Alternative energy
Massachusetts has advanced measures to establish net metering requirements for small hydroelectric facilities. On October 16, 2014, the Massachusetts Department of Public Utilities (DPU) issued a notice and order opening a proceeding (DPU 14-118) to enable net metering for small hydroelectric generation, consistent with requirements under “An Act Relative to Credit for Thermal Energy Generated with…...
The 2014 New York State Yogurt Summit unveiled NYSERDA commitments to advance renewable energy and energy efficiency in the dairy industry. At the 2014 New York State Yogurt Summit held on October 15, 2014, New York Governor Andrew M. Cuomo highlighted progress made in the dairy industry – the state’s largest agricultural sector – and…...
SolarCity’s first registered public offering of solar bonds provides an opportunity for individuals to access clean energy investments that were previously reserved for large institutions. On October 15, 2014, SolarCity launched the nation’s first registered public offering of solar bonds through an online investment site to make solar bonds directly available to consumers. SolarCity has…...
Massachusetts offered its first green bond sale in June 2013, and several additional states have offered green bonds over the last two years. Green bonds offer issuers access to capital to finance projects for water quality and infrastructure, energy efficiency, renewable energy, pollution cleanup, and other capital-intensive projects.. With the Green Bond Principles gaining marketplace…...
The DOE has issued a final rule establishing standards for green building rating systems that provide certification for federal buildings. On October 10, 2014, the Department of Energy (DOE) issued a final rule establishing standards for green building certification systems to strengthen federal buildings’ energy management through enhanced energy use measurement and energy efficient design…....
According to EIA, the share of imports in U.S. energy consumption for the first half of 2014 reached the lowest level in 29 years. On October 10, 2014, the Energy Information Administration (EIA) released a report showing that net U.S. energy imports as a share of consumption for the January-June 2014 period reached the lowest…...
The DOE has awarded $13.4M for five research projects focused on developing advanced biofuels and bioproducts from biomass. On October 9, 2014, the Department of Energy (DOE) announced up to $13.4M in funding for five research and development (R&D) projects focused on advanced biofuels and bioproducts production. The projects will contribute to emissions reductions and…...
The EIA’s annual fuel economy report shows that MY 2013 vehicles achieved an all-time high fuel economy and record low emissions levels. On October 8, 2014, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released its annual “Light-Duty Automotive Technology, Carbon Dioxide (CO2) Emissions, and Fuel Economy Trends: 1975 through 2014” report which tracks average fuel economy, emissions,…...
A 2.6 MW solar PV array on eight acres of Skidmore College-owned land in the town of Greenfield will supply 12 percent of the college’s energy requirements. On October 7, 2014, the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) announced the completion of a 2.6 MW solar photovoltaic (PV) array on eight acres…...
ISO-NE’s eighth Forward Capacity Market Auction (FCA-8) rates became effective September 16, 2014, despite FERC being unable to reach agreement on whether the filing was “just and reasonable.” The final price for existing sources was set at the administrative price of $7.025/kW-month, a 123 percent increase from the FCA-7 clearing price. The Northeast Massachusetts (NEMA)/Boston…...
An innovative solar cell-battery hybrid developed at OSU is expected to reach 100-percent efficiency and reduce costs by 25 percent. On October 3, 2014, Ohio State University (OSU) reported the invention of the world’s first solar battery – a patent-pending technology that combines a battery and solar cell into one hybrid device. The new design…...
The Massachusetts Attorney General has sought DPU action to mitigate spikes in winter rates and extend the state’s Winter Moratorium by one month. On October 2, 2014, Massachusetts Attorney General (AG) Martha Coakley wrote to the Department of Public Utilities (DPU) requesting an investigation into ways to mitigate National Grid’s winter rate spikes that will…...