Despite the urgency of the crisis gripping Wall Street, the Senate stepped up yesterday to resoundingly pass HR 6049. Kudos to renewable energy leaders like Senator Cantwell and Representative Inslee who have steadily advocated for the industry. Unless one of the pending bills is successful, the sun will set on the Production Tax Credit, Investment Tax Credit and several related measures that have proven highly effective in the expansion of the wind, solar and biofuels industries.
Continue Reading Senate Passes Renewable Extensions
Ocean Energy Makes Waves Again
For those who are following the development of ocean and wave energy on the West Coast of the United States and Canada, The Oregonian published an interesting article by Gail Kinsey-Hill entitled Off Oregon’s Coast, Wave Energy Makes a Splash. The article provides a good overview of the latest Oregon developments in ocean and
Article: The Implications of Ethanol Plant Optimization
A recent article co-authored by Boise partner John Eustermann in Ethanol Producer magazine highlights certain considerations that plant managers must keep in mind in the event of ethanol plant optimization. These considerations include examination and re-evaluation of common project-related documents, such as technology licenses and permits/site control issues, when investigating optimization activities or technological modifications to the plant.
Client Alert: FERC’s Conditional Approval of MISO Queue Reform
Check out our client alert on FERC’s recent conditional approval of MISO’s revised large generator interconnection process. It provides highlights of the ruling and identifies next steps that MISO must take in order to flesh out some issues, including certain milestones that generators must meet in order to move towards getting their project interconnected.
Beth Soholt, executive director of Wind
Portland General Electric’s RFP Garners offers of 3,000 MW
The Portland Business Journal is reporting that Portland General Electric Company received 38 offers in its April 2008 RFP totaling up to 3000 MW in renewable energy. Continue Reading Portland General Electric’s RFP Garners offers of 3,000 MW
FERC Rules on MISO Queue Reform Proposal
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
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