Alternative energy

DOE Announces New EV Program Funding

DOE has announced $49M in funding for critical vehicle technologies alongside its 2012 EV Everywhere Grand Challenge progress report release. On January 22, 2014, the Department of Energy (DOE) announced $49M in funding to support new vehicle technologies including its EV Everywhere Grand Challenge, a 2012 program which aims to make plug-in electric vehicles (PEVs)…...

U.S. Commerce Chamber Unveils New Energy Advocacy Platform

U.S. Commerce Chamber’s new energy advocacy platform proposes actionable recommendations to capitalize on the nation’s energy potential. On January 15, 2014, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s Institute for 21st Century Energy launched its new energy advocacy platform titled “Energy Works for US,” a comprehensive plan with recommendations for 2014 and beyond.  The plan, an update…...

President Obama Orders Quadrennial Energy Review

President Obama has ordered a comprehensive energy strategy review to ensure federal policies continue to address changing energy requirements. On January 9, 2014, President Obama signed a memorandum establishing a Quadrennial Energy Review (QER) to enhance the federal government’s capability to provide a comprehensive and integrated energy strategy to meet challenges posed by rising energy…...

2014 NY State of the State: Energy and Climate

Governor Cuomo’s 2014 State of the State agenda includes new clean energy and climate initiatives with a grid resiliency and distributed generation focus. In his State of the State (SOS) address on January 8, 2014, New York State Governor Andrew M. Cuomo reaffirmed his commitment to clean energy, proposing significant initiatives to address energy and…...

Enbridge Announces 110 MW Texas Wind Project

Enbridge’s 110 MW Texas wind project will deliver electricity to the ERCOT market under a 20-year agreement with Microsoft Corporation. On January 6, 2014, Canada’s Enbridge Inc. announced an agreement with Renewable Energy Systems Americas Inc. (RES Americas) to construct the Keechi Wind Project, a 110 MW wind energy project in Texas, at a cost…...

SolarWorld Files New Trade Petition against China and Taiwan

The Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) has opposed SolarWorld’s latest trade petition against anti-competitive trade practices of China and Taiwan, calling for negotiations to end the trade dispute. On December 31, 2013, international solar power system manufacturer SolarWorld filed anti-dumping and anti-subsidy cases with the U.S. International Trade Commission and the U.S. Department of Commerce…...

Bipartisan Budget Act Foreshadows an Energy Emphasis in 2014

On December 10, 2013, Senate Budget Committee Chairman Patty Murray (D-WA) and House Budget Committee Chairman Paul Ryan (R-WI) proposed the 2013 Bipartisan Budget Act, a two-year budget agreement that would provide $63B in sequester relief and reduce the fiscal deficit by $20B to $23B. Overview Lawmakers now have several weeks to appropriate the budget…...

Senate Finance Committee Proposes Energy Tax Incentive Reforms

The Senate Finance Committee’s latest energy tax reform proposal focuses on technology-neutral and performance-based energy tax credits. On December 18, 2013, Senate Finance Committee Chairman Max Baucus (D-MT) released an energy tax reform draft that would overhaul federal energy-related tax incentives and consolidate provisions supporting renewable energy.  Notably, the proposal focuses on establishing tax credits…...

EIA Projects Strong Growth in U.S. Oil and Natural Gas Production

EIA’s latest Annual Energy Outlook (AEO) projects a 56 percent increase in natural gas production by 2040, overtaking coal as the largest share of U.S. electric power generation. On December 16, 2013, the Energy Information Administration (EIA) released the AEO 2014 Early Release Overview presenting updated projections for U.S. energy markets through 2040.  The AEO…...