QUICK NEWS, May 7: EFFICIENCY UNLOCKS DC GRIDLOCK; CALIFORNIA GREW NEW ENERGY 250MW IN Q1; TEXAS BUILDING ELECTRICITY SUPPLY WITH WIND

EFFICIENCY UNLOCKS DC GRIDLOCK Shaheen-Portman: The low drama bill with huge benefits

Lowell Ungar, May 5, 2014 (American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy)

"The Senate has returned to the Shaheen-Portman energy efficiency bill…[I]t's easy to forget that there is an energy efficiency bill…[b]ecause nobody is fighting over it! …[It] is not only sponsored by a Democrat, Senator Jeanne Shaheen of New Hampshire, and a Republican, Senator Rob Portman of Ohio, but is also cosponsored by another six Democrats and six Republicans…But the lack of controversy around the energy efficiency measures does not mean the bill does not matter. ACEEE estimates that, if enacted, Shaheen-Portman will support more than 190,000 added net jobs in 2030, achieve 12 quadrillion Btus of energy savings through 2030, save consumers almost $100 billion over that time period, and cut carbon dioxide emissions in 2030 as much as taking about 22 million cars off the road. Energy efficiency receives such wide support because it helps consumers, the economy, the environment, and energy security all at the same time...” click here for more

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CALIFORNIA GREW NEW ENERGY 250MW IN Q1 California Adds 250 MW of Renewable Energy the First Quarter of 2014

May 5, 2014 (California Energy Commission)

“…An estimated 250 megawatts (MW) of new wholesale and self-generation renewable energy came online in the first quarter of 2014, bringing California’s total Renewables Portfolio Standard (RPS) operating capacity to 17,650 MW…Projects adding capacity include the Genesis Solar Energy Center in Riverside County and the DTE Energy biomass facility at the Port of Stockton…Last year, California added 3,300 MW of new renewable resources, a 20 percent capacity increase since 2012…The state is expected to have another 2,800 MW of renewable energy projects (those that have permits and utility Power Purchase Agreements) online by the end of this year…The RPS requires utilities to increase the amount of renewable electricity in their power mix to 33 percent by 2020.” click here for more

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TEXAS BUILDING ELECTRICITY SUPPLY WITH WIND ERCOT says summer electric needs should be met

May 1, 2014 (AP via Washington Times)

“Six new generating units [including four wind projects and two natural gas plants] going online by August should help meet power needs this summer with sufficient supplies also expected for the fall, the Electric Reliability Council of Texas announced…ERCOT, the operator of the electric distribution grid for most of Texas, said consumers could still be asked to conserve…Peak demand this summer is expected to reach about 68,000 megawatts, ERCOT estimated...One megawatt provides enough power to serve about 200 homes during peak demand conditions, typically between 3 p.m. and 7 p.m. on a hot summer day…Nearly 10 percent of the energy produced and used within ERCOT during 2013 came from wind operations…” click here for more

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