Monthly Archives: July 2012
July 31, 2012
Note: This post was originally published on CleanTechnica
By Silvio Marcacci
Michigan voters will vote on a measure to more than double their state’s renewable energy standard (RES) this November, thanks to a grassroots ballot initiative launched in January by a coalition of public health, environmental, labor, and clean energy groups.
The coalition, Michigan Energy Michigan Jobs, submitted 530,000 signatures from citizens who supported boosting the state’s RES from 10 percent by 2015 to 25 percent by 2025 while limiting utilities to one percent maximum annual rate increases. Michigan law requires 322,609 valid signatures for proposals to appear on the ballot, meaning voters will decide the state’s clean energy future this November.
Advocates have presented the ballot measure as a way to match unemployed workers to green collar jobs in one of the states hardest hit by the recession. “Clean energy businesses here in Michigan are using our… Continue reading >
July 25, 2012
Note: This post was originally published on CleanTechnica
By Silvio Marcacci
American energy policy is often said to take shape in the states before being adopted across the country – especially when it comes to renewable energy. Considering this, it’s a good thing we’ve got Freeing the Grid 2.0.
The interactive guide, now in its sixth year, highlights states with pro-renewable energy policies and promotes best practices to states lagging behind in getting projects built and connected to the grid. States are awarded grades from A to F, based on their policy landscape.
Freeing the Grid focuses on two of the most important yet least-understood policies powering new rooftop solar and small-scale renewable projects – net metering and grid interconnection procedures.
July 23, 2012
Note: This post was originally published on CleanTechnica
By Silvio Marcacci
Global clean energy investment, which has been buffeted by government austerity and policy uncertainty, rebounded in a major way during the second quarter of 2012 – led, of course, by China.
New clean energy investments totaled $59.6 billion across Q2 2012, up 24 percent compared to Q1 2012, but still well below the near-record amount of $72.5 billion from Q2 2011, according to research published by Bloomberg New Energy Finance (BNEF).
China’s critical role
China surged ahead in investment during the April-June period, up 92 percent from Q1 2011 to $18.3 billion, led by several large solar photovoltaic and wind farm projects each representing hundreds of millions worth of financing. Europe and the United States also gained, but at a slower rate. Clean energy investment rose 11 percent in Europe to reach $20 billion, and 18 percent in the… Continue reading >
