SOLAR POWER
A newly proposed Senate bill would establish the State Energy Race to the Top program aimed at doubling the nation’s energy productivity by 2030. On June 20, 2013, Sens. Mark R. Warner (D-VA) and Joe Manchin (D-WV) introduced a bill to establish a state grant program of federal incentives to boost energy productivity. The bill…...
A new report identifies NYC’s potential for combined heat and power deployment and suggests potential solutions to overcome regulatory and technical barriers. On May 30, 2013, the Columbia Center for Climate Change Law and Modi Research Group released a report examining the potential for combined heat and power (CHP) development in New York City. Based…...
Minnesota legislature approved a 1.5% solar energy mandate that will potentially raise the state’s solar output from 13 MW to 450 MW by 2020. On May 23, 2013, Minnesota Governor Mark Dayton signed the Omnibus Energy Bill (HF 956) into law, establishing a solar energy standard and a set of provisions aimed to encourage investment…...
Energy tax reform proposals released by the House Ways and Means Committee outline potential modifications to federal tax code for fossil fuel production, renewable energy tax credits, and energy efficiency provisions. On May 6, 2013, the House Ways and Means Committee released the Joint Committee on Taxation report detailing tax reform suggestions to 11 Tax…...
BLM issued a regulation to prohibit mining claims in public lands with pending applications for renewable energy projects or those identified as potential sites for renewable energy development. On April 30, 2013, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) published a regulation to the Federal Register to temporarily segregate public lands set aside for renewable…...
The revised Master Limited Partnerships Parity Act would allow renewable energy projects to access financing and tax advantages that are currently available only to fossil fuel energy projects. On April 24, 2013, a group led by Sen. Chris Coons (D-Del.) introduced an expanded version of the Master Limited Partnerships Parity Act introduced in 2012 to…...
U.S. and China have committed to take cooperative action to combat climate change using practical emissions reduction measures and low-carbon initiatives, setting a powerful example to the rest of the world. On April 13, 2013, the U.S. State Department announced the U.S. and China will launch a Climate Change Working Group, recognizing the need for…...
In his FY 2014 budget proposal, President Obama increases spending on clean energy development, seeking to expedite R&D and boost cost-competitiveness and deployment of clean energy technologies. President Barack Obama’s FY2014 budget plan released on April 10, 2013, proposes increases in spending for clean energy production and deployment. The budget aims to support cost-competitiveness…...
Fort Bliss’ proposed 20 MW solar farm, the largest U.S. Military renewable energy plant, aims to contribute to the base’s “net zero” energy goal. On April 5, 2013, Army Maj. Gen. Dana. J.H. Pittard announced plans to construct a 20 MW solar energy farm at Fort Bliss, a West Texas military base. The announcement…...
A new revenue-sharing bill – the FAIR Act – would enable coastal states to receive a share of offshore energy revenue and put onshore renewable energy on the same scale as onshore fossil energy to ensure equitable revenue-sharing to encourage clean energy efforts. On March 20, Senators Mary Landrieu (D-La.) and Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) introduced…...
The United States installed 3,313 MW of solar photovoltaics in 2012, representing a record growth of 76% over 2011, and accounting for 11% of total solar capacity globally. The 2012 annual Solar Market Insight report released by Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) on March 14, 2013 reported that U.S. solar photovoltaic (PV) capacity increased by 76%…...
The Department of Interior (DOI) approved three new renewable energy projects in California and Nevada, adding to the diversification of the nation’s energy portfolio. On March 13, 2013, DOI announced approval of two solar energy projects and one wind project that will produce an estimated 1,100 MW of electricity to power more than 340,000 homes. The privately…...