Landmark California Climate Law Directs Electric Utilities to Displace Oil Companies

Within 15 years, California will generate at least half of its electricity from renewable resources and double savings from energy efficiency gains, two milestones included in Senate Bill (SB) 350. News coverage of this bill prior to its passage overlooked these monumental targets and focused on the oil companies' unsightly lobbying to remove a petroleum reduction goal from the bill. Meanwhile, few have noticed the provisions of Senator de León's legislation that make replacing oil as the dominant transportation fuel a core mission of the electric industry -- allowing Californians to "fill up" at home on cleaner electricity that's the cost equivalent of dollar-a-gallon gas.

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

Branstad Signs Biofuels Bill into Iowa Law

Gov. Terry Branstad traveled to the POET Bio-refining facility in Coon Rapids Wednesday to sign legislation into law that promotes the development of bio-butanol and bio-butanol blended gasoline.

Senate File 2344 also modifies the rate of the E-15 promotion tax credit and extends provisions for the biodiesel production refund. Backers say the bill will strengthen and diversify Iowa’s leadership position in the area of biofuels.

“Iowa is a biofuels leader in this country and having states step to the plate with legislation supporting America’s Advanced Biofuel, biodiesel, is a win for our industry,” said Steven J. Levy, chairman of the National Biodiesel Board. “Our champions in Iowa have shown that hard work to grow this still-young industry pays off.”

Blumenauer and CPC Call for Extending the Renewable Energy Production Tax Credit

Office of the House of Representative Earl Blumenauer, U.S Government has issued the following news release:

Members of the Congressional Progressive Caucus (CPC) Energy & Environment Task Force announced today that the CPC is endorsing The American Renewable Energy Production Tax Credit Extension Act of 2011( H.R. 3307).

This bipartisan bill, cosponsored by CPC member Earl Blumenauer (D-OR), would extend the Production Tax Credit (PTC) for renewable energy through 2016. PTC provides incentives to invest in wind, geothermal, hydropower and other energy projects. The current law is set to expire on January 1, 2013, and without the extension renewable energy projects could soon be at a standstill. Thousands of jobs are already threatened by the looming deadline.

Brighter Horizon for Biofuels

The biofuel industry breathed a big sigh of relief last month when the EPA declined several governors’ petitions to waive the Renewable Fuel Standard. Then, after a herculean group effort, the industry and other interests stood and cheered as the Senate voted last week to clear the path for the Department of Defense to take a leadership role in opening markets for new advanced biofuels.

Additional regulatory and Congressional actions may give the industry even further cause for celebration in the next few weeks and months. After meeting a number of challenges, the biofuels industry’s cohesive, unified efforts are paying off. The industry needs to continue to support efforts, such as Fuels America, in order to fend off biofuels opponents and detractors.

How Obama and Congress Could Find Common Ground on Energy

Despite divided government, the partisan impasse may be about to end on energy policy. The key lies in a grand bargain.

In 2008, Barack Obama campaigned for the White House on the promise that he would pass a sweeping energy and climate-change law and move the country from dependence on fossil fuels to clean, renewable energy that reduced carbon pollution and addressed global warming. In his first term, Obama inched in that direction: The president rolled out regulations to reduce pollution from tailpipes and coal plants, and his stimulus program pumped $40 billion into clean-energy development.

10 Significant State Policies for Distributed Solar Energy

California and New Jersey receive frequent coverage for the state policies that have helped them claim and hold onto the first and second spots, respectively, for US solar energy installations.

But there are other state programs worthy of emulation especially as smaller residential and commercial projects account for more US clean energy capacity.

What has policy brought us in California?

Government support for renewable energy is a subject of national debate. In particular, many are scrutinizing the Federal Production Tax Credit for wind energy -- absent legislative action, it expires in December.

Policymakers across the political spectrum are asking questions like "has government support of renewable projects been effective?" and "should government support be continued or scrapped?" Investors in renewable energy are similarly interested in how policies can best provide stable support to help the industry mature.

New CEAA Act to change Canadian RE Industries

The environmental assessment is a staple in the process of getting industrial energy projects approved and onto the construction phase. Whether the project is for a traditional or renewable energy source, or an addition to the transmission grid, projects must be reviewed by a governmental regulatory entity to make sure the addition to the area’s energy portfolio won’t have any adverse environmental impacts. The law by which this process is regulated in Canada is the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act (CEAA). The first version of this act was enacted in 1992, shortly followed by the establishment of the Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency, which is responsible for carrying out the assessments.

Massachusetts launches regional RE resolution

The following information was released by the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs (Massachusetts):

Governor Deval Patrick today proposed a resolution at the New England Governor's Conference that passed unanimously and will advance the process towards a coordinated regional procurement of renewable energy. Assistant Secretary of Energy Steven Clarke presented the proposal at the Burlington, Vermont conference on the Governor's behalf.

Public Lands bill will create more jobs and reduce deficit

U.S. Congressmen Mike Thompson (D-CA) and Paul Gosar (R-AZ) recently introduced H.R. 6154, The Public Lands Renewable Energy Development Act, bi-partisan legislation that streamlines permitting for renewable energy projects on public lands.

”By streamlining renewable energy projects on public lands, we can reduce our dependency on foreign oil and put Californians back to work,” said Thompson. “This bill is good for our economy, our national security and our environment. It will spur job growth, grow our energy sector, support conservation and help us pay down our deficit.”

”Western states like Arizona contain millions of acres of public lands that are suitable for economic development, but bureaucracy is standing in the way,” said Gosar. “As a true supporter of an all-of-the-above energy approach, I am putting forth these common sense reforms to expand renewable energy production. We can get rural Arizona back on track by facilitating job creation, protecting recreational and tourism areas, and paying down our country’s deficit.”

Michigan Energy Michigan jobs pushes for RE measure

Supporters of a Michigan ballot measure that would require utilities to get more of their electricity from renewable sources submitted more than a half-million petition signatures to the secretary of state’s office, they announced Friday.

The Michigan Energy Michigan Jobs coalition pushing the measure said it turned in 530,000 signatures, well above the approximately 323,000 required to put a proposal on the November ballot.

The proposal would require more than 80 electricity suppliers statewide to obtain 25 percent of their power from wind, solar, biomass or hydro power by 2025. The current requirement, passed in 2008 as part of a rewrite of Michigan’s energy law, requires they get 10 percent from renewable sources by 2015.

Malaysia drafts renewable energy efficiency law

Laws are being drafted for renewable and efficient energy to be implemented by the various industries by 2014 said Energy, Green Technology and Water Ministry's Secretary-General Datuk Loo Took Gee.

She said that discussions were currently underway with stakeholders and industry players before the Energy Efficiency Bill is tabled in Parliament.

"The law will be looking at the use of renewable and efficient energy by the industries including the construction sector," she told reporters after officiating the two-day 3rd Tropical Subtropical Green Building Alliance Conference here on Wednesday.

Legacy Biomass Law Takes Effect

Legislation to amend the Clean Energy Initiative will take effect today and the bill’s prime sponsor says it represents a compromise which safeguards the environment and rural jobs.

“Legacy biomass is as much about protecting jobs as it is about protecting the environment,” said Sen. Brian Hatfield, D-Raymond, chair of the Senate Agriculture, Water & Rural Economic Development committee.

California Assembly passes FiT bill for disadvantaged communities

On May 30th, 2012 the California Assembly passed a bill to create a feed-in tariff (FiT) system specifically for disadvantaged communities in the state. The bill still needs the approval of the California Senate and California Governor Jerry Brown to become law.

AB 1990, the "Solar for All" bill, would create a FiT system with a project size cap of 500 kW, minimum 20-year contracts, and program cap of 375 MW by 2020. A number of program details, including rates, will be determined by the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) and local utilities.

UK policy will fail to reach carbon targets, says IEA

The U.K.’s energy policies may fail to deliver nuclear power and renewables needed for the nation to meet its goals for reducing greenhouse gases, the International Energy Agency said. 

Britain’s new electricity generation capacity is coming mainly from natural gas fired plants, the Paris-based agency, which advises 28 nations, said today in a report. The government should spur an “efficient mix of new, cleaner generation, more efficient use of existing infrastructure and more flexible demand,” the IEA said.

Jordan's parliament adopts energy efficiency law

Arwa reported on last week’s parliamentary vote to shelve Jordan’s first nuclear reactor. Exploratory mining for uranium was also stopped. The program will surely resurrect once new feasibility analyses are complete, but against a backdrop of a pressurized economy, scarce water sources and corruption investigations, success is anyone’s guess.

The time is now for Jordan’s renewable proponents to demonstrate the viability of alternative energy. Take a page from regional legend David and Goliath, and slay the nuclear beast.

Power policies needed to help promote renewable energy

Renewable energy needs help. Technological innovation has significantly reduced the cost of solar panels, wind turbines and other equipment, but renewable energy still needs serious subsidies to compete with conventional energy. Today, help comes mostly in the form of federal tax breaks.

These tax incentives, and the Congressional battle over extending them for wind projects beyond the end of this year, mean that other, more powerful policies to promote renewables are not getting the attention they deserve.