A new Presidential Memorandum directs federal agencies to incorporate the Green Button energy management tool for secure access and transmission of energy consumption data. On December 5, 2013, President Obama issued a Presidential Memorandum on “Federal Leadership on Energy Management,” directing federal agencies to meet 20 percent of their electricity requirements from renewable sources by…
New set-top box efficiency standards are expected to save more than $1B on annual consumer energy bills. On December 23, 2013, the Department of Energy (DOE) announced non-regulatory efficiency standards to improve pay-television set-top box efficiency by 10 to 45 percent by 2017. The agreement, developed in coordination with the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC),…
EIA’s latest Annual Energy Outlook (AEO) projects a 56 percent increase in natural gas production by 2040, overtaking coal as the largest share of U.S. electric power generation. On December 16, 2013, the Energy Information Administration (EIA) released the AEO 2014 Early Release Overview presenting updated projections for U.S. energy markets through 2040. The AEO…
New York State has won the “Deal of the Year for Small Issuer Financing” award for its innovative residential energy efficiency financing through revenue bonds. On December 6, 2013, the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) and Environmental Facilities Corp. (EFC) announced the award of “Deal of the Year for Small Issuer…
The DOE and HUD expanded the Better Buildings Challenge to include multifamily housing and launched Better Buildings Accelerators to support government-led energy efficiency efforts. On December 3, 2013, the Department of Energy (DOE) and the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) announced the expansion of the Better Buildings Challenge to multifamily housing units. DOE…
In the previous three months, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) has provided preliminary exclusion from federal regulations to 16 different hydropower projects, facilitating growth in renewable electricity generation and providing access for new hydroelectric markets. Overview President Obama signed the Hydropower Regulatory Efficiency Act of 2013 (H.R. 267) in August 2013 to facilitate hydroelectric…
Governor Andrew Cuomo today announced an award of $4.8 million for innovative advanced technology projects reducing energy consumption in buildings throughout New York State. Today’s award of $4.8 million is the second of six rounds of funding released under New York State Energy Research and Development Authority’s (NYSERDA) Advanced Buildings Program. NYSERDA will provide $25…
The BLM has approved the majority of a 990-mile high-voltage transmission line in Wyoming and Idaho, facilitating a stronger Western grid with more renewable energy integration. On November 12, 2013, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) announced approval for eight segments of the proposed 10-segment Gateway West Transmission Line that could deliver up to 1,500…
The American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy’s (ACEEE) annual State Energy Efficiency Scorecard shows increasing state adoption of energy efficiency measures to save energy costs, spur innovation, and promote growth. On November 6, 2013, ACEEE released its 2013 State Energy Efficiency Scorecard report, ranking states on energy efficiency policy and program efforts, and providing…
A new analysis shows that California needs significant policy and technology changes to meet its 2050 GHG reduction target. On November 4, 2013, the Department of Energy’s Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory released a report analyzing the impact of existing policies and technologies on California’s Greenhouse Gas (GHG) reduction targets. The state’s GHG reduction initiatives aim to reduce…
On September 23, the EPA updated its 2012 New Source Performance Standards (NSPS) and National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants (NESHAP) rule, which indirectly regulates fugitive methane emissions at the production phase of oil and natural gas development. Data from the rule will determine whether the EPA will directly regulate methane from oil and…
Florida has approved contracts to build its third natural gas pipeline – from Southwest Alabama to South Florida. On October 24, 2013, the Florida Public Service Commission (PSC) approved Florida Power & Light’s (FPL) prudence review request for contracts to construct a $3.5B, 591-mile, interstate natural gas pipeline. PSC determined that the pipeline will provide…
