Renewable energy law could be adopted this month in Poland

Poland’s new renewable energy law is expected to be adopted by the government by the end of March. However, due to the EC notification process, it is not anticipated to enter into force until mid-2014. Meanwhile, mandatory certification for imported biomass has been suggested.

In the coming days, Poland’s Ministry of Economy is scheduled to present a revised bill for renewable energy funding to the Cabinet. Following the adoption of the draft law by the Cabinet – expected by the end of March – it will be sent to Parliament, where only minor changes should be made.

RWE's Renewables Unit Calls For More Reform of German Energy Policy

Germany urgently needs to press ahead with reforming its energy market, but a series of elections, including general elections in the autumn, could mean standstill for much of 2013, said utility RWE AG's (RWE.XE) renewable energies chief Thursday.

Speaking to journalists at the company's head office in Essen, Hans Buenting, managing director of RWE Innogy GmbH, said that the government's top priority in terms of energy policy this year should be a reform of the renewable energies law to help contain the spiraling costs of subsidizing "green" technologies like wind and solar power.

Parliament adopts law increasing 'local content' for renewable energy plants

In an Oct. 16 interview with the Kyiv Post, Mykola Romaniuk, the pro-presidential Party of Regions lawmaker who proposed the law, argued the bill would stimulate the development of the renewable energy sector in Ukraine.

But the draft law was amended before the second reading. Initially, the law stipulated that all wind farms launched after Jan. 1, 2013 will have to have 30 percent of local content and those launched from Jan. 1, 2014 should have at least 50 percent of domestic goods and services used to develop their facilities.

Yanukovych signs law on change in rules on renewable energy market in Ukraine

Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych has signed law No. 5485-VI, which considerably changes the conditions of operation on the renewable energy market in Ukraine.

Corresponding bill No. 10183 on changes in the law of Ukraine on electricity (in part of incentives for electricity generation from alternative energy sources) was passed by parliament at second reading on November 20, 2012.

Renewable energy laws in cross-hairs of conservative groups

Renewable energy advocates made an unsuccessful push last year to expand Missouri’s green power law and help lessen the state’s dependence on fossil fuels.

But the same groups may spend 2013 on defense, working to fend off a movement among conservative groups such as the Heartland Institute and Grover Norquist’s Americans for Tax Reform that seek to dismantle such mandates across the country.

Their tool for doing so is the American Legislative Exchange Council, a corporate-backed group of mostly Republican state legislators, that adopted model legislation this fall — a blueprint for members to use to repeal renewable energy laws in their home states.

Parliament adopts law increasing 'local content' for renewable energy plants

In an Oct. 16 interview with the Kyiv Post, Mykola Romaniuk, the pro-presidential Party of Regions lawmaker who proposed the law, argued the bill would stimulate the development of the renewable energy sector in Ukraine.

But the draft law was amended before the second reading. Initially, the law stipulated that all wind farms launched after Jan. 1, 2013 will have to have 30 percent of local content and those launched from Jan. 1, 2014 should have at least 50 percent of domestic goods and services used to develop their facilities.

Key offshore wind liability law is passed by German Bundestag

Germany’s Bundestag, the lower house of parliament, on Thursday approved a law intended to jump-start the country’s stalled offshore wind industry, with the upper house Bundesrat now the only remaining obstacle.

The Bundesrat is expected to vote on the law on 14 December, with industry sources optimistic that it will pass.

Only several weeks ago it was unclear whether parliament would have time for the law before the end of the year, and its passage would end a challenging 2012 for the German offshore wind industry on a high note.

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.

German Law Gave Citizens a Stake in Clean Energy Switch

"What an eyesore, huh?" the man standing next to me on the beach said, nodding in the direction of a little girl flying a kite. The man, in his mid-40s, seemed to enjoy my confusion. He waited a beat before pointing beyond the girl, far out into the Baltic Sea. "There," he said, smiling to make sure I understood his sarcasm. "The 'ugly' wind farm."

Staring hard, it was barely possible to make out the turbines on the horizon. Ten miles from shore, the Baltic 1 Wind Farm seemed as small and insubstantial as the scruffy grass along the coast. But, in fact, each of the nearly two dozen turbines is as tall as a 27-story building and has fiberglass epoxy blades nearly 150 feet long. Work has already begun on wind farms with even larger turbines that will generate twice the power of those at Baltic 1, enough to supply 250,000 households with electricity.

Geothermal heat pump bill signed into law

CaliforniaGeo applauds Governor Brown’s recent signing of AB 2339 (Williams) Energy Geothermal Technologies, into law on September 27, 2012 directing the California Energy Commission to lead an evaluation of policies and implementation strategies to promote widespread deployment of geothermal heat pump and geothermal ground loop technologies as a key component of a clean California energy future. AB 2339 is part of California’s renewed emphasis on a technology that has long been called the most effective method of heating and cooling buildings.

German Environment Minister plans to reform Renewable Energy Act

With a focus already on federal elections in September 2013, German Environment Minister Peter Altmaier wants to push a common legislative initiative with the goal to limit steadily rising energy costs for consumers and to better coordinate the further expansion of renewables in Germany. In a paper presented today, he proposes to reform the current renewable energy act (EEG). This, according to the minister, should be done in a transparent process by hearing stakeholders as well as the 16 Laender.

New UK Energy Minister promises energy bill into law

In his first statement as the UK’s new Energy Minister, John Hayes has pledged to bring the Coalition’s controversial Energy Bill into law.

But industry groups cautioned that Hayes, as a surprise replacement for Charles Hendry who has been closely involved in the bill, will have to get up to speed quickly with its details to ensure there are no further delays.

How good is the new Poland law?

In the interview published by wnp.pl, member of the management board at RWE Renewables Robert Macias suggests that a transitional period should be applied for the renewable energy projects which are currently being carried out in Poland. Large part of the projects had been commenced before the enactment of the new regulations on support for renewable energy sources. Many are also not likely to be completed before 1 January 2013, when the amended law on RES will come into force.

Gov. Deval Patrick signs energy bill into law

This week, Beacon Hill Roll Call records local representatives' votes on five roll calls and senators' votes on two roll calls from recent legislative sessions.

Changes in the State's energy laws (S 2395): House 149-6, Senate 38-0, approved and Gov. Deval Patrick signed into law a bill aimed at reducing the high cost of electricity in Massachusetts and creating more competition.

Utility proposal to New Jersey solar bill

New Jersey's PSE&G will request permission to allocate $883 million dollars of additional investment to solar power, CEO Ralph Izzo announced on Tuesday. The money would more than double the utility's current $700 million commitment to the solar sector and would be used to create an additional 233 megawatts of capacity in the state. The proposal represents a 28% increase in New Jersey's current solar capacity.

Massachusetts energy act raises solar net-metering cap

Gov. Deval Patrick, D-Mass., has signed into law the 2012 Energy Act, a comprehensive energy bill that includes several solar-friendly provisions.

The Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) praised the legislation, noting that, among other provisions, it increases Massachusetts' cap on solar net metering. A previous law, passed in 2008, required the state's major electric utilities to make net metering available to customers until the total program capacity reached 3% of the utility's peak demand.

Utilities on track to meet RE goals: California Public Utilities Commission

The California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) announced today that the state's largest utilities have met interim goals for renewable energy development mandated by state law, and are well on their way to getting a third of their power from non-fossil fuels by 2020. (Full Report)

The state's Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS) law requires that most providers of retail electrical power must average 20% renewable energy in the power they sell customers between 2011 and 2013, and 25% between 2014 and 2016. The CPUC says today that the state's three largest investor-owned utilities may well have met that interim goal.

Energy and economic development measures become a law

Gov. Neil Abercrombie has signed into law bills that are aimed to move Hawaii forward in reducing its dependence on imported oil.

Two of the measures enacted are Senate Bills 2785 and 2787, which were among the governor’s priority bills this past session.

“I want to thank the Legislature for recognizing the commitment that is needed to act now to move ahead with renewable energy projects that will benefit the State of Hawaii,” Abercrombie said. “These measures are critical in addressing our sustainability. We must view our islands as interdependent and remain open to all renewable projects. My Administration is seeking long-term infrastructure investments that ensure our electric grids are stable, reliable and modern enough to integrate all available alternative and renewable energy technologies.”

Proposed Delaware bill to make energy efficiency a state renewable energy purchase requirement

Electric utilities in Delaware would be able to count energy efficiency toward their state renewable energy purchase requirements, under a bill under consideration in the General Assembly.

The bill would also allow Delmarva Power to offer energy efficiency programs to residents and businesses. It is largely restricted from doing so under current law, which assigns the Sustainable Energy Utility that responsibility.

New Jersey revives solar with a new law

New Jersey has passed a law that requires companies to purchase more solar energy, it has been announced. According to the bill, companies have to obtain 2.05% of their total energy from solar in the energy year (EY) 2014 under the new renewable portfolio standard. After that, the amount of solar energy required will be raised every year to 4.10% by 2028.

At the moment the amount of renewable energy companies are required to purchase is measured in GW as opposed to percentages; the bill further includes a lower cap on the prices for the Solar Renewable Energy Certificate (SREC). In passing the new bill, the New Jersey State legislature hopes to revive the solar industry in the state. The bill now has to be approved by Governor Chris Christie.

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