The Senate is in session this week while House members are on a scheduled district work period. While the lower chamber is away, the Senate is likely to consider the Iran Nuclear Agreement Review Act of 2015, the Conference Report to the fiscal year 2016 budget, and other measures.
Renewable energy is often presented as hopelessly contentious in the United States, but there’s a new survey – or maybe we should say, there’s another survey – that shows Americans overwhelmingly believe in the stuff, have a sense it could save them money, and want government to support it. Even Republicans. Solar and wind finished… Keep reading →
Massachusetts’ Solar Renewable Energy Credits (SREC) are an unquestioned success, creating green jobs and clean energy while protecting taxpayers. As the program enters its second phase, it’s time for Governor Baker to reaffirm the state’s commitment to a sustainable economic future. Governor Patrick established the SREC program in 2008 to incentivize 400 megawatts (MW) new… Keep reading →
The geothermal industry’s efforts to grab a bigger slice of the growing renewable energy pie met with some success in 2014, though that wasn’t reflected in the United States, where questions remain as to when – or if – geothermal might become more than a relatively small, regional player. Previewing its latest annual report, the… Keep reading →
Crescent Dunes will be generating electricity before the end of March, and SolarReserve’s south-central Nevada solar project won’t stumble out of the gate the way power-tower forerunner Ivanpah did, CEO Kevin Smith said in an interview with Breaking Energy. It would be an understatement to say there’s a lot riding on him being right. Crescent Dunes,… Keep reading →
Desert Sunlight is online and the U.S. Department of Energy has dropped the mic. The world-record-tying 550-megawatt photovoltaic solar plant in Southern California, formally dedicated on Monday, is the last of the big PV plants supported through the DOE’s loan guarantee program, the one that Republicans love to malign but which keeps showing solid results.… Keep reading →
President Obama’s proposed budget for 2016 invests heavily in his agenda to combat climate change. “The failure to invest in climate solutions and climate preparedness does not just fly in the face of the overwhelming judgment of science — it is fiscally unwise.” – The White House, as reported by the National Journal The proposal… Keep reading →
The U.S. wind power industry said on Wednesday that it had a solid 2014, with 2,500 turbines capable of producing 4,850 megawatts put into operation, a big jump from 2013’s piddling gain of 1,098 MW. Plus, as the year drew to a close, nearly 100 projects totaling 12,700 MW were under construction. Pretty picture, right?… Keep reading →
The renewable energy sector is dynamic, with advancing technology and evolving policy. As 2015 beckons, here are some of the key questions that Portland, Oregon-based contributor Pete Danko will be asking as about U.S. renewables. 1) Is The PTC Winding Down or Dead? The wind industry won a small victory just before Congress went home,… 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 →