Demand response (DR) performance in wholesale power markets has improved over the past six years, in part as a result of multiple FERC Orders. Removal of DR from organized electricity markets would favor generators through increased sales; this could lead to higher associated emissions and peak power prices. The Solicitor General has until January 15 to file…...
Governor Cuomo has announced the 2014 REDC awards including funding for sustainability projects under the Cleaner, Greener Communities initiative. On December 12, 2014, New York Governor Andrew M. Cuomo awarded $709.2M for 852 statewide economic and community development projects through the Regional Economic Development Council’s (REDC) fourth round of funding. Established in 2011, the REDC…...
Governor Cuomo has announced five initiatives consistent with the REV strategy to advance the local clean energy industry and modernize utility sector operations. On December 12, 2014, New York Governor Andrew M. Cuomo announced new clean energy initiatives consistent with the Reforming the Energy Vision (REV) strategy to spur innovation and investment, improve customer choice…...
Utilities are increasingly pursuing rate design reform to earn revenue as kilowatt-hour demand growth flattens. As net energy-metered residential solar PV installation growth continues, utilities will be challenged with building and maintaining infrastructure with diminishing revenue streams. The fixed charge and net energy metering NEM compensation debate will continue as utilities fight for sustained revenue…...
Federal tax incentives, strong state renewable portfolio standards, and associated renewable energy certificate programs facilitate regional installation growth. New England states must continuously analyze and update their RPS policies to ensure renewable energy growth, as developers currently rely on the standards and associated REC markets for project demand and financing. With federal and state policies…...
The House has passed a one-year extension of several tax provisions including the renewable energy production tax credit and several biofuel industry incentives. On December 3, 2014, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the Tax Increase Prevention Act of 2014 (H.R. 5771), a one-year tax extender package for several tax relief provisions that expired at…...
The DOI will offer approximately 742,000 acres offshore Massachusetts for commercial wind energy development in a competitive lease sale scheduled for January 29, 2015. On November 26, 2014, the Department of Interior’s (DOI) Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) published a notice to offer approximately 742,000 acres of the Massachusetts Wind Energy Area (WEA) for…...
The DOE’s draft Wind Vision analyzes a future wind scenario that represents wind energy penetration levels — as a share of total U.S. electricity demand — of 10 percent by 2020, 20 percent by 2030, and 35 percent by 2050. The Department of Energy (DOE) has released a draft Wind Vision analysis expanding its 2008…...
Non-hydro utility-scale energy storage solutions are landing record-setting contracts in multiple regions, marking a transition beyond small-scale ancillary services. Fast-reacting and flexible energy storage resources can efficiently provide ancillary services to free-up traditional generation assets for wholesale market participation. The U.S. Bicameral Task Force on Climate Change recently cited that by 2022, the worldwide demand…...
The DOE’s Minorities in Energy Industry Partner Network aims to build minorities’ capacity to compete for energy sector opportunities. On November 18, 2014 — the first anniversary of the Department of Energy’s (DOE) Minorities in Energy Initiative (MIE) — DOE launched the MIE Industry Partner Network to increase engagement of underrepresented communities in the energy sector…....
The DOI has offered a right-of-way grant authorizing an offshore wind energy transmission line from Block Island to the Rhode Island mainland. On November 17, 2014, the Department of Interior’s (DOI) Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) issued a right-of-way (ROW) grant to Deepwater Wind Block Island Transmission System LLC for its proposed Block Island…...
The acquisition of Massachusetts-based First Wind marks SunEdison’s entry into the global wind market, potentially making it the world’s largest renewable energy company. On November 17, 2014, global solar developer SunEdison Inc. and its indirect subsidiary TerraForm Power Inc. announced a definitive agreement to acquire Boston-based First Wind, a leading independent wind development and asset management…...