Governors' Wind Energy Coalition

Are we wildly underestimating solar and wind power?

By Brad Plumer, Washington Post • • Posted 2012-06-20 12:45:57

Right now, renewable energy sources like solar and wind still provide just a small fraction of the world’s electricity. But they’re growing fast. Very fast. Three new pieces of evidence suggest that many policymakers may be drastically underestimating just how quickly wind and solar are expanding. [ read more … ]

Global Economy Limits Expectations at Earth Summit in Brazil

By SIMON ROMERO and JOHN M. BRODER, New York Times • • Posted 2012-06-20 12:46:22

Global leaders, development experts, bankers, academics and activists are gathering here this week to celebrate the anniversary of the landmark Earth Summit of 1992 and to try to address the linked problems of poverty, hunger, energy shortages and environmental degradation. But the conference — expected to draw as many as 50,000 participants — is in many ways overshadowed by economic and political crises around the world. While more than 100 heads of state and government are planning to attend the formal talks starting Wednesday, President Obama, Prime Minister David Cameron of Britain and Chancellor Angela Merkel of Germany are staying away, preoccupied by domestic politics and the financial turmoil in Europe. [ read more … ]

States try variants of feed-in tariff to help connect solar, wind power to grid

Daniel Cusick, E&E reporter • • Posted 2012-06-20 12:46:40

While much of the renewable energy sector remains focused on extending federal tax credits for wind, solar and other alternative fuels, utilities and small-scale energy producers in more than a dozen states are forging ahead with programs that pay renewable energy producers a fixed rate for power they put on the grid. The programs, known as “Clean Local Energy Accessible Now,” or CLEAN, allow mostly municipal utilities and energy producers to enter contracts guaranteeing a fixed rate for electricity sent to the grid from clean sources over a fixed period of time, usually 10 to 20 years, said John Farrell, a senior researcher for the Institute for Local Self-Reliance, or ILSR, which issued a status report on the programs. [ read more … ]

Note: News clips provided do not necessarily reflect the views of coalition or its member governors.

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	June 20, 2012
Are we wildly underestimating solar and wind power? By Brad Plumer, Washington Post • • Posted 2012-06-20 12:45:57 Right now, renewable energy sources like solar and wind still provide just a small fraction of the world’s electricity. But they’re growing fast. Very fast. Three new pieces of evidence suggest that many policymakers may be drastically underestimating just how quickly wind and solar are expanding. [ read more … ] Global Economy Limits Expectations at Earth Summit in Brazil By SIMON ROMERO and JOHN M. BRODER, New York Times • • Posted 2012-06-20 12:46:22 Global leaders, development experts, bankers, academics and activists are gathering here this week to celebrate the anniversary of the landmark Earth Summit of 1992 and to try to address the linked problems of poverty, hunger, energy shortages and environmental degradation. But the conference — expected to draw as many as 50,000 participants — is in many ways overshadowed by economic and political crises around the world. While more than 100 heads of state and government are planning to attend the formal talks starting Wednesday, President Obama, Prime Minister David Cameron of Britain and Chancellor Angela Merkel of Germany are staying away, preoccupied by domestic politics and the financial turmoil in Europe. [ read more … ] States try variants of feed-in tariff to help connect solar, wind power to grid Daniel Cusick, E&E reporter • • Posted 2012-06-20 12:46:40 While much of the renewable energy sector remains focused on extending federal tax credits for wind, solar and other alternative fuels, utilities and small-scale energy producers in more than a dozen states are forging ahead with programs that pay renewable energy producers a fixed rate for power they put on the grid. The programs, known as “Clean Local Energy Accessible Now,” or CLEAN, allow mostly municipal utilities and energy producers to enter contracts guaranteeing a fixed rate for electricity sent to the grid from clean sources over a fixed period of time, usually 10 to 20 years, said John Farrell, a senior researcher for the Institute for Local Self-Reliance, or ILSR, which issued a status report on the programs. [ read more … ] Note: News clips provided do not necessarily reflect the views of coalition or its member governors.
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