Alternative energy

Higher Incentives to Promote Net Zero Homes in New York

NYSERDA has announced higher incentives to promote net zero energy standards in the residential construction market. On June 6, 2014, the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) announced the availability of significantly higher incentives under its Low-rise Residential New Construction Program including first incentives for homes designed for net zero energy performance…....

EPA Rule Flexible, Yet Tough For Some Coal-Reliant States

The EPA stressed State flexibility in its Clean Power Plan to reduce emissions 30 percent by 2030. Overview On June 2, 2014, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) proposed its Clean Power Plan to set carbon pollution guidelines for existing power plants and emission standards for modified and reconstructed power plants. The proposal is key…...

Con Edison to Test Innovative Energy Storage Technology

On March 12, 2014, Eos Energy Storage announced plans to test its Aurora energy system at a Con Edison facility in mid-2014. The pilot aims to demonstrate the value of distributed energy storage in reducing costs associated with energy infrastructure upgrades to serve peak electricity demand. The project is supported by $1M in funding from the…...

New York Is First To Tackle Grid Modernization With REV

The New York State Reforming the Energy Vision (REV) initiative aims to answer the question of how to proceed with New York’s energy future in the face of aging electric generating plants and the need for a more resilient energy infrastructure. Overview The initiative – announced by Governor Cuomo in April 2014 – tasks the…...

Biodiesel Producers Call for Higher RFS Mandate

Biodiesel producers have written to President Obama requesting a higher biofuel blending mandate under the 2014 Renewable Fuel Standard to enable sustained industry growth. On May 29, 2014, 117 biodiesel companies and businesses represented by the National Biofuel Board (NBB) wrote to President Obama petitioning for a higher biofuel blending mandate under the 2014 Renewable…...

Eight-State Coalition Releases ZEV Action Plan

An eight-state coalition formed in October 2013 to advance ZEV initiatives has released a Multi-State ZEV Action Plan identifying priority actions for interstate coordination and state-specific measures. On May 29, 2014, New York Governor Andrew M. Cuomo announced the release of a Multi-State Zero-Emission Vehicle (ZEV) Action Plan. The the multi-state plan is the first milestone of…...

DOE Announces New Concentrating Solar Power Projects

DOE has announced $10M in funding for new concentrating solar power technologies highlighting progress of the five most innovative plants in the southwestern U.S. On May 21, 2014, the Department of Energy (DOE) released a report titled “2014: The Year of Concentrating Solar Power” highlighting the progress of five major concentrating solar power (CSP) deployment…...

EXPIRE Act Supports Renewable Energy Industry at a High Cost

Multiple energy industries rely on federal tax incentives to spur private investment in commercializing renewable technologies. However, the periodic expirations of these tax credits have led to business uncertainty and an inability to make long-term planning decisions. The most recent Senate extender bill – the Expiring Provisions Improvement Reform and Efficiency (EXPIRE) Act of 2014…...

California Energy Storage Systems Exempt from Interconnection Charges

A new California ruling exempts net energy metering-paired energy storage systems sized 10 kW or smaller from interconnection charges. On May 15, 2014, the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) issued a decision exempting small storage devices paired with net energy metering (NEM)-eligible generation facilities from interconnection fees.  Fee exemption for NEM-paired storage would be tested…...

Third Round of NY-Sun Funding Available

The final solicitation under the 2012 NY-Sun initiative has made $60M available for 200kW+ solar PV systems. On May 13, 2014, Governor Andrew M. Cuomo announced $60M in funding under the third round of NY-Sun Competitive PV initiative for solar projects at business, industry, and institutional sites that are large energy users.  The funding opportunity,…...

New York Power Authority Leads State Energy Initiatives

In 2013, New York Power Authority (NYPA) produced approximately 27.8B kilowatt-hours, approximately 20 percent of the state’s power. Approximately 70 percent of this power came from clean, renewable hydropower. NYPA, the nation’s largest state-owned power organization, is at the forefront of innovative energy, environmental, and economic development initiatives. As a leading provider of low-cost electricity,…...

Federal Regulations and Tax Credits Support Diesel and Natural Gas Vehicle Adoption

Despite the recent surge in domestic crude oil and natural gas production, diesel-fueled passenger vehicles and natural gas-fueled fleet vehicles still face challenges in achieving large-scale adoption. Overview Diesel-fueled vehicles provide an option for manufacturers to meet Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) emissions standards and National Highway Traffic Safety Administration average fuel-efficiency standards of 54.5 miles…...