NY Governor Initiates $1B Green Bank to Fund Clean Energy Projects

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…...

Greenhouse Gas Regulations and the Clean Air Act

On September 30, the U.S. Supreme Court will consider a major challenge to the Environmental Protection Agency’s implementation of greenhouse gas regulations under Section 202 of the Clean Air Act, a hearing that could affect President Obama’s timetable for existing power plants and state implementation plans. The EPA will likely face ongoing litigation on most…...

U.S. Navy Providing $30M for Clean Energy Startups

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…...

DOI Completes Second Offshore Wind Lease Sale

Virginia Electric and Power Co. won DOI’s second offshore wind auction with a $1.6 million bid for 112,799 acres off the Virginia coast. The Department of Interior’s (DOI) second federal offshore wind lease sale, held on September 4, 2013, closed at $1.6 million for 112,799 acres approximately 23.5 nautical miles off the Virginia coast.  Virginia…...

DOE Launches Largest Federal Wind Energy Project

DOE has commenced construction of the federal government’s largest wind energy project, at the Pantex nuclear weapons stockpile facility in Texas. On August 13, 2013, the Department of Energy (DOE) officially began construction of the 11.5 MW Pantex Renewable Energy Project, the federal government’s largest wind project, at Pantex Plant, the nation’s primary nuclear weapons…...

Master Limited Partnerships and the Impact on Renewable Energy Industries

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…...

DOE Reports Record Wind Industry Growth

DOE’s wind market reports reveal record growth in 2012 and underscores the need for policy support to sustain development. On August 6, 2013, the Department of Energy (DOE) released two reports – “Wind Technologies Market Report” and “Market Report on Wind Technologies in Distributed Applications” – detailing the U.S. wind industry trends in 2012. The…...

DOI rejects FAIR Act Citing Adverse Fiscal Impact

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,…...

House Panel Votes to Restrain Major EPA Rules

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 Examines Climate Change Impact on Energy Sector

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…...