In the midst of an unprecedented amount of bad news surrounding the economy, the robust growth in employment in the wind and solar energy sectors has been receiving a lot of attention. Wind industry jobs have increased 70% over the past year, totaling 85,000 in 2008. These 85,000 jobs in the wind industry include some 13,000 manufacturing jobs,
January 2009
WOW – Wisconsin’s Wind on the Waters Report Finalized
By Katherine A. Roek on
Posted in Wind
The final report commissioned by the Wisconsin Public Service Commission on the feasibility of Great Lakes offshore wind development was published on January 15, 2009. The final report reflects comments made from the draft report that was circulated for public comment in the fall of 2008. As reported in a previous blog entry, the…
On the Senate Side, Alternatives to the House’s Proposed Renewable Energy Incentives
By Dina Dubson on
Posted in Climate Change, Renewable
On Friday, January 23, the Chairman of the Senate Finance Committee released his version of the economic stimulus bill. Like its House counterpart (H.R. 598), the proposal by Chairman Max Baucus ("Chairman’s Mark") is called the American Recovery and Reinvestment Tax Act of 2009. The Chairman’s Mark is scheduled to be considered in the Finance Committee on Tuesday…
House Bill Could Boost Incentives for Renewable Energy Projects
By Dina Dubson on
Posted in Climate Change, Renewable
As part of an $825 billion stimulus plan to help revitalize the economy, the American Recovery and Reinvestment Tax Act of 2009 (H.R. 598) was recently introduced in the House of Representatives. The Bill aims to shore up tax incentives and offer new grants that would facilitate the development of renewable energy projects. Highlights of the proposed…
Governor Kulongoski Proposes Nine Bills to Promote Renewable Energy Projects, Energy and Fuel Efficiency
By Dina Dubson on
Oregon Governor Ted Kulongoski continues to take aggressive action in the green business realm. Having made renewable energy one of his budget priorities, Gov. Kulongoski filed nine bills under the climate change umbrella to be considered in the 2009 legislative session. According to Gov. Kulongoski, the bills will “build on our leadership in renewable energy that will create jobs and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.”Continue Reading Governor Kulongoski Proposes Nine Bills to Promote Renewable Energy Projects, Energy and Fuel Efficiency
Detroit Edison Issues RFP for Renewable Energy
By Katherine A. Roek on
Activity is underway in Michigan to implement the state’s recently-enacted renewable portfolio standard, which requires the state’s electric utilities to serve 10 percent of their retail sales from renewable energy resources by 2015. In late December, Detroit Edison issued a Request for Proposals to purchase Michigan-based renewable energy credits that will help the utility meet the RPS requirements.
The RFP specifies that…