The REV and CEF are anticipated to yield overall positive environmental impacts, primarily by reducing fossil fuel-based energy generation and supporting demand management, rate structures, electric vehicles, energy storage, and smart grid technologies. On February 6, 2015, the New York State Department of Public Service (DPS) released its Final Generic Environmental Impact Statement providing…...
Apple’s $848M power purchase agreement with First Solar could stimulate more corporate solar contracts, spurred by looming solar tax credit reductions. On February 10, 2015, First Solar Inc. announced that Apple has committed $848M to purchase 130 MW of clean energy from First Solar’s California Flats Solar Project under a 25-year power purchase agreement (PPA)…....
The House Energy and Power Subcommittee heard testimony from Secretary Moniz on the DOE FY 2016 budget request, which outlined $1+B in renewable energy program funding increases but a decrease to fossil energy research and development. On February 11, 2015, the House Energy and Power Subcommittee held a hearing on the Department of Energy’s (DOE)…...
California Senators Propose to Increase State’s Renewable Energy Targets in Support of Governor’s 50-50-50 Goal On February 10, 2015, California Democrat Senator Kevin de León publicly announced four bills as part of the California Climate Leadership bill package to support the state’s Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS) and establish objectives beyond its 2020 emissions reduction targets…....
A Wisconsin court decision rejecting restrictive net metering policies reflects the acknowledged need for state policies that encourage customer-sited electricity generation. Wisconsin is not a leading state for solar photovoltaic (PV) installations — its 19 MW of installed solar capacity ranks 27th in the country, paling in comparison to California’s 8.5+ GW, and Arizona’s nearly…...
Senators in the Environmental and Public Works Committee presented dueling cost-benefit arguments for the climate change mitigation proposal that split between Republicans and Democrats, despite widespread state opposition to the rule. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released the Clean Power Plan (CPP) proposal on June 2, 2014, to address greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) from existing…...
The Georgia House of Representatives has approved a bill that would enable customers to access free-market financing to invest in and install solar technologies on their property. On February 9, 2015, the Georgia House of Representatives unanimously approved the Solar Power Free-Market Financing Act of 2015 (HB 57) aimed to allow third party ownership (TPO)…...
The President’s Budget Leaves a Legacy of Clean Energy and Climate Change Mitigation Support The president’s budget provides strong support for clean energy and addressing climate change. The proposal would allocate substantial funding for clean energy and climate initiatives, while removing favorable tax deductions for the fossil fuel exploration and production (E&P) industry. The budget…...
The DOE’s new SunShot Program funding could help lower costs across the solar PV value chain to help remove barriers to entry and de-risk solar energy grid integration. On January 29, 2015, the Department of Energy (DOE) announced more than $59M in funding to expedite commercialization of innovative solar manufacturing technologies and support multi-year solar…...
Governor Cuomo’s 2015 Opportunity Agenda reiterates his commitment to early stage energy technology and grid resiliency investments. In his 2015 State of the State address on January 21, 2015, Governor Andrew M. Cuomo proposed significant initiatives to advance clean energy, environmental protection, and climate resilience efforts that support the Reforming the Energy Vision (REV) proceeding…....
EPA emissions rules and legislative actions will impact every aspect of the energy value chain in 2015 Key Takeaways: Policies impacting energy independence and associated environmental impacts are coming head-to-head at the federal level Legislators will aim to settle long-debated oil and gas infrastructure and export bills and will use legistive authorities to delay, defund,…...
In his State of the Union Address, the President made a forceful call for climate action, asserting that the U.S. will double its emissions reduction pace. In his State of the Union (SOTU) speech on January 20, 2015, President Obama made a resolute call for climate action, stating that no challenge poses a greater threat…...
