New Alternative Energy Law Will Also Benefit Judea and Samaria

Justice Minister Ayelet Shaked: It should be clear already that residents of Judea and Samaria are equal to all other citizens.

The Knesset Legislation Committee approved a bill that, if passed, would encourage investment in renewable energy by granting tax breaks to suppliers of electricity that is generated from alternative sources of energy.

As per the instruction of Justice Minister Ayelet Shaked, the new law will also apply to suppliers in Judea and Samaria.

The More People Know Solar, Use, Support Grow in South Carolina

THE ISSUE: Solar energy and environmental consciousness; OUR OPINION: Claflin is a major energy user already making use of sun’s energy

An abundant supply of energy and the systems to deliver are facts of life for which South Carolinians and Americans can be thankful.

But just as conserving energy and finding alternative sources are important when it comes to fueling the the way we travel, so too is looking at conservation and alternatives in residential and commercial power.

A recent poll shows that 73 percent of South Carolina voters want to see more rooftop solar energy deployed in the Palmetto State. The public support for rooftop solar is consistent with the state Legislature’s unanimous vote in favor of a landmark solar energy law passed earlier this year.

The research team of Wenzel Strategies surveyed 606 voters in South Carolina from Oct 9-10. In addition to indicating strong support for a growing rooftop solar market, other key findings include:

* 75 percent of respondents expressed overwhelming support for solar energy being an important part of providing energy choice and competition in the electricity market.

* 85 percent of respondents believe they should “have the right to choose where (their) energy comes from.”

* 92 percent of respondents believe consumers who invest in solar should not be required to pay an additional fee to their power company.

Complementary to this poll is a recent study from Mississippi indicating that the solar opportunity for South Carolina is even better than the state Legislature envisioned. This study, conducted for the Mississippi Public Service Commission, found that rooftop solar can put downward pressure on everyone’s electricity rates and deliver a financial benefit to all ratepayers.

Mississippi’s study looked at solar net metering, a program that South Carolina’s investor-owned utilities offer today. Net metering allows customers who invest in rooftop solar to get full retail credit for the excess power they put back on the grid. The utility takes that electricity and sells it to neighboring homes and businesses at the retail rate.

South Carolina’s new solar law includes provisions to further expand and improve the state’s current net metering program. As indicated by the study in Mississippi, this is a financial benefit to all South Carolinians.

The potential for solar is not being lost on major energy users right here in Orangeburg.

As part of a new sustainability initiative to promote recycling and energy saving, Claflin University is using solar energy.

Solar panels are located on three buildings on campus: Kleist Hall, Corson Hall and the dining hall. The panels are strategically located to absorb the most sunlight and provide energy to heat the water in the buildings (used for showers, washing machines and washing dishes).

Complementing the alternative energy source, Claflin is also placing emphasis on reducing overall power use. Energy-saving contests are being planned within residence halls. Meters will be used to see who is using the least amount of energy.

In related developments, Claflin has also expanded recycling efforts and is decreasing food waste through the use of a “bio-digester” in its dining hall. The machine, about the size of an office desk, exposes waste food to enzymes that break the food down to gray water. The gray water goes down the drain and into the wastewater system.

Giving the entire sustainability initiative a high profile is the goal of Rodney Hudson, director of auxiliary services at the university. Hudson has the type of passion for the efforts, from solar energy to recycling to individuals’ lifestyles, that can help build enthusiasm and knowledge in others

.

As he told The Panther, Claflin’s student newspaper:

“Sustainability touches everything we do. We’re setting an example on college campuses on how we should conduct ourselves in other places of the world. Sustainability is not just putting a can in the garbage. Sustainability is our environment changing drastically, because of things that we have done. Let’s implement a culture that sustains itself. It is one of those causes where you can make a difference.”

Source

One Paragraph in One Bill Could Shut Down Alternative Energy in Ohio

Critics say the energy standards freeze includes a 'nuclear bomb' for investors.

Advocates for alternative energy are voicing their opinion on a provision that was slipped into the most recent version of the energy standards freeze bill. As Statehouse correspondent Andy Chow reports, they fear it could dramatically change the energy landscape in Ohio.

Experts say a clause in the energy bill would deliver a major blow to alternative energy investment in Ohio.

Ukraine's Cabinet Stimulates Alternative Energy Production

Following the request Prime Minister Mykola Azarov First Deputy Prime Minister Serhiy Arbuzov, the Ministry of Economic Development and Trade has prepared a bill to improve the mechanism of stimulating the production of electricity from alternative energy sources, the Information-Analytical Bulletin of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine informs.

This measure introduces amendments to the Law of Ukraine "On electric power industry" and reduces the size of the "local" component in establishing of the "green" tariff for renewable energy facilities from 50% to 25%.

Draft law "On Alternative Energy Sources" Being Prepared in Uzbekistan

The Ministry of the Economy of Uzbekistan, Academy of Sciences and Uzbekenrgo State Joint-Stock Company (SJSC) will conclude the development of the project on draft law "On Alternative Energy Sources" by the end of June, a source in the government circles of Uzbekistan told Trend on Friday.

According to the source, a bill, aimed at regulating relations in the sphere of production and use of alternative energy sources, must be submitted to the government in early July and to the parliament of Uzbekistan in September.

Arizona Governor signs two new solar energy friendly legislations into law this week

Arizona is set to become friendlier to solar energy as Governor Jan Brewer signs two new legislations into law this week. The state boasts of a large amount of solar energy capacity that has, until very recently, been untapped. Solar energy advocates have been working to promote the power for several years, but initiatives to progress the alternative energy have long been stunted by legislative complications. This week, however, Governor Brewer signed two solar-friendly bills into law that could make Arizona one of the leaders in solar power.

California could be set for an alternative energy Gold Rush with new bill

California legislators are considering a new bill that could mean a major financial boost in alternative energy throughout the state. The bill would allow cities to create “Renewable Energy Zones,” which would not be subject to voter approval. In these zones, alternative energy projects would be funded by property tax revenue. City officials would determine how much of this property tax goes toward alternative energy projects and how much would be used for its original purpose.

Maine: LePage unveils four energy bills

Gov. Paul LePage has unveiled four pieces of legislation aimed at reducing energy costs and expanding options for Mainers. In a press release, LePage said the bills would also help entice more business creation in Maine.

The four pieces of legislation are:

• An Act to Lower the Price of Electricity for Maine Consumers, which would remove the 100-megawatt cap for qualifying renewable generation, specifically hydro power. Currently, hydro power under 100 megawatts is considered renewable, but hydro power above that limit is not. The move would help lower rates, according to the governor.

Renewables hope to avoid Dodd Frank regulations

By: Rick Umoff,

Cleantech Law Partners

What do the 2008 financial crisis, the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (“CFTC”), and renewable energy have in common? More than you might think. In July 2010, the CFTC was granted expanded authority under the Dodd Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (“Dodd Frank”) to regulate the risky transactions thought to be at the heart of the financial crisis.[i] These transactions, including credit default swaps, collateralized mortgage obligations, and other derivatives labeled “swaps,” will be subject to a new regulatory regime. In its Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, the CFTC asked renewable energy stakeholders to comment on whether environmental commodities, such as renewable energy certificates and carbon offsets, should be regulated as swaps.[ii]

Jamaica energy minister says can’t afford light bill, switching to solar

Stating that he could no longer afford the high cost of electricity provided by the Jamaica Public Service Company (JPS), Minister of Mining and Energy Phillip Paulwell said he was now installing a solar-energy system at his home and he urged Jamaicans to do the same.

“As the minister of energy, I am going to incorporate renewable energy at my home. And if every single person look at how much you spend, and put aside that money to pay for a solar system, in seven to 10 years, you would have paid for it, and then, thereafter, the cost you derive from that is zero,” he said.

Addressing the People’s National Party (PNP) Region Three meeting of its Regional Executive Council yesterday at the Pembroke Hall High School in North West St Andrew, Paulwell said it was an essential investment and urged Jamaicans to take up the solar-energy system loan being offered by the National Housing Trust (NHT).

Utah: Bill seeks up to 75 percent tax credit for alternative energy

A Utah Senate committee approved a bill Friday that would specify state tax credits for alternative-energy producers and shift the program to the new Office of Energy Development.

SB65, sponsored by Sen. Stuart Adams, R-Layton, would award credits starting at 20 percent and going up to 75 percent for 20 to 30 years, depending on the duration of a project’s energy production. It would apply to everything from renewables to oil shale, tar sands and nuclear.

Ohio: Jordan wants to scrap energy benchmarks

State Sen. Kris Jordan, R- Powell, testified last week on a proposal to eliminate benchmarks designed to encourage the use of alternative energy in Ohio.

His proposed legislation would repeal Ohio's Alternative Energy Portfolio Standard, which requires 25 percent of the state's energy to come from advanced and renewable resources by 2025.

West Virginia: House GOP to fire back at W.Va. “cap-and-trade” bill

One of the major legislative priorities for state Republican delegates this year will be the repeal of former Gov. Joe Manchin's alternative and renewable energy portfolio standard.

GOP representatives have introduced a bill repealing all but the legislative findings of the Alternative and Renewable Energy Portfolio Standard. The bill was originally introduced by Manchin in his 2009 State of the State Address.

Virginia: House GOP introduces job-creation agenda

The House Republican Caucus today unveiled their job creation agenda, a package of bills aimed at helping businesses secure capital, promoting research and development, extending tax breaks for start-ups and requiring competitive bidding on transportation projects.

The news conference, a new weekly meeting of the caucus's policy work group, highlighted four pieces of legislation:

House Bill 714, sponsored by Del. Terry G. Kilgore, R-Scott, would extend by two years the major business facility job tax credit set to expire at the end of the year.

Pakistan: Alternative energy policy to attract investment

The Federal Minister for Water and Power Syed Naveed Qamar has said that the new Alternative and Renewable Energy policy (ARE 2011) will supplement government’s open door initiatives for attracting investors in this sector, a statement said on Friday.

“The government is targeting fast track development of renewable energy projects through private investment,” Qamar said, while presiding over the 21st board meeting of Alternative Energy Development Board (AEDB) the statement said.

Azerbaijan’s Cabinet to receive alternative energy bill before end of 2011

The State Agency for Renewable & Alternative Energy Sources under the Ministry of Industry & Energy Ministry is preparing a package of legislative initiatives.

Agency’s deputy director Jamil Melikov has stated that they are preparing the amendments to existing laws and a new law on alternative energy.

"The new bill has been already drafted. An expert group on its revision has been formed. The bill was once submitted for consideration of the MIE, and until the end of 2011 we expect to submit it to the Cabinet Ministers," Melikov said.