Alternative energy
A White House and DOE report calls for investments to increase the nation’s electric grid resilience and outlines strategies for grid modernization. On August 12, 2013, the White House Council of Economic Advisors and the Department of Energy (DOE) released a report emphasizing the importance of grid resilience for climate adaptation. The report, titled “Economic…...
Bipartisan support to expand Master Limited Partnership tax benefits for renewables could help advance long-term grid parity, but the tax provision’s impact depends on complementary and consistent support for the new technologies and industries. Overview The Master Limited Partnerships Parity Act (S. 795) and the House version (H.R. 1696) are expected to pass through both…...
EPA’s 2013 Renewable Fuel Standards (RFS) require blending of 16.55 billion gallons of renewable fuels into transportation fuel, providing additional lead time and flexibility for compliance. On August 6, 2013, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released its finalized volume and percentage standards for four renewable fuel categories – cellulosic, biomass-based diesel, advanced biofuels, and total…...
DOE’s wind market reports reveal record growth in 2012 and underscores the need for policy support to sustain development. On August 6, 2013, the Department of Energy (DOE) released two reports – “Wind Technologies Market Report” and “Market Report on Wind Technologies in Distributed Applications” – detailing the U.S. wind industry trends in 2012. The…...
The nation’s first commercial-scale cellulosic ethanol production plant is expected to produce eight million gallons of cellulosic ethanol and generate six megawatts of renewable power annually. On August 1, 2013, the Department of Energy (DOE) announced the Indian River BioEnergy Center in Vero Beach, Florida as the nation’s first commercial-scale cellulosic ethanol production plant. The facility,…...
Two hydropower bills were unanimously passed by the Senate to facilitate streamlined regulatory processes for hydroelectric projects. On August 1, 2013, the Senate unanimously approved two bills aimed at streamlining the regulatory processes for selected hydropower projects. Both the Hydropower Regulatory Efficiency Act (H.R. 267) and the Bureau of Reclamation Small Conduit Hydropower Development and Rural Jobs…...
The House passed the 2013 Nuclear Iran Prevention Act by a 400-20 vote facilitating broader economic sanctions and increased oversight for enforcing existing Iran sanctions. On July 31, 2013, the House of Representatives passed the 2013 Nuclear Iran Prevention Act (H.R. 850) aimed to impose tougher sanctions against Iran’s petroleum sector and other industries, in…...
EIA projects a 56 percent growth in world energy consumption by 2040, driven by economic growth in emerging countries. Over its 2010-2040 projection period, renewables and nuclear are the fastest-growing sources, though fossil fuels continue to supply 80 percent of energy consumption. On July 25, 2013, the Energy Information Administration (EIA) released its 2013 International…...
At the Senate hearing on the FAIR Act, the DOI declined support for the bill, saying it lacks definite conservation or energy policy goals, would increase the federal deficit, and reduce return to taxpayers. At the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee hearing held on July 23, 2013, the Department of Interior’s (DOI) Deputy Assistant Secretary for Budget,…...
NY-BEST has partnered with DNV KEMA to establish a $23 million battery and energy storage testing and commercialization facility in Rochester, New York. On July 23, 2013, New York State Governor Andrew M. Cuomo announced a partnership between New York Battery and Energy Storage Technology (NY-BEST) consortium and DNV KEMA Energy & Sustainability, a Netherlands-based…...
The oil and shale gas boom will not achieve U.S. energy security, according to senior military officials speaking at New York Energy Week. Instead, the shale boom could intensify national security problems if it leads away from investment in renewable energy development. Panelists who spoke at the Redefining U.S. Energy Security for the 21st Century…...
On July 18, the U.S. Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee held a hearing on clean energy financing to discuss the challenges and opportunities in investing in clean energy technologies and the role of federal and state government in funding innovation and growth. The clear message at the hearing was that the funding portfolio for…...