1st definition of “bonanza” in Merriam-Webster dictionary: “an exceptionally large and rich mineral deposit (as of an ore, precious metal, or petroleum).” OK, it’s a stretch, but who doesn’t love alliteration?! And, seriously, the Better Buildings initiative the Obama administration and former president Bill Clinton just launched is going … [continued]
The American Wind Energy Association (AWEA) has launched a new website that aims to reach out and better inform Americans about how the lack of consistent clean energy policy at the federal level is holding back economic growth and job creation. More specifically, SaveUSAWindJobs.com provides facts, figures and tools to urge Congress to pass a four-year extension of the Production Tax Credit (PTC) before it expires year-end 2012.
A coalition of clean energy economy leaders and stakeholders has sent Congress a letter urging them to extend the Treasury Section 1603 grant program through 2012. Enacted to sustain investment flows in the wake of the 2008 financial systems collapse and due to expire at year-end, the 1603 grant program has been central to the continued growth and development of clean energy across the US in all its forms in ensuing years.
SolarCity and BoA-Merrill Lynch announced that they have agreed to terms on financing SolarStrong, a billion-plus dollar SolarCity project – the largest in US history – that could double the number of residential solar installations in the US by installing solar power systems on privatized US military housing communities across the country.
With 2011 winding down, both the Canadian solar and biofuels sectors are having their annual conferences within the next two weeks, to take stalk of the past year and move forward for 2012. The Canadian Solar Industry Association (CanSIA), coming off a proposal in October for the upcoming Canadian Federal … [continued]
Time for another round-up. This one’s on some of the top cleantech policy stories I’ve seen around in the past week or so. 1. Spain Now Allowing Net Metering for Small Power Plants! “Spain’s government passed a decree [last] Friday designed to make it easier for small power plants to … [continued]
The African Development Bank and South African state-owned electric utility Eskom signed a $365 million loan package that will help fund two historic renewable energy projects. The AfDB also pledged $498 million for Moroccan solar power projects. Africa, along with all nations around the world, stands at an energy crossroads. The AfDB loans will provide a substantive boost as South Africa and Morocco attempt to transition to clean energy economies that may serve as a model across the continent and beyond.
A report released last week by the China Council of International Co-operation on Environment and Development found that China could net 9.5 million jobs over the coming 5 years if it gave dirty energy the shaft and replaced it with clean, renewable energy and other “green businesses” instead. The head of the China … [continued]
Today, I’m going to do a few round-ups to catch you all up on what I think were important stories in the cleantech arena. This first one is on cleantech policy. 1. Senators Ron Wyden (D-OR), Susan Collins (R-ME) and Senate Energy Chairman Jeff Bingaman (D-NM) have introduced the Storage Technology for Renewable and Green Energy … [continued]
“We have to hire plumbers, electricians, painters, folks who do that kind of work when you retrofit a plant. Jobs are created in the process — no question about that.” — Mike Morris, CEO, American Electric Power What happens when the GOP mantra that environmental regulations kill jobs is proven false? … [continued]
