Alternative energy
BLM has issued a land order to segregate federal lands from new mining claims for solar energy development across six western states. On July 5, 2013, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) approved a Public Land Order that withdraws 303,900 acres of federal land identified for solar energy development from new mining claims for 20…...
President Obama’s second-term climate agenda includes sweeping measures to cut carbon emissions from power plants, boost renewable energy production, increase fuel economy standards, and advance international initiatives to combat climate change. On June 25, 2013, President Barack Obama outlined a comprehensive Climate Action Plan prioritizing measures to limit greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions to set a…...
WGA’s “10-Year Energy Vision” calls for collaborative interstate initiatives to achieve energy security by increasing energy production, improving energy efficiency, and expanding energy distribution infrastructure, among other energy goals. On June 28, 2013, the Western Governors’ Association (WGA) released the “10-Year Energy Vision,” a regional plan articulating the energy goals of 19 member states, American…...
The Clean Vehicle Corridors Act would improve infrastructure needed for alternative fuel vehicles and promote clean fuels, including natural gas, plug-in electric, advanced biofuels, and hydrogen. On June 27, 2013, Sen. Bob Casey (D-PA) introduced the Clean Vehicle Corridors Act, aimed to increase fueling infrastructure for clean vehicles. The bill calls on the Department of…...
The “Renewable Fuel Standard Repeal Act” aims to annul RFS on grounds that increasing demand for corn-based ethanol has raised the prices of livestock, food products, and transportation fuel. On June 20, 2013, a bipartisan group of senators led by Sen. John Barrasso (R-WY) introduced a bill aimed to annul the Renewable Fuel Standard…...
A newly proposed Senate bill would establish the State Energy Race to the Top program aimed at doubling the nation’s energy productivity by 2030. On June 20, 2013, Sens. Mark R. Warner (D-VA) and Joe Manchin (D-WV) introduced a bill to establish a state grant program of federal incentives to boost energy productivity. The bill…...
The U.S. and Czech Republic have agreed to establish a joint nuclear center in Prague, aimed to expand nuclear energy collaboration through joint initiatives. On June 12, 2013, the Department of Energy (DOE) announced a finalized agreement with the Czech Republic to establish a Civil Nuclear Cooperation Center at Prague. The collaboration will facilitate joint…...
As part of its safety measures following Japan’s 2011 Fukushima disaster, NRC has directed 31 U.S. nuclear reactors to upgrade venting systems to prevent pressure-induced explosions. On June 6, 2013, the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) issued an order directing 31 U.S. nuclear reactors to overhaul venting systems to prevent pressure buildup in the event of…...
DOI’s first lease-sale for offshore wind farms across 164,750 acres off Rhode Island and Massachusetts aims to harness approximately 3,400 MW of clean energy, sufficient to power more than one million homes. On June 3, 2013, the Department of Interior (DOI) announced the nation’s first lease sale for offshore wind energy projects on the Outer…...
The nation’s first grid-connected offshore floating wind turbine prototype deployed off the Maine coast will gather data required to scale to commercial-grade installations. On May 31, 2013, the University of Maine’s Advanced Structures and Composites Center launched VolturnUS, a prototype floating wind turbine off the Maine coast. The 1:8-scale prototype represents the nation’s first grid-connected…...
A new report identifies NYC’s potential for combined heat and power deployment and suggests potential solutions to overcome regulatory and technical barriers. On May 30, 2013, the Columbia Center for Climate Change Law and Modi Research Group released a report examining the potential for combined heat and power (CHP) development in New York City. Based…...
Minnesota legislature approved a 1.5% solar energy mandate that will potentially raise the state’s solar output from 13 MW to 450 MW by 2020. On May 23, 2013, Minnesota Governor Mark Dayton signed the Omnibus Energy Bill (HF 956) into law, establishing a solar energy standard and a set of provisions aimed to encourage investment…...