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Even under Trump, U.S. renewable investment hits record
The U.S. renewable energy industry doesn’t seem to take much notice of President Trump’s views on green energy and climate change as investments surged to a record last year.
New investments were buoyed by wind and solar companies rushing to qualify for federal tax credits being scaled back this year. A total of $55.5 billion was spent in the sector last year, an increase of 28%, second only to China and beating Europe, according to research by BloombergNEF. [ read more … ]
Wind Energy
Wind, EVs race ahead while wider green investment stalls
A few renewable energy technologies are bracing for rapid growth, breaking away from stagnation in investment across the whole industry last year. A BloombergNEF report that counted $282.2 billion in funding for clean energy technologies in 2019, up just 1% from the year before, suggested electric cars, offshore wind farms and energy storage devices will enjoy the biggest gains. [ read more … ]
Solar Energy
Study questions value of solar panel giveaways
Large subsidies often aren’t enough to convince low- to moderate-income people to install rooftop solar panels, according to a new study, raising questions about the limits of the technology’s usefulness for decarbonizing electricity. The study out of the University of Chicago, published this week in Energy Research & Social Science, sought to evaluate whether low-income adopters of rooftop solar were attracted to the technology for different reasons than high-income people, who make up the bulk of residential solar customers now. [ read more … ]
Climate
Gina McCarthy on clean energy, climate and 2020 elections
Gina McCarthy wrapped up week two as head of the Natural Resources Defense Council by laying out her goals to reporters for what will be a pivotal year in energy and environmental policy. The former EPA administrator, who led the agency during President Obama’s second term, started last week as head of NRDC, one of the country’s most prominent environmental organizations. She spoke this morning to reporters at the group’s Washington office. [ read more … ]
Clean Fuel Standard
Inslee in hot fight over Clean Fuel Standard to curb global warming
Washington Gov. Jay Inslee wants a Clean Fuel Standard for Washington, following enactment of similar standards in California, Oregon and British Columbia.
Farm Bureau leaders, building trades unions, construction companies, a conservative think tank, oil marketers and the Washington Aggregates and Concrete Association used a State Senate hearing Thursday to denounce Gov. Jay Inslee’s proposal for a clean fuels standard, a key goal in Inslee’s state-of-the-state address. The nation’s “greenest” governor is in for another fight. [ read more … ]
Note: News clips provided do not necessarily reflect the views of coalition or its member governors.