ARPA-E: “Change Course with Fierce Urgency”
January 5, 2010 by Tina Casey
Filed under Clean Energy
The first round of federal ARPA-E funding for future energy kick-started a stunning range of 37 different projects last year, from fuel-secreting bacteria to liquid batteries and a way to create solar energy by mimicking photosynthesis. Now the agency has launched a new round that narrows the target down to just three carefully defined areas.
Minnesota: Taxing CO2 at the North Dakota Border
January 1, 2010 by Susan Kraemer
Filed under Carbon
The first carbon tax to reduce the greenhouse gases from imports comes not between two nations, but between two states. Minnesota has passed a measure to stop carbon at its border with North Dakota.
Cap & Rebate Climate Proposal
December 29, 2009 by Zachary Shahan
Filed under Carbon
A new climate bill proposal with bi-partisan and moderate-Democrat support changes a few critical features from previous proposals, but it still seems to keep to the aim. Supposedly, the (Cantwell-Collins) bill would achieve a 20% reduction in greenhouse gases by 2020 and an 83% reduction by 2050.
China Renewable Energy Electricity
December 26, 2009 by Susan Kraemer
Filed under Infrastructure
This weekend the main Chinese legislature adopted an amendment to the renewable energy law, requiring that utilities must buy all the electricity produced by renewable energy generators. Utilities refusing would be fined up to an amount double that of the economic loss of the renewable energy company.
Feinstein Expands 30% Solar Tax Credit
December 26, 2009 by Susan Kraemer
Filed under Solar Energy
When the 30% tax credits as cash grants were instituted with the American Recovery Act, I was doing solar estimates for a small solar start-up in California. I was surprised to find that the 30% solar tax credit (available as a cash grant for businesses) was available for solar thermal – only when it was not used for heating swimming pools.
