Begich proposes legislation for Renewable Energy Research

U.S. Sen. Mark Begich today re-introduced his Renewable Energy Environmental Research Act, a bill designed to promote renewable energy research. Co-sponsored by Sen. Olympia Snowe, (R-ME), the bill directs the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to implement a research program designed to collect, monitor, and distribute environmental data to assist development of renewable energy, particularly related to ocean energy.

“Alaska has tremendous renewable energy resources. Wave and tidal energy is getting more traction every day with projects moving ahead in Cook Inlet, Yakutat, and Juneau,” Begich said. “My bill will help energy companies identify new potential sites for tidal and wave energy and over the long-term help Alaska communities bring down their energy prices and grow the local economy.”

Snapshot of feed-in tariffs around the world in 2011

Feed-in tariffs are the world's most popular renewable energy policy mechanism. Despite the economic recession, more and more jurisdictions are turning to feed-in tariffs to spur not only renewable energy development but also industrial development and the attendant jobs that it creates.

New study shows status of renewable energy property tax exemptions in NH

A new study explores the impacts of implementing renewable energy property tax exemptions (REPTE) in New Hampshire and analyzes the exemption’s effectiveness at promoting the use of renewable energy in that state.

The study surveyed 62 municipalities across the state that have adopted the statute mandating REPTE. Currently, there are three different REPTE in New Hampshire: 1) Solar exemption, which includes systems such as solar photovoltaic and solar thermal, 2) Wind Exemption, i.e. windmills and wind generators, and 3) wood heating exemption, which encompasses biomass systems that are used to heat an entire home.