All Entries in the "Policy & Policymakers" Category
West Virginia’s geothermal potential has legislators’ attention
In West Virginia, the state’s congressional delegation is reportedly looking at geothermal as an energy and economic producer. As we reported in October of 2010, a study out of Southern Methodist University in Dallas found a large area in the eastern part of the state to have elevated heat flow and upper crustal temperatures, at [...]
Fossil and nuclear fuels spending to rise at renewable energy expense
In Washington DC, House Appropriations subcommittee Committee Chairman Rodney P. Frelinghuysen (R – NJ) issued a prepared statement on the fiscal year 2012 energy and water development appropriations bill. In it, he says The bill for fiscal year 2012 provides $30.639 billion, $1.043 billion below fiscal year 2011 and $5.9 billion below the President’s request [...]
Distributed geothermal could add to California electric supply, with feed-in help
In California, a study done in 2008 by engineering consultant Black & Veatch for the California Energy Commission found that small, geographically dispersed geothermal power plants could provide 7% of the state’s electricity supply. And with newly elected Governor Jerry Brown, the talk has turned to feed-in tariffs to spur development. While in the running [...]
Nominations open for DOE, EPA sponsored green power leadership awards
In Washington D.C., the nomination period for the green power leadership awards open May 24. The deadline is June 21. The Department of Energy (DOE), Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and Center for Resource Solutions (CRS) will host the 10th annual Green Power Leadership Awards Ceremony in conjunction with the Renewable Energy Markets Conference. These competitive [...]
DOE looking to lower the cost of geothermal electricity
In Washington D.C., the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Geothermal Technologies Program (GTP) intends to issue a Funding Opportunity Announcement to expand its partnership with the geothermal community on systems research and development throughout the U.S. The funding is intended to support GTP’s goal of lowering the cost of geothermal energy to 6 cents/kWh. The [...]
County doubling then ending geothermal and solar and tax credits
In Maryland, Howard County will end its geothermal and solar tax credit program April 1, 2012, but will double it in the meantime. According to a statement from County Executive Ken Ulman, the credits have accomplished the goal of jump starting the areas renewable energy industry. The newly increased limits will be used to clear [...]
President Obama drops by ElectraTherm to promote renewable energy
In Nevada, President Barack Obama dropped in on ElectraTherm in Reno on April 21 to hold a town hall meeting. In his third “Shared Responsibility and Shared Prosperity” meeting, the President said “I want to congratulate ElectraTherm for being a fine example of a clean energy company that’s been growing by leaps and bounds over [...]
Clean energy to highlight White House energy security forum
In Washington D.C., Deputy Secretary of Defense William J. Lynn and Deputy Secretary of Energy Daniel Poneman will join with outside security and energy experts to host a panel discussion on the national security implications of America’s oil dependency on Tuesday, April 26. The forum will highlight the ongoing collaboration between the Departments of Energy [...]
Idaho loses out on alternative energy rebates
In Idaho, the Senate there killed an extension to a sales tax rebate for alternative energy. Lobbyists for wind energy companies thought they had a deal in place. The rebates were to have come in the form of a 6% break on energy production equipment purchased through 2014. The measure lost in an 18-17 vote [...]
Hawaiian geothermal energy forum seeks competition for Ormat
In Hawaii, a forum on geothermal energy development will be held on the Big Island, and will be led by Honolulu-based Innovations Development Group. The company has developed geothermal energy projects on Maori trust lands in New Zealand. Six native Hawaiian leaders who will offer their views on developing geothermal energy in ways that protect [...]
