The state of Vermont has come up with a good rule for reducing the cost of solar power installations. A national study recently found that local permitting can increase the cost of residential solar by 15-20%, a problem that becomes more pressing as the cost of solar hardware falls. Vermont’s rule shifts the burden of permitting … Read More
With aims to inspire renewable energy generation at the local level, in October 2003, Merton became the first local authority in the United Kingdom (UK) to adopt a policy requiring new non-residential developments to generate a portion of their energy needs from on-site renewables.… Read More
New Jersey was first state in the country to ban large tractor-trailers from its state roads and highways. The restriction, went into effect in July 1999, confined large trucks (more than 102 inches wide) that were not doing business in the state to interstate highways and a system of major highways and connector roads. Other cities have begun charging increased fees for vehicles that have larger environmental impacts.… Read More
As climate change initiatives and renewable energy standards are adopted at both the local and state level across the country, solar energy technologies are getting more focused attention by policymakers. Below are a selection of rules that target efforts to enhance solar energy development – both thermal and electric (photovoltaics). Solar power is likely to become the “fuel” for our transportation sector as we move toward a future with electric vehicles.… Read More
Minimum blends of biodiesel and ethanol in petroleum-based fuels are required in order to be sold within the city and requirements that city-owned vehicles maximize use of renewable fuels. Cities that may copy this approach should consider broadening the definition of renewable fuels to include renewable electricity used for electric vehicles.… Read More
A Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS) ensures that a minimum amount of renewable energy is included in the portfolio of electricity resources serving a state or country, and — by increasing the required amount over time — the RPS can put the electricity industry on a path toward increasing sustainability. … Read More
With the adoption of smart policies, the revolution in our transportation sector can generate an equally profound revolution in our electricity sector.… Read More
Net metering is a practice that encourages consumer investment in on-site electric generators – typically small-scale, renewable energy technologies. When electricity is being generated and none is being consumed, net metering typically allows customer/generators to spin their meter backwards, in effect paying the customer/generator the retail rate for the electricity they generate but don’t immediately consume. If a customer generates more electricity than they consume over a period of time, they are typically paid for that net excess generation (NEG) at the utility’s avoided cost, or the wholesale rate. Two states, Minnesota and Wisconsin, stand out from the crowd because their net metering rules allow participants to be paid the going retail rate for the net excess electricity they generate for each billing cycle. Some states like New Jersey and Colorado allow projects up to 2 MW to use net metering. … Read More
With state enabling legislation, cities and counties are being given the authority to establish municipal financing programs for clean energy and energy efficiency investments in their communities. Commonly referred to as property assessed clean energy (PACE) financing, it allows homeowners and businesses to implement dramatic improvements in efficiency and/or renewable energy and repay those investments over a long-term via a special property tax assessment or via a utility bill.… Read More
