Senators fear budget standoff may sink spending bills 

It’s only June, but appropriators are already talking about a CR.

The possibility of a continuing resolution is generally seen as a last-ditch scenario for appropriators, who pride themselves on working across the aisle to write the annual spending bills. But the increasingly knotty standoff between the two parties over the spending levels mandated by the GOP budget has some senators seeing another stopgap measure in the cards for September. [ read more … ]

Pope Draft Encyclical Calls for Swift Action on Climate Change

The encyclical urges rich nations to re-examine their “throw-away” lifestyle, an appeal Francis has made often since his election in 2013. “Enormous consumption in some rich countries have repercussions in some of the poorest places on Earth,” he says, according to the leaked draft. The pope calls for a reduction in carbon emissions, an increase in policies that favour renewable energy and warns of the long-term effects of continuing to use fossil fuels as the main source of global energy. [ read more … ]

Oklahoma wind industry looks to finish projects before tax incentives end

Facing the loss of some tax incentives at the end of 2016, Oklahoma’s wind industry might accelerate the already rapid pace of wind development over the next 18 months as projects try to beat the deadline. The question is what happens after Jan. 1, 2017, when some of the incentives disappear. Responding to complaints that wind subsidies were creating a burden on the state budget, the Legislature voted earlier this year to let two types of tax credits expire. Senate Bill 498 will do away with a five-year property tax exemption for wind developments, while SB 502 will prevent wind developments from using a “new jobs” tax credit. [ read more … ]

Former Senator Jim Webb Tours Iowa Wind Farm

Former United States Senator Jim Webb, D-Virgina visited the Rippey Wind Farm located near Grand Junction Iowa. Webb, wanted to learn more about green energy. Employees of RPM Access told the former senator of how Iowa is a great place to generate electricity. Issues come over transmission lines, or substations which may not be up to standard.
The representatives also shared policy from Washington DC causes uncertainty for investors planning projects. [ read more … ]