QUICK NEWS, December 23: NEW ENERGY 35% OF U.S NEW CAPACITY IN 2013; ENERGY TAX REFORM AS ENERGY POLICY; STOP-START CAPABILITIES MOVE VEHICLE MARKETS

NEW ENERGY 35% OF U.S NEW CAPACITY IN 2013 FERC's Latest Data Undermines EIA's Projections of Slow Renewable Energy Growth To 2040

Ken Bossong, December 20, 2013 (The SUN DAY Campaign)

"…[S]olar, biomass, wind, geothermal, and hydropower ‘units’ provided 394 MW - or 100% - of all new electrical generation placed in-service in November 2013. There was no new capacity during the month from natural gas, coal, oil, or nuclear power…For the first eleven months of 2013, [renewables] accounted for more than a third (34.9%) of all new electrical generating capacity: 2,631-MW solar, 1,108 MW wind, 519 MW biomass, 121 MW hydropower, and 39 MW geothermal. That is more…[for the year than] coal (1,543 MW - 12.2%), oil (36 MW - 0.3%), and nuclear power (0 MW - 0.0%) combined. Solar alone comprises 20.8% of new generating capacity (2,631 MW) thus far this year - two-thirds more than its year-to-date total in 2012 (1,584 MW)…[Natural gas dominated 2013] with 6,568 MW of new capacity (52.0%)…” click here for more

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ENERGY TAX REFORM AS ENERGY POLICY The way Congress funds clean energy is a mess. Max Baucus thinks there’s a better idea.

Brad Plumer, December 19, 2013 (Washington Post)

"…[Senator Max Baucus (D-Montana) and Senate Finance Committee Chair unveiled energy tax reforms] to dump all 42 existing tax incentives for specific energy sources…[and] create two broad tax credits that would boost clean energy…Baucus's proposals aren't likely to become law anytime soon. But they could shape the debate over how Congress funds clean energy in the years ahead…[A]ny facility producing electricity that is at least 25 percent cleaner than the average for all electricity production facilities would receive a tax credit. The cleaner the facility, the larger the tax credit…[A]ny transportation fuel that is at least 25 percent cleaner than conventional gasoline will generally receive a credit. Again, the cleaner and more energy-efficient the fuel, the larger the credit…The oil and gas sector isn't happy about the prospect of losing incentives for exploration and drilling…[Baucus's proposal is] essentially a tax cut for some companies and not others. It might not be as effective [as a carbon tax, but is less likely to provoke a political backlash.” click here for more

from ACEEE (click to enlarge)

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STOP-START CAPABILITIES MOVE VEHICLE MARKETS Stop-Start Vehicles; Micro Hybrid Technologies, Lead-Acid Batteries, Li-ion Batteries, and Ultracapacitors: Market Analysis and Forecasts

4Q 2013 (NavigantResearch)

“The ability of a vehicle to automatically stop its engine when stationary and then fire it up again when it is time to move can save significant quantities of fuel and reduce vehicle emissions in traffic jams…Growth in light duty [stop-start vehicles (SSVs)] sales during the next decade will be predominately in the three major market regions of North America, Western Europe, and Asia Pacific, primarily because these regions are the most aggressive in their implementation of fuel economy and emissions regulations. Stop-start systems will help to roll out other electrification features…to increase efficiency without large-scale adoption of full hybrid or plug-in electric capability. Navigant Research forecasts that total global sales for light duty SSVs will exceed 55 million by 2022, accounting for 54.3% of total vehicle sales…” click here for more

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