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Posts Tagged ‘government’

Markey introduces energy tax credit

November 23rd, 2009

This bill has the potential to trickle down to all of us and will cut costs of renewable energy and create jobs.

On November 20, Congresswoman Betsy Markey was today joined by Congressman Erik Paulsen (R-MN) in introducing the Renewable Electricity Integration Tax Credit Act (REITC), which will provide a tax credit for utilities to integrate more wind and solar into their energy portfolios.

“Our corner of Colorado is today what Silicon Valley was in the 1980s,” [said] Rep. Markey. “We are on the cusp of a revolution in American energy production that will break our dependence on foreign oil and take control of the way we power America. People will look to Colorado as a leader because we’ve been doing it longer and better than anybody else. It’s time for America to take back control of our energy, our security, and our jobs.”

Read the whole story here.

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Posted in Energy, News, Planning, Policy, Renewable Energy, Solar, Wind

Tags: government politics tax credit utilities

Palmdale parking lots to double as power plants

October 21st, 2009

Seventeen small turbines are going to be installed in a Sam’s Club parking lot in Palmdale, California atop existing light poles. The turbines are expected to produce 76,000 kilowatts of energy (enough to power six single-family homes for a year).

According to the article, “Under a power purchase agreement, the wind development firm Deerpath Energy would own the turbines and Wal-Mart would buy the power they produce.”

Wind as a power source is part of an energy trend in the American landscape.

Last year, 10,000 small turbines were sold to homes, farms and businesses nationwide, said Ron Stimmel, who specializes in small wind systems at the American Wind Energy Assn. in Washington, D.C. The figure represents a 78% increase over the previous year, attributed in part to cheaper prices and federal tax credits. The systems are concentrated in states with the best rebate policies — and a good supply of wind — including California, Wisconsin, New York, Ohio and Vermont.

“Small wind systems have a similar potential for growth as the solar industry,” Stimmel said. “This is very well on its way to becoming mainstream.” — Palmdale parking lots to double as power plants — latimes.com

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Posted in Commercial Wind Power, Energy, News, Planning, Policy, Small Wind Turbines, Wind

Tags: application government News small wind turbines

Giant wind turbine, centerpiece of research venture, switched on near Boulder – Denver Business Journal:

October 20th, 2009

Giant wind turbine, centerpiece of research venture, switched on near Boulder

One of the coolest quotes in the article: Ritter said in a statement. “Together, with public and private partners like these, we’re making our state a clean-energy research beacon and building a new energy future for Colorado and America. We’re creating a model strategy for every state in the country to follow, a model that’s creating jobs, diversifying our energy portfolio and addressing climate change.”

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Posted in Commercial Wind Power, Energy, News, Planning, Wind

Tags: academics application energy rebate government turbines

Sustainability summit in Salida, Colorado

October 14th, 2009

The Mountain Mail front page included an article today announcing The Chaffee County Renewable Energy Planning Initiative summit October 15 in Salida, Colorado. Kathryn Wadsworth of Incite Consulting, LLC says this summit is the public involvement component.

Businesses, non-profits, government, and academia may attend a presentation from 9:00 to 10:30 a.m. by Don Marostica, Colorado Department of Economic Development and International Trade director. Marostica will talk about renewable energy economic development for Chaffee County, Colorado.

Other meetings scheduled for the day include a sustainability round table from 1:00 to 4:30 and the Renewable Energy Economic Summit from 6:00 to 8:30 p.m.

The round table will include organizations with reservations. They currently include: the towns of Poncha Springs, Buena Vista, and Salida, representative from Chaffee County, Southwest Conservation Corps, Colorado Mountain College, Chaffee Citizens for Sustainability, Mt. Princeton Geothermal, Peak Solar Designs, Saguache County and Custer County Conservation District.

According the The Mountain Mail article the Renewable Energy Economic Summit (at 6:00) is open to the public and will “feature discussion about the energy economy, geothermal resources and energy supplier programs and incentives.”

Chaffee County energy summit set for October 15

October 2nd, 2009

Incite Consulting, will be the project manager for the Chaffee County Renewable Energy Plan. According to The Mountain Mail, “An economic development summit focused on renewable energy is planned for 5-8 p.m. Oct. 15 at the Salida Steam Plant Theater and Event Center.”

Representatives from Buena Vista, Poncha Springs, Salida, and Chaffee County make up a steering committee for the Chaffee County Renewable Energy Plan development.

The purpose of the plan is “to prepare to participate in and take advantage of [Colorado Gov. Ritter's] New Energy Economy and encourage and implement conservation efforts.”

Residents, businesses, and organizations are encouraged to attend meetings and make comments on a the project’s website.

2009 Govenors Energy Office Solar Rebate Program Successful, Program Being Expanded with ARRA Funds

September 4th, 2009

The GEO’s 2009 Solar Rebate Program ended on June 30th and was a great
success. A result of the close collaboration of community non-profits,
municipalities, Rural Electric Associations, solar contractors, energy
auditors, and Colorado residents and businesses, the results achieved in
the program’s first year included:

A total of 499 solar energy systems were installed resulting in 2.36 megawatts of production capacity. This is enough energy to power 486 homes every year with 100% solar energy.
A total of $2,433,919 in rebates was issued resulting in $9,278,000 in direct system investment, a significant portion of which was generated in economically depressed regions of the state.
Eighteen direct jobs were created within program partner organizations and solar contracting companies.
The instillations avoided 2,443 Metric Tons of CO2 emissions, the equivalent of taking 447 passenger cars off the road for 1 year.
Five Colorado schools received grants for systems.

The GEO Solar Rebate Program is currently being upgraded and finalized.

You can expect to see an expanded version of this program for residents and businesses as a result of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.

In the meantime:

Xcel Energy customers should visit the Xcel Energy Web site for information about the Solar Rewards program.
Black Hills Energy customers should visit the Black Hills Energy Web site for information about their rebate program.