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]
I’m not sure how many open letters I’ve read over the years from businesses and state-level political leaders urging Congress to extend short-term tax credits to renewables. It’s a lot. And it’s kind of sad that I’m still reading them. The latest letter, written by a bi-partisan coalition of governors who support … [continued]
I don’t know how many of you are following the SolarWorld petition alleging that China is dumping solar panels in the U.S., and the push-back against it by a coalition of solar companies, Coalition for Affordable Solar Energy (CASE). To me, this is all a big waste of time and … [continued]
The World Bank Group is providing $300 million in loans to co-finance Ouarzazate, a 500 MW Concentrated Solar Power Plant that would be one of the largest in the world upon completion. The World Bank Group’s IBRD and Clean Technology Fund are members of a public-private partnership with the Moroccan Agency for Solar Energy that also includes includes four international lenders from Europe and Africa.
I got this email yesterday from the Solar Energy Industries Association. Thought I should share with you all…. Last year, solar customers across the U.S. enjoyed a holiday miracle when Congress voted at the eleventh-hour to extend the hugely successful 1603 Treasury Program through 2011. Now we’re hoping for a … [continued]
Following in my new, daily trend of doing a roundup post on different cleantech matters, here are 7 recent green jobs stories you might have missed: In London, there are now about 160,000 people working in green jobs in 9,000 companies. The growth rate in the industry there has been … [continued]
