Biofuels
On September 17, 2014, the Senate Committee on Finance held a hearing titled “Reforming America’s Outdated Energy Tax Code” to discuss possible reforms to the U.S. energy tax policy. Senate Finance Committee Chairman Sen. Ron Wyden (D-OR) underscored the need for predictable, level playing-field tax policy that puts renewables on the same footing as other…...
Project LIBERTY, a DOE-supported biorefinery project, is the first U.S. cellulosic ethanol plant to use corn waste as feedstock. On September 3, 2014, the Department of Energy (DOE) announced the opening of POET-DSM Advanced Biofuel’s Project LIBERTY, a large-scale biorefinery in Emmetsburg, Iowa. Project LIBERTY is the nation’s second commercial-scale cellulosic ethanol biorefinery and the…...
Hawaiian Electric Companies have proposed comprehensive electric energy plans with a goal to achieve more than 65 percent renewable energy by 2030. On August 26, 2014, the Hawaiian Electric Companies – Hawaiian Electric, Maui Electric, and Hawaii Electric Light Company – proposed electric energy plans in response to the Hawaii Public Utilities Commission’s (PUC)…...
IRS Notice 2014-46 provides additional eligibility clarification for renewable energy tax credits and lowers the Safe Harbor requirement from 5 percent to 3 percent. On August 8, 2014, the Treasury Department and the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) released guidance (Notice 2014-26) providing additional clarification regarding eligibility requirements for the renewable electricity production tax credit (PTC)…...
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…...
EPA has extended 2013 RFS compliance deadlines for the third time, citing more delays in issuing the final 2014 RFS mandates. On July 31, 2014, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued a direct final rule providing additional extension of existing regulatory deadlines for the 2013 Renewable Fuel Standards (RFS). Regulated entities under the 2013 RFS…...
During a Trade and Investment Mission to Mexico, California Governor Brown signed agreements with Mexico to enhance cooperation on environmental issues and encourage cross-border clean energy investments. On July 28, 2014, California Governor Edmund G. Brown, Mexico’s Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources Undersecretary Rodolfo Lacy, and Mexican National Forestry Commission Director General Jorge Rescala…...
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…...
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…...
Revisions to New York’s Main Tier RPS will increase contract lengths for large-scale renewable projects from 10 years to 20 years, providing greater investor certainty. On July 2, 2014, the New York State Public Service Commission (PSC) announced major changes to the state’s Main Tier Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS) program to promote large-scale renewable projects…....
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…...
EPA has extended compliance demonstration and attest engagement reporting deadlines for 2013 Renewable Fuel Standards. On June 16, 2014, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) published to the Federal Register a rule extending regulatory deadlines for obligated entities under the 2013 Renewable Fuel Standards (RFS) program to ensure timely amendment of current deadlines before compliance obligations take…...