California Tries Again With 3 Landmark Clean Energy Bills. This Time Things Are Different

The energy landscape has changed and last year’s obstacles may have shifted for 100 percent clean energy, grid expansion and a storage program.

The road ahead looks clearer for clean energy bills that stalled in Sacramento last year.

California has championed clean energy and climate change mitigation, but legislators last year failed to pass SB 100, a 100 percent clean energy bill authored by Senate leader Kevin De León and supported by Governor Jerry Brown. The bill would increase the state's renewable energy goal to 60 percent by 2030, and require entirely carbon-free electricity by 2045.

State Renewable Energy Policy Developments - March Recap

Attacks on state renewable energy deployment policies continue in at least twenty-two states. However the news is not all bad with a near equal balance of states presenting opportunities to expand, strengthen or improve existing renewable energy policies. For fellow energy policy wonks out there, the North Carolina Solar Center posted this handy compendium of all state-level renewable and clean energy legislative developments taking place in 2013. Below is a brief March recap of the states where NRDC is actively defending, strengthening or improving policies to promote clean and renewable energy deployment.

A Late Christmas 'tax extender' gift for Renewable Energy

The US Senate's "fiscal cliff" package wasn't exactly eight maids a-milking--the traditional gift for the eighth day of Christmas--though it did apparently resolve the impending "milk cliff".  Of greater relevance, the "tax extender" portion of the American Taxpayer Relief Act of 2012 passed by both the Senate and House of Representatives represented a gift to renewable energy producers and developers worth around $18 billion. 

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.

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.

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.

A Progressive Carbon Tax Will Fight Climate Change and Stimulate the Economy

Superstorm Sandy. Massive droughts. Devastating tornadoes. Horrific wildfires. The United States has certainly seen the dramatic weather-related effects of climate change in 2012, and every American has in some way been negatively impacted. Unfortunately, unless we start taking action now to curb the greenhouse gas pollution that’s causing this extreme weather, things are only going to get worse. Depending on which actions we choose to take, this year will either be the new normal or it will be a glimpse into a future where conditions are much, much worse.

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.

Top Senate lawmakers see chance to revamp US energy policy

The United States needs to update its energy policy to reflect the boom in natural gas and oil production that has boosted manufacturing jobs, said the top Democrat on the Senate energy committee on Thursday.

Ron Wyden, who is in line to take over the panel's gavel in January, said he sees the opportunity for "transformative energy policy" to both spur jobs created by the newfound wealth of energy while also protecting air and water from pollution.

Germany must change its RE legislation to curb power price : RWE

Germany must change its renewable- energy legislation to curb power-price gains and guarantee security of supply, according to utility RWE AG (RWE) and European Union Energy Commissioner Guenther Oettinger.

Consumers can’t withstand more increases in electricity costs caused by the so-called EEG subsidy system, RWE Chief Executive Officer Peter Terium said today at a conference in Cologne. The system will also be unable to ensure supply security in the long term, he said.

California Congresswoman Capps joins in to pass renewable energy tax credits legislation

Congresswoman Lois Capps (CA-23) joined her colleagues in the Sustainable Energy and Environment Coalition (SEEC) on the floor of the House of Representatives urging the Speaker to immediately renew tax incentives for wind energy. The renewable energy Production Tax Credit (PTC) provides an income tax credit for each kilowatt-hour of electricity produced by a renewable energy source, including wind, and has been a key factor in the expansion of clean energy over the last decade.Unfortunately, the PTC is set to expire on December 31st of this year without Congressional action. A recent report from the U.S. Department of Energy highlighted the importance of extending the PTC to ensure growth in wind energy production and manufacturing.

Ruling clarifies EU members states' biofuels legislation obligation

On July 19, Advocate General Kokott[1] delivered an important Opinion clarifying EU Member States’ obligations in legislating with regard to biofuels, and in particular in establishing biofuels quotas.[2] According to the Opinion, biofuels quotas are only justifiable if they meet the five strict cumulative sustainability criteria laid down by the 2009 Fuel Directive, which notably governs the quality of petrol and diesel fuel and establishes a mechanism to monitor and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.[3] With 20 EU Member States having introduced biofuels quotas in their national legislations[4], the Opinion will undoubtedly have great impact. Indeed, if the interpretation is followed by the Court of Justice, it will bind all national Courts of the EU in which the same legal issue is raised.

New York Governor signs 3 bills to spur Solar PV

Aiming to create green jobs and make solar energy more affordable for homes and businesses, New York Governor Andrew Cuomo signed a series of bills into effect today, August 17.

Part and parcel of his administration’s NY-Sun initiative to foster solar and renewable energy development and growth across the state, Gov. Cuomo enacted legislation that introduces statewide tax credits for power purchase agreements (PPAs) and solar energy equipment, sales tax exemptions for commercial solar equipment, and an extension of the real property tax abatement for solar power installations in New York City, Capitol Confidential reported.

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.

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.”

Legislation introduced for renewable energy development on public land

On Thursday U.S. Congressmen Mike Thompson (D-CA) and Paul Gosar (R-AZ) introduced H.R. 6154, The Public Lands Renewable Energy Development Act, bipartisan 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.”

Former Colorado governor criticizes lack of federal policy

Colorado, which now has the most solar jobs per capita in the country, quickly became a leader in renewable energy—wind and solar—over a short period. That’s largely because the legislature, working with former Gov. Bill Ritter (D) enacted legislation that build on the state’s plentiful renewable energy resources.

While explaining how Colorado’s policies allowed it to become such a big market for solar at the SunShot Grand Challenge, Ritter critized Congress for failing to enact renewable energy legislation that strengthen the industries across the country.

New tax break strategy for green energy

If you can't beat Big Oil, join 'em. That's part of a pragmatic new green energy strategy that seeks tax breaks for renewable power that were once limited to fossil fuels and biofuels.

Energy experts view the effort as a realistic approach to Congress' partisan gridlock. Demands to kill all tax subsidies for oil, gas and coal are out. Attempts to extend those subsidies throughout the entire energy industry are in.

Bill introduced to spur green energy

A freshman U.S. Democratic senator thinks he may have found a way to encourage investment in wind, solar and biofuel projects without sapping too many taxpayer dollars or injecting new venom into a bitter partisan battle over energy incentives.

Chris Coons introduced legislation on Thursday that would allow a broad range of renewable power generation and transmission projects to qualify for a tax structure used widely by pipeline and other energy-related companies.

Mexico signs Climate Change law

Mexican President Felipe Calderon has signed into law climate change legislation that will bind the country to significant cuts in greenhouse gas emissions and increase the use of renewable energies within the next few decades.

"With the legislation I signed, Mexico becomes the first developing country with a comprehensive law against climate change," Mr. Calderon posted on his Twitter account Tuesday.