Alternative energy
More than 100 organizations signed a petition to Congress to end wind energy production tax credits. On November 4, 2013, a coalition of more than 100 organizations, led by Americans for Prosperity, wrote to Congress expressing opposition to the wind Production Tax Credit (PTC) extension. The letter asserted that the wind industry has consistently under-performed despite…...
Broome County’s Greater Binghamton Airport becomes the first U.S. airport to install a geothermal heating system. On October 29, 2013, the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) announced a $1.25M geothermal project at the Greater Binghamton Airport. The project, an energy-saving initiative, will utilize a $350,000 NYSERDA grant under the Regional Economic…...
California, Oregon, Washington, and British Columbia have agreed to strategically align their climate and clean energy policies. On October 28, 2013, Governors of California, Oregon, and Washington and the Premier of Canadian Province British Columbia signed the Pacific Coast Action Plan on Climate and Energy to align their climate and clean energy policies, pursuant to…...
A coalition of eight states have agreed to implement zero-emission vehicle (ZEV) programs with a goal to put of 3.3 million ZEVs on the road by 2025. On October 24, 2013, Governors of eight states – California, Connecticut, Maryland, Massachusetts, New York, Oregon, Rhode Island, and Vermont – signed an agreement to implement State ZEV…...
DOE has announced $60M in funding to advance solar energy research and development projects under its SunShot Initiative. On October 22, 2013, the Department of Energy (DOE) announced $60M in funding to reduce solar electricity costs, expedite seamless grid integration, and support the solar energy workforce. The funding will be shared across several solar energy…...
California has finalized energy storage procurement targets for its investor-owned utilities to procure 1,325 MW of energy storage capacity by 2020. On October 17, 2013, the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) finalized a proposal to establish policies and mechanisms for its energy storage procurement framework and design program. The proposed decision is pursuant to 2010…...
A 2.7 MW solar installation at the Owens Corning site has reached completion, making it the largest installation under the NY-Sun Initiative. On October 15, 2013, the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) announced the completion of the largest solar installation under the NY-Sun Initiative. Constellation, a subsidiary of Exelon Corp., financed…...
A number of renewable energy tax credits are set to expire on December 31, 2013. Neither the House nor Senate has introduced legislation or amendments that would likely advance before the end of the year. The expirations will affect multiple industries, including wind, biofuels, and other renewable energies. Overview More than a dozen tax credits…...
California’s AB 327 will facilitate electricity rate reforms, including extension of the net energy metering program that enables consumers to realize economic benefits from harnessing solar energy. On October 7, 2013, California Governor Jerry Brown signed Assembly Bill 327 (AB 327) into law, authorizing the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) to implement residential electricity…...
The API has challenged EPA’s 2013 RFS mandate, claiming that the volumetric targets are unrealistic. On October 8, 2013, the American Petroleum Institute (API) filed a lawsuit in the District of Columbia Circuit Court of Appeals challenging the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) 2013 Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) volumetric requirements, claiming the 6 million gallon (MG)…...
In the wake of Superstorm Sandy, which left at total of 8.5 million customers without power, the need for a smarter and more resilient grid has never been greater. To achieve this, the Hurricane Sandy Rebuilding Task Force is partnering with affected states to rebuild smarter and stronger. The Sandy Supplemental Appropriation has allocated approximately…...
The California Air Resources Board has announced additional funding to expedite transformation of its heavy vehicle fleet to zero-emission technologies. On September 26, 2013, the California Air Resources Board (CARB) announced $72.5 million in funding for deployment of clean vehicle technologies through state programs. The incentive programs are designed to accelerate the purchase of advanced…...