John Farrell directs the Energy Self-Reliant States and Communities program at the Institute for Local Self-Reliance and he focuses on energy policy developments that best expand the benefits of local ownership and dispersed generation of renewable energy. More
A stakeholder’s group has unveiled a model ordinance that will help Pennsylvania’s local governments decide how to direct the location and development of wind energy projects within municipal borders.
With a stroke of the pen, Gov. Schwarzenegger signed an executive order (S-06-06) that establishes in-state production goals for ethanol – from 5 percent today to 75 percent by 2050. The order also requires in-state biomass electricity to meet 20 percent of the state’s renewable energy requirements in the coming years.
According to a recent report by the Iowa Policy Project, ten Iowa schools have renewable energy projects that are supplying a portion of their energy needs. These districts are spending less on electricity and more on students who now have an up-close opportunity to learn about wind energy.
In two recent decisions (Docket Nos. 05-07-16 and 05-07-17), the Connecticut Department of Utility Control (DPUC) has provided a selection of incentives to encourage electricity customers to install on-site distributed generation projects. Incentives include lower back-up power charges, lower natural gas fuel charges and direct grants and payments to cover installation costs.
Iowa’s Governor has indicated that he will sign legislation (HF 2754) passed this week calling for Iowa to have renewable fuels – ethanol and biodiesel – meet 25 percent of the state’s motor fuel needs by 2020. The new renewable fuels standard relies on a 10 percent ethanol blends and a rapid expansion of E-85 (85% ethanol) infrastructure to get to the goal.
The province of Ontario has directed two agencies to implement and develop the details and contracts for a Standard Offer Program that will make it easier and more cost-effective for businesses and entrepreneurs to sell power to the grid by setting a fixed price for small generation projects that use renewable energy.
Oregon’s Governor Ted Kulongoski told the State Sustainability Board recently that he wants new renewable electricity in Oregon to supply 100 percent of state government’s electrical needs by 2010.
Taking an important step towards making ethanol production more reliant on renewable energy, the Central Minnesota Ethanol Cooperative is nearing completion of a biomass-fueled energy system at its ethanol plant near Little Falls, MN.
The Arizona Corporation Commission (ACC) has adopted rules to implement a new renewable energy standard requiring 15 percent renewables by 2025. The ACC voted to require that 30% of the renewable requirement in years 2011 and beyond must be met by local on-site renewable energy projects installed by homes and businesses.
Audio from the second in a series of national teleconferences on the Clean Renewable Energy Bond (CREB) program is now available. The CREB program authorizes the issuance of up to $800 million in “tax credit” bonds by electric cooperatives, public power authorities, units of state and local government and tribal authorities for financing renewable energy projects.
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