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McKee allows solar developers’ tax break to become law despite opposition by cities, towns
A [Rhode Island League of Cities and Towns] spokesman told legislators the solar developers' bill would "create preferential tax treatment for ALL renewable energy projects and tax them differently from any other revenue-generating commercial operation,'' pushing those lost revenues onto other taxpayers. --- [Green Development] was founded by Mark DePasquale, who along with other political contributors who list Green Development as their employer have given more than $92,000 to Rhode Island office-holders and candidates since 2015. That includes $4,300 to McKee. Complete story »
Anti-wind farm forces blast petition drive
An effort to collect the 1,182 signatures needed to have voters decide on the future of wind energy in the county has angered wind farm opponents. On May 5, Crawford County commissioners passed a resolution blocking wind farm development in all unincorporated areas of the county, effectively barring construction of Honey Creek Wind, Apex Clean Energy’s planned 300-megawatt industrial wind farm. But under the terms of Senate Bill 52, which became law in July, wind farm supporters have 30 days . . . Complete story »
Senate group votes to end ACC energy-policy authority
PHOENIX – Rejecting arguments about economic development, clean air and even constitutional issues, a Senate panel voted along party lines Wednesday to strip the Arizona Corporation Commission of its power to set energy policy for utilities. The 6-4 vote by the Senate Appropriations Committee followed arguments by Rep. Gail Griffin, R-Hereford, that it was wrong of the independently elected utility regulators to propose that half of the state’s energy be generated by carbon-free sources by 2035 and have power be totally . . . Complete story »
Wind project in southern Minnesota gets pushback
GLENVILLE, Minn. – The vista from Dorenne Hansen’s kitchen window features corn and soybean fields specked with barns and tree groves. It may also one day include three wind turbine towers and a power line – not if she can help it, though. Hansen and other residents are fighting to stop the Freeborn Wind project in Freeborn County south of Albert Lea. “I want quiet and dark nights, not the noise and red flashing lights on top of wind towers,” she . . . Complete story »
Critics see Cuomo power play at the PSC
ALBANY – Gov. Andrew Cuomo has refashioned the Public Service Commission, the state’s powerful utility regulator, into an organ of executive power in ways that critics find unprecedented and potentially troubling. The PSC’s board is nominally a bipartisan commission created by the Legislature. But Cuomo has filled it mostly with allies who rarely if ever defy his wishes on energy policy. “It’s an agency that carries out the governor’s orders regardless of the impact on the ratepayers,” Earthjustice attorney Chris Amato . . . Complete story »
Tale of two grids: Upstate wind power needs more extension cords to NYC
SYRACUSE, N.Y. – Today’s release of the annual Power Trends report on the New York electric grid is another reminder of how much work remains to meet Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s goal of producing 50 percent of the state’s power from renewable sources by 2030. Even if developers build the vast array of wind and solar farms required to hit the goal, the electric grid needs work to be able to handle the throughput, according to Power Trends 2017, the annual . . . Complete story »
Flurry of challenges attacks NY nuclear and renewable power subsidies
SYRACUSE, N.Y. – At least 15 interest groups have challenged New York’s new “clean energy standard,” which mandates subsidies for nuclear plants and renewable energy, by petitioning the state Public Service Commission to reconsider the policy. The formal petitions for rehearing come from a wide range of critics, from power plant owners to low-income consumer advocates, reflecting the sweeping impact of the new regulations. Challenges had been widely expected, given the high stakes for energy producers and customers. Petitions for rehearing . . . Complete story »
Wind turbine farm considered in Berrien County; Development would take years to become a reality
NEW TROY – Wind turbines standing 600 feet high could be going up in Berrien County, but everyone involved cautions there are many hurdles to clear and it would be years before the project could become a reality. Apex Clean Energy, based in Charlottesville, Va., has already made offers to farmers to lease ground for housing between 28 to 40 wind turbines, including some in Weesaw Township, south of here. Gary Sommers, a Weesaw Township trustee, said he’s among the farmers . . . Complete story »
Clean energy plan approved; Calls for 50 percent of state’s energy needs to be met by renewables by 2030
Albany – The state’s Public Service Commission on Monday passed a new set of standards that by 2030 aims to ensure that half of New York’s energy comes from renewable sources such as solar and wind, as well as hydro plants. Also being used: geothermal power and off-shore wind energy in the state’s coastal areas. “The commission’s primary interest is to see that renewables get built in New York,” PSC Chairwoman Audrey Zibelman said prior to the 3-0 vote. “I think . . . Complete story »
Rhode Island budget preview: Wind power ‘favor’ yanked from spending bill
PROVIDENCE – In the 24 hours leading up to Wednesday’s big House budget debate, Speaker Nicholas Mattiello promised to remove a provision that would have benefited a politically-connected wind-energy developer at the potential expense of rate payers; a top aide to Governor Raimondo said negotiations continued on multiple other fronts; and Republicans primed for battle. By Tuesday, lawmakers had asked State House lawyers to draft 55 potential amendments to the 321-page budget bill that surfaced in the House Finance Committee past . . . Complete story »
