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Tax Breaks & Subsidies and Energy Policy
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True cost of Britain's wind farm industry revealed
June 16, 2013 by Robert Mendick and Edward Malnick in The Telegraph
June 16, 2013 by Robert Mendick and Edward Malnick in The Telegraph
A new analysis of government and industry figures shows that wind turbine owners received £1.2billion in the form of a consumer subsidy, paid by a supplement on electricity bills last year. They employed 12,000 people, to produce an effective £100,000 subsidy on each job.
The disclosure is potentially embarrassing for the wind industry, which claims it is an economically dynamic sector that creates jobs.
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UK]
Merkel vows to rein in renewable subsidies
June 12, 2013 by Vera Eckert and Madeline Chambers in Reuters
June 12, 2013 by Vera Eckert and Madeline Chambers in Reuters
Merkel's policy to wean Europe's biggest power market off fossil fuels and to embrace renewables has led to a boom in green energy sources, but ballooning costs have led to calls for cuts to feed-in tariffs and for industry to pay more.
"Dealing with the renewable energy reform is the most urgent of the energy topics, in my view."
Also filed under [
Germany]
Province announces overhaul of FIT program for renewable energy projects; Officials doubt new MOE process will help
June 5, 2013 by Barb McKay in Kincardine Independent
June 5, 2013 by Barb McKay in Kincardine Independent
"It remains to be seen just how, or if, this new direction will have any impact on Pattern and Samsung's project, which already has Feed-in-Tariff approval," Clarke said. "Going forward, if there will be a more inclusive process that engages municipalities, that's fine, but what does it mean for current projects?" ..."The devil will be in the details."
Also filed under [
Canada]
War on Subsidies: Brussels Takes Aim at German Energy Revolution
May 29, 2013 by Frank Dohmen, Christoph Pauly and Gerald Traufetter in Der Spiegel
May 29, 2013 by Frank Dohmen, Christoph Pauly and Gerald Traufetter in Der Spiegel
The costs of start-up financing for green energy and the compensation for expansion of the power grid are added to customers' electricity bills in the form of a special tax. The entire subsidy system is supposed to come to an end when green energy becomes competitive. That, at least, is the theory.
But the reality is different. No longer can one simply describe the tax as a way to get renewable energies off the ground. Indeed, following Berlin's decision two years ago to shelve nuclear energy and accelerate the expansion of renewables, the EEG has become a giant redistribution machine.
Shortly after a blade came loose at the Ocotillo Express Wind facility in Imperial County earlier this month, facility operator Pattern Energy deftly handed the matter off to turbine builder Siemens Energy. With a muted press statement issued Friday, it looks as though Siemens is now trying to pass the buck as well.
Ag industry concerned about renewable energy bill that would increase electricity costs
April 27, 2013 by Eric Brown in Greeley Tribune
April 27, 2013 by Eric Brown in Greeley Tribune
"This would just be terrible for the dairies around here," said Weld County Commissioner and Platteville-area farmer Doug Rademacher, who added that Weld County's five-member Board of County Commissioners has spoken out against Senate Bill 252. "It would really be disastrous for all of ag. A farmer told me the other day this could increase his electricity costs for (groundwater) pumping by about $8,000 per month."
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Colorado]
U.S. States turn against renewable energy as gas plunges
April 23, 2013 by Christopher Martin in Bloomberg News
April 23, 2013 by Christopher Martin in Bloomberg News
Sixteen of the 29 states with renewable portfolio standards are considering legislation that would reduce the need for wind and solar power, according to researchers backed by the U.S. Energy Department. North Carolina lawmakers may be among the first to move, followed by Colorado and Connecticut. ...Repealing the state's RPS policy "would help increase disposable income, attract more business investment and make energy more affordable for consumers."
Also filed under [
USA]
Exelon falls from green favor as chief fights wind aid
April 1, 2013 by Jim Snyder & Julie Johnsson in Bloomberg News
April 1, 2013 by Jim Snyder & Julie Johnsson in Bloomberg News
Also filed under [
USA]
"I will continue my efforts to get rid of the 20-year-old, multi-billion-dollar subsidy for unreliable, expensive wind energy that stands no chance of powering our nation's 21st century economy." ...Perhaps just as important, Alexander said, wind turbines would scar the mountaintops of Tennessee, the only place in the state where they can work.
Generous subsidies for renewable energy in Europe widespread. Europe's debt crisis has many nations focused on costs, not climate change. Rocketing prices, infrastructure challenges, budget cutbacks paring renewables push.
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Europe]
RGGI money eyed by NH House for low-income families
March 21, 2013 by Garry Raymo in New Hampshire Union Leader
March 21, 2013 by Garry Raymo in New Hampshire Union Leader
However, some members wanted to see the program repealed, including House Republican Alliance co-chair Rep Pam Tucker, R-Greenland. ...Over the past two years, the House voted to repeal RGGI, while the Senate wanted to modify the program. Two years ago, the bill died when the Senate failed to override former Gov. John Lynch's veto.
Also filed under [
New Hampshire]
Surplus wind power could cost Ontario ratepayers up to $200 million: IESO
February 27, 2013 by John Spears in Toronto Star
February 27, 2013 by John Spears in Toronto Star
Surplus wind power could cost Ontario ratepayers millions and compromise power system, says electricity system operator. It says renewable energy market rules must change. ...The IESO has drawn up new rules that will allow it to shut output from wind and solar operators ...The renewable power generators are fighting the new rules vigorously.
Also filed under [
Canada]
As the session progresses, renewable energy advocates are bracing to defend critical policies that have helped Texas become the leading wind-power state. The ascendancy of the Tea Party, an abundance of cheap natural gas and tighter budgets have reduced the sway of the wind industry. Solar power advocates anticipate limited gains at best.
Also filed under [
Texas]
In the report, released on Monday, the authors say wind energy "will never be suited as the lone or primary source of grid electricity due to its variable nature and will not deliver the environmental benefits expected".
Also filed under [
UK]
Despite dawn of a new term, forecast cloudy for energy and enviro issues
January 22, 2013 by Nick Juliano, Jean Chemnick and Phil Taylor in E&E News
January 22, 2013 by Nick Juliano, Jean Chemnick and Phil Taylor in E&E News
Fresh off their successful push to extend a key tax break in the PTC, wind industry lobbyists are beginning to prepare for the tax reform fight. But the push for some longer-term certainty will proceed without at least one key ally in Congress.
Rep. Dave Reichert (R-Wash.) says the one-year extension and expansion of the PTC that were included in this month's "fiscal cliff" legislation should be sufficient for the industry.
Also filed under [
USA]
"Defendants used the ATVM loan program as nothing more than a veil to steer hundreds of millions of taxpayer dollars to government cronies," according to the district court complaint.
Today's lawsuits are the latest challenge to clean-energy loan programs administered by the Energy Department, which has come under scrutiny over a $535 million loan guarantee to now-bankrupt solar-panel maker Solyndra.
Also filed under [
USA]
Xcel Energy clarifies wind energy position after lobbyist implies doubt
January 8, 2013 by Leslie Brooks Suzukamo in Pioneer Press
January 8, 2013 by Leslie Brooks Suzukamo in Pioneer Press
Xcel won't need more wind energy until 2019 at the earliest, because it has built up a sufficient storehouse of wind energy, Xcel spokeswoman Mary Sandok said.
Xcel will revive its idea for a consumer renewable credit with Congress this year when lobbying begins anew on extending the production tax credit beyond 2013.
Also filed under [
Minnesota]
Dems dig in against spending cuts to clean-energy programs
January 7, 2013 by Zack Colman in The Hill
January 7, 2013 by Zack Colman in The Hill
Rep. Mike Pompeo (R-Kan.), a second-term lawmaker who opposes energy credits, said he believes Congress "can get rid of a big swath" of energy subsidies.
"I've spent the first two years in Congress talking about these market distortions," Pompeo told The Hill. "This is the stuff that five years ago wasn't even talked about. I think we've made a lot of progress in getting awareness."
Also filed under [
USA]
PSB report criticizes renewable credit sales
December 14, 2012 by John Dillon in Vermont Public Radio
December 14, 2012 by John Dillon in Vermont Public Radio
The PSB recommends that the renewable energy credits be retired - and not re-sold to polluting power companies. The board says that because RECs are sold in the regional market, utilities in other states can use them to offset their own emissions.
Also filed under [
Vermont]
Sen. Alexander: Double DOE research funding, end wind credit to grow revenues
December 4, 2012 by Zack Colman in The Hill
December 4, 2012 by Zack Colman in The Hill
Sen. Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.) said Congress should double the Energy Department's (DOE) research and development funding to generate breakthroughs that would reduce oil dependency and close the federal deficit.
Alexander said he would pay for part of that $6 billion bump by eliminating a tax incentive for wind power production that he has long opposed.
Also filed under [
USA]