QUICK NEWS, January 22: OBAMA INAUGURAL BOOSTS NEW ENERGY; A BET ON THE PTC’S EXTENSION PAYS OFF; WHAT PEOPLE THINK ABOUT THE SMART GRID

OBAMA INAUGURAL BOOSTS NEW ENERGY Obama Inaugural Re-Commits to the Fight for Greentech; “The path towards sustainable energy sources will be long and sometimes difficult. But America cannot resist this transition; we must lead it.”

Herman K. Trabish, January 21, 2013 (Greentech Media)

In a declaration of purpose that rang across the National Mall, President Barack H. Obama, in his second inaugural address, re-committed himself and his administration to the fight against climate change and for the transition to greentech:

"We, the people, still believe that our obligations as Americans are not just to ourselves, but to all posterity. We will respond to the threat of climate change, knowing that the failure to do so would betray our children and future generations. Some may still deny the overwhelming judgment of science, but none can avoid the devastating impact of raging fires, and crippling drought, and more powerful storms.”

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“The path towards sustainable energy sources will be long and sometimes difficult. But America cannot resist this transition; we must lead it. We cannot cede to other nations the technology that will power new jobs and new industries – we must claim its promise.

“That is how we will maintain our economic vitality and our national treasure – our forests and waterways; our croplands and snowcapped peaks. That is how we will preserve our planet, commanded to our care by God. That’s what will lend meaning to the creed our fathers once declared."

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A BET ON THE PTC’S EXTENSION PAYS OFF First Wind Gambles On PTC Extension - And Wins

Mark Del Franco, 15 January 2013 (North American Windpower)

“Faced with the prospect of being saddled with wind energy assets unable to be financed, many wind developers abruptly halted projects that could not be completed in time to qualify for the wind energy production tax credit (PTC), which was slated to expire at the end of last year.

“However, in looking over its portfolio, Boston-based developer First Wind realized that several of its projects were in the latter stages of development and were too important to merely be put on hold…[though in anticipating the extension that came December 31, it took a risk]…[When] the PTC was extended for one year…the developer's gamble paid off…First Wind expects to begin construction on 500 MW this year and plans to grow its portfolio by 50% in the future…”

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“…The PTC extension allows First Wind the time necessary to begin building projects, such as Oakfield, a 150 MW wind farm in Maine that the developer deemed too important to shelve…Maine’s Supreme Judicial Court recently upheld the building permit, thus allowing First Wind to begin construction on the project this year…[T]he company’s 48 MW Bowers Wind Project [in Maine]…was aided by the PTC extension…

“The PTC extension means First Wind’s two Maine wind farms will begin construction this year. In addition, the company could break ground on late-stage projects in Oregon, Washington, Idaho, Utah and Hawaii by year-end…[But before] First Wind can begin further development, it must await guidance from the U.S. Treasury Department on what it means to begin construction - not that it will deter First Wind, which spent much of last year toiling behind the scenes…”

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WHAT PEOPLE THINK ABOUT THE SMART GRID Smart Grid Consumer Survey; Attitudes and Opinions about Smart Meters, Home Energy Management, Demand Response, Time-of-Use Pricing, Smart Appliances, Prepayment, and Renewable Energy

1Q 2013 (Pike Research/Navigant)

“Smart grid rollouts are building momentum as utilities across the United States continue to invest in this new infrastructure in an effort to transform their power grids. Pike Research forecasts that there will be more than 53 million smart meters deployed in the United States by the end of 2013. However, even as utilities invest in these new technologies, they struggle to effectively communicate the benefits of smart grid applications and services to end users.”

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“One challenge is that various types of smart grid and smart energy home technologies have different levels of consumer awareness, and different levels of favorability and acceptance. Even as consumers state that they are concerned about their electricity usage, they are not always willing to adopt new products and services that can help them curb their electricity consumption. Awareness is also a challenge: nearly one-third of respondents to this survey were not familiar with smart grids, and one-quarter were not familiar with smart meters…”

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