Can simple government programs effectively promote voluntary initiatives to reduce greenhouse-gas emissions? This paper by Matthew J. Kotchen provides an evaluation of how the Connecticut Clean Energy Communities program affects household decisions to voluntarily purchase “green” electricity, which is electricity generated from renewable sources of energy. The results suggest that, within participating communities, subsidizing municipal...
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The US Federal Regulatory Commission gave the green light on a proposed river tidal demonstration project in the state of Maine recently, declaring that the the facility does not require a license to operate since it will not be connecting with the grid. The order (DI10-1) allows the Maine Maritime Academy to proceed with testing underwater power...
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The Minerals Management Service (MMS) RFP is seeking submissions of interest in obtaining one or more commercial leases for the construction of a wind energy project on the incoming and outgoing shipping routes for Delaware Bay.
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Democratic lawmakers floated legislation that would promote U.S. exports of clean technology on Tuesday, according to Reuters. The proposed legislation would create a $15 million fund administered by the Commerce Department to increase the competitiveness of the U.S. clean technology industry, boost exports and promote policies aimed at reducing production costs and encouraging innovation and investment in...
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In 1953, the Netherlands was swamped. The North Sea washed over half a million acres of land and killed over 1,800 people on the south-western coast. The disaster prodded the Dutch government into embarking on one of the greatest engineering projects in history. Over the following decades, engineers constructed a vast network of dams, sluices, locks, dykes and storm-surge barriers...
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Renewable Energy Certificate (REC) market is poised for continued growth in the coming years. REC sales in the compliance market alone will increase more than 50 percent by 2015, reaching 179 million megawatt hour (MWh), according to a new report from Pike Research. In a forecast scenario that includes passage of a federal Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS), the report predicts...
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The 2010 Climate Competitiveness Index, which tracks national progress to create green jobs and economic growth through low-carbon economic growth, shows that in spite of uncertainty surrounding international climate negotiations, countries have pushed ahead with low-carbon growth strategies during the first quarter of 2010. The annual Climate Competitiveness Index (CCI), produced by the independent...
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Washington State is moving forward on plans to enter into long-term biomass supply agreements with biomass energy companies. The state recently enacted the Forest Biomass Supply Agreements Bill, which will enable companies to secure reliable and predictably priced biomass feedstock from state forest lands. Supporters claim the measure will boost the timber economy while...
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