Alternative energy
Senate bill proposes a new federal agency to oversee nuclear waste management, and permits an interim storage facility until selection of a permanent repository. On April 25, 2013, Sen. Ron Wyden (D-OR), Chairman of Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, along with Sens. Lamar Alexander (R-TN), Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), and Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) released a discussion…...
The revised Master Limited Partnerships Parity Act would allow renewable energy projects to access financing and tax advantages that are currently available only to fossil fuel energy projects. On April 24, 2013, a group led by Sen. Chris Coons (D-Del.) introduced an expanded version of the Master Limited Partnerships Parity Act introduced in 2012 to…...
New York City’s all-electric taxi pilot program lays the groundwork to attain Mayor Bloomberg’s goal of a one-third electric taxi fleet by 2020. On April 22, 2013, New York City (NYC) Mayor Michael Bloomberg, the Taxi and Limousine Commission (TLC), and Nissan launched an electric taxi pilot program by adding six Nissan LEAF electric vehicles…...
New York State approved a privately funded power transmission line to supply 1,000 MW of Canadian hydropower to New York City. On April 18, 2013, the New York State Public Service Commission (PSC) approved the Champlain Hudson Power Express, a $2.2 billion transmission line project that would supply 1,000 MW of clean power to New…...
The five-year biofuel research program extension aims to develop viable biofuels for the aviation sector, boost rural economies, and lower carbon emissions. On April 15, 2013, U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack announced a five-year extension of an agreement between the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to continue research…...
U.S. and China have committed to take cooperative action to combat climate change using practical emissions reduction measures and low-carbon initiatives, setting a powerful example to the rest of the world. On April 13, 2013, the U.S. State Department announced the U.S. and China will launch a Climate Change Working Group, recognizing the need for…...
In his FY 2014 budget proposal, President Obama increases spending on clean energy development, seeking to expedite R&D and boost cost-competitiveness and deployment of clean energy technologies. President Barack Obama’s FY2014 budget plan released on April 10, 2013, proposes increases in spending for clean energy production and deployment. The budget aims to support cost-competitiveness…...
Fort Bliss’ proposed 20 MW solar farm, the largest U.S. Military renewable energy plant, aims to contribute to the base’s “net zero” energy goal. On April 5, 2013, Army Maj. Gen. Dana. J.H. Pittard announced plans to construct a 20 MW solar energy farm at Fort Bliss, a West Texas military base. The announcement…...
DOE’s five-year renewal of funding for its bioenergy research centers aims to bring new methods to maturity and accelerate transition of advanced technologies to the marketplace. On April 4, 2013, the Department of Energy (DOE) announced a five-year renewal of funding for its three Bioenergy Research Centers (BRCs) to support ongoing research for the development…...
DOE’s Clean Energy Manufacturing Initiative would accelerate manufacturing of clean energy products and strengthen competitiveness of the U.S. clean energy sector in the global energy market. On March 26, 2013, the Department of Energy (DOE) announced a new program – the Clean Energy Manufacturing Initiative – to support manufacturing of clean energy products in…...
A new revenue-sharing bill – the FAIR Act – would enable coastal states to receive a share of offshore energy revenue and put onshore renewable energy on the same scale as onshore fossil energy to ensure equitable revenue-sharing to encourage clean energy efforts. On March 20, Senators Mary Landrieu (D-La.) and Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) introduced…...
President Obama’s proposed Energy Security Trust would divert revenue from federal oil and gas development to fund research and development of alternative transportation fuel technologies. During a speech at the Argonne National Laboratory in Illinois on March 15, President Barack Obama revealed a proposal to set aside $2 billion for the Energy Security Trust, a…...