On October 12, 2009, the Public Service Commission of Utah ("PSC") joined the ranks of several other states in the west, including  Oregon, when it established a docket to investigate whether, and the extent to which, certain third-party arrangements for renewable energy generation are subject to the PSC’s jurisdiction.   www.psc.utah.gov/utilities/misc/miscindx/0999912indx.html,  Pursuant to the notice, the…

As a proud Exhibit Hall sponsor of E3, the Midwest’s premier energy, economic and environmental conference, Stoel Rives LLP would like to encourage you to attend this annual event. Hosted by the University of Minnesota’s Initiative for Renewable Energy and the Environment, E3 will focus this year on the intersection of innovative technologies and policies…

During yesterday’s webinar entitled “The Stimulus Bill: Structured Tax Incentives” Greg Jenner (Stoel Rives LLP attorney), Victoria McDowell (Chief Administrator of the Treasury ITC Grant Program), and Kevin Pearson (Stoel Rives LLP attorney) walked webinar participants through the background of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act grant program and the application process.

Ms. McDowell provided…

The Chairman’s Mark of the Clean Energy Jobs and American Power Act contains proposed language that would clarify that algae-based and other advanced fuels are included in the definition of biofuels for purposes of the Renewable Fuel Standard.  The Environment and Public Works Committee started legislative hearings today on the Clean Energy Jobs and American…

Later today, the Department of Energy will announce the 100 smart grid projects that will receive smart grid stimulus finds.   A complete list of the awards should be available later today; three have been announced early:

  • Baltimore Gas and Electric: $200,000,000 from DOE and $251,000,000 from other sources
  • Sempra Energy: $28,000,000 and $31,000,000 from other sources

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National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) and the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) announced the release of the Open PV Mapping Project. The Project is a collaborative effort between government, industry, and the public to develop a comprehensive database of photovoltaic (PV) installation data for the United States.

The Project will provide a Web-based resource for…

This afternoon, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission conditionally approved the Midwest Independent Transmission System Operator’s (MISO) proposed tariff amendment regarding allocating the cost of network upgrades for generation interconnection projects meeting MISO’s regional expansion criteria and benefits (RECB) standards.  See my previous blog entry for a more detailed discussion on the history of the tariff amendment, as well…

Next week, the Anaheim Convention center hosts Solar Power International, which bills itself as ‘North America’s largest business to business solar industry event.’ With over 900 exhibitors (Stoel Rives included) and 25,000 attendees expected, there is no doubt that this conference will be one of the largest and most heavily attended solar industry events…

The State of Minnesota’s Office of Energy Security (OES) is requesting proposals from organizations that are engaged in or will engage in the manufacture of renewable energy systems or fuels, energy storage systems, geothermal energy systems for heating and cooling, components of these systems, or equipment for the manufacture of these systems or components.

The…