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Re-energize the Economy |
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The New York Times
February 26th, 2011
NEARLY every governor in America is wrestling with budget issues, making unenviable choices on which services, programs or salaries to reduce or eliminate, and deciding whether higher taxes and fees are viable. Most governors are hemmed in by state requirements that the budget be balanced without deficit spending. And I know how daunting — and all-consuming — the task can be. What I hope does not get lost in this effort is the governors’ responsibility to help develop a clean energy economy in America, one that will help create jobs, wean us off foreign oil and protect the environment.
Building this new economy starts with understanding how clean energy legislation can create jobs. During my four-year term in Colorado, I signed 57 pieces of clean energy legislation. In 2007, for example, we doubled the proportion of energy in the state that is required to come from renewable sources to 20 percent by 2020. In 2010, we increased that to 30 percent for our biggest utility. As a result, Colorado now ranks fourth among the 50 states in its number of clean energy workers per capita, and 1,500 clean energy companies call our state home — an 18 percent increase since 2004. Wind- and solar-energy companies that have built factories and opened offices in Colorado have brought in thousands of new jobs. Full Article |
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Government Catch-22 Clouds Consumer Adoption of Solar Roofs |
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CNBC
February 24th, 2011
As the federal government pushes to make solar energy cost competitive with coal, local governments are undercutting the effort by imposing high fees and red tape on business and consumers.
“Consider thousands of local processes fees and timelines,” says Rob Cahill, manager of business development for solar financier SunRun Inc., pointing out that installing solar panels is still treated by city authorities like a complex home renovation. “It’s not surprising that a significant amount of (solar’s cost) is embedded in a local regulatory morass,” he says. Full Article |
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Green Energy: State Senate Approves Ambitious Clean-Energy Mandate |
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Los Angeles Times
February 24th, 2011
The state Senate on Thursday approved a measure requiring California utilities to buy 33% of their electricity from wind, solar and other renewable energy sources by the year 2020, with supporters arguing it will help recharge the economy by creating jobs.
State Sen. Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto) said his legislation, which now goes to the Assembly, will help the state meet both environmental and economic goals.
"This is a measure that can help us right now with clean air, help us right now to address climate change… and right now we can begin to create the jobs that this state so desperately needs," Simitian said during a floor debate on SB 2X. Full Article |
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Robbing California of energy |
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Los Angeles Times
February 23rd, 2011
The House of Representatives this week approved legislation that irresponsibly eliminates a key Energy Department loan guarantee program that is helping grow California's renewable energy industry and creating jobs across Southern California. Full Article |
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SoloPower lands loan guarantee for solar plant |
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CNET
February 18th, 2011
SoloPower said yesterday it has conditional commitment from the Department of Energy for a $197 million loan guarantee to build a factory in Oregon.
The company plans to start construction of a plant in Wilsonville, Oregon in the second quarter of this year. Once operating, it will be able to turn out 400 megawatts worth of panels per year.
The move gives San Jose, California-based SoloPower the financial wherewithal to expand beyond a smaller demonstration plant in San Jose. The company has also gotten a loan and tax credits from the state of Oregon. Full Article |
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