada Power Marketing is an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of TransCanada Corporation, a company that develops and operates energy infrastructure in Canada and the U.S.

The thrust of TransCanada's complaint in this lawsuit is that Massachusetts has statutes and regulations that explicitly favor in-state renewable energy generation to the detriment of out-of-state renewable generation, and that the Massachusetts laws therefore harm TransCanada, and, more generally, will harm the efficient, economic development of renewable energy resources in the region and the country.

Massachusetts has a renewable portfolio standard (RPS), which mandates that every retail electric supplier in the state provide a certain minimum percentage of its power from renewable energy sources. The RPS can be satisfied in part by purchasing renewable energy certificates (RECs) from renewable sources. Buying a REC is essentially buying the renewable aspect of renewable energy, without purchasing the actual energy. Thus, RECs allow Massachusetts utilities to meet the RPS requirements without necessarily changing the sources they use to supply power to customers - a utility can still purchase power from non-renewable sources, but meet the RPS by purchasing RECs from a renewable source. According to TransCanada's complaint in this lawsuit, until recently, utilities could meet the RPS requirements by purchasing all of the renewable power and/or RECs from renewable sources located in other states. But in 2008, the Massachusetts Legislature mandated that each utility must meet a portion of its RPS requirement from "new on-site renewable energy generating sources located in the Commonwealth," and the Legislature gave the Department of Energy Resources (DOER) the authority to "specify that a certain percentage of these requirements shall be met through energy generated from a specific technology or fuel type." Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 25A, § 11F(g). DOER has since exercised its statutory authority and now requires that utilities must purchase a portion of their RECs from solar generation that is located within Massachusetts. 225 C.M.R. 14.05.

In addition to the RPS, Massachusetts recently enacted a law requiring retail electric providers ("distribution companies") to solicit bids for long-term electricity contracts from renewable electricity generators who are located within the Commonwealth. The law states that, beginning July 1, 2009, distribution companies must, within 5 years, solicit proposals for long-term contracts from in-state renewable energy generators at least two times. If the distribution companies receive "reasonable proposals," they must "enter into cost-effective long-term contracts to facilitate the financing of renewable energy generation within the jurisdictional boundaries of the Commonwealth." Green Communities Act, Section 83 (2008). TransCanada is claiming that both of these provisions of Massachusetts law - the RPS and solar REC requirements and the requirement to solicit bids for long-term contracts from in-state renewable energy generators - facially discriminate against out-of-state renewable energy sources in violation of the Commerce Clause. Additionally, the company seems to be crafting an argument that Massachusetts knew that these programs violated the Commerce Clause.

In its complaint, TransCanada cites a guide published by the National Asssociation of Regulatory Utility Commissioners in 2001 that notes that if states limit RPS-type standards to in-state resources, they should “expect invalidation” of those standards under the Commerce Clause. Further, the complaint cites a 2008 memo issued by DOER in which the agency recognizes that “restrictions on commerce that discriminate based on location face strict scrutiny” and that such regulations can survive such scrutiny only when there are “no other means to advance a legitimate local interest.” The company is asking the Federal District Court for the District of Massachusetts to permanently enjoin Massachusetts from enforcing the provisions of the Solar REC regulation and the long-term contract statute, and it is seeking damages and attorney's fees for the harm that TransCanada has incurred as a result of these programs.

According to the federal court's docket, all answers are due in this lawsuit on May 11, 2010.

Renewable Energy News, April 29, 2010

Renewable Energy Rally in Montpelier, VT on April 30: Rutland Herald Online

If a coalition of Vermont college students has its way, the future of Vermont Yankee – specifically what to replace that nuclear power with – will be a big issue in this year's gubernatorial campaign.

Started by a group of Middlebury College students, the Race to Replace kicks off with a Statehouse rally on Friday, April 30, as dozens of young Vermonters will bicycle from the state's capitol to Burlington.

Quiet Progress on Senate Climate Bill - Green Blog - NYTimes.com

Although the public progress of the Senate attempt to write a comprehensive climate change energy bill has ground to a halt because of a protest by one of its chief sponsors, an outline of the bill’s major provisions is moving forward.

Cape Cod Residents Don’t Expect One Ruling to End Long Fight - NYTimes.com

The federal government may have described the Cape Wind project as a fait accompli, but Ian Parent does not expect to see turbines in the water or run the panini maker at his restaurant with electricity generated in Nantucket Sound any time soon.

Cape Wind litigation is likely to result in delay only, specialists say - The Boston Globe

Even before US Interior Secretary Ken Salazar announced approval of Cape Wind yesterday, foes of the nation’s first offshore wind farm vowed to take the matter to court.

Cape Wind approval may boost R.I. plans | Rhode Island news | projo.com | The Providence Journal

U.S. Interior Secretary Ken Salazar’s announcement on Wednesday of his approval of an offshore wind farm in Massachusetts could have far-reaching implications for Rhode Island.

A Simple Carbon Fee for the Benefit of All | Green Energy News

Bruce Mulliken takes a look at climate change legislation in the US & Australia, over at Green Energy News. His suggestion: just stick with a straight carbon fee.

The US, probably Australia too, needs climate action that is simple, straightforward and offers a clear, direct, obvious benefit to the people – such as a check in the mail.

Burlington Selected to Join Elite 'Carbon War Room' | Seven Days

Burlington is among 15 cities from around the world that will take part in a 30-month challenge to develop new, market-driven solutions to combat climate change. The Carbon War Room, a non-profit organization founded by Virgin mogul Sir Richard Branson, made the announcement Wednesday.

Updated: Cape Wind Project Approved

The Boston Globe's Green Blog is reporting that Interior Sec. Salazar has approved the Cape Wind Project:

In a groundbreaking decision that some say will usher in a new era of clean energy, U.S. Interior Secretary Ken Salazar approved the nation's first offshore wind farm today off Cape Cod, a person briefed on the decision said this morning.

Salazar is expected to announced his decision at noon at a joint State House news conference with Governor Deval Patrick after nine years of controversy over the proposal.

Several other sources with knowledge of the wind farm project said they expected Salazar to announce approval of the project. The governor is to be briefed by the secretary at 11:30 a.m., a source said.

Update:  The NY Times reports on Sec. Salazar's press conference here and CNN also has a report up on the historic Cape Wind approval.

Renewable Energy News, April 28, 2010

Cape wind farm ruling coming today | CapeCodOnline.com

U.S. Interior Secretary Ken Salazar will today announce his decision on the controversial and much-debated wind farm proposed for Nantucket Sound off Cape Cod. Salazar will make his announcement at noon today in Boston at the State House along with Gov. Deval Patrick, a supporter of the project, Salazar's office said this morning.

Visit Seen as Sign That Cape Wind Farm to Be Approved - NYTimes.com

Interior Secretary Ken Salazar was headed to Boston on Wednesday to make a noon announcement on whether the Cape Wind project, the nation’s first offshore wind farm, off the coast of Cape Cod, will go forward.

Can world's largest laser zap Earth's energy woes? - CNN.com

Scientists at a government lab here are trying to use the world's largest laser -- it's the size of three football fields -- to set off a nuclear reaction so intense that it will make a star bloom on the surface of the Earth. The Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory's formula for cooking up a sun on the ground may sound like it's stolen from the plot of an "Austin Powers" movie. But it's no Hollywood fantasy: The ambitious experiment will be tried for real, and for the first time, late this summer. If they're successful, the scientists hope to solve the global energy crisis by harnessing the energy generated by the mini-star.

E.P.A. Makes Its Case on Climate Change - Green Blog - NYTimes.com

In the last few days, the Environmental Protection Agency seems to have initiated a public campaign to make clear where it, and the science, stand, stating that the rise in greenhouse gases is a serious problem to be confronted.

On Monday night, the E.P.A. administrator, Lisa Jackson, made the point as a guest on “The Daily Show With Jon Stewart.” And on Tuesday, the agency released an 80-page glossy report called “Climate Change Indicators in the United States” to help Americans make sense of climate change data.

An Update on the Senate Climate Change Bill - E&ETV

Will the Senate take up immigration reform before climate and energy legislation? During today's OnPoint, E&E reporter Darren Samuelsohn discusses the latest developments in the Senate climate debate. He explains how Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) plans to proceed with climate negotiations and talks about alternatives to the Kerry-Graham-Lieberman bill.

Graham Likely To Return To The Fold, Says Media Report | Green Energy Reporter

Senator Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) could return to the fold and back the energy and climate change bill he abruptly walked away from on Friday evening, reports trade publication The Energy Daily.

Matt Wasson: Extreme Misinformation in the Washington Post: Actually, Wind Power has Reduced Denmark's CO2 Emissions a Lot

Readers of the Washington Post were served up some jaw-dropping whoppers yesterday about why renewable energy - and wind in particular - supposedly doesn't reduce CO2 emissions, increase our national security, or create jobs in the US. The author of the op-ed is climate change denier and long time fossil fuel cheerleader Robert Bryce. Bryce's piece was part of the Post's "5 Myths" series, which invites readers every Sunday to "challenge everything you think you know." While challenging everything you think you know is generally a good idea, it's not a good idea to replace what you know with what Bryce thinks he knows because, as it turns out, he doesn't know much about renewable energy.

Exclusive video: Sir Richard Branson on the Carbon War Room, peak oil, and why dyslexia has made him a better communicator « Climate Progress

Late last year, Sir Richard Branson founded a new nonprofit, the Carbon War Room. The objective of CWR is to “bring together successful entrepreneurs in collaboration with the most respected institutions, scientists, national security experts, and business leaders to implement the change required to avoid catastrophic climate change.”

EERE News: DOE Offers More Than $200 Million for Solar and Water Power

DOE announced on April 22 that it will invest more than $200 million over five years to expand and accelerate the development, commercialization, and use of solar and water power technologies throughout the United States.

How to be a New Energy economy powerhouse | renewableenergyworld.com

Take a state, any state. What would transform that state into a New Energy economy powerhouse?

NewEnergyNews discusses the recommendations from a recent Clean Edge report - A Future of Innovation and Growth: Advancing Massachusetts' Clean-Energy Leadership (April 22, 2010, Clean Edge).

Renewable Energy News, April 27, 2010

'Energy Only' Bill in Senate Would Be Tough Sell - NYTimes.com

If Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) bolts the Senate climate coalition, it must be time to turn to the "energy only" bill that centrist Democrats have been promoting as a bipartisan alternative to a climate bill, right? Not so fast.

Technology Review: Wind Turbines Shed Their Gears

Wind turbine manufacturers are turning away from the industry-standard gearboxes and generators in a bid to boost the reliability and reduce the cost of wind power. Siemens has begun selling a three-megawatt turbine using a so-called direct-drive system that replaces the conventional high-speed generator with a low-speed generator that eliminates the need for a gearbox. And last month, General Electric announced an investment of 340 million euros in manufacturing facilities to build its own four-megawatt direct-drive turbines for offshore wind farms.

Hill Heat: Whisper Campaign Derails Climate Bill Rollout

Hill Heat has a great time-line on the political whispers that led Sen. Graham to withdraw support for the Kerry/Lieberman climate change bill.

No More Renewable Energy Incentives — The Green Light Distrikt

Chris Williams argues for cutting fossil fuel subsidies.

NewNet News - US governors get behind first US offshore wind project

Six US governors have urged the $1bn Cape Wind project, set to be the country’s first offshore wind farm, to be approved stating that if it does not go ahead because of historical preservation reasons a precedent is set for all offshore projects.

In a letter to US Department of the Interior Secretary Salazar the governors said if the project was pulled because of objections by the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation (ACHP) it would establish a precedent that would make it near impossible for offshore wind farms to be built around the US eastern coastline.

Foes vow to sue if wind farm OK’d - The Boston Globe

The nine-year regulatory battle over the nation’s first proposed offshore wind farm is expected to end this week, when US Interior Secretary Ken Salazar plans to issue a final federal decision on whether to permit 130 turbines in Nantucket Sound. But some opponents of the wind farm are making it clear that if Salazar approves the project, they will go to court to try to overturn his ruling.

Obama pushes wind power in Iowa visit | CNN.com

President Barack Obama took his renewable energy push to the heartland Tuesday, trumpeting the merits of wind power during a visit to the state that launched him on the road to the White House a little over two years ago.

Renewable energy bill passes in Fla. House - MiamiHerald.com

The Florida House has passed a bill encouraging electric utilities to use more solar and other renewable energy by letting them raise rates up to $386 million over three years without state approval. The measure (HB 7229) went to the Senate after a lengthy floor debate and an 83-34 roll call Tuesday. Opponents argued against raising rates in the midst of an economic downturn that has pushed Florida's unemployment rate above 12 percent. Supporters said the cost - about $1 a month - would be a relatively small price to help reduce reliance on fossil fuels that have helped cause climate change.

Canadian co. sues Mass. over ‘green’ energy law - BostonHerald.com

Massachusetts renewable-energy firms, including the developer of the planned wind farm off of Cape Cod, could lose a key competitive edge if a lawsuit filed by a Canadian company prevails.

TransCanada Power, an energy supplier that also owns a Maine wind farm, is challenging a state law that requires utilities to buy their future renewable energy from Massachusetts-based firms.

Who Will Build the First Offshore Wind Farm in North America? - Green Blog - NYTimes.com

Back in December, I had an opportunity to take a helicopter ride low over the North Sea, about 13 miles off the western shores of Denmark, to view an offshore wind farm. The real guest of honor was New York’s mayor, Michael R. Bloomberg, who had been invited by the wind farm operator, Dong Energy, to visit the installation, which is not unlike something that Mr. Bloomberg and other New York officials are contemplating for the waters south of Queens. But that project — like every other offshore wind venture in the United States to date — is by no means guaranteed. As I write in an article just posted at nytimes.com, not a single offshore wind turbine has been built in the United States.

REPORT: Smart climate policy will boost growth, create 2.8 million jobs, slash pollution

A new macroeconomic analysis of green economic policies finds that cutting global warming pollution will make the economy grow faster. Brad Johnson has the story in this Wonk Room repost.

The Center for Climate Strategies (CCS), building upon analysis they did of state-level climate plans for the National Governors Association, analyzed the economic and environmental impact of legislation in line with the planned Kerry-Graham-Lieberman framework. As long as state-level policies are boosted, CCS found that previous economic analyses by federal agencies and industry groups are wrong. This CCS analysis finds that instead of slowing the economy, household wealth and jobs will grow faster in a green economy.

Renewable Energy News, April 26, 2010

New England to upgrade electric grid to cut bills - Boston.com

Power companies in New England are beginning work on a nearly half-billion-dollar plan to upgrade the region's electric grid to make way for appliances that can shut down to reduce electric bills, improve energy conservation and connect to wind and solar energy.

For towns, energy issues prove vexing: Times Argus Online

Poultney's planning commission had a handful of issues it wanted to look at when a five-year rewrite of the town plan began earlier this month. One particular issue, though, was at the top of the list. "The first thing we're going to be talking about is energy," commission member Ernest DeMatties said. Poultney, a small town southwest of Rutland, has several potential turbine locations tied to a proposed wind farm, and the commission plans to pay careful attention to renewable energy issues in the new plan. DeMatties was careful to avoid taking a position for or against wind towers.

Editorial - Cape Wind and Mr. Salazar - NYTimes.com

Interior Secretary Ken Salazar is expected to announce this week whether a controversial wind farm off the coast of Massachusetts can proceed. Given the country’s need for alternative energy sources — and the administration’s commitment to promoting them — it would be dismaying if he did not give the go-ahead.

Has Rhode Island Pulled Ahead of Mass. in the Race to Build the First Offshore Wind Farm? | Vermont Journal of Environmental Law

Since mid-2001, the U.S. energy community has expected that the first American offshore wind farm would be located just off of Massachusetts, in the waters of Cape Cod. However, due to astonishing legal and regulatory delays, Massachusetts still does not have an offshore wind facility. Meanwhile, as reported in the New York Times ("Massachusetts and Rhode Island Compete Over Wind Farm") in April 2010, Rhode Island has developed its own offshore wind farm siting regime, which may prove superior to Massachusetts' permitting and siting regime.

US Climate change bill stalls in Senate | Earth PM

In one of the proudest moments of his long legislative career, Senator John F. Kerry was poised to unveil a long-awaited climate change bill tomorrow that would put a price on carbon emissions and provide billions of dollars in incentives to industry to drastically cut greenhouse gases. Kerry had brought business on board, and even forged something rare in Washington, a bipartisan compromise with a key Republican leader.
Then his effort ran headlong into the Senate’s partisan snarl, and last night the release of the bill was postponed indefinitely. Senator Lindsey Graham, the South Carolina Republican who had allied himself with Kerry on the issue, abruptly abandoned the effort last night, saying he was irate that the Senate’s Democratic leadership might proceed with a controversial immigration bill first.

Friedman: Delaying Climate Bill a Disaster - Face The Nation - CBS News

Legislation long in the works to tackle climate change, greenhouse gases and renewable energy was put on hold this weekend, amid Democratic efforts to move forward an immigration reform bill - and in the process may lose the bill its Republican sponsor. . . . On CBS' "Face the Nation" Sunday, New York Times columnist Thomas Friedman, author of "Hot, Flat and Crowded," called the delay in climate legislation "a disaster."

Yale Daily News - Energy experts back tougher regulations

Experts in clean energy technologies met with about 300 guests to discuss ways to increase use of renewable resources at the first annual Yale Clean Energy Innovation Conference. The conference, hosted by the Yale Climate and Energy Institute, consisted of presentations and panels about topics ranging from appropriate policies to electric vehicles.

A Look at the Top States for Renewable Energy Funding

Sixteen states have taken the lead in funding for renewable energy projects through tax and production incentives, rebates, grants, and loans.

Renewable Energy News, April 23, 2010

Green Mountain College installs biomass plant - Boston.com

Vermont's Green Mountain College celebrated Earth Day by opening a new $5.8 million combined heat and power plant fueled by wood chips from area forests.

New energy powers up lobbying | Alexandra Arkin - POLITICO.com

Alternative energy used to be just a speed bump on K Street. In 1998, the entire sector spent only $2.4 million lobbying the federal government, compared with $142 million spent by the oil and gas, electrical utilities and mining industries, according to the Center for Responsive Politics, a nonpartisan group that tracks political spending. A little more than a decade later, the advocacy class for wind, solar, ethanol and a host of other alternative and renewable energy sources is growing exponentially — much as the sector hopes its market share will in the coming decades. In 2009, alternative energy spent $30 million on lobbying, 12 times its 1998 amount.

Eyes on the Prize: Federal Climate Policy Should Preempt State and Regional Initiatives

Should federal climate legislation preempt existing state and regional efforts, such as the New England Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI)? Harvard Professor Robert Stavins argues that it should:

In just a few days, Senators John Kerry, Lindsey Graham, and Joe Lieberman will release their much-anticipated proposal for comprehensive climate and energy legislation – the best remaining shot at forging a bipartisan consensus on this issue in 2010. Their proposal has many strengths, but there’s an issue brewing that could undermine its effectiveness and drive up its costs. I wrote about this in a Boston Globe op-ed on Earth Day, April 22nd (the original version of which can be downloaded here).

Government officials from California, New England, New York, and other northeastern states are vociferously lobbying in Washington to retain their existing state and regional systems for reducing greenhouse gas emissions, even after a new federal system comes into force. That would be a mistake – and a potentially expensive one for residents of those states, who could wind up subsidizing the rest of the country. The Senate should do as the House did in its climate legislation: preempt state and regional climate policies. There’s no risk, because if Federal legislation is not enacted, preemption will not take effect.

Kerry: Three Big Oil Companies Likely to Back Climate Bill | Mother Jones

When Sens. John Kerry, Lindsey Graham and Joe Lieberman release their climate bill on Monday, they expect to have the backing of three of the five major oil companies, Mother Jones has learned. In a conference call with a coalition of progressive business leaders on Thursday evening, Kerry said he believes those companies will "actively participate in supporting this bill." He hopes the other big oil companies will at least hold their fire on the bill, and added that he believes the American Petroleum Institute (API), the oil industry's major trade group, will call off its ad campaign attacking the legislation.

The Mother Jones article also has more details on the provisions the new climate legislation is likely to contain.

Hill Heat : New Nationwide Poll and Surveys in Five Moderate States Shows Majority Support for Energy Reform, “Clean Energy Refund” Preferred by Republicans

Public Opinion Strategies released a new survey on clean energy legislation yesterday. The poll was based on a national survey of 800 likely voters on April 11-13, 2010. According to the Hill Heat report, survey highlights include:
* Based on polling in five states that are politically moderate to conservative, a majority of voters across party lines want to overhaul the nation’s energy system to reduce polluting emissions and increase the use of renewable energy sources. * For elected officials looking to address the issue, a clean energy refund has the best potential to attract Republican support. * When we tested a description of a specific clean energy refund policy, similar to the Senate CLEAR Act, in a national survey, there is strong support from Republicans, Democrats, and Independents.

Hill Heat : Lugar And Voinovich Float Alternative to Comprehensive Climate Reform

Senators John Kerry, Joe Lieberman, and Lindsey Graham are working with the White House, environmentalists, and industry to craft comprehensive climate and clean energy legislation, which they plan to unveil on Monday. But Sen. Dick Lugar (R-IN) and Sen. George Voinovich (R-OH), both of whom have admitted the threat of global warming, today announced “a narrower competing bill” that resembles the weak legislation passed out of the Senate energy committee last year: George V. Voinovich of Ohio and Richard G. Lugar of Indiana are developing an energy-only bill that would mandate new renewable and nuclear power production without imposing cuts on carbon emissions.

Productive Uses of Social Media for Energy Efficiency Pros, from the ACI2010 Conference. | Energy Circle

Great presentation on the use of Twitter by folks in the energy efficiency profession.

F.D.R.’s Brief Dip Into Tidal Energy - Green Blog - NYTimes.com

Eastport, a city of about 1,600 people that is about as down east in Maine as you can get, has seen better days. At one point in its history it was the sardine capital of the East, but overfishing and resulting catch restrictions led to that industry’s long slow death. The old canneries along the shore are shuttered and decaying, and the last one in the region — indeed, in the country — about 50 miles to the southeast in Prospect Harbor, closed just last week.

Now, as I write in Thursday’s Business of Green section, a start-up company, Ocean Renewable Power, is hoping to bring some economic renewal to Eastport with a tidal energy project. Their goal is to install underwater turbines that would spin in the tidal currents, generating power.

Department of Energy - Secretary Chu Announces more than $200 Million for Solar and Water Power Technologies

On the 40th Anniversary of Earth Day, U.S. Department of Energy Secretary Steven Chu announced that the Department will invest more than $200 million over five years to expand and accelerate the development, commercialization, and use of solar and water power technologies throughout the United States.

Renewable Energy News, April 22, 2010

The new environmentalists wear hard hats; an interview with Van Jones | Climate Progress

“It’s going to be a different kind of environmentalism. Sleeves rolled up, hard hat, lunch bucket, that’s going to become the image of the environmentalist rather than just our beloved tree huggers.”

By Fits and Starts, an Arduous Clean-Up - Green Blog - NYTimes.com

Judging from this 70-year timeline, the history of environmental awareness and action in the United States is one of lonely voices and local crises growing into potent national concerns.

MapOurEnergy Collects Home Energy Data Simply, Town By Town | Energy Circle

If you knew how your energy use compared to your neighbors', would you be a little more motivated to conserve? Many have tried, but no group has succeeded, no matter how big. Utilities, companies like Microsoft and Google, even the U.S. Department of Energy, can't really give you a good picture—no matter how much data they collect. The guys behind MapOurEnergy have a great idea: Collect as little data as possible, instead.

Fossil-fuel subsidies hurting global environment, security, study finds

A comprehensive assessment of global fossil-fuel subsidies has found that governments are spending $500 billion annually on policies that undermine energy security and worsen the environment.

Senate climate bill to be unveiled April 26 | Reuters

A long-awaited compromise bill to reduce U.S. emissions of carbon dioxide and other gases blamed for global warming will be unveiled by a group of senators on April 26, sources said on Thursday.

Straight Up: What to look for in the bipartisan climate and clean energy jobs bill | Climate Progress

On Monday, Senators Graham (R-SC), Kerry (D-MA), and Lieberman (I-CT) will launch the bipartisan climate and clean energy jobs bill. I’m quite certain there will be something in it to dissatisfy everyone.

EERE News: DOE and EPA Announce Changes to Bolster the Energy Star Program

DOE and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) jointly announced changes to the Energy Star product certification process on April 14 to ensure that only products meeting Energy Star energy efficiency requirements can receive the label.

Stimulus money coming for energy projects | Times Argus Online

Small-scale renewable energy projects in Vermont will get a $5.5 million boost from the federal stimulus law.

The Vermont Clean Energy Development Fund announced Wednesday that the money is available to help residents and small business owners pay to install small solar or wind projects. Since the program began in 2003, more than 1,300 projects have come on line.

Renewable Energy News, April 21, 2010

Vermont Launches Renewable Energy Atlas

The Vermont Sustainable Jobs Fund (VSJF), in conjunction with the Vermont Center for Geographic Information and Fountains Spatial, Inc., announced the launch of The Renewable Energy Atlas of Vermont, a state-of-the-art GIS-based web application that identifies, analyzes, and visualizes existing and promising locations for renewable energy projects.

The Atlas is the first tool of its kind in the United States to enable users to choose their town or county and then select from a suite of renewable energy options including biomass, efficiency, geothermal, hydroelectric, solar and wind. With a click of the mouse, users can map their selection. Existing and potential renewable energy sites, renewable energy installers and consultants will appear on the map, and an analysis panel will summarize the results. The simple to use web application can be accessed anywhere and users can save their maps and analyses as unique URLs or export them to a PDF document.

The Renewable Energy Atlas is available @ http://www.vtenergyatlas.com/

EERE News: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Offers Wind Turbine Siting Guidelines

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) sent a set of final recommendations on how to minimize the impacts of land-based wind farms on wildlife and habitats to Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar on April 13. The proposed siting and operational guidelines by the 22-member Wind Turbine Guidelines Federal Advisory Committee include a science-based "tiered" process that corresponds to the stage of development of each wind power project, ranging from preliminary assessments to post-construction impact studies. The process is intended to assist developers in assessing the environmental footprint of their projects. The recommendations also call for meaningful incentives for developers that voluntarily adopt the tiered approach and cooperate with the FWS while advancing their projects. The advisory committee includes representatives from federal, state, and tribal governments, as well as wildlife conservation organizations and the wind power industry.

The FWS press release is available here, and the advisory committee recommendations are available here.

Interior Moving to Curb Coal Mining Pollution, Require Mountaintop Restoration - NYTimes.com

The Interior Department is writing new regulations for mountaintop-removal coal mining that would expand protection for waterways and require the restoration of dynamited areas.

Christopher Holmes, spokesman for Interior's Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement, said the agency is rewriting its "stream protection rule" to boost environmental safeguards.

EERE News: Report Examines Ways to Monitor and Verify Greenhouse Gas Emissions

The world has yet to reach a binding international agreement on climate change to succeed the Kyoto Protocol, but a new report from the National Research Council (NRC) has already looked at how independent data may be used to verify the greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions reported by countries.

Make Every Day Earth Day; A New DOE Web Resource:

Earth Day is a great time to commit to protecting the environment and saving energy. April 22, 2010, marks the 40th anniversary of Earth Day. Check out our resources, tips, and ideas to learn how you can make every day Earth Day.

White House: Climate bill 'doable' this year | Modbee.com

White House energy adviser Carol Browner said Tuesday she thinks Congress still has time to approve a climate and energy bill this year. Browner called action on the long-delayed legislation "doable," because members of Congress increasingly understand the need to develop clean energy that does not emit carbon dioxide and other pollutants blamed for global warming.

U.S. military programs strive for renewable energy goals - POWER-GEN WorldWide

The Department of Defense has initiated several programs to reach a renewable portfolio standard, according to "Reenergizing America's Defense," a report released by the Pew Project on National Security, Energy and Climate. The report describes efforts by the U.S. military, which uses nearly 80 percent of the U.S. government's energy consumption, to reduce dependence on fossil fuels and cut pollution by enhancing energy efficiency and using clean energy technologies.

Wisconsin Democrats revise renewable energy bill | postcrescent.com

Wisconsin Democrats on Tuesday released revisions to their sweeping renewable energy bill, dropping requirements for cleaner cars and fuels but leaving much of the original measure intact. A quarter of the state's energy would still have to come from renewable sources by 2025 and utilities could still construct new nuclear plants.

Renewable Energy News, April 20, 2010

Renewable Energy Certificates Market Could Nearly Triple in Size by 2015 | Business Wire

The Renewable Energy Certificate (REC) has rapidly emerged in recent years as a significant financial and regulatory instrument to support the growth of renewable energy in the United States. The REC, which is the environmental attribute associated with the generation of 1 megawatt hour (MWh) of green energy, is considered to have value in the market because the generation of energy from wind, solar, hydropower, geothermal and biomass displace energy that would otherwise be sourced from fossil fuels. Two distinct markets exist for RECs: the compliance market, mandated by state-level Renewable Portfolio Standards (RPS), and the voluntary market, which includes companies and institutions who purchase certificates to demonstrate environmental commitment.

According to a new report from Pike Research, the REC market is poised for continued growth in the coming years, and the cleantech market intelligence firm forecasts in a base-case scenario that REC sales in the compliance market alone will increase more than 50% by 2015, reaching 179 million MWh. In a forecast scenario that includes passage of a Renewable Portfolio Standard at the U.S. federal level, Pike Research anticipates that the REC market could nearly triple in size to 329 million MWh by 2015.

Wind & Solar Projects on Landfill & Brownfield Sites? : CleanTechnica

“Mixed use” development is an exciting term in city planning. Mention it to a planner and chances are their eyes will widen, they will stand up straighter, and they will start talking with you in an excited tone about all the benefits of mixing land uses. When it gets down to it, these places are just more efficient, more vibrant and create a real sense of place.

Now, mixing wind and solar projects with landfills and brownfields may not create a great “sense of place” or make the place “vibrant” with life, but it can surely achieve that first benefit — more efficiency.

Iberdrola Plans World’s Largest Wind Farm in Romania | Bloomberg.com

Iberdrola SA won approval to build the world’s largest onshore wind-energy project in Romania, requiring at least $2 billion in investment through 2017. The Spanish utility said today it acquired rights from the Romanian government to build 1,500 megawatts of capacity. That’s almost five times the power coming from Europe’s largest wind complex and triple what’s proposed offshore Massachusetts in a project opposed by the late U.S. Senator Edward Kennedy.

Geothermal Energy Association Report: Geothermal Grows 26% in 2009 | Green Energy News

The April 2010 US Geothermal Power Production and Development Update, published by the Geothermal Energy Association (GEA), showed 26% growth in new projects under development in the United States in the past year, with 188 projects underway in 15 states which could produce as much as 7,875 MW of new electric power.

"Eaarth": Earth is over | Salon.com

According to Bill McKibben, the respected environmentalist and author of the pioneering "End of Nature," the planet Earth, as we know it, is already dead. Over a million square miles of the Arctic ice cap have melted, the oceans have risen and warmed, and the tropics have expanded 2 degrees north and south. Global warming has caused such pervasive and irreversible changes, he argues, that we now live on a new planet with a new set of environmental and climatic realities — and, as such, it deserves a new name: Goodbye, Earth. Hello, "Eaarth."

The Worst Metric in Renewables: ‘Payback Period'| The Green Light Distrikt.

Chris Williams, over at the Green Light Distrikt, rails against the use of the term "payback period"; focus on the rate of return instead, he says:

For as long as I can remember, since I was 16 and first stated going to NESEA, the renewable industry has talked about renewable investments in terms of this silly little term call ‘the payback period’. you might have heard this before, and from now, when you hear this term YOU HAVE the responsibility and obligation to correct the individual that uses this term.

Brian Keane of SmartPower, Renewable Energy Marketer: "Our Thinking is Twenty Years Behind" : TreeHugger

Few would disagree with the idea of clean energy: it can help reduce global warming, air pollution, energy shortages, the national debt, and our reliance on foreign oil. But America isn't exactly putting its money where its mouth is. How to get average people to know that "clean energy is here, and it works," is the task of Brian F. Keane. The head of SmartPower, the country's leading non-profit devoted to marketing clean energy, Keane is using Madison Avenue thinking and grassroots efforts -- like giving away thousands of dollars to the greenest college campus or to the best homemade ad -- in order to hawk clean energy "like it's Coke or McDonalds."

Renewable Energy News, April 19, 2010

Local couple shows off energy-efficient home - Brattleboro Reformer

After the time and money they invested into their 1906 cape-style house, John and Barbara Evans opened their home on Kipling Road to the public Saturday. The couple wasn't showing off a new addition or a renovated kitchen; instead, they proudly displayed their energy-efficient home.

Sanders hosts geothermal roundtable in Burlington | Vtdigger.org

U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) hosted a roundtable on Saturday to discuss geothermal energy’s role in moving Vermont to a cleaner, more sustainable and more energy-independent future.

Edison blankets warehouse roofs with solar panels - USATODAY.com

The view from a warehouse roof here is consistent. In every direction, there are blocks and blocks of warehouse roofs baking in the Southern California sun. Rather than letting them sit bare, a California utility hopes to blanket roofs like these with solar panels to produce enough electricity to power 162,000 homes. Southern California Edison has installed solar on two warehouse roofs and is working on another in the Los Angeles region. The utility expects to do 100 to 125 more, totaling about 1.5 square miles of roof space in the next five years.

Obama Administration Courts the U.S. Chamber of Commerce to Support Kerry-Graham-Lieberman

As the April 26th release date of the Kerry-Graham-Lieberman "American Power Act" nears, the Obama Administration has been increasingly vocal about its support and intention to work with all sides to get the bill passed this year. It will be a heavy lift, and the Administration has been moving forward to secure support

Are utility companies ready for full smart grids?| Energy Collective

Tom Raftery, from Redmonk, asks: what does the smart grid "mean in practice and is this something utility companies have given enough thought to?"

Cleantech Blog: Thoughts on a Clean Energy Development Authority

Richard T. Stuebi, from NorTech Energy Enterprise, comments on the concept of a clean energy development authority.

Using Tax Incentives to Drive the Clean Energy Economy | Center for American Progress

Joseph Romm's testimony on clean energy tax incentives before the U.S. House Ways and Means Committee

Renewable Energy News, April 15, 2010

VT utility makes $13m-$15m deal with town for wind - WCAX.COM:

Vermont's second largest electric utility is going to pay the town of Lowell between $13 million and $15 million over the next 25 years in exchange for support of a wind-power project.

Federal energy expert to join Burlington geothermal forum | The Burlington Free Press:

If Vermonters want to overcome "first-cost disease" as they mull (and delay) efficiency investments in their homes, they need look no further than oil prices in the upcoming decade - and maybe consider geothermal heat, a U.S. Department of Energy specialist said Wednesday.

Cathy Zoi, assistant secretary for energy efficiency and renewable energy, will elaborate on emerging financial strategies and technologies in geothermal energy at a roundtable discussion at 1 p.m. Saturday in Burlington City Hall's Contois Auditorium.

The forum, hosted by Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., will include Vermonters with a direct experience of geothermal systems (also known as ground-source heat pump or GSHP systems).

Green Mountain College to inaugurate biomass generator | The Burlington Free Press

Green Mountain College in Poultney is going to inaugurate a new biomass generating facility that will produce 20 percent of the electricity used by the Vermont school and 85 percent of its heat.

The $5.8 million facility is expected to burn 4,400 tons of wood chips a year, displacing 200,000 gallons of heating oil.

The college plans to inaugurate the plant on April 22, Earth Day.

Renewable Energy by State | Cooler Planet

In this graphic look at the current state of renewable energy in America, you can see that while some states are taking the lead in green energy, a large portion of the country is still dragging their feet in adopting more environmentally friendly means of generating electricity. Take a look to see just how green your state is or isn't.

PSC analysis: New Wisconsin energy bill will cost state less - JSOnline

Changes to the Clean Energy Jobs Act will save Wisconsin energy customers at least $1 billion by 2025, according to an analysis Wednesday by the state Public Service Commission.

The PSC analyzed the revised global warming bill to assess what the changes would mean for energy costs. The analysis is an update of another published in February about the Clean Energy Jobs Act.

That earlier analysis found that Wisconsin consumers would pay less for energy if the bill passed than they would otherwise – assuming there’s a national cap-and-trade system that places a price on emissions of carbon dioxide and makes power generation from fossil fuels more expensive.

04/15/2010 - E&ETV

Despite the recession, the solar energy industry managed to maintain growth in new installations and employment in 2009. What were the key drivers for the market last year, and what is the outlook for 2010? During today's OnPoint, Rhone Resch, president of the Solar Energy Industries Association, discusses the state of the solar energy industry. He also explains how congressional climate discussions will affect the solar energy industry.

Senate Leader Set to Take Command of Climate Bill - NYTimes.com

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) is about to take over as stage manager in the uphill push to pass comprehensive climate and energy legislation. Next week, Reid will be handed the reins of the bill to cap greenhouse gas emissions while expanding domestic oil, gas and nuclear power production. His challenge could not be tougher.

NH Senate sends Gov Lynch renewable energy bill - WCAX.COM

The New Hampshire Senate has sent legislation to Gov. John Lynch that encourages homeowners, businesses and communities to produce their own energy from renewable sources. The bill allows consumers who generate up to one megawatt of electricity to be credited on their electric bill for the power.

Renewable Energy News, April 14, 2010

Anti-pollution device nets profits for Vt. biomass plant | Boston.com

A wood-burning power plant in Burlington is celebrating its 25th birthday with an announcement that an anti-pollution device it installed in 2008 is paying off.

Burlington's municipal electric department says it installed a $10 million nitrogen oxide reduction system in the McNeil Generating Station in 2008 to cut pollution that leads to the creation in the atmosphere of a pollutant called ozone.

Doing so allowed it to sell renewable energy credits to Connecticut utilities required by law in that state to support the development of renewable energy.

House calls: Volunteers help keep out the cold | Rutland Herald Online

On a recent Saturday morning, Green Mountain College students Elliott Shor and Anthony Mango poke around the first floor of Charlene Rapinz' 19th-century home in Poultney. They test light bulbs, try out faucets and examine the windows. The goal is to save Rapinz some money and help her cut back on energy use. Making her home more energy efficient — and spreading the word about the benefits of weatherization projects like upgrading appliances, replacing windows and adding insulation — will help reduce carbon emissions that contribute to climate change.

Renewable Energy Helps Fuel Dow Above 11,000 | NYTimes.com

The benchmark Dow Jones Industrial Average closed above 11,000 for the first time since stock markets began their nosedive 18 months ago. And the rebound in investor and trader confidence seems to be taking renewable energy and clean technology stocks with it.

Google Searches for Key to Energy Savings | National Geographic

Deep in the dark of the Minnesota night, some appliance was turning on and robbing Ed Kohler of hard-earned cash. He'd look later and see nighttime energy spikes reported by PowerMeter (Google software that monitors home electrical use).

“All the lights were out, but something's cycling,” said the 36-year-old Kohler, marketing manager at a Minneapolis web-development firm. “So I think about it and, aha, figure out it's the refrigerator.”

A 19-year-old refrigerator, a real energy hog by today's standards. It was easy to calculate that a new, energy-efficient model would pay for itself.

Nebraska law set to boost wind energy developments | BrighterEnergy.org

Governor Dave Heineman signed LB 1048 into law yesterday, establishing a system for the Nebraska Power Review Board to approve renewable energy projects that sell power out of state.

America’s hidden power bill | Climate Progress

The most important day of the year for the many energy companies that receive federal financial support isn’t the day the president releases his proposed budget, or the day appropriations bills get passed, or even the day when government checks get sent out. It’s tax day. Why? Because each tax day energy companies—electric utilities, oil refiners, renewable energy developers, coal miners, ethanol producers, and others—record billions of dollars worth of special tax credits and deductions.

Renewable Energy News, April 13, 2010

What the John Paul Stevens Retirement Means for Energy Progress | Grist

Jonathan Hiskes at Grist writes about the potential impact Supreme Court Justice John Paul Stevens' retirement might have on environmental and energy issues.

Europe Finds Cleaner Energy Source by Burning Trash - NYTimes.com

Denmark — The lawyers and engineers who dwell in an elegant enclave here are at peace with the hulking neighbor just over the back fence: a vast energy plant that burns thousands of tons of household garbage and industrial waste, round the clock. Far cleaner than conventional incinerators, this new type of plant converts local trash into heat and electricity. Dozens of filters catch pollutants, from mercury to dioxin, that would have emerged from its smokestack only a decade ago.

Efficiency Vermont’s Tips for Springtime Energy Savings | The Burlington Free Press | Burlington, Vermont

If the end of another Vermont winter makes you want to air the house and do a good spring cleaning, here are some great ways to get double duty out of all that effort.

Ex-GMP Chief Takes Helm at VELCO: Times Argus Online

Within the world of Vermont electric utilities, one of the most important jobs is the head of the Vermont Electric Power Co. or VELCO. Christopher Dutton, the former head of Green Mountain Power, has taken over that post, which had, until a few days ago, been held by John Donleavy.

Environmental and Energy RFPs and Funding Opportunities - Green Energy News

Looking for funding opportunities? Green Energy News has a good comprehensive list of current federal and state environmental and energy related RFPs and funding opportunities.

Should Renewable Energy Standards Be Met With In-State Resources? | The New Rules Project

As reported on Green, Inc. last week, the State of Connecticut is considering legislation that would reduce the requirements for the state renewable energy portfolio standard (RPS). The New Rules Project takes a closer look:

A legislative proposal in Connecticut (SB 463) would cut their existing renewable portfolio standard nearly in half from current levels, with the primary goal of keeping more of the economic benefits at home. The revised standard would require most of the standard to be met with in-state sources and creates a new financing program to support that goal.

Tufts Hosts Energy Conference This Weekend (April 16-17):

If you want to learn about any of these things —renewable energy, up-and-coming energy technologies, building cities efficiently and more — come to the Tufts Energy Conference this Friday and Saturday (April 16 and 17). It will explore how we can adapt our energy system to the challenges of today: a formidable challenge.

Looks like an interesting agenda.

Renewable Energy News, April 12, 2010

Vt. Project in Hot Water for Solar Panels - Boston.com

A Brattleboro building project is in hot water with the federal government for solar hot water panels on the roof.

The Times Argus in Barre says the historic factory building was boarded up after several uses over the years. In the latest renovation, the Windham Housing Trust decided to put solar panels on the roof to reduce the cost of heating water for the building.

Renewable Energy Investments Surge on China, Wind - BusinessWeek:

Global investments in renewable energy surged 31 percent in the first quarter from the same period last year, driven by wind power and demand in China, Bloomberg New Energy Finance said.

New spending on wind, solar and geothermal power through share offerings, venture capital and asset finance totaled $27.3 billion in the three months through March compared with $20.8 billion in the first quarter of 2009, New Energy Finance said today in an e-mailed statement.

Big Misunderstandings about ARRA Stimulus for Clean Energy:

Arno Harris, over at the Clean Energy Future Blog, addresses the argument that ARRA clean energy funds aren't working as intended:

The reality is that despite the low outflows of ARRA funds to date, the stimulus program is playing an important role in maintaining business continuity for developers of solar and wind projects in the US. In fact, the expiration of the program at the end of this year poses a major disruptive threat to the progress that's been made in renewable energy in the US over the last few years. It's critical that we get the program extended for a couple more years to enable the industry to recover fully.

State Awards $204 Million For Energy Projects - (AP)

The New York State Energy Research and Development Authority has awarded $204 million to eight large-scale renewable electricity-generating projects.

Florida House Committee Approves Renewable Energy Bill - MiamiHerald.com

A House committee gave approval Friday to a bill that uses tax breaks, government-backed loans and $400 million of electricity rate hikes in an attempt to spark a renewable energy revolution in Florida and drive down the use of dirty fossil fuels.

Tale of Two Offshore Wind Farms

China moves ahead with a major wind farm (and promises many more), while here in the U.S. the nine-year old Cape Wind project remains stuck in a never ending regulatory morass.

Renewable Energy News, April 9, 2010

AWEA Releases U.S. Wind Industry Annual Market Report:

American Wind Energy Association (AWEA) released its annual market report today. Highlights include:

• Over 10,000 MW of wind was installed in 2009, the largest year in U.S. history, keeping the U.S. as the global leader in wind power;
• Current U.S. wind power capacity is over 35,000 MW. Wind provided 39% of all new generating capacity in 2009;
• Wind energy provided 1.8% of U.S. power in 2009;
• The wind industry supported 85,000 jobs across all 50 states in 2009

An overview of the report is available here.

Vermont Sustainable Jobs Fund Announces $125,000 Grant for Algae-to-Biodiesel Projects:

The new VSJF RFP is for the research and development of microalgae as a biofuel feedstock. The VSJF is seeking proposals that will lead to the development of improved methods and practices for the cultivation, harvest, and/or processing of microalgae as a biofuel feedstock. Projects must be capable of conducting applied or laboratory-based research, which shall be identified in the applicant’s proposal. Grant funds may not be used to purchase high-end analytical equipment. These funds have a 20% matching requirement.

You can apply here

Solar firm gets OK for $50M project: Times Argus Online:

The Vermont Economic Development Authority has given preliminary approval to an Essex Junction alternative energy company to tap into federal stimulus funds for a $50 million project.

Skypoint Solar Inc. plans on using $25 million in tax-exempt Recovery Zone Facility Bonds as part of its financing to start up a solar cell manufacturing plant that would create an estimated 425 jobs, VEDA said in a press release.

Connecticut Mulls Rollback on Clean Energy - Green Inc. Blog - NYTimes.com:

Connecticut could become the first state to roll back its renewable portfolio standard, which is the amount of electricity that, by state mandate, must come from renewable sources.

Green:Net: 5 Hot Topics That Will Fuel the Future of the Smart Grid:

Over the past several years, the term “smart grid” has grown from a buzzword to a working reality. Millions of two-way communicating, digital smart meters have been deployed, distribution grid sensors and control systems are coming online, demand response devices are shedding peak power in homes and businesses, and utilities are tying together the overarching networks and software systems to make them all work. But this is just the start.

Bloom Energy News: CA Regulators Approve Utility Fuel Cell Projects

Last month it looked like fuel cells weren’t such a good match for utilities in California, when an administrative law judge made a preliminary decision to reject fuel cell projects from California utilities. But oh how things change in a month — this afternoon the California Public Utilities Commission has approved a request from PG&E and Southern California Edison to install fuel cells from Bloom Energy and FuelCell Energy on campuses in California.

Letter to the President about Home Energy Monitoring: What are Google, GE, AT&T up to? | Energy Circle

On Monday, a group of 47 companies and organizations sent a letter to President Obama, urging him to make individuals' energy usage data easy to access. The group included powerhouses such as Google, AT&T, General Electric, Intel and the Center for American Progress.

Renewable Energy News, April 8, 2010

Algae & Energy in the Northeast - Presentations from the recent University of Vermont Conference

UVM hosted an excellent conference last month on the future of algae production for energy in the northeast. They've finally posted some of the presentations from the conference on the web. If you didn't have a chance to attend take a moment to review some of these presentations on-line - very informative.

Commentary Series: The Future of Energy: Wind Power

This week, VPR's commentators are weighing in on the future of energy. Plans for a new wind farm in Vermont - if constructed, the first since the one built in Searsburg in 1996 - have commentator Bill Jaspersohn wondering about the role of wind in Vermont's energy future.

Vermont Utility Sees Solar PV Increase

Green Mountain Power, a Vermont utility company, reports that the number of customers using small-scale renewable-energy systems has more than doubled since 2008, with most of the increase coming from solar photovoltaic installations.

EERE News: DOT, EPA Boost Fuel Economy, Set GHG Emission Limits for Light Vehicles

The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) jointly established new federal rules on April 1 that set the first-ever national greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions standards for all new passenger cars and light trucks sold in the United States. The rules, which will significantly increase the fuel economy of the vehicles starting with the 2012 model year, could save the average buyer $3,000 over the life of a 2016 model year car.

NYTimes Sunday Magazine Preview - Climate Change - Building a Green Economy

Paul Krugman takes an in-depth look at the economics of climate change

change&ETV - On Point TV Previews Expected Battle in U.S. Senate Over New Climate Legislation.

Renewable Energy News, April 7, 2010

EERE News: Clean Energy Conferences Sprout in Spring and Early Summer

Spring is here, and grass and flowers aren't the only green things sprouting: Clean energy conferences are popping up all over.

Larry Summers and Carol Browner say Obama won’t budge on placing a price on global warming pollution « Climate Progress

White House aides Larry Summers and Carol Browner insisted that the administration was willing to bend on several key issues, including the mechanism for pricing carbon and increased domestic energy exploration. But both said the president would not budge when it comes to placing a first-ever price on domestic greenhouse gas emissions. (quoting E&E News PM)

EERE News: Report Proposes a National Strategy for Climate Change Adaptation

A recent federal government report finds that climate change is already affecting the ability of federal agencies to fulfill their missions and recommends a new national strategy for climate change adaptation. The progress report from the Interagency Climate Change Adaptation Task Force—led by the White House Council on Environmental Quality, the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy, and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration—concludes that the U.S. government must adapt to climate change and build resilience, but it finds significant gaps in the government's approach to these challenges.

Political Affairs Magazine - Big Energy Firms Blocking Solar Power in South

As citizens, businesses and non-profit organizations seek to transition to cleaner power sources like solar and wind, some big energy firms whose business models rely on polluting sources are standing in the way.

Wind energy needs uniform laws, group says | The Des Moines Register

Congress should make renewable energy standards uniform and give federal regulators the power to oversee the building of a multistate transmission line eastward from Iowa and the Upper Midwest, the head of the nation's largest wind energy group said Tuesday.

"We can't have all the state regulators saying grace over what should be a federal policy," said Denise Bode, executive director of the American Wind Energy Association, at a wind conference Tuesday in Ames sponsored by the Iowa Alliance for Wind Innovation.

Federal Policies Needed for Sustainable Biomass Energy

The vast potential of plant-based energy sources to create renewable energy jobs, curb global warming and protect wildlife could be a reality in the United States--but not without changes in federal policies that have created an unsustainable first generation of biofuels, according to a new report released by the National Wildlife Federation.

Why It's Time to Take Solar Seriously | GreenBiz.com

The ongoing debate today is whether solar photovoltaics (PV) will emerge from its niche position within the energy sector to become a larger part of our power generation portfolio.

Renewable Energy News, April 6, 2010

Report: Cost of electricity could go down in 10 years | Brattleboro Reformer

If the state of Vermont were to pursue an aggressive policy to put in place regulations that would encourage the expansion of renewable energy sources in less than 10 years, state ratepayers might actually pay less for electricity than they do now.

Maine putting its energy behind efficiency project | The Portland Press Herald

Maine is preparing to spend $180 million over the next three years on a far-reaching plan to help residents and businesses use less energy.

Smart Grid, Renewables Award Winners

The editors of POWERGRID International magazine have announced four winners for the magazine's annual Projects of the Year Awards in four specific categories: Best Energy Efficiency/Demand Response Project, Best Grid Integration of Renewables Project, Best Smart Grid Project and Best Smart Metering Project.

Renewable energy standard goals met in Texas

The state of Texas has met its renewable portfolio standard 15 years ahead of schedule, according to data released by the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT).