All Entries in the "Policy & Policymakers" Category
France joins alternative, emerging bandwagon with $1.7B investment
In France, the country’s Environment and Energy Management Agency has launched a program that will inject $1.71 billion into alternative fuels and emerging technologies. The government will allocate $1.14 billion in loans and $570 million in subsidies through the next four years. The money will go to biofuels, carbon capture and storage, green chemistry, and [...]
State legislation considers helping geothermal development
In Idaho, an item touting the development of a new wind farm also included discussion of baseload power and thus, geothermal. State Rep. Steve Hartgen, R-Twin Falls, noted that lawmakers are discussing a bill that would reduce the rate geothermal developers pay to lease public lands in the state. He said, “The lease rates were [...]
LA regulators looking to renewable power generation
In Louisiana, state utility regulators have endorsed a pilot program that could establish guidelines for utilities generating or purchasing electricity from renewable sources. The state wants to see some 350 MW of long-term renewable power within the next three years, which would amount to 2% of Louisiana’s usage. The Public Service Commission wants to [...]
Energy, Defense departments agree to upgrade energy cooperation
In the “you wouldn’t think it would be necessary” category, in Washington, D.C. the U.S. Department of Energy and the U.S. Department of Defense have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to accelerate clean energy innovation and enhance national energy security. The MOU, signed by Deputy Secretary Poneman and U.S. Deputy Secretary of Defense William Lynn, [...]
State looks to more geothermal development, with benefits
In Idaho, the Department of Land is pushing for more development of geothermal sites on endowment lands, a move that could ultimately boost money heading to the state’s schools. The influx of geothermal companies eyeing Idaho’s geothermal resources prompted state officials to tweak rules for leases on those lands. Idaho’s endowment lands, overseen by the [...]
House signs on to geothermal money restoration
In Washington, D.C., the U.S. House of Representatives passed on the Supplemental Appropriations Act of 2010, which provides funding for troops, veterans and natural disaster response efforts. Part of the bill will restore geothermal royalties and rent money to 32 counties in six states. The monies are divided 50% to the State, 25% to [...]
New energy legislation on the table, but passage soon is unlikely
In Washington, Congress is in now at work on clean energy bills ahead of the summer recess. Midwest Senators put a national renewable energy standard on the table with the introduction of a bill seeking a 25% renewable energy target by 2025. Senate Majority leader Harry Reid has put forward two clean energy bills of [...]
High temp GT tools to benefit from new DOE funding
In Washington, DC, Energy Secretary Steven Chu announced $30 million in funding from the Recovery Act and FY 2010 budget appropriations that will be made available to qualified small businesses to support the commercialization of promising new technologies. The funding announcement marks the first time the DOE has made Phase III awards under small business [...]
DOE proffers funding opportunity for low-temp and co-produced GT
In Washington, the Department of Energy’s Geothermal Technologies Program has opened a new funding opportunity in geothermal energy production at low temperatures. Low-temperature geothermal energy is defined as heat obtained from the geothermal fluid in the ground at temperatures of 300°F (150°C) or less. These resources are typically used in direct-use applications, such as district [...]
Congressman wants 30% GT tax credit in Oregon
In Oregon, Democratic congressman Earl Blumenauer introduced a bill, H.R. 5612, that would give a 30% tax credit for investments in geothermal energy projects. Oregon ranked third in total U.S. geothermal capacity under development in 2009, with 13 projects at various stages of development that together could yield 370 MW, according to a January report [...]
