SOLAR POWER
A 2.7 MW solar installation at the Owens Corning site has reached completion, making it the largest installation under the NY-Sun Initiative. On October 15, 2013, the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) announced the completion of the largest solar installation under the NY-Sun Initiative. Constellation, a subsidiary of Exelon Corp., financed…...
A number of renewable energy tax credits are set to expire on December 31, 2013. Neither the House nor Senate has introduced legislation or amendments that would likely advance before the end of the year. The expirations will affect multiple industries, including wind, biofuels, and other renewable energies. Overview More than a dozen tax credits…...
California’s AB 327 will facilitate electricity rate reforms, including extension of the net energy metering program that enables consumers to realize economic benefits from harnessing solar energy. On October 7, 2013, California Governor Jerry Brown signed Assembly Bill 327 (AB 327) into law, authorizing the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) to implement residential electricity…...
The National Renewable Energy Laboratory has released a study examining increased wind and solar energy integration to the Western Interconnection power system. On September 24, 2013, the Department of Energy’s National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) released Phase 2 of the Western Wind and Solar Integration Study, assessing emissions and costs of fossil-fueled power plant cycling…...
The NYS Unified Solar Permit program will streamline the solar project permitting process to cut costs and boost solar development across NY State. On September 20, 2013, the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) announced the NYS Unified Solar Permit program to reduce solar project costs by streamlining municipal permitting processes across…...
Governor Cuomo took the first step in the New York Green Bank capitalization process to facilitate private capital flow for clean energy projects. On September 10, 2013, New York State Governor Andrew M. Cuomo formally launched the $1 billion Green Bank initiative, the central part of innovative clean energy proposals announced during his 2013 State…...
The Navy has announced $30 million in funding to Hawaii-based “Energy Excelerator” that supports emerging clean energy technologies. On September 9, 2013, the Department of Navy’s Office of Naval Research (ONR) announced $30 million funding to support Energy Excelerator, a Hawaii-based accelerator program for clean energy start-ups. The funding triples investment over the three-year operation…...
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…...
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,…...
The Energy Consumers Relief Act, approved by the House Energy and Commerce Committee, would prevent EPA from finalizing major energy-related rules without DOE approval. On July 17, 2013, the House Energy and Commerce Committee approved three energy-related bills – H.R. 1582, H.R. 1900, and H.R. 83 – aimed to promote economic growth and energy…...
DOE released a report examining the impacts of climate change on the nation’s energy and electricity infrastructure, including an assessment of ongoing efforts and potential opportunities to improve the energy sector’s climate resilience. On July 11, 2013, the Department of Energy (DOE) released a report examining current and future impacts of climate change on…...
New large-scale solar projects earmarked for funding under the NY-Sun initiative will potentially increase New York’s solar capacity by 64 MW, bringing the state to the forefront of solar energy development. On July 9, 2013, New York Governor Andrew M. Cuomo announced $54 million in funding for large-scale solar projects having a combined capacity of…...