In this 20 minute discussion, John Farrell discusses the updated and expanding edition of his report, Energy Self-Reliant States, that explains how states can overwhelmingly meet their electricity needs with in-state renewable resources. … Read More
On Sept. 22, in a speech to 100 world leaders gathered at the United Nations to discuss climate change, President Barack Obama declared the U.S. “determined to act.” But at the same time, word began to circulate on Capitol Hill that the Senate might be equally determined not to vote on the climate bill any time … Read More
Schwarzenegger, citing concerns with protectionism, plans to veto the legislature’s ambitious 33% RPS by 2020 because it prizes in-state generation. But the California’s Energy Commission found in its Renewable Energy Transmission Initiative (RETI) that there’s not much savings to be had looking outside California’s borders.… Read More
Friedman illustrates the three key components of a consistent and powerful renewable energy policy: anyone can generate, a guaranteed grid connection, and a reasonable and predictable price to do so. That’s the feed-in tariff.… Read More
The Diane Rehm show hosted several prominent solar experts and Cool Earth Solar CEO Rob Lamkin noted the benefits of feed-in tariffs for reaching renewable energy targets. … Read More
Small-scale renewables will get a boost in a new feed-in tariff proposal by Reps. Jay Inslee of Washington and Bill Delahunt of Massachusetts. The authors tout its better record than renewable standards in encouraging renewable energy production, and the more secure electricity system from distributed renewables.… Read More
A reliance on tax-based incentives for renewable energy industry has led to boom-and-bust cycles for years, the Atlantic explains. The New Rules Project has several suggestions for solving this system of Byzantine incentives.… Read More
Although not as comprehensive as a feed-in tariff, Washington State provides incentive payments for solar PV systems made in-state and now, for systems that are community owned on local government property.… Read More
In the last 12 months a new and very promising strategy for local energy self-reliance has emerged, and it spreading like a prairie fire: direct public financing of energy efficiency and renewable energy investments by private businesses and households. ILSR has been closely tracking these developments and has brought together information about individual programs and the laws and ordinances that have enabled them (view our Map and see the various Municipal Energy Financing rules).
