Dear Blog readers,
I received this as an e-mail follow-up to a telephone conversation I had earlier today with Doug Ahlfeld as I reported to him the progress of renewable energy legislation still pending during the 2009 session of the Indiana General Assembly. Many renewable energy advocates believe that we can and will get a better Renewable Electricity Standard (RES) passed by the U.S. Congress than the Indiana General Assembly. If we do not pass a state RES again it may have a negative impact on economic development efforts to recruit renewable energy industry investment in our state. We are hearing that those who make such business investment decisions want to see a committment to the renewable energy industry from the State of Indiana. Not only that but it may send the wrong signal to Sen. Evan Bayh as he prepares to vote on a federal RES as a member of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee. The committee vote on a federal RES is expected THIS WEEK.
Yes, the wind farms may continue to be developed within our state because we have the wind resources but some of that wind generated electricity may be transmitted to other states to help utilities meet RES requirements in other states. But what about the opportunities for renewable energy manufacturing investments here in Indiana? What are your thoughts?
Laura,
The Northeast Indiana Partnership, http://www.chooseneindiana.com. who serves an 11 county area of local economic development organizations, along with the Northeast Indiana Green Build Coalition and Indiana & Michigan Power held a very successful wind energy supply chain workshop at the Grand Wayne Convention Center in Fort Wayne this past week. Nearly 300 attendees learned of the potential for building components as the automotive industry continues to diminish area business. At least 60% of the attendees were in an automotive related business.
One of the outcomes from this workshop was the possibility of turbine manufacturers moving to the Northeast Indiana area to take advantage of our manufacturing capacity. I met personally with Mayor Henry, who would welcome such a diversity in manufacturing to this area. However, one of the drawbacks we hear from turbine manufacturers moving to Indiana is the lack of a consistent policy on wind. They want to move to a State who has a favorable policy which will promote their business. I know of two companies who are actively looking at Indiana. As I travel to Chicago next week for the National Wind Conference with some of the Northeast Indiana Partnership officiers, it would be a great advantage to us in our discussions with these turbine manufacturers to have that policy in hand before the legislation closes.
The number of jobs which could come to our area ranges from construction, to service, to manufacturing, to large truck hauling and all the other related businesses with new manufacturing. This would certainly be a vital link to bring a change in direction to our area economy.
I wish you well with your efforts in bringing jobs and wind to Indiana,
Doug Ahlfeld
Board of Directors, Northeast Indiana Green Build Coalition
Education Committee of the Indiana Wind Energy Workgroup
Office 260-693-9380
FAX 260-693-0797
Cell 260-437-1478
Showing posts with label Indiana Renewable Electricity Standard. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Indiana Renewable Electricity Standard. Show all posts
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
Friday, April 17, 2009
Two Different Renewable Energy Bills Pass Indiana House
The Hoosier Environmental Council (HEC) provided this update on the renewable energy bills still pending before the 2009 session of the Indiana General Assembly. Now that both SB 420 and SB 300 passed the Indiana House, these bills return to their Senate authors, Sen. Brandt Hershman (R-Monticello) and Sen. James Merritt (R-Indianapolis) for further deliberations before the session ends at the end of April. Both Senators are likely to return the language of their bills back closer to the way they passed the Indiana State Senate earlier this year. Neogotiations will begin next week after Dissent Motions are filed and conference committee members are appointed. Watch this blog for updates!
House Passes First Comprehensive Green Jobs Bill, Thanks to Your Efforts. Your Help Needed in the Final Stretch!
In a bi-partisan fashion, Indiana's House of Representatives passed the first comprehensive green jobs bill in Indiana`s history. However, ultimate victory is not yet ours! House and Senate negotiations now take place on two different versions of SB 300.
The House version of SB 300, which HEC strongly advanced, would require that 15% of Indiana`s electricity come from wind, biomass and solar (not coal) by 2025 and would enable, in unprecedented ways, Hoosiers to produce more affordable clean, renewable energy at their homes and businesses.
SB 420, a competing renewables bill re-defines so-called "clean coal" as renewable energy, also passed the House. These bills will now go to conference committee.
Please continue your support in these last weeks of the legislative session by contacting the expected members of the conference committee and encouraging them to support SB 300, the HEC supported Green Jobs Development Act and oppose SB 420.
For a comparison of these two dramatically different energy visions, see HEC's policy brief. Conference committee member information can be found here. (This is the list of likely conferees since conferees have not been named yet.)
Click here to see the Roll Call on SB 300. 51 House Democrats voting "Yes", 11 House Republicans Voting "Yes", 37 House Republicans Voting "No" and the Speaker "not voting".
Click here to see the Roll Call on SB 420. 93 House Democrats and Republicans voting "Yes", 3 House Democrats voting "No", and 4 including the Speaker "not voting".
House Passes First Comprehensive Green Jobs Bill, Thanks to Your Efforts. Your Help Needed in the Final Stretch!
In a bi-partisan fashion, Indiana's House of Representatives passed the first comprehensive green jobs bill in Indiana`s history. However, ultimate victory is not yet ours! House and Senate negotiations now take place on two different versions of SB 300.
The House version of SB 300, which HEC strongly advanced, would require that 15% of Indiana`s electricity come from wind, biomass and solar (not coal) by 2025 and would enable, in unprecedented ways, Hoosiers to produce more affordable clean, renewable energy at their homes and businesses.
SB 420, a competing renewables bill re-defines so-called "clean coal" as renewable energy, also passed the House. These bills will now go to conference committee.
Please continue your support in these last weeks of the legislative session by contacting the expected members of the conference committee and encouraging them to support SB 300, the HEC supported Green Jobs Development Act and oppose SB 420.
For a comparison of these two dramatically different energy visions, see HEC's policy brief. Conference committee member information can be found here. (This is the list of likely conferees since conferees have not been named yet.)
Click here to see the Roll Call on SB 300. 51 House Democrats voting "Yes", 11 House Republicans Voting "Yes", 37 House Republicans Voting "No" and the Speaker "not voting".
Click here to see the Roll Call on SB 420. 93 House Democrats and Republicans voting "Yes", 3 House Democrats voting "No", and 4 including the Speaker "not voting".
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
Federal and State Renewable Electricity Standard (RES) Bills to be Heard Today
Members of the House Commerce, Energy, Technology and Utilities Committee will hear testimony on HB 1305 establishing a state Renewable Electricity Standard (RES) today (2/10/09) upon adjournment in the House Chambers. What's "upon adjournment"? The Indiana House of Representatives is scheduled to go into session on the floor at 1:00 pm today. Here is a link to their calendar http://www.in.gov/legislative/reports/2009/BCALH.PDF. So how much of this calendar will they attempt to address before the committee hearing on HB 1305 "upon adjournment"? Who knows for sure but I would tune in around 3:00 pm to see where they are on their calendar.
To watch HB 1305 this afternoon visit http://www.in.gov/legislative/session/video.html
The hearing on the federal Senate RES bill starts this morning at 10 AM.
For details on this federal committee hearing see: http://energy.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?FuseAction=Hearings.Hearing&Hearing_ID=3de47fcb-99e4-e0fd-c5e6-52532f60f256
To watch the committee hearing click the link above and then. or http://energy.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?FuseAction=Hearings.LiveStream
News Release
U.S. SENATE COMMITTEE’S PROPOSAL FOR A NATIONAL RENEWABLE ELECTRICITY STANDARD IS “DOWNRIGHT WIMPY” – GOAL SHOULD BE MUCH HIGHER
For Immediate Release: Monday - February 9, 2009
Contact: Ken Bossong, 301-270-6477 x.23
Washington DC – The proposed Renewable Electricity Standard (RES) to be considered by the U.S. Senate Committee on Energy & Natural Resources at a hearing on February 10 falls far short of what is doable and needed according to the SUN DAY Campaign.
The Senate committee will meet on Tuesday morning at 10:00 am (in Room 366 of the Dirksen Senate Office Building) to take testimony on the Democratic staff draft for Chairman Jeff Bingaman’s Renewable Electricity Standard. The amendment requires sellers of electricity to retail consumers to obtain certain percentages of their electric supply from new renewable energy resources.
Calendar Year: .......................... Minimum annual %:
2011 through 2012 .................................... 4.0
2013 through 2015 .................................... 8.0
2016 through 2018 ................................... 12.0
2019 through 2020 ................................... 16.0
2021 through 2039 ................................... 20.0
Qualifying renewables (including distributed generators) are wind, solar, ocean, geothermal, biomass, landfill gas and incremental hydropower. Existing hydropower generators and municipal solid waste generators are excluded from the base amount from which the percentage requirements are calculated.
However, according to statistics compiled in its “Electric Power Monthly” the Energy Information Administration reports that renewables (excluding large hydro and municipal waste) already account for almost 3% of U.S. electricity production. Moreover, in recent years, solar and wind have been expanding by more than 30% annually while geothermal is poised to double its current contribution within the next several years. Biomass and incremental hydropower are also expanding. In fact, in 2008, renewable energy accounted for the largest share of new electricity capacity additions.
Consequently, at current growth rates, renewables could - and probably will - easily surpass the committee’s proposed 4.0% target well before 2011-2012. Furthermore, President Barack Obama has proposed a goal of doubling renewable energy within the next three years, which would yield a renewable share of roughly 6% of U.S. electricity supply by the end of 2011.
“In light of present trends, the Senate committee’s proposed standard is well below what is realistically doable and likely over the next several years - even at only very modest ‘business-as-usual’ growth rates,” said Ken Bossong, Executive Director of the SUN DAY Campaign. “Assuming there is a significantly more aggressive national commitment to developing sustainable energy technologies, then the Senate proposal is downright wimpy.”
Longer-term, dozens of recent studies suggest that the Senate committee’s proposal for renewable energy’s share of the nation’s electricity supply falls far short of what is technically and economically feasible and likely. (A compilation of 2008 news stories that discuss the findings of these studies is available upon request from the SUN DAY Campaign.)
At a minimum, a target of 25% of U.S. electricity supply from renewable energy sources (excluding large hydro and municipal waste) by 2025 is achievable. This is roughly equal to the goal set by the European Union for its member nations. It is also consistent with a resolution unanimously adopted by the Members of the U.S. Senate in June 2007.
However, if matched by an aggressive campaign to substantially improve energy efficiency and reduce total electric demand - particularly in light of the threat of climate change, renewable energy’s share could be significantly higher. Given the right mix of tax policy, access to financial credit, R&D funding, government procurement, transmission grid development, interconnection standards, and other forms of public sector support, renewable energy sources conceivably could account for at least half - and maybe significantly more - of the nation’s electricity supply within the next quarter-century.
“The Senate committee should be designing a renewable electricity standard that envisions near-term targets at least twice as high as now proposed,” concluded Ken Bossong. “If the United States fully committed itself to sustainable energy development and discontinued squandering resources on dead-end nuclear and fossil fuel options, a national electricity generating system based 100% on renewable energy sources could become a reality.”
The SUN DAY Campaign is a non-profit research and educational organization founded in 1993 to promote sustainable energy technologies as cost-effective alternatives to nuclear power and fossil fuels.
SUN DAY CAMPAIGN, Ken Bossong, 6930 Carroll Avenue, Suite #340; Takoma Park, MD 20912, 301-270-6477 x.23 sun-day-campaign@hotmail.com
To watch HB 1305 this afternoon visit http://www.in.gov/legislative/session/video.html
The hearing on the federal Senate RES bill starts this morning at 10 AM.
For details on this federal committee hearing see: http://energy.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?FuseAction=Hearings.Hearing&Hearing_ID=3de47fcb-99e4-e0fd-c5e6-52532f60f256
To watch the committee hearing click the link above and then
News Release
U.S. SENATE COMMITTEE’S PROPOSAL FOR A NATIONAL RENEWABLE ELECTRICITY STANDARD IS “DOWNRIGHT WIMPY” – GOAL SHOULD BE MUCH HIGHER
For Immediate Release: Monday - February 9, 2009
Contact: Ken Bossong, 301-270-6477 x.23
Washington DC – The proposed Renewable Electricity Standard (RES) to be considered by the U.S. Senate Committee on Energy & Natural Resources at a hearing on February 10 falls far short of what is doable and needed according to the SUN DAY Campaign.
The Senate committee will meet on Tuesday morning at 10:00 am (in Room 366 of the Dirksen Senate Office Building) to take testimony on the Democratic staff draft for Chairman Jeff Bingaman’s Renewable Electricity Standard. The amendment requires sellers of electricity to retail consumers to obtain certain percentages of their electric supply from new renewable energy resources.
Calendar Year: .......................... Minimum annual %:
2011 through 2012 .................................... 4.0
2013 through 2015 .................................... 8.0
2016 through 2018 ................................... 12.0
2019 through 2020 ................................... 16.0
2021 through 2039 ................................... 20.0
Qualifying renewables (including distributed generators) are wind, solar, ocean, geothermal, biomass, landfill gas and incremental hydropower. Existing hydropower generators and municipal solid waste generators are excluded from the base amount from which the percentage requirements are calculated.
However, according to statistics compiled in its “Electric Power Monthly” the Energy Information Administration reports that renewables (excluding large hydro and municipal waste) already account for almost 3% of U.S. electricity production. Moreover, in recent years, solar and wind have been expanding by more than 30% annually while geothermal is poised to double its current contribution within the next several years. Biomass and incremental hydropower are also expanding. In fact, in 2008, renewable energy accounted for the largest share of new electricity capacity additions.
Consequently, at current growth rates, renewables could - and probably will - easily surpass the committee’s proposed 4.0% target well before 2011-2012. Furthermore, President Barack Obama has proposed a goal of doubling renewable energy within the next three years, which would yield a renewable share of roughly 6% of U.S. electricity supply by the end of 2011.
“In light of present trends, the Senate committee’s proposed standard is well below what is realistically doable and likely over the next several years - even at only very modest ‘business-as-usual’ growth rates,” said Ken Bossong, Executive Director of the SUN DAY Campaign. “Assuming there is a significantly more aggressive national commitment to developing sustainable energy technologies, then the Senate proposal is downright wimpy.”
Longer-term, dozens of recent studies suggest that the Senate committee’s proposal for renewable energy’s share of the nation’s electricity supply falls far short of what is technically and economically feasible and likely. (A compilation of 2008 news stories that discuss the findings of these studies is available upon request from the SUN DAY Campaign.)
At a minimum, a target of 25% of U.S. electricity supply from renewable energy sources (excluding large hydro and municipal waste) by 2025 is achievable. This is roughly equal to the goal set by the European Union for its member nations. It is also consistent with a resolution unanimously adopted by the Members of the U.S. Senate in June 2007.
However, if matched by an aggressive campaign to substantially improve energy efficiency and reduce total electric demand - particularly in light of the threat of climate change, renewable energy’s share could be significantly higher. Given the right mix of tax policy, access to financial credit, R&D funding, government procurement, transmission grid development, interconnection standards, and other forms of public sector support, renewable energy sources conceivably could account for at least half - and maybe significantly more - of the nation’s electricity supply within the next quarter-century.
“The Senate committee should be designing a renewable electricity standard that envisions near-term targets at least twice as high as now proposed,” concluded Ken Bossong. “If the United States fully committed itself to sustainable energy development and discontinued squandering resources on dead-end nuclear and fossil fuel options, a national electricity generating system based 100% on renewable energy sources could become a reality.”
The SUN DAY Campaign is a non-profit research and educational organization founded in 1993 to promote sustainable energy technologies as cost-effective alternatives to nuclear power and fossil fuels.
SUN DAY CAMPAIGN, Ken Bossong, 6930 Carroll Avenue, Suite #340; Takoma Park, MD 20912, 301-270-6477 x.23 sun-day-campaign@hotmail.com
Wednesday, February 4, 2009
Renewable Energy Bills to be Heard in Indiana House on Feb. 10th
Please read these bills carefully and contact your state legislator if they are a member of this committee BEFORE the committee hearing.
Check this website around 2:30 or 3:00 pm to watch the hearing on-line. http://www.in.gov/legislative/session/video.html
AGENDA FOR: House Commerce, Energy, Technology and Utilities
MEETING: Tuesday, February 10, 2009, House Chamber, Upon Adjournment
CHAIR: Representative Moses Jr.
VICE CHAIR: Pierce
MEMBERS: Battles, Blanton, Dvorak, Reske, Stevenson.
Lutz R.M.M., Behning, Frizzell, Koch, Soliday.
AGENDA:
HB 1305 Renewable energy. (Grubb) Renewable Electricity Standard (RES)
HB 1360 Alternative energy incentives for REMCs. (Battles)
HB 1438 Renewable energy investment tax credit. (Grubb)
Check this website around 2:30 or 3:00 pm to watch the hearing on-line. http://www.in.gov/legislative/session/video.html
AGENDA FOR: House Commerce, Energy, Technology and Utilities
MEETING: Tuesday, February 10, 2009, House Chamber, Upon Adjournment
CHAIR: Representative Moses Jr.
VICE CHAIR: Pierce
MEMBERS: Battles, Blanton, Dvorak, Reske, Stevenson.
Lutz R.M.M., Behning, Frizzell, Koch, Soliday.
AGENDA:
HB 1305 Renewable energy. (Grubb) Renewable Electricity Standard (RES)
HB 1360 Alternative energy incentives for REMCs. (Battles)
HB 1438 Renewable energy investment tax credit. (Grubb)
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