The Utility Wind Integration Group (UWIG) has released of an assessment on the impact and issues related to the integration of wind energy into existing utility power systems. The key conclusion from the group is that they don’t see any fundamental technical barriers to wind energy penetrations of up to 20 percent of system peak demand.
Under a compromise agreement, legislation was passed into law in May 2006 that requires Minnesota’s largest coal-fired power plants to cut mercury emissions by 90 percent by 2015.
Utilities were brought on board by allowing immediate recovery from ratepayers the cost of installing the necessary pollution control equipment.
A stakeholder’s group has unveiled a model ordinance that will help Pennsylvania’s local governments decide how to direct the location and development of wind energy projects within municipal borders.
With a stroke of the pen, Gov. Schwarzenegger signed an executive order (S-06-06) that establishes in-state production goals for ethanol – from 5 percent today to 75 percent by 2050. The order also requires in-state biomass electricity to meet 20 percent of the state’s renewable energy requirements in the coming years.
According to a recent report by the Iowa Policy Project, ten Iowa schools have renewable energy projects that are supplying a portion of their energy needs. These districts are spending less on electricity and more on students who now have an up-close opportunity to learn about wind energy.
In two recent decisions (Docket Nos. 05-07-16 and 05-07-17), the Connecticut Department of Utility Control (DPUC) has provided a selection of incentives to encourage electricity customers to install on-site distributed generation projects. Incentives include lower back-up power charges, lower natural gas fuel charges and direct grants and payments to cover installation costs.
Iowa’s Governor has indicated that he will sign legislation (HF 2754) passed this week calling for Iowa to have renewable fuels – ethanol and biodiesel – meet 25 percent of the state’s motor fuel needs by 2020. The new renewable fuels standard relies on a 10 percent ethanol blends and a rapid expansion of E-85 (85% ethanol) infrastructure to get to the goal.
The province of Ontario has directed two agencies to implement and develop the details and contracts for a Standard Offer Program that will make it easier and more cost-effective for businesses and entrepreneurs to sell power to the grid by setting a fixed price for small generation projects that use renewable energy.
Oregon’s Governor Ted Kulongoski told the State Sustainability Board recently that he wants new renewable electricity in Oregon to supply 100 percent of state government’s electrical needs by 2010.
