The American shipping industry has become less competitive in the global market, leading to questions on whether domestic restrictions still make economic sense. High cost of living in outlying U.S. states and territories and high energy prices are bringing the Jones Act under scrutiny. Overview The Jones Act, also known as the Merchant Marine Act…...
On February 5, 2014, The New York Green Bank (NYGB) issued its first solicitation for project funding. With project funding commencing, NYGB aims to create a sustainable stream of private capital to replace intermittent grants and subsidies from state and federal sources, and be the first U.S. Green Bank to target $1 billion in capitalization…....
On January 2, 2014, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission and the Commodity Futures Trading Commission officially entered into two Memoranda of Understanding (MOU). The MOUs will provide solutions for overlapping jurisdiction and sharing information of mutual interest. Overview On March 5, 2014, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) and Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) announced…...
The solar energy industry is disrupting the traditional one-way power flow utility model. To account for this, utilities and states are working together on creative energy compensation and tariff policies. Overview On March 12, 2014, the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission (PUC) approved the nation’s first statewide value of solar tariff (VOST), a methodology that will…...
On February 19, 2014, the California Air Resources Board (CARB) held its sixth carbon allowance auction. Auction results over the first year show that compliance entities are becoming more comfortable with program and that investor market confidence is growing. Similarly, a secondary allowance market is also developing as market confidence grows. Overview The California Air…...
On March 4, 2014, the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI) held the first carbon allowance auction under the new Model Rule. Auction prices reached record levels and high market participation and allowance demand exhausted the 5 million allowance Cost Containment Reserve. Overview The Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI) is the nation’s first mandatory market-based cap-and-trade…...
Despite the 2011 Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant disaster, U.S. nuclear energy research and development continues undeterred. Despite new plant construction, nuclear energy byproduct storage and disposal remains a highly-debated topic in congress. Overview For the first time in more than 30 years, new nuclear reactors are under construction in the U.S. The construction consists…...
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…...
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…...
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…...
On January 28, the U.S. Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources held a hearing to receive testimony on S. 1600, the Critical Minerals Policy Act of 2013. This Act that would enable domestic production of critical minerals necessary in the manufacturing of many clean energy technologies. Overview Critical minerals play and important role in…...
The water-energy nexus has major implications for the energy sector and national economies going forward. As water becomes scarcer, energy and water efficient technologies become increasingly valuable. Overview Energy producers and long-term investors need to be forward looking with respect to investments in energy plays and technology related to water. Water has and will continue…...
