U.S. vs China in Ugly Clean-Energy Race

Wind Financing Decline Starts Renewable Energy Investment Slide

Investment in renewable energy fell 20 percent from a year ago in the third quarter as wind farm financings dropped and the pace of spending eased in the U.S. and India, Bloomberg New Energy Finance said.

The $56.6 billion injected into clean energy projects in the third quarter was down 5 percent from the second quarter and indicates that investment may fall for the first time in eight years when figures for the whole of 2012 are tallied, the London-based researcher said in a statement today. … Continue Reading

Shifting our Paradigm on Clean Energy Matters

As the election season heats up, we’re seeing an avalanche of ads from the fossil-fuel industry. But it was only four years ago that companies like Chevron, BP and others were touting their commitment to renewables, and even Republicans were paying lip service to addressing climate change, instead of using “heal the planet” as a convention speech punchline.

The political gridlock on climate change is unlikely to clear up anytime soon, no matter who wins in November. But clean energy is enormously popular in the polls, and we can continue making progress by expanding investment opportunities in renewables. But to truly make the transition to a clean economy, we need a paradigm shift that gives millions of Americans a real stake in a clean energy future.

There are three simple things required: … Continue Reading

Sprint and Others in Support of Renewable Energy Tax Credit

Today, 19 companies, including major consumer brands and several Fortune 500 firms, wrote to Congressional leaders encouraging them to extend the Production Tax Credit (PTC), a key provision supporting renewable energy.

The PTC provides a tax credit of 2.2 cents per kilowatt-hour of renewable power generated and, if lawmakers fail to act, is set to expire in 2012. Originally signed into law by George H.W. Bush, the tax credit has helped to strengthen energy diversity, reduce reliance on fossil fuels and keep electricity costs low for homes and businesses across the country. … Continue Reading

Will President Obama Go For Renewable Clean Energy in New Term

President Barack Obama’s effort to develop renewable power sources and persuade Congress to adopt a long-term energy policy will be priorities should he win a second term, his top climate and energy aide said.

Clean-energy programs and efficiency initiatives will be a focus for the president if he’s re-elected in November, Heather Zichal, Obama’s deputy assistant for energy and climate change, told reporters today in Washington.

“The big issue will remain engagement with Congress,” she said. “The president has talked continuously about the need for a long-term energy policy, and I think that will be something that he will obviously remain focused on in the second term.” … Continue Reading

Renewable Energy Markets Being Dominated By China; US Shares 2nd

 According to the most recent Global Renewable Energy Country Attractiveness Indices Report (CAI), China will continue to dominate the global renewable energy market. The country has quadrupled its solar capacity target to 50GW by 2020. At the top of the All Renewable Index (ARI), China will have to overcome some challenges including oversupply of wind turbines and solar panels as well as solve many grid transmission issues to reach its goal.

While China’s score is on the rise, America’s score is going downward. The U.S. dropped 1.5 points to share in second position with Germany. The decline was caused by ongoing uncertainty in U.S.’s long-term energy strategy and a failure to indicate if there will be an extension to the Production Tax Credit for wind projects. The rise in Germany’s score was a result of the government’s approach to addressing barriers to offshore wind development and stability in its solar market. … Continue Reading

Texans Prefer and Demand Clean Green Energy From Power Companies

A new retail electric brand offering customers power generated exclusively from renewable sources illustrates Texas’ growing demand for clean energy, a consumer advocate says.

Direct Energy’s New Leaf Energy brand will add to a market already loaded with all-renewable energy plans, but it will be the first available to Texas electric service shoppers certified by Green-e Energy. The independent organization verifies renewable standards for companies seeking its seal of approval.

Tom “Smitty” Smith, director of the Texas office for consumer advocacy group Public Citizen, said the addition of another player in the renewable market “is consistent with the kind of polling that has been done for over 15 years that says that most Texans would prefer to get clean and green energy from their power company.” … Continue Reading

Renewable Energy Tax-Credits and Proposed Bills

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Engineering and Support Center issued a $7 billion, multiple-award request for proposal (RFP) to procure solar, wind, geothermal and biomass energy through power purchase agreements with both large and small businesses. The $7 billion total contract capacity will be expended for the purchase of energy during a period of 30 years or less from renewable energy plants that are constructed and operated by contractors using private sector financing. The contractors will finance, design, build, operate, own and maintain the energy plants. Projects may be located on any federal property within or under control of the United States. Awarding these contracts will result in a streamlined process to develop large-scale renewable energy projects that use private sector financing, the Army said. The solicitation for Renewable and Alternative Energy Power Production for Department of Defense Installations is posted on the Federal Business Opportunities website at www.fbo.gov. Responses must be submitted by Oct. 5.