Oregon Governor Ted Kulongoski continues to take aggressive action in the green business realm. Having made renewable energy one of his budget priorities, Gov. Kulongoski filed nine bills under the climate change umbrella to be considered in the 2009 legislative session. According to Gov. Kulongoski, the bills will “build on our leadership in renewable energy that will create jobs and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.”Continue Reading Governor Kulongoski Proposes Nine Bills to Promote Renewable Energy Projects, Energy and Fuel Efficiency
Portland Businesses Are Seeing Green
Portland continues to expand its reputation as a beacon for green business. Today’s Wall Street Journal features an article on how sustainable development and renewable energy businesses are giving a much-needed boost to Portland’s commercial real estate market. There is much excitement surrounding Denmark-based Vestas Wind Systems’ recent announcement that it will be building a new North
Dingell Unseated; Waxman to Head House Energy and Commerce Committee
In a move that could have a significant impact on the energy sector (and create a buzz among political science departments) nationwide, Representative Henry Waxman (D-CA) has dethroned Representative John Dingell (D-MI) in his nearly 28-year post as chairman of the influential Committee on Energy and Commerce. The 137-122 secret vote has shaken up the
Governor Kulongoski’s Climate Change Agenda Unveiled
Earlier this week, I attended Climate Solutions’ Business Briefing on the Governor’s Proposed Climate Change Policy. Hosted by Gerding Edlen, the briefing offered a snapshot of the Governor’s legislative agenda for 2009 and beyond, and gave the sustainable business community the opportunity to offer feedback on what needs to happen to move the plans forward.
The Governor’s Climate Change Agenda (the “Agenda”) covers four major areas: greenhouse gas (“GHG”) reductions, renewable energy, sustainable transportation, and energy efficiency. Some highlights follow.Continue Reading Governor Kulongoski’s Climate Change Agenda Unveiled
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
More on The Oregon Public Utility Commission’s Decision in Honeywell
For those who have been tracking the Oregon Public Utility Commission’s In re Honeywell proceeding, Stephen Hall and Pat Boylston have just released a Stoel Rives Energy Law Alert explaining the significance of the decision for third party "on site" solar and wind generation and net metering.
Gail Kinsey Hill reported on the decision and
More Good News for Solar!
Coming on the heels of the Oregon PUC’s decision in the Honeywell case (see Steve Hall’s blog below), scientists at MIT announced today that they had discovered a cheap way to separate oxygen from hydrogen using techniques learned from studying plant photosynthesis. Once separated, the hydrogen and oxygen can be used to power a fuel
The New (2nd) Edition of the “Law of Biofuels”
Stoel Rives has now published seven original Law of books covering various topics in the renewable energy industry. To write these books, our attorney-authors draw on over 20 years of legal and business experience in wind, geothermal, biofuels, and other renewable energy resources. The books are intended to provide a succinct but thorough overview of industry segments
Oregon Public Utility Commission Gives Green Light to Third-party Ownership Model for Distributed Generation
Now for some good news. Today the Oregon Public Utility Commission (OPUC) issued an important decision giving a green light to companies seeking to own and operate solar and wind-powered distributed generation facilities. Third-party ownership of renewable distributed generation—especially solar—has really taken off in the past few years because it allows a utility customer to enjoy the benefits of on-site renewable energy, but pay the facility owner only for the electricity generated by the facility.
Continue Reading Oregon Public Utility Commission Gives Green Light to Third-party Ownership Model for Distributed Generation
Green Building Standards Adopted in California
The California Building Standards Commission has adopted the nation’s first state-wide Green Building Standards Code. California’s new green building standards will be phased in from 2009 to 2011 and include provisions on:
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Energy efficiency
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Water efficiency and conservation
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Use of recycled and sustainable materials in construction
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Recycling of construction waste
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Indoor air quality