Bipartisan support to expand Master Limited Partnership tax benefits for renewables could help advance long-term grid parity, but the tax provision’s impact depends on complementary and consistent support for the new technologies and industries. Overview The Master Limited Partnerships Parity Act (S. 795) and the House version (H.R. 1696) are expected to pass through both…...
DOE’s wind market reports reveal record growth in 2012 and underscores the need for policy support to sustain development. On August 6, 2013, the Department of Energy (DOE) released two reports – “Wind Technologies Market Report” and “Market Report on Wind Technologies in Distributed Applications” – detailing the U.S. wind industry trends in 2012. The…...
At the Senate hearing on the FAIR Act, the DOI declined support for the bill, saying it lacks definite conservation or energy policy goals, would increase the federal deficit, and reduce return to taxpayers. At the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee hearing held on July 23, 2013, the Department of Interior’s (DOI) Deputy Assistant Secretary for Budget,…...
The Energy Consumers Relief Act, approved by the House Energy and Commerce Committee, would prevent EPA from finalizing major energy-related rules without DOE approval. On July 17, 2013, the House Energy and Commerce Committee approved three energy-related bills – H.R. 1582, H.R. 1900, and H.R. 83 – aimed to promote economic growth and energy…...
DOE released a report examining the impacts of climate change on the nation’s energy and electricity infrastructure, including an assessment of ongoing efforts and potential opportunities to improve the energy sector’s climate resilience. On July 11, 2013, the Department of Energy (DOE) released a report examining current and future impacts of climate change on…...
The Atlantic Ocean Study, released by New York State DOS, examines the potential of wind resources in the state’s offshore planning area, providing critical information to advance future wind energy projects. On July 10, 2013, the New York State Department of State (DOS) released a report examining potential offshore wind development and ocean-based industries. Among…...
President Obama’s second-term climate agenda includes sweeping measures to cut carbon emissions from power plants, boost renewable energy production, increase fuel economy standards, and advance international initiatives to combat climate change. On June 25, 2013, President Barack Obama outlined a comprehensive Climate Action Plan prioritizing measures to limit greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions to set a…...
WGA’s “10-Year Energy Vision” calls for collaborative interstate initiatives to achieve energy security by increasing energy production, improving energy efficiency, and expanding energy distribution infrastructure, among other energy goals. On June 28, 2013, the Western Governors’ Association (WGA) released the “10-Year Energy Vision,” a regional plan articulating the energy goals of 19 member states, American…...
The “Renewable Fuel Standard Repeal Act” aims to annul RFS on grounds that increasing demand for corn-based ethanol has raised the prices of livestock, food products, and transportation fuel. On June 20, 2013, a bipartisan group of senators led by Sen. John Barrasso (R-WY) introduced a bill aimed to annul the Renewable Fuel Standard…...
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…...
DOI’s first lease-sale for offshore wind farms across 164,750 acres off Rhode Island and Massachusetts aims to harness approximately 3,400 MW of clean energy, sufficient to power more than one million homes. On June 3, 2013, the Department of Interior (DOI) announced the nation’s first lease sale for offshore wind energy projects on the Outer…...
The nation’s first grid-connected offshore floating wind turbine prototype deployed off the Maine coast will gather data required to scale to commercial-grade installations. On May 31, 2013, the University of Maine’s Advanced Structures and Composites Center launched VolturnUS, a prototype floating wind turbine off the Maine coast. The 1:8-scale prototype represents the nation’s first grid-connected…...