The Bonneville Power Administration (BPA) is gearing up for spring with its revised Oversupply Management Protocol (OMP), submitted last week as a compliance filing in the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) proceeding on BPA’s “Environmental Redispatch” policy. BPA’s compliance filing was submitted in response to FERC’s December 7, 2011 order holding that BPA’s Environmental Redispatch policy
BPA Seeks Comment on Draft Proposal to Split Environmental Redispatch Costs
The Bonneville Power Administration (“BPA”) made headlines this week with the release of its Draft Oversupply Management Protocol (the “Draft Oversupply Protocol”). BPA’s Draft Oversupply Protocol is intended to address concerns raised by BPA’s Environmental Redispatch (“ER”) policy of curtailing wind generation without compensation during periods of high water. Back in December, in response to a complaint
Come Learn What Every Renewable Energy Developer and Storage Provider Needs to Know About Integrating Variable Energy Resources
Wind & Solar Integration Summit, Scottsdale, AZ
January 24, 2011, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m., Workshop
January 25, 2011, 7 a.m. – 5:15 p.m., Conference
January 26, 2011, 9 a.m. – 11:45 a.m., Conference
As the Workshop Chair, I would like to extend you an invitation to the Wind & Solar Integration Summit
FERC Comments on Electric Storage Technologies Due August 9
Just a friendly reminder that the deadline to submit comments to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (“FERC”) on electric storage technologies is just around the corner. In its Request for Comments Regarding Rates, Accounting and Financial Reporting for New Electric Storage Technologies, FERC’s Office of Energy Policy and Innovation seeks comments on the following issues:
Kauai’s Electric Utility Faces Civil Suit and Criminal Charges For Bird Fatalities
From our colleagues Greg Corbin and Barbara Craig:
On March 24, 2010, four conservation groups filed a complaint against Kauai’s electric utility, Kauai Island Utility Co-op (“KIUC”), alleging that KIUC’s power lines, utility facilities, and street lights “take” threatened Newell’s Townsend’s shearwaters (Puffinus Auricularis Newelli) (“Newell’s shearwaters”) and/or endangered Hawaiian petrels in violation of the Endangered Species Act (“ESA”). The civil complaint, filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of Hawaii, alleges that KIUC has failed to secure the necessary ESA incidental take permits and, despite years of promises, has failed to implement protective measures that are needed to prevent the “take” of the listed birds.Continue Reading Kauai’s Electric Utility Faces Civil Suit and Criminal Charges For Bird Fatalities
Limit Liability Risk By Complying With Recommended Wind Energy Guidelines?
From our colleague Eric Martin:
After over two years of work, the federal Wind Turbine Guidelines Advisory Committee (“Committee”) recently released its final policy recommendations on how wind energy developers and operators can best assess and prevent adverse impacts to wildlife. Comprised of government, environmental, and wind industry stakeholders, the Committee recommends a five-tier
USPTO Announces Pilot Program to Speed Up Green Tech Patents
An update on intellectual property issues from my colleague, John Rafter:
On December 7, 2009 the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office ("USPTO") announced the launch of a pilot program to accelerate the examination of certain green technology patent applications.
Under the Green Technology Pilot Program, patent applications pertaining to environmental quality, energy conservation, development
Wed. 10/21/09: “Demystifying the Smart Grid”
The enthusiasm about smart grid continues to spread in the Pacific Northwest. Tomorrow, Intel’s Ronler Acres Campus (just outside of Portland) will host "Demystifying the Smart Grid," a panel and dinner event from 6 to 9 PM that will bring together industry experts and capital providers to discuss smart grid opportunities and the direction of current
USPTO Rescinds Controversial Patent Regulations Package Proposed by Previous Administration
An update on intellectual property issues from my colleague, John Rafter:
Having previously moved to stay proceedings in the Tafas v. Doll case pending the induction of David Kappos as the new Director of the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (“USPTO”), the USPTO announced on October 8, 2009 that it will join
Obama Administration Officials Release Report on Ocean Policy
Last week, Obama Administration officials released the Interagency Ocean Policy Task Force Interim Report (the “Interim Report”), which lays out a comprehensive national policy for protecting and managing the use of our oceans, coasts, and the Great Lakes. Created by President Obama via a June 12, 2009 Presidential Memorandum, the Interagency Ocean Policy Task Force