www.windaction.org | Energy Policy

Germany hikes electricity charge to finance renewables
October 15, 2012 by Richard Carter in Yahoo News

In total, the network operators hope to collect more than 20 billion euros to subsidise renewable energies. ..."The increase in this charge is manageable for many households, but there are also very poor, low-income households which could be negatively affected by this type of price rise," she said.

Also filed under [ Tax Breaks & Subsidies| Germany]

Critics call Virginia's renewable energy bonuses a waste renewable energy
October 13, 2012 by Kenric Ward in The Examiner

Environmental groups say Virginia‘s renewable-energy program is a loophole-riddled corporate giveaway that allows utilities to boost rates without building a single wind or solar facility in the Old Dominion. Republican Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli calls the whole subsidy arrangement a waste.

Also filed under [ Virginia]

Campaign for Vermont: State can maintain low carbon footprint and reduce electric costs
October 9, 2012 in VermontBIZ

While renewable energy is well meaning, it is driving the cost of electricity higher in Vermont, which leads to money being diverted from consumers while also discouraging businesses from investing in the state, according to the Campaign for Vermont.

Also filed under [ Impact on Economy| Vermont]

Connecticut considers Canadian hydropower; Energy strategy sees renewables goals
October 9, 2012 by Bill Opalka in RenewablesBiz

Connecticut already has renewable portfolio standard (RPS) of 20% and may seek to increase it. But to do that may require the inclusion of hydropower from Canada to meet that goal, an energy source not currently qualified as renewable under existing rules.

Also filed under [ Connecticut]

Obama, Romney split on energy policy
October 8, 2012 by Don Davis in Inform

In the presidential debate about domestic issues, Romney hit Obama on giving $90 million in tax breaks to wind and solar power projects. Many of them failed, the Republican said, telling Obama, "You pick losers." "This is not the kind of policy you want to have if you want to get America energy-secure," Romney added.

Also filed under [ USA| North Dakota]

Can Idaho Power turn off the wind?
October 7, 2012 by Rocky Barker in The Idaho Statesman

A federal energy decision raises more questions about whether the utility has the power to shut off existing wind plants even if it saves customers money. Idaho Power officials say they are preparing to appeal a federal ruling that challenges company efforts to shut down wind farms during periods of low demand.

Also filed under [ USA| Idaho]

Gov. Paul LePage blamed wind and solar power for rising energy prices in Maine
October 6, 2012 in Sun Journal

"Homeowners will pay $85 more per year on their electricity bill and business will pay more than $600 annually," says LePage - citing a study by the Maine Heritage Policy Center and Beacon Hill Institute. "Industrial users will suffer the most taking on more than $14,000 per year because of the mandate."

Also filed under [ Impact on Economy| Maine]

State advocate poised to support town in wind case
October 4, 2012 by Candace Page in Burlington Free Press

Public Service Department Commissioner Elizabeth Miller, whose department represents the public in cases before the Public Service Board, said she expects to deliver on Gov. Peter Shumlin's promise to support towns that vote not to allow wind turbines within their borders.

Also filed under [ Zoning/Planning| Vermont]

State advocate poised to support town in wind case
October 2, 2012 by Candace Page in Burlington Free Press

The state Public Service Department is poised to oppose a developer's first step toward constructing a wind energy project in the town of Newark after townspeople voted overwhelmingly against accepting turbines in their community.

Also filed under [ Vermont]

Sumitomo sees ‘solar bubble' as Japan rejects nuclear energy
October 1, 2012 by Yuriy Humber and Tsuyoshi Inajima in Bloomberg News

Japan introduced subsidies known as feed-in tariffs on July 1 that require utilities to buy power from renewable energy providers at premium prices. As a result, investment in solar, wind and other forms of clean energy may jump to $17.1 billion this year from $8.6 billion in 2011, Bloomberg New Energy Finance estimates.

Also filed under [ Asia]

Critics: NV Energy undercuts renewable energy development
September 30, 2012 in Reno Gazette-Journal

Critics say Nevada's largest utility is undercutting the spirit of legislation designed to spur renewable energy development by purchasing power from out-of-state sources. ...the company has used wind power from Wyoming, geothermal from Utah and hydropower from Idaho dams to help it meet the state's requirement.

Also filed under [ Nevada]

Ed Davey denied Tory minister wind farm role
September 25, 2012 by James Kirkup in The Telegraph

Following the reshuffle, Mr Davey told officials that he would take over responsibility for many of the issues that Mr Hendry had overseen. An official Whitehall list of ministerial responsibilities has recently been updated to add "renewable energy strategy" to Mr Davey's portfolio.

Also filed under [ UK]

PPL Montana officials discuss potential shutdown of Corette plant
September 22, 2012 by Tom Howard in Billings Gazette

After PPL Montana announced a plan to mothball its J.E. Corette power plant in Billings, likely eliminating 35 jobs and dealing a blow to the local economy, some blamed federally subsidized wind power as the culprit. ..."The wind was brought in to create jobs and to clear carbon emissions, but they've done neither," Winger said. "We're subsidizing a type of industry that can't make it on its own and replacing jobs with unsustainable work."

Also filed under [ Tax Breaks & Subsidies| USA| Montana]

Gone with the wind? Messages mixed on nearby renewable energy projects
September 19, 2012 by Hayleigh Colombo in Journal & Courier

"Indiana is more or less operating with a carrot as opposed to a stick compared with other states around us," Martin said. "Now that Indiana has a clean energy goal, it's going to incentivize projects to move forward, but we haven't seen any indication that we'll be going to a mandate, so it may not happen as quickly."

Also filed under [ Indiana]

FERC commissioner offers 'middle ground' option in wind credit debate
September 18, 2012 by Hannah Northey in E&E News

FERC Commissioner Philip Moeller said wind generators and other power plants could receive tax credits when demand for electricity soars, which would allow Congress to continue providing incentives for the industry while addressing critics' claims that the credits are too broadly distributed.

Also filed under [ USA]

Davey takes on Osborne over wind farms
September 16, 2012 by Jane Merrick in The Independent

"We are not deaf to the controversy around onshore wind. Indeed, we are sensitive to it. We don't want communities to feel that onshore wind is damaging their way of life; rather, that they are playing a vital role in meeting the national need for secure, clean energy. And we certainly don't want hostility to local onshore wind farms to poison a wider debate that is critical to the UK's energy security."

Also filed under [ UK]

France seen turning to renewables in policy shake-up
September 15, 2012 by Muriel Boselli in Reuters

Ministers, NGOs, unions, industries, parliamentarians and consumers will converge for conference to agree on how to conduct a six-month national debate that will reshape the way energy is produced, consumed and taxed in France. Its new Socialist government is expected to announce immediate measures to help the crisis-hit renewable energy sector.

Also filed under [ Europe]

House votes to end energy loan guarantee program
September 15, 2012 by Jim Abrams in Associated Press

"I'm stunned by the cavalier manner in which the administration squandered all of these tax dollars yet says it has no regrets, no apologies, about its handling of the program," said Rep. Fred Upton, R-Mich., chairman of the House Energy and Commerce Committee. "Burning money is one source of energy that the country doesn't need."

Also filed under [ USA]

Wind farms will not stop global warming, claims minister
September 15, 2012 by Rowena Mason in The Telegraph

In his first interview in the job, Mr Paterson has admitted being "sceptical" about climate change policies, such as wind farms that need large subsidies. ...His comments are likely to alarm green groups as part of his new department's official role is to help prepare Britain for climate change.

Also filed under [ UK]

Department of Energy analyzing range of options for clean energy
September 12, 2012 by Marisa Yamane in KHON TV 2

Initially, energy leaders focused on wind power and an undersea cable. But now, that's no longer the case. "Based on the comments we got in the scoping period last year, we listened to those comments, we took them very seriously and basically they said you're not looking broadly enough."

Also filed under [ Hawaii]