Alternative energy
In the previous three months, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) has provided preliminary exclusion from federal regulations to 16 different hydropower projects, facilitating growth in renewable electricity generation and providing access for new hydroelectric markets. Overview President Obama signed the Hydropower Regulatory Efficiency Act of 2013 (H.R. 267) in August 2013 to facilitate hydroelectric…...
NRC has resumed safety review of the proposed Yucca Mountain waste repository in response to a U.S. appeals court order. On November 18, 2013, the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) announced an Order directing its staff to complete the safety evaluation report (SER) on the Department of Energy’s (DOE) license application for the proposed Yucca Mountain…...
EPA has proposed standards for the 2014 Renewable Fuels Standard (RFS) program, lowering its annual mandates for the first time and has sought input on waiver petitions to address E10 Blend Wall concerns. Overview On November 15, 2013, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) proposed the 2014 RFS requirements to establish annual volumes and percentage standards…...
DOE has announced the end of a 1993 U.S.-Russia nuclear nonproliferation program, which converted 500 metric tons of Russian HEU into LEU for U.S. nuclear power plants. On November 14, 2013, the Department of Energy (DOE) announced the culmination of a 1993 nuclear nonproliferation program to convert Russian weapons-origin highly enriched uranium (HEU) into…...
The BLM has approved the majority of a 990-mile high-voltage transmission line in Wyoming and Idaho, facilitating a stronger Western grid with more renewable energy integration. On November 12, 2013, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) announced approval for eight segments of the proposed 10-segment Gateway West Transmission Line that could deliver up to 1,500…...
On October 24, multiple states set goals to increase sales of zero-emission vehicles to 3.3 million by 2025. The policies will likely lead to an increase in state-level subsidies and other financial incentives for electric vehicles and electric vehicle infrastructure. Overview On October 24, the governors of eight states, including California, Connecticut, New York, Massachusetts,…...
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…...