On July 29, 2009, USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) Administrator Jonathan Coppess announced that biomass conversion facilities can begin signing up to participate in the Biomass Crop Assistance Program (BCAP), which will help increase production of renewable energy. The program, authorized in the 2008 farm bill, provides financial assistance to producers who deliver eligible material
Minnesota Think Tank Estimates 4,000 MW of More Wind Power Needed
In a recent report published by Minnesota 2020, a non-partisan think tank focused on public policy matters including economic development, health care, education and transportation, the group notes that Minnesota needs an additional 4,000 MW of wind power to meet its Renewable Energy Standard, set at 25% by 2025. The think tank also notes
North Dakota Legislature Addresses Wind Leases, Easements and Options
In its final days of session, the North Dakota legislature passed a bill creating certain requirements for leases or easements for wind energy development that are entered into in the state.
The bill’s requirements for wind leases and easements include: placement of a cover page on every wind lease encouraging the landowner to review the agreement with his or her attorney; negotiations may not be maintained
Interior Issues Limited Leases for Offshore Wind Projects
On June 23, 2009, the Minerals Management Service, a division within the U.S. Department of Interior, issued five limited leases to offshore wind energy developers for wind data collection on the Outer Continental Shelf. These leases will allow for the construction of meteorological towers to collect site-specific data on wind speed, intensity, and direction. The data collected under
Nebraska Passes Legislation Governing Wind Leases
The Nebraska legislature recently passed a bill amending existing state law governing wind easements, wind options, or wind leases or lease options entered into in the state for the purpose of wind energy development. Substantive terms of the legislation include a limitation on the initial term of the agreement of not more than 40 years, and an
President Creates Interagency Task Force to Develop Marine Policy and Spatial Planning Framework
President Obama has issued a memorandum calling for the creation of a temporary Interagency Ocean Policy Task Force led by the Chair of the Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) to develop a unifying framework for responsible development and ecosystem management for the nation’s oceans, coasts and the Great Lakes. Specifically, within 90 days the Task
Rhode Island Legislation Proposed to Move Offshore Wind Forward
Rhode Island has introduced legislation to encourage offshore wind development. Under the draft bill, the state’s largest electricity supplier, National Grid, would be required to purchase the energy output from an offshore wind project proposed by the state’s selected preferred offshore wind developer, Deepwater Wind. National Grid has said that it supports the proposal
Vermont Passes Renewable Energy Feed-in Tariff
Vermont has enacted into law legislation that establishes minimum rates to be paid by electric customers for certain renewable energy sources in long-term fixed-price contracts.
Key elements of the bill include a project size cap of 2.2 MW, for a total program cap of 50 MW, a specified contract term of 20 years (except solar contracts, which will be
Client Alert: Summary of Final MMS Regulations on OCS Leasing
As promised in a recent blog entry, we’ve issued a client alert providing a detailed analysis of the final Minerals Management Service (MMS) regulations governing leases for energy production on the Outer Continental Shelf (OCS), including wind and ocean energy. Please contact us with any questions!
MMS Finalizes Regulations for Renewable Energy Projects on the OCS
The Minerals Management Service (MMS) has issued its final regulations for renewable energy projects on the Outer Continental Shelf (OCS). Stoel Rives attorneys are reviewing the 579-page rule now and will provide further updates soon!