Power & Utilities

Climate Data Initiative to Facilitate Climate Resilience Tools

Environmental Markets, Renewables, Smart Grid

The Whitehouse has launched the Climate Data Initiative to expand access to federal climate data resources to strengthen community climate-resilience. On March 19, 2014, the White House launched the Climate Data Initiative to leverage climate-relevant government data resources to stimulate private-sector entrepreneurship and forge cross-sector partnerships for developing innovative climate-resilience tools.  The initiative, part of…...

FERC Order 1000 and the Changing Power Transmission Landscape

Emissions, Energy Efficiency, Energy Storage, EnerKnol Research Reports, Environmental Markets, Power & Utilities, Renewables, Smart Grid, Solar Power, Wind Power

The traditional electricity power grid is undergoing a historic shift with the emergence of decentralized power generation. The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) is charged with overseeing complex state, regional, and local transmission laws and regulatory environments, which can vary significantly. This variance, combined with a more open transmission project market may lead to increased…...

U.S. Supreme Court Elevates Greenhouse Gas Regulation Debate

Coal Power, Emissions, Energy Efficiency, EnerKnol Research Reports, Environmental Markets, Fossil Fuels, Natural Gas, Oil, Power & Utilities

For the third time since 2007, the U.S. Supreme Court is reviewing the EPA’s regulation of greenhouse gas emissions (GHGs) under the Clean Air Act. Overview On February 24, 2014, the U.S. Supreme Court heard oral arguments over the case Utility Air Regulatory Group v. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) on whether EPA is ultimately legitimized…...

Conference of Mayors Release Block Grant Funding Report

Energy Efficiency, Power & Utilities, Renewables, Solar Power

On February 27th, the Conference of Mayors released survey findings summarizing how cities across the nation spent $2.7b in funding disbursed through the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant Program (EECBG). This program, authorized under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) was designed to provide state and local governments federal support to carry out…...

FY 2015 Budget Proposal Highlights Clean Energy and Climate Resilience

Coal Power, Electric Vehicles, Energy Storage, Fossil Fuels, Hydropower, Natural Gas, Nuclear Power, Oil, Renewables, Smart Grid, Solar Power, Wind Power1 Comment

The FY 2015 budget plan proposes $27.9B in DOE funding, reiterating President Obama’s commitment to a low-carbon future and energy infrastructure resilience. President Barack Obama’s FY 2015 budget plan released on March 4, 2014 allocates $27.9B for the Department of Energy (DOE), a 2.6 percent increase from the 2014 enacted level.  It reflects DOE reorganization…...

House Approves Energy Efficiency Bill

Energy Efficiency, Power & Utilities

The House has approved the 2014 Energy Efficiency and Improvement Act intended to boost energy efficiency of commercial buildings. On March 5, 2014, the U.S. House of Representatives approved the Energy Efficiency Improvement Act of 2014 (H.R. 2126), a bipartisan bill aimed to boost energy efficiency in leased commercial spaces and federal buildings.  The bill,…...

DOE Finalizes New Commercial Refrigeration Equipment Standards

Energy Efficiency, Power & Utilities

DOE’s new energy efficiency standards will make commercial refrigeration equipment 30 percent more efficient. On February 28, 2014, the Department of Energy (DOE) finalized new energy efficiency standards for commercial refrigeration equipment used in the food retail and foodservice industry.  The new standards update 2009 standards and will make the average commercial refrigeration unit approximately…...

YieldCo Market Unfolds While Waiting for Congressional Action on MLPs

Coal Power, Emissions, Energy Efficiency, EnerKnol Research Reports, Environmental Markets, Fossil Fuels, Hydropower, Natural Gas, Nuclear Power, Oil, Power & Utilities, Renewables, Wind Power1 Comment

Alternative power producers continue to turn to the YieldCo model to find lower costs of capital and residual value. Investors benefit from low risk exposure to renewable energy development, high yield and more favorable tax rates, however, risks do exist. Since January 1, 2014, two new YieldCos have been announced, SunEdison and Hannon Armstrong Sustainable…...

ARPA-E Update: $625M Private Funding Leveraged

Biofuels, Electric Vehicles, Energy Storage, Fossil Fuels, Hydropower, Power & Utilities, Renewables, Smart Grid, Solar Power, Wind Power

To date, the 2009 Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy has invested $900M for innovative projects leveraging $625M in private funding. On February 25, 2014, the Department of Energy’s (DOE) Advanced Research Projects Agency – Energy (ARPA-E) announced that it has advanced 22 innovative projects over the past five years, leveraging approximately $625M private funding following its…...

New Hawaii Bill Supports Energy Storage

Energy Storage, Hydropower, Renewables, Solar Power, Wind Power

Hawaii Senate Bill 2933 mirrors energy storage sector growth interest and introduces investment and utilization tax credits. Senate Bill 2933 introduces two tax credit forms on utility scale renewable energy storage properties with the requirement that all departments of business, economic, and tourism are to submit an annual joint report to legislature. Investment credit will…...