Alliance for Renewable Energy

Indiana Legislator Introduces Feed-in Tariff Bill

From Wind-Works.org: "Representative Matt Pierce (D-61st, Bloomington) introduced AB 1190 into the Indiana General Assembly January 7, 2010. The bill is the first comprehensive proposal for a system of feed-in tariffs in the current legislative sessions that have begun in states across the US.

The proposed rates in AB 1190 have been adapted to the Indiana context by incorporating two tracks: one track with US federal subsidies, one track without. Unlike Ontario, where there are no federal subsidies for renewable energy, some Indiana projects could qualify for US federal subsidies. However, not all potential renewable energy generators in Indiana may be able to use the federal subsidies. For those who may not be able to use the federal subsidies, Representative Pierce has proposed the second track where the feed-in rates are proportionally higher. "

Read more.

(Image courtesy of Flickr user Drewski Mac, shared under a Creative Commons license.)

Wisconsin First in Midwest to Introduce Feed-in Tariff Bill in 2010

From Wind-Works.org: "Powerful Wisconsin legislators were first out of the gate in a brewing race to be the first to pass feed-in tariff legislation in the Midwest.

Representatives Spencer Black (D-77th, Madison) and James Soletski (D-88th, Green Bay), along with cosponsors Senator Mark Miller (D-16th, Monona) and Senator Jeffrey Plale (D-7th, Milwaukee) introduced AB 649 on January 6th, 2010.

The bill, a comprehensive revision of laws governing energy and electric utilities in Wisconsin, was referred to the Special Committee on Clean Energy Jobs."

Read more.

(Image courtesy of Flickr user, shared under a Creative Commons license.)

New York Solar Energy Society Calls for Feed-in Tariffs

 
From Paul Gipe:

The New York Solar Energy Society (NYSES) has sent out an action alert calling on its members to support Senate Bill S2715A, the New York Renewable Energy Sources Act. The bill was introduced by State Senator Antoine M. Thompson (D-Buffalo), Chair of the Senate's Standing Committee on Environmental Conservation.

NYSES' alert includes 14 talking points that explain why New York state needs renewable energy now and how feed-in tariffs will make it happen.

Previously, the New York State Solar Energy Industry Association (NYSEIA) had called for action on feed-in tariffs in support of Senator Thompson's bill. See New York SEIA Calls for Feed-in Tariffs.

Both Florida's SEIA and California's SEIA have called for various versions of feed-in tariffs in their respective states.

Neither the American Solar Energy Society nor the national Solar Energy Industries Association has explicitly called for feed-in tariffs. Recently, however, the Solar Alliance, a trade association of solar PV manufacturers and developers, posted its policy in support of feed-in tariffs. See Solar Alliance Position Paper on Feed-in Tariffs.

NYSES' campaign for feed-in tariffs in the Empire State is being led by Wyldon Fishman, the founder and current president of NYSES.

(Photo courtesy of Flickr user fergusonphotography, shared under a Creative Commons license.)

What's New with Feed-In Tariffs?

From Paul Gipe (Wind-Works.org):

• We Actually Can?! by Miguel Mendonça--When first writing on this site a few years ago, and advocating the feed-in tariff policy for market development of renewables, there were no such laws in Britain or North America. They are now coming into being, and this is in part due to the fact that initially small, but ever-snowballing groups of people, made it their business to push for legislative progress. . .
• South Africa's Nersa makes Refit phase two decision; contracts expected in November by Christy van der Merwe--The National Energy Regulator of South Africa (Nersa) on Friday published it’s decision on the second phase of the Renewable Energy Feed-in Tariff (Refit), and stated that the power purchase agreement could be expected in November. . .
• What solar will cost in Germany by Craig Morris--The RWI study is therefore roughly 50 percent off the mark according to her calculation, i.e. solar is not that expensive. . .
• Michael Eckhart, ACORE, on the RWI "study" of German FITs--So, they figure, if they are to justify coal and nuclear, they must first discredit the FIT. . .
• Craig Morris German PV Investment Summary
• Germany Installs 2.34GW, FIT to Decline 9-11% by Ucilia Wang, Greentech Media--Demand in Germany has picked up since mid-year. The new ruling coalition seeks to calm fears of a cut to the country’s solar incentives. . .
• Globe & Mail: New rules could fuel green bonanza--Ontario's new Green Energy Act could pump as much as $4.5-billion into the hands of the province's renewable energy companies, utilities and power distribution firms. . .
• German coalition steers away from solar tariff cuts--The recently elected German coalition government has dropped plans for major cuts to solar photovoltaic (PV) feed-in tariffs. . .
• New York Times: Worldwide Feed-in Tariffs Best for Investors By John Lorinc--Countries that adopt policies obliging utilities to purchase a percentage of their power from renewable sources at above-market prices ­ also known as a “feed-in tariff” ­ represent the safest harbors for investors looking to finance clean-energy ventures, according to a broad-ranging risk analysis released Monday by Deutsche Bank’s global asset management group and Columbia University’s Earth Institute. . .
• Grist: Why solar won’t topple in Germany by Craig Morris--Since the new center-right coalition won the elections a few weeks ago in Germany, onlookers from the U.S. have been expecting the country to drastically cut its support for solar. . .
• Reuters: New German government won't slash solar power rates--Germany's conservatives and their Free Democrat allies will reform the Renewable Energy Act (EEG) but cuts for solar power rates will be modest to prevent harming the fast-growing industry, a coalition source said on Sunday. .

Climate Change Policy and Safe Investing

From the New York Times Green Inc. blog:

"Countries that adopt policies obliging utilities to purchase a percentage of their power from renewable sources at above-market prices — also known as a “feed-in tariff” — represent the safest harbors for investors looking to finance clean-energy ventures, according to a broad-ranging risk analysis released Monday by Deutsche Bank’s global asset management group and Columbia University’s Earth Institute.

In an accompanying ranking of 109 countries and regions, Deutsche Bank found that those with such clean-energy-friendly regulatory regimes included Australia, France, China and Germany.

By contrast, North America presents a higher-risk environment that is considered less attractive to investors, although a growing number of states and provinces are adopting feed-in tariff strategies."

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San Antonio Boosting Incentives for Solar

From My San Antonio: "CPS Energy wants to spur San Antonio's solar industry by promising to buy power produced by local solar facilities.

The plan, based on feed-in tariffs that helped launch the solar industries in Spain and Germany, offers local solar producers 20-year contracts for their power at 27 cents per kilowatt-hour. That's roughly three times the rate that local residents pay CPS Energy for power." Read more.

(Photo courtesy of Flickr user 'J', shared under a Creative Commons license.)

Report on FITs Commissioned by Colorado Public Utility Commission

 
This report on "The Application of Feed-in Tariffs and Other Incentives to Promote Renewable Energy in Colorado," was prepared by the staff of the Colorado PUC for its use in analyzing the pros and cons of Feed-in Tariffs for Colorado. Read more.

(Image shared under a Creative Commons by Flickr user Wolfgang Staudt.)

Maine Community-Based FIT Becomes Law

Maine Governor John Baldacci signed LD 1075 on June 24, 2009, creating a Community-Based Renewable Energy pilot program. The six-year program implements a simple feed-in tariff for qualifying projects.

The timid program limits total capacity to 50 MW and with further restrictions may only allow 25 MW in total. As a result, Maine's pilot program is even smaller than Vermont's 50 MW program.

Read more.

(Photo courtesy of Flickr user brentdanley, shared under a Creative Commons license.)

US Legislative Action, January - April 2009

During this time, Renewable Energy Payment legislative action has moved forward in 16 states: Arkansas, California, Florida, Hawaii, Indiana, Iowa, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, New Mexico, New York, Oregon, Virginia, Vermont, Washington, and Wisconsin.

The New York Times Weighs in on REPs in the US

This photo (http://search.creativecommons.org) is courtesy of Flickr user b2tse, shared under a Creative Commons license.

Last Thursday, the Times published an article on the Gainesville feed-in tariff, its European predecessors, and news of other US states that are considering similar policies.  The article and subsequent GreenInc blog entry addressed important concerns both for and against FIT's. Most importantly, it's apparent that a national dialogue is beginning to take shape around the idea of using fixed rates to stimulate renewable energy investment. This open conversation is going to help educate Americans on the need for renewable energy and help lawmakers find the right way to implement this type of policy. So please, America, discuss!