SOLAR POWER
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 “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…...
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…...
Energy tax reform proposals released by the House Ways and Means Committee outline potential modifications to federal tax code for fossil fuel production, renewable energy tax credits, and energy efficiency provisions. On May 6, 2013, the House Ways and Means Committee released the Joint Committee on Taxation report detailing tax reform suggestions to 11 Tax…...
BLM issued a regulation to prohibit mining claims in public lands with pending applications for renewable energy projects or those identified as potential sites for renewable energy development. On April 30, 2013, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) published a regulation to the Federal Register to temporarily segregate public lands set aside for renewable…...
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…...
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…...