ENERGY NEWS
US Leads in Wind Power Production, But Policy Uncertainty Weighs on Industry
August 14, 2008
RenewableEnergyWorld.com
McCain, Obama sound alike on energy, but policies differ sharply
August 8, 2008
McClatchy Newspapers
Seattle has been selected as one of twelve Solar America Cities sharing $2.4 million of grant money from the DOE. Solar America Cities is an activity of the Solar America Initiative. The Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy within DOE is leading the Solar America Initiative (SAI). The goal of SAI is to make solar electricity from photovoltaic (PV) technologies cost-competitive with the conventional electricity delivered by the utility grid by 2015.
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2007 Awardees
On June 20, 2007, the U.S. Department of Energy named the following 13 cities as Solar America Cities:
- Ann Arbor, MI
- Austin, TX
- Berkeley, CA
- Boston, MA
- Madison, WI
- New Orleans, LA
- New York City, NY
- Pittsburgh, PA
- Portland, OR
- Salt Lake City, UT
- San Diego, CA
- San Francisco, CA
- Tucson, AZ
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2008 Awardees
On March 28, 2008, the U.S. Department of Energy named the following 12 cities as Solar America Cities:
- Denver, CO
- Houston, TX
- Knoxville, TN
- Milwaukee, WI
- Minneapolis - St. Paul, MN
- Orlando, FL
- Philadelphia, PA
- Sacramento, CA
- San Antonio, TX
- San Jose, CA
- Santa Rosa, CA
- Seattle, WA
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Senate Adopts Solar ITC in Renewable Energy Amendment to Housing Stimulus Bill
By an overwhelming vote of 88-8, the Senate adopted the Cantwell-Ensign amendment (S.Amdt.4419) that extends the commercial solar ITC by 6 years, residential solar ITC by 1 year, lifts the cap on residential PV, remedies AMT and removes the exemption for utilities. On April 17, 2008, the Senate Finance Committee Chairman Baucus and Senator Grassley presented the Committee 2008 extenders bill. It includes a straight one-year extension of the solar investment tax credit.
Two climate action bills and an urban forestry bill passed by Washington State legislature and signed into law by Governor Gregoire will take Washington State into the forefront of reducing our carbon footprint, promoting green jobs, and building healthier communities. These are:
Creating a framework to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the Washington economy. (HB2815) Gov. Gregorie signed into law on March 13, 2008.
Commences a process to ensure the emission reductions established in this act are achieved. Directs the state to continue its participation in the development of a regional process to design a multi-sector, market-based system for regulating greenhouse gas missions as one measure to achieve our greenhouse gas reduction limits. Authorizes a reporting system to monitor greenhouse gas emissions. Establishes a process for maintaining a comprehensive inventory of greenhouse gas emissions to track the state's progress in achieving its greenhouse gas emission reductions. Creates a green collar job training account to train and transition workers to clean energy jobs. This new law will become effective 6/12/08.
Addressing the impacts of climate change through growth management act. (SB6580) Gov. Gregorie signed into law on April 1, 2008 with partial veto.
Mitigates the impacts of climate change by supporting local governments that are interested in addressing the issue through their land use and transportation planning. Funding and tools will be made available for local governments. This new law will become effective 6/12/08.
An act relating to preventing air and water pollution through urban forestry partnerships. (HB2844) Gov. Gregorie signed into law on April 1, 2008 with partial veto.
Supports city efforts to conserve, protect, improve, and expand Washington's urban forest in order to reduce storm water pollution in Puget Sound, flooding, energy consumption and greenhouse gases emission, air pollution, and storm impacts to utility infrastructure. This new law will become effective 6/12/08.
