In a state dominated by a coal-centric utility and with no real renewable portfolio standard, Utah is a surprise candidate for a utility-scale solar boomlet. But it’s happening, thanks to SunEdison, big solar’s tiny price tag, the continuing impact of the federal investment tax credit and – here’s the unique Utah twist – an… Keep reading →
North Carolina says it wants to be in the energy business and has been drafting industry-friendly legislation to help its cause. “Womack and MEC members have spent close to two years creating regulations to govern the drilling industry. Members feel a bill filed during the first week of session supports their efforts but will require… Keep reading →
Peak solar & wind power production in Germany are considerably lower than installed capacity The EU Commission recently unveiled new regulations for the period 2014 to 2020 to gradually phase out support for renewable energy technologies. In a press release the commission stated the guidelines are intended to “promote a gradual move to market-based support… Keep reading →
Conservative political groups are pushing for the repeal of renewable portfolio standards in several states. The American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC) is at the heart of these efforts, which are being underwritten by the Koch brothers and fossil fuel companies. “Clean energy is beginning to become mainstream,” said Gabe Elsner, executive director of the Energy… Keep reading →
Last year, the US wind industry Production Tax Credit was scheduled to expire at the end of December and the news media was all over it. The PTC is also scheduled to expire that the end of this year, but the issue is getting much less attention, why is that? Senator Don Nickles, who served… Keep reading →
An increasing number of businesses want to be seen as green; go figure. The demand for renewable energy is predominantly driven by mandatory targets such as renewable portfolio standards (RPS) in the US, lucrative feed-in-tariffs (FITs) in Europe, or other requirements such as renewable fuel obligations in the UK. Subsidies such as production tax credits (PTCs) are among… Keep reading →
Washington State Must Step up Renewable Energy Game
By Bryce SmithAs the CEO of a Seattle-based solar company, I know that our state’s forward-looking clean energy policies are a major reason why cutting-edge businesses have decided to set up shop here in Washington. But in the past decade, other states have caught on. They’ve learned from our example. They’ve learned that investing in clean tech… Keep reading →