QUICK NEWS, November 13: CONGRESS WANTS NEW ENERGY FOR FARMERS; MICHIGAN CAN TRIPLE ITS RENEWABLES MANDATE; WESTERN ENERGY MARKET ADVANCES

CONGRESS WANTS NEW ENERGY FOR FARMERS Senators, Advocates Push For Funded Energy Title In New Farm Bill

8 November 2013 (Solar Industry)

"Eight U.S. Senators have sent a letter to the U.S. Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry urging it to include a strong energy title in the current farm bill it is developing. A collection of environmental, renewable energy and agriculture advocacy organizations led by the Agriculture Energy Coalition (AgEC) fired off its own letter in support…[The Sneators] pushed for a number of energy programs by name, including the Rural Energy for America Program, which provides grants and loans to help rural businesses and agricultural producers invest in energy efficiency and renewable energy initiatives, including solar and small wind projects…[The supporting letter] urges the Agriculture Committee to adopt a five-year farm bill that includes $900 million in mandatory funding for the energy title…” click here for more

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MICHIGAN CAN TRIPLE ITS RENEWABLES MANDATE Beyond 2015: Could Michigan Triple Its Renewables Mandate?

Joseph Bebon, November 7, 2013 (North American Windpower)

“…Five years ago, Michigan established a 10% by 2015 renewable portfolio standard (RPS), but what lies ahead for the state's energy landscape when the mandate expires? That, as it turns out, is a question Gov. Rick Snyder seems determined to answer…[He] tasked the Michigan Public Service Commission (MPSC) and Michigan Energy Office (MEO) with gathering data and issuing reports to help inform decision-makers…Earlier this week, the MPSC and MEO submitted their first final report to the governor…In addition to evaluating Michigan’s current RPS status, the report gauged various scenarios to see if the state could support a larger mandate. Surprisingly, the report finds that, yes, 15% by 2020 and 30% by 2035 targets are achievable…” click here for more

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WESTERN ENERGY MARKET ADVANCES Western Energy Imbalance Market Design Gets Approval From CAISO Board

November 8, 2013 (Renew Grid)

"The design framework for a California Independent System Operator Corp. (CAISO) energy imbalance market (EIM) has received approval from the CAISO board of governors…[T]he EIM will allow western grid operators to voluntarily participate in a real-time energy market that enhances grid reliability and responsiveness, integrates renewable power, and saves wholesale energy costs…[The CAISO and its] first EIM partner, PacifiCorp…[are preparing] for implementation of the market…on Oct. 1, 2014…Significant increases in the amount of wind and solar power in recent years require grid operators to hold additional flexible generation in reserve…Without an EIM, operators generally must rely on generation assets within their balancing authority for any last-minute balancing…” click here for more

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