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Multi-state coordination needed to revive U.S. offshore wind industry — report
Following a lackluster several months for offshore wind in the United States, a new report argues that interstate coordination is essential if the industry is going to get back on its feet. Noting that the United States seems to have entered the “post-Cape Wind” era, report author and Clean Energy Group President Lewis Milford said in an email introducing the report that “the current policy isn’t working and there is a need for multi-state policy approaches.” [ read more … ]
McCarthy hints at interim target changes in power plant rule
U.S. EPA Administrator Gina McCarthy suggested today that EPA would change the way early reductions are mandated in its final version of the Clean Power Plan. In an appearance at the National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners (NARUC) winter meeting, McCarthy acknowledged many states have told EPA that the interim compliance period would limit their options or affect reliability. [ read more … ]
State regulators sharply criticize Clean Power Plan
When it comes to U.S. EPA’s Clean Power Plan, Texas’ best bet might be to “just say no,” its regulatory utility commissioner said today. EPA would have to provide substantial new “relief” in its final version of the rule for existing power plants in order to give Texas confidence that complying would be a good idea, Commissioner Kenneth Anderson told the winter meeting of the National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners. [ read more … ]
GM Adds Wind Energy to Power Factories in Mexico
Yesterday General Motors (GM) announced it will add wind power to its energy portfolio for the first time in the history of the company. The construction of the 34 megawatt wind farm in Palo Alto, 325 miles (526 km) from Mexico City, will begin during the second quarter of this year
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EU on track for green energy goal but UK, Dutch lagging
EU nations are on track to meet a target to get one fifth of their energy from renewable sources by 2020, even though Britain, the Netherlands and Luxembourg are lagging behind, the European Environment Agency (EEA) said on Tuesday. The EEA, which provides analysis to EU policymakers, said energy from sources such as wind and solar had become much cheaper. As a result, alternatives had displaced coal and gas, cut carbon emissions and improved energy security.
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Group retools petition requesting FWS permits for bird kills
A conservation group has renewed its push for the Fish and Wildlife Service to tighten regulation of bird deaths at wind farms. The American Bird Conservancy says the agency should establish a mandatory permitting regime under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act (MBTA), a move it argued would bolster protections for wildlife while providing legal certainty for wind developers. [ read more … ]
Note: News clips provided do not necessarily reflect the views of coalition or its member governors.