Energy Efficiency

Resilient Rhode Island Act Signed into Law

Rhode Island’s climate law prioritizes climate adaptation, emissions reduction, and institutional design to address climate change. The Resilient Rhode Island Act of 2014 (H 7904) is the state’s first climate bill and aims to make the state economy and society resilient to the effects of a changing climate.  Signed into law on July 2, and ceremonially signed on August 1,…...

Massachusetts Enacts Legislation Establishing Thermal Energy Credits

Massachusetts has enacted legislation, qualifying renewable heating and cooling technologies for Alternative Energy Credits under the Alternative Energy Portfolio Standard. On August 1, 2014, the Massachusetts Legislature enacted S 2214 – An Act Relative to Credit for Thermal Energy Generated with Renewable Fuels – mandating utilities to procure renewable thermal energy credits to meet their…...

New Initiative to Promote Efficient Wood-Heating Technologies

Renewable Heat NY will facilitate a sustainable, high-efficiency, and low-emissions wood heating sector across New York. On July 29, 2014, Governor Andrew M. Cuomo launched Renewable Heat NY, a $27M initiative aimed to build market for high-efficiency, low-emissions wood-fired heating systems across state.  The initiative will offer incentives to replace highly polluting outdoor and indoor…...

FERC Order 764 and the Integration of Renewable Generation

FERC Order 764 requires transmission providers to offer intra-hour scheduling of output and variable generation facilities to supply meteorological and operational forecasting data. Through the Order, renewable power producers will be better positioned to provide to the grid cost competitive electricity relative to traditional generation. In addition, transmission providers will be better able to predict…...

NYSERDA Launches Innovative Clean Energy Financing Partnership

NYSERDA has announced a new partnership program to channel low-cost clean energy financing for commercial and multifamily building improvements. On July 15, 2014, the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) announced a new partnership with Energy Improvement Corporation (EIC) to expand clean energy project financing for statewide commercial, industrial, and multifamily building…...

DOE Issues $4B Loan Guarantee Solicitation

DOE has issued a $4B loan guarantee solicitation to support innovative renewable energy and energy efficiency projects that mitigate greenhouse gas emissions. On July 3, 2014, the Department of Energy (DOE) issued a loan guarantee solicitation of up to $4B for innovative renewable energy and energy efficiency projects aimed to prevent, reduce, or sequester greenhouse…...

NY Governor Announces $200M for Buffalo Billion Initiative

New investments in the Buffalo Billion initiative, including advanced manufacturing and clean energy technologies, are expected to create more than 1,300 jobs. On June 30, 2014, New York Governor Andrew M. Cuomo announced approximately $200M in Buffalo Billion Initiative funding to support high-tech projects that would create more than 1,300 jobs, boost economic growth, and…...