SOLAR POWER
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…...
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…...
The United States installed 3,313 MW of solar photovoltaics in 2012, representing a record growth of 76% over 2011, and accounting for 11% of total solar capacity globally. The 2012 annual Solar Market Insight report released by Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) on March 14, 2013 reported that U.S. solar photovoltaic (PV) capacity increased by 76%…...
The Department of Interior (DOI) approved three new renewable energy projects in California and Nevada, adding to the diversification of the nation’s energy portfolio. On March 13, 2013, DOI announced approval of two solar energy projects and one wind project that will produce an estimated 1,100 MW of electricity to power more than 340,000 homes. The privately…...
In the last 20 years, energy innovation has become a global process in terms of education, finance, technology, and markets. At the 2013 MIT Energy Conference a panel of experts discussed pros and cons of innovative energy solutions in emerging markets. Emerging markets provide attractive opportunities for innovative energy systems. The competitive advantage of renewable…...
The Energy Production and Project Delivery Act of 2013 aims at opening more federal acreage for energy development and expediting permitting processes for energy projects to create millions of jobs and add trillions of dollars to the economy. On February 27, 2013, Senator David Vitter (R-La.) and Congressman Rob Bishop (R-Utah) introduced the Energy Production…...
A recent report from the Bipartisan Policy Center outlines common ground energy policy recommendations that build on energy abundance and efficiency accomplishments of the U.S. On February 27, 2013, the Bipartisan Policy Center (BPC) released a report proposing a set of recommendations intended to serve as a blueprint for establishing strong and diverse energy resource portfolios…....
Chief executives of leading U.S. companies released a report outlining recommendations for a comprehensive energy policy framework that would capitalize on the nation’s strengths to enhance self-sufficiency, economic growth, and environmental stewardship. On February 25, 2013, Business Roundtable, a national association of corporate executives, released a report outlining recommendations to devise a comprehensive energy policy…...
President Obama outlined bold actions to combat climate change, elaborating on his inaugural vow to address the issue. Obama further pledged to use his executive power to tackle climate change challenges if Congress denied action. At his State of the Union (SOTU) speech on February 12, 2013, President Obama cast a bold vision on climate change…...
Divided opinions over climate change issues delayed approval of the draft oversight plan in the House Energy and Commerce Committee. Democrats called to amend the draft plan to hold hearings on climate change science, an issue that Republicans have long opposed. On February 6, 2013, democrats in the House Energy and Commerce Committee introduced a…...
