QUICK NEWS, 1-13: WIND CONSIDERS CLEAN ENERGY; MORE UTILITY PV; THE UNSTOPPABLE EV; THE NEW EFFICIENCY TAX BREAKS

WIND CONSIDERS CLEAN ENERGY
Green Lobby Weighs 'Political Realities' of Energy Policy, Finds 'Clean Energy Standard' Isn't So Bad
Anne C. Mulkern, January 7, 2011 (NY Times)

"The wind industry's largest trade group a few months ago rejected the idea of a "clean power" mandate on utilities that included nuclear, some coal and natural gas as options. But American Wind Energy has a new opinion…The wind industry, along with other energy trade groups and companies, is re-examining its positions on the clean energy standard, or CES…

"Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.)…is starting work on a bill that would require utilities to generate a portion of power from clean energy, which would include renewables, nuclear and coal with carbon capture and sequestration. The CES is thought to be more popular with Republicans than the greens-only requirement called the renewable electricity standard, or RES…Groups representing energy sources potentially affected by such a measure are setting up meetings with lawmakers, particularly the newest members of Congress. For businesses like nuclear, it is time to move into the spotlight. For others [like wind] it is time to consider concessions…"

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"…[The] RES that wind companies, other renewable-energy companies and environmental groups wanted never made it to the Senate floor for a vote…The Center for American Progress [CAP], a liberal think tank [which last year backed the RES], also is taking a new look at a CES. It expects to have a proposal in about a week…The CES [now seems to CAP] a good option to help drive demand for renewables and keep new businesses alive…

"For the nuclear industry, a CES that includes the fuel as an option would be a kind of new frontier, said John Keeley, spokesman for the Nuclear Energy Institute…Nuclear has bipartisan support, Keeley said. And a CES with nuclear would give a federal seal of approval on the technology, he said…"

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"The trade group for independent natural gas companies said that natural gas should be considered as part of a CES…[but] does not yet have a policy in support or opposition…Graham has not mentioned natural gas as part of his plan for a CES bill. But the fuel has supporters in Congress…[though] some environmentalists condemn [hydraulic fracturing, a [natural gas-drilling] technology,] as dangerous to water supplies…There is disagreement within the natural gas industry…about whether a CES -- even one that included natural gas -- would benefit the fuel.

"Some in the natural gas industry will be encouraging Congress instead to not enact either a CES or an RES, said one natural gas lobbyist who asked not to be identified to speak freely. Some companies believe it will mean less natural gas will be used. Electricity demand is not growing significantly, the lobbyist explained. So utilities that had to generate 10 percent clean energy have to cut back elsewhere…Utilities are more likely to cut back on natural gas first, he said, because it's more expensive than coal generation…A CES could face a tough battle for passage…[and] is likely to be a piece of a larger energy bill…[that] could come partly in reaction to rising gasoline prices…"


MORE UTILITY PV
More sun power for Southern California Edison
Ronald D. White, January 10, 2011 (LA Times)

"Southern California Edison has signed contracts with two firms for the construction and operation of seven solar power plants in the state, including one that the utility said would be among the largest single solar photovoltaic installations in the U.S…The facilities, scheduled to be completed by 2016, would add a total of 831 megawatts of capacity, enough to power 540,000 homes…"

[Marc Ulrich, vice president for renewable and alternative power, Southern California Edison:] “This is an unprecedented time for solar photovoltaic…We’re seeing growth in technological advances and manufacturing efficiencies that result in competitive prices for green, emission-free energy…”

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"In 2009, Edison sent its customers 13.6 billion kilowatt-hours of power from renewable sources, about 17% of its overall power generation. That renewable electricity was generated by 3,296 megawatts of wind, geothermal, solar, biomass and small hydropower facilities, with solar representing only 382 megawatts of capacity…Edison spokeswoman Vanessa McGrady said the megawatt total for solar and overall renewable power had increased…

"…[In the bigger of the two deals] SunPower Corp…will build and operate three installations totaling about 711 megawatts, including a 325-megawatt facility in Rosamond, Calif…[T]o be completed in 2016, [it] will be one of the nation’s largest…SunPower also will build a 276-megawatt photovoltaic operation in Rosamond, scheduled to open in 2016, and a 110-megawatt facility in Los Banos…to open in 2014."

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"Howard Wenger, president, SunPower utility and power plants:] “[The contracts show] the growing value of solar photovoltaic technology as a reliable, cost-effective energy resource delivered across rooftops or as a central-station power plant.”

"The second Edison deal involves Fotowatio Renewable Ventures Inc…[It] calls for four smaller installations…that will range from 20 megawatts to 60 megawatts in capacity and…be operational by the end of 2013."


THE UNSTOPPABLE EV
Are EVs on a fast track to the mainstream? As manufacturers prepare to unveil their latest green models at the Detroit Auto Show this week, the omens are looking increasingly good for zero-emission motoring
James Murray, 11 January 2011 (Business Green)

"…Over 120 [Business Green] readers answered [an informal poll] question on whether you or your business are interested in buying an electric car, with five per cent stating that they will definitely purchase an EV this year and a further 11 per cent revealing that they are investigating buying or leasing...

"The numbers may sound insignificant, but [are impressive] when you consider that manufacturers who are planning to launch EVs, such as Nissan and Mitsubishi, would be delighted with first-year sales of several thousand for cutting-edge cars that are not expected to enter the mainstream for another three or four years…More significantly, 58 per cent of respondents said they would like to buy an EV but would wait for the price to fall first…[O]nly 26 per cent said an electric car was not suitable for their needs…"

Spot the trend? (click to enlarge)

"…Of far greater importance is last week's annual Global Auto Executive Survey from consultancy giant KPMG, which polled 200 of the world's leading car executives and confirmed that support for zero-emission and fuel-efficient vehicles has reached a critical mass…[N]ot only is fuel efficiency regarded as the biggest factor influencing purchasing decisions, but 80 per cent of senior executives believe that ‘hybrid and electric vehicles will see the lion's share of growth of any vehicle category over the next five years.’

"…[W]hile the majority admits that it is likely to take five years for low- and zero-emission cars to reach a level where they are affordable enough for mainstream adoption, almost 90 per cent of respondents [foretold change when they] told KPMG that they were preparing for that tipping point by investing in hybrid systems, battery electric power or hydrogen fuel-cell technologies…"

click thru to Plug-in America for complete info on EVs coming to market

"The survey also hints at a huge philosophical shift in the thinking of auto industry executives, which saw 73 per cent of respondents predict future cars should be defined by their specific purpose and more than three quarters [correlate design and urban planning…This shift in the understanding of what a car is for has potentially huge implications for electric vehicles, which more so than conventional vehicles require the right car to be matched accurately with the right travel needs. No EV manufacturer wants people running out of power on the motorway, just as they do not want to see our cities clogged up with pollution-spouting vehicles that are only on the road for 20 miles a day.

"…[There is] evidence the technical ingenuity and solid driving experience displayed by electric cars is winning over plenty of converts. Witness the Chevy Volt's victory…as North American Car of the year for 2011 and the Nissan Leaf's naming as European car of the year…[A]t the Mecca of motoring that is the Detroit Auto Show…hybrid, electric and fuel-efficient cars are once again expected to dominate proceedings…Toyota is due to unveil its first Prius wagon…Audi, Honda and Chevrolet – amongst others – are all expected to debut cars boasting significantly improved fuel efficiency…[T]he march of the green car is looking increasingly unstoppable."


THE NEW EFFICIENCY TAX BREAKS
Energy Efficiency Tax Incentives: Changes in Store for 2011
January 10, 2011 (American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy)

"Last month, President Obama signed into law a tax package that contains modifications and extensions to energy efficiency tax incentives for homeowners, home builders, and appliance manufacturers. Information on all of these energy efficiency tax incentives are accessible on the Tax Incentives Assistance Project (TIAP) Web site so that consumers and businesses can take full advantage of changed federal tax credits for energy-saving technologies and practices.

"The new legislation includes extensions and revisions to three existing federal energy efficiency tax incentives: for manufacturers of energy-efficient appliances, a one-year extension and revisions; for new homes builders, coverage for 2010 and 2011; and for home retrofits, a one-year extension but with significant modifications from the 2010 incentives."

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"For appliances, the tax credits go to the manufacturer, but should be visible to consumers by reducing the cost of qualifying equipment. In 2011, the qualifying levels have been increased, and many of the incentives modified. The credits cover residential refrigerators, clothes washers, and dishwashers. In most cases, the credits are available for the very top efficiency products, typically levels more stringent than will qualify for ENERGY STAR®…

"For new homes, the credit is unchanged from 2009 - a $2,000 incentive to the home builder for homes that use 50% less energy than a home built to the national model building code, and a $1,000 incentive for only manufactured homes if the home either meets ENERGY STAR or uses 30% less energy than national model codes."

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"For existing homes, there are several changes in 2011…[I]n 2011, a homeowner interested in purchasing energy-efficient heating or cooling equipment can only receive a $150 tax credit, down significantly from the credit for 30% of the cost of the equipment that was available in 2009-2010. The efficiency level of eligible equipment is generally unchanged from 2009-2010, with the exception of boilers and oil furnaces…[I]ncentives for windows…have become less generous but easier to qualify for…

"The TIAP Web site has additional details…[and] a tax incentives fact sheet with detailed information about each of the incentives for 2010 and for 2011…"