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
John Bailey and Bill McKibben Discuss Community Solutions to Global Warming on the Beyond Organics Radio Show
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In late January, Pacific Gas & Electric submitted an application to establish a three-year demonstration program termed the Climate Protection Tariff (CPT). The new tariffs would allow PG&E’s customer’s the option of paying a premium to completely negate the climate change impacts associated with their electricity and natural gas consumption.
The Distributed Energy Program from the Department of Energy’s (DOE) Office of Electricity Delivery and Energy Reliability (OE) is seeking public input for a study of the potential benefits of distributed generation required by section 1817 of the Energy Policy Act of 2005.
DOE invites interested parties to relate experiences, convey data, communicate results of case studies or analyses, or provide other information pertaining to the planning, installation, commissioning and operation of distributed energy systems.
Last week, a dozen cities, over 100 public power utilities, businesses and a host of national policy groups kicked off a nationwide campaign to urge automakers to accelerate development of plug-in hybrid vehicles. The “Plug-In Partners” campaign is hoping to demonstrate a large market potential so that automakers will start producing plug-in vehicles.
Seven northeastern states have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to implement a Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI). The MOU outlines the program to cap greenhouse gas emissions through 2014 and reduce emissions by 10 percent by 2019, including the framework for a Model Rule to be released in draft form in 90 days.
Yesterday, the California Public Utilities Commission approved the California Solar Initiative, a comprehensive proposal that provides an additional $2.9 billion in incentives toward 3,000 MW of solar development over the next 11 years.
The California Solar Initiative includes the following provisions:
The New Mexico Public Regulatory Commission (PRC) has ordered the state’s largest utility, PNM, to pay 13 cents/kWh for the “green attributes” of interconnected solar photovoltaic systems under 10 kW. The program becomes effective as of March 2006 and has funding available for about 1.2 MW worth of solar projects over the life of the program. Continue reading
A December 2005 Energy Saving Trust report concludes that small wind and solar along with residential cogeneration technologies could provide a substantial portion of the UK’s domestic energy needs by 2050.
The Board of Water and Power Commissioners for the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP) wants the municipal utility to meet their renewable portfolio standard (RPS) seven years earlier than a previous goal required. LADWP will start meeting directly with neighborhood councils, homeowners, businesses and other stakeholders to discuss the plan.
A Community Based Energy Development (C-BED) organization has been formed to help landowners and/or investors make connections with each other. C-BED tariffs have been filed for approval by a handful of Minnesota utilities. And the Governor’s office has pledged that at least 800 MW of C-BED wind energy projects will be operational by 2010.
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