On August 25, FERC issued its ruling on the Midwest Independent Transmission System Operator (MISO) plan to reform the generator interconnection queue process – the method by which transmission requirements for generators wishing to connect new projects to the grid in the Midwest are reviewed and approved. FERC conditionally accepted the proposed tariff revisions, with an effective date
August 2008
Algae Takes Wing
The August 16-22, 2008 issue of NewScientist features a very interesting article called "A tank of the green stuff" (pages 34-37). Airlines are facing volatile and rising fuel costs, plus the risk of fuel shortages. Unlike land transport, which it least in theory can be converted to run entirely on electricity, air travel depends on…
Texas Court Rules in Horse Hollow Wind Farm Case
The Texas Court of Appeals handed down its decision in Rankin v. FPL Energy, LLC on August 21, 2008. Plaintiffs had brought public and private nuisance claims against FPLE’s Horse Hollow Wind Farm in southwest Taylor County, Texas. The court noted that "Texas caselaw recognizes few restrictions on the lawful use of property" and ruled…
When is a Green Building Lease Like a Power Purchase Agreement? Avoiding Deja Vu All Over Again
On April 16, 2008, Northern States Power filed a petition with the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission for a determination that "Xcel Energy has all legal rights necssary to possess, use and dispose of any renewable energy credits (‘RECs’) arising from the production of renewable energy that Xcel purchases under its renewable energy power purchase agreements …
Global Principles and Criteria for Sustainable Biofuels
The Roundtable on Sustainable Biofuels last week released Version 0.0 of its Global Principles and Criteria for Sustainable Biofuels Production.
Continue Reading Global Principles and Criteria for Sustainable Biofuels
More Steps Towards Biofuels at the Pump
Legislation recently introduced by Representatives Herseth Sandlin (D-SD) and Rep. John Shimkus (R-IL) would, if enacted, provide increased access to ethanol and biodiesel at the pump. The bipartisan legislation would "enhance the Alternative Fuel Vehicle Refueling Property Credit. Currently, the Alternative Fuel Vehicle Refueling Property credit allows gas station owners to claim a 30 percent…
EPA Denies Texas RFS Waiver Request
EPA issued its decision yesterday on Texas’ request to reduce the nationwide Renewable Fuels Standard (RFS). EPA denied the request, stating that the "RFS remains an important tool in our ongoing efforts to reduce America’s greenhouse gas emissions and lessen our dependence on foreign oil, in aggressive yet practical ways." EPA stated that it received…
More on The Oregon Public Utility Commission’s Decision in Honeywell
For those who have been tracking the Oregon Public Utility Commission’s In re Honeywell proceeding, Stephen Hall and Pat Boylston have just released a Stoel Rives Energy Law Alert explaining the significance of the decision for third party "on site" solar and wind generation and net metering.
Gail Kinsey Hill reported on the decision and…
More Good News for Solar!
Coming on the heels of the Oregon PUC’s decision in the Honeywell case (see Steve Hall’s blog below), scientists at MIT announced today that they had discovered a cheap way to separate oxygen from hydrogen using techniques learned from studying plant photosynthesis. Once separated, the hydrogen and oxygen can be used to power a fuel…
The New (2nd) Edition of the “Law of Biofuels”
Stoel Rives has now published seven original Law of books covering various topics in the renewable energy industry. To write these books, our attorney-authors draw on over 20 years of legal and business experience in wind, geothermal, biofuels, and other renewable energy resources. The books are intended to provide a succinct but thorough overview of industry segments…