BILL WANTS 80% OF NJ’S POWER TO COME FROM RENEWABLE SOURCES BY 2050

Aggressive energy goals draw the ire of large manufacturers, questions and concerns from Rate Counsel

The idea that 80 percent of the state’s electricity could be produced from renewable energy by 2050 drew withering criticism from consumer advocates and business interests yesterday during an initial hearing on a bill to establish that target.

Chilean Senate Approves Bill Calling For 20% Renewable Energy, With Changes

The upper house of Chile's parliament has approved a bill to require that utilities source 20% of their power from “unconventional” renewable energy, with changes that including a move of the target date to from 2020 to 2025, and the introduction of a price cap in the bidding system.

These changes were introduced in the lower house of parliament in June 2013, after negotiations with Chilean Minister of Energy Jorge Bunster. The bill is now ready to be submitted for enactment into law.

Connecticut State House of Reps Passes Renewable Energy Bill

The state House of Representatives approved a bill to revise Connecticut’s renewable energy standards, but not before amending the Senate-passed bill to make it tougher for the state to procure energy from large-scale hydropower sources to meet those standards.

Colorado Renewable Energy Bill Gets Attention in Advertising, Court

Legislation at the center of a radio and newspaper campaign urging the governor's veto also eliminates an incentive for using renewable energy generated in Colorado.

A pending federal lawsuit filed in 2011 challenged the constitutionality of the incentive. Senate Bill 252 - if signed by the still-undecided governor - would eliminate that incentive beginning in 2015.

GOP Fighting Over Renewable Energy Bill, While McCrory touting renewables conference

The bill to end subsidies and the requirement that power companies develop alternative energy sources that is working its way through a divided GOP in the state House has an interesting future ahead of it -- especially since the governor's commerce secretary is promoting a renewables conference.

Vermont renewable energy bill gets last-minute overhaul

It was do or die for the energy bill on Wednesday. After a fight on the Senate floor over the House proposal to expand the buildout of renewable energy projects over the next 10 years, the legislation was on life support by Tuesday night.

The options? The legislation would either pass, die in committee or delay the end of the session.

Wednesday morning a whirlwind of closed door meetings in the governor’s ceremonial office, cursory committee testimony and whisperings in hallway ensued.

Kentucky: House hearing scheduled for clean energy legislation

A bill that would require a certain percentage of the state’s energy to come from renewable sources is scheduled for a hearing in the Kentucky House of Representatives. The bill has little chance of passage this late in the session, but its advocates are hoping to set the stage for next year.

House Bill 167—the Clean Energy Opportunity Act—would gradually increase the percentage of Kentucky’s energy that’s from renewable sources. Right now, about 94 percent of the state’s energy comes from coal. If the bill ever becomes law, that will have to change and at least 12.5 percent of the commonwealth’s energy will have to come from renewable sources within ten years.

Washington state plan expands renewable energy law

Washington Gov. Chris Gregoire on Wednesday signed a bill that for the first time broadens the definition of renewable energy.

The measure makes electricity produced from older biomass facilities, such as pulp mills, eligible for the state's renewable energy mandate. Supporters say it will benefit rural communities and a struggling timber industry.

Since voters approved Initiative 937 in 2006, there have been numerous attempts by lawmakers, utilities and industry to expand what qualifies as a renewable energy source.

The law requires nearly a third of the state's utilities, those with at least 25,000 customers, to build toward getting 15 percent of their power from wind, solar, geothermal and certain woody biomass by 2020.

Arizona Democrats push renewable energy bill

Give money to schools to install solar panels on their roofs. Eliminate extra paperwork for homeowners seeking to install panels on their roofs. Endorse a plan that encourages utilities to invest in the state’s renewable energy industry. These are just a few proposals from House Democrats who have either designed or revived initiatives this session to promote renewable energy, despite anticipated opposition from Republicans.

Montana: County commissioners support Public Lands Renewable Energy Act

In addressing our country’s debt crisis, the President and Congress need look no further than the great state of Montana. Our diversified economy must be a marvel to behold in states that are making desperate attempts to balance their budgets on the backs of taxpayers. Montana is one of only 12 states operating in the black with a projected $426.7 million surplus for fiscal year 2011.

CA: New year to bring new laws

The new year will bring new laws, thanks to the legislative efforts of Peninsula politicians.

The legislation addresses a variety of concerns, including gas pipeline safety, clean energy innovation and conservation, consumer protections, and substance abuse prevention.

Simitian

Sen. Joe Simitian, D-Palo Alto, authored 11 bills that have become state law or will by Jan. 1.

Launch of feed-in tariff raises expectations for Japan’s PV market

The start of the new scheme--the ‘Renewable Energy Bill’ (‘Bill on Special Measures for the Procurement of Renewable Energy Electricity by Electric Utilities’) which was passed into law in the Diet on August 26, 2011 and scheduled to be enforced in July 2012─is going to pave the way to large-scale photovoltaics. Most of the past construction projects of mega solar power stations were of electric utilities, but in response to the anticipated launch of the FiT scheme, multiple mega solar projects had been already reported before the bill was passed.

New California laws clear the way for renewable energy projects

California passed several laws recently which further clear the way for renewable energy projects in the state. 

Senate Bill 618 makes it possible for big solar projects to move forward without disturbing sensitive lands or species.

It provides incentives for solar developers to site projects on impaired farmland - lands that are no longer suitable for agriculture because they're contaminated or non-productive.

Seychelles proposes a new energy bill to revolutionize electricity provision

The Seychelles Cabinet of Ministers has approved the draft of an Energy Bill aimed at modernizing electricity provision in Seychelles, as well as creating competition in the renewable and clean energy sector.

The Public Utilities Corporation currently produces the country’s electricity, and has a monopoly over both production and transmission. With the proposed Energy Bill 2011, a new series of licenses for independent power producers (large scale production for general population), auto producers (single producers for own household or business use), co-producers (small-scale providers who produce for self and a limited amount for other users will be introduced.