QUICK NEWS, March 21: U.S. PUTS TARIFF ON CHINESE SUN; PLANNED ARKANSAS WIND PLANT IN DOUBT; SMART METERS AND THE TEA PARTY

U.S. PUTS TARIFF ON CHINESE SUN
US to impose tariff on Chinese solar panels in victory for domestic makers; American solar panel manufacturers welcome Obama administration decision, saying it exposes unfair trade practices
Suzanne Goldenberg, 20 March 2012 (UK Guardian)

"…In a much-anticipated decision, the Commerce Department… said it would impose tariffs of [2.9% on Suntech, 4.73% on Trina and 3.59% on all other Chinese solar panel manufacturers], after finding the Beijing government was providing illegal subsidies to manufacturers…The commerce department could impose heavier penalties in May, when it is due to decide whether China is dumping solar panels at prices below their actual cost.

"…[The] move did not suggest the Obama administration is willing to risk a trade war with China in support of struggling solar panel manufacturers…Domestic solar panel makers, who had requested the tariffs, welcomed the decision, saying it had helped expose unfair Chinese trade practices…Solar installation companies, whose business relies on Chinese-made panels, expressed relief that the small tariffs would not drive up costs…"

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"…Some industry executives had hoped for a greater show of support from the administration – even at the risk of causing a trade rift with China…[which] has now taken the lead [in solar manufacturing]…[A few] Chinese companies have acknowledged receiving cheap loans and other government support…But low-cost solar panels are also helping some sections of America's clean energy industry…

"The US made $56bn in clean energy investment in 2011, overtaking China, which invested $47.4bn…[G]rowth of the US clean energy industry was led by the plummeting costs of Chinese-made solar panels, which brought solar farms closer to the cost of electricity generated from fossil fuels…American imports of Chinese solar panels have grown…from $21.3m in 2005 to $2.65bn last year…But cheap Chinese solar panels have also put American solar panel makers out of business – and proved a political embarrassment for the Obama administration…"


PLANNED ARKANSAS WIND PLANT IN DOUBT
Mitsubishi US turbine plant depends on legal issues; Mitsubishi Heavy Industries' (MHI) plans to open its first wind turbine factory in the US are dependent on the government renewing a critical subsidy and the outcome of legal battles there.
Dominque Patton, March 14, 2012 (Recharge)

"In 2009, the Japanese company [MHI] revealed plans for a $100m nacelle manufacturing plant in Arkansas to support demand in its main market. It was scheduled to have opened earlier this year…However, turbine sales are certain to plummet if Washington does not renew the production tax credit (PTC), which is due to expire at the end of the year…Mitsubishi Power Systems Americas’ legal dispute with GE over wind turbine designs and patents is also very important…

"MHI has a 10% share of the US market and ‘several hundred megawatts’ of orders in hand…But it needs new orders to sustain a local factory, and future growth of the American market is a big challenge…MHI is not the first to warn of the impact of the PTC expiry. Vestas has said it will cut jobs in the US if the government does not renew the subsidy…MHI has built up turbine sales in the US by leveraging its reputation in the traditional power business. Large electricity companies like to work with established suppliers such as GE, Siemens and MHI…"

An assembled nacelle being placed in its housing. (click to enlarge)

"This will also be an advantage in the group’s next target, the UK offshore sector, where…MHI’s financial resources [are expected to] give it an edge…MHI also hopes to see growing sales at home, after the introduction of a new feed-in tariff in July. But with cumbersome environmental laws set to drag out installation time for Japanese wind projects, the company may have to play a waiting game…

"MHI also wants to increase its technology transfer to China. It licensed rights to its 1MW machine to Chinese turbine maker Ningxia Yinxing Energy in 2007, and in 2010 upgraded its 2.4MW model to 2.5MW to meet the requirements of the Chinese market."


SMART METERS AND THE TEA PARTY
SDG&E, SoCal Edison Get Smart Meter Opt-Out Orders; Will the Tea Party make trouble for smart meters in Southern California?
Jeff St. John, March 16, 2012 (Greentech Media)

"California’s big southern utilities, San Diego Gas & Electric and Southern California Edison, haven’t had as much trouble with anti-smart meter activists as has their northern neighbor Pacific Gas & Electric…[but,] for Southern California Edison, its smart meter opponents include several local Tea Party groups…

"…The California Public Utility Commission ruled…that SDG&E and SCE [like PG&E] must offer customers an opt-out to smart meters -- but that they can charge up to $75 per person, plus $10 a month, for the privilege…[The ruling was] meant to stave off a growing customer backlash…PG&E has agreed to leave old analog meters…but says it needs to charge extra for the costs of sending meter readers to those homes and other costs, adding up to an estimated $113.4 million over the next two years."

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"…[V]ocal critics charge that the radios inside the smart meters create a health risk for entire neighborhoods, despite data that shows the typical smart meter emits far less radiation than do cell phones and other devices permitted by law…CPUC’s proposed decision on SCE’s opt-out notes that initial opposition to smart included several local Tea Party groups…[but] didn’t make clear just what complaints the Tea Party raised. But a quick Google search reveals that… Tea Party complaints mix copious amounts of health risk talk and invasion of privacy concerns…

"…PG&E has reported only about 4,400 customers choosing to opt out of having a smart meter, or about 0.08 percent of their 5.4 million residential electric customers…[There are] similarly low numbers from Maine, where Central Maine Power is also offering opt-out for a fee. No doubt utilities around the country are keeping their fingers crossed that the numbers will stay low. Perhaps they’d better keep an eye on their local Tea Party websites."