Today, the Department of Energy issued a Notice of Intent regarding funding of up to $50 million to test and demonstrate innovative technologies that will lead to cost-competitive solar energy technologies. The Nevada National Security Site will be the test site for cutting-edge solar technologies which can be deployed in the Southwest areas of the United States where there…

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) opened the door today for new investment in transmission lines in the Upper Midwest that will deliver new wind energy to market.  By establishing a methodology for sharing the cost of new transmission lines, FERC’s decision could provide a significant boost to wind development in the region.  For more…

Today, the Department of Energy (“DOE”) announced that it is accepting applications for up to $184 million over three to five years to accelerate the development and deployment of new efficient vehicle technologies that will reduce U.S. dependence on foreign oil, save drivers money, and limit carbon pollution. Projects will span the broad spectrum of…

As some of you may have heard, the Senate today passed its version of the tax compromise by a vote of 81-19.  The bill includes an extension of the deadline in section 1603 for beginning construction through 2011.  The size of the majority is a strong signal to the House that the Senate may not…

DOE announced on December 14, 2010 that funds will be made available for small-scale process integration projects that support the development of advanced biofuels. The biofuels could replace gasoline or diesel without requiring special upgrades or changes to the vehicle or fueling infrastructure. The funding opportunity announcement, reference number DE-FOA-0000337 (the “FOA”) will provide up to…

On Friday, December 10, 2010, EPA published in the Federal Register its final rule governing the underground injection of carbon dioxide (CO2) for geologic sequestration (GS) under the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA). EPA released a pre-publication version of this rule back on November 22, 2010. Stoel Rives previewed the pre-publication version on our Renewable…

For those of you interested in the machinations in Congress over the tax cut extensions, especially concerning renewable energy, here is the latest:

Yesterday, the Senate released what it termed a "final compromise" bill.  That bill should be voted on in the Senate very soon.  It reflects negotiations within the Senate and between the Senate…

On Tuesday, December 7, 2010, U.S. Commerce Secretary Gary Locke, together with several other  government agencies, announced a Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Export Initiative.

 

The Initiative brings together the Trade Promotion Coordinating Committee Working Group on Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency,  the Export-Import Bank of the United States, the Overseas Private Investment Corporation,  the…

On December 2, 2010, the United States Patent Office published two Novozymes applications relating to bioethanol production from lignocellulosic biomass and an Iogen application relating to bioethanol production from lignocellulosic. On the same date, the World Intellectual Property Organization published a Solazyme application relating to biodiesel, renewable diesel and jet fuel production.

  1. US Patent Pub.

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Minnesota Power has announced a request for proposals (RFP) seeking up to 100 MW of wind generation.   Proposals must be for wind generation that is deliverable to Minnesota Power’s service territory prior to the expiration of the Federal Production Tax Credit on December 31, 2012.  Minnesota Power serves northeastern Minnesota.

Details about the RFP and…