Interior Secretary Salazar Reveals Department’s Energy Agenda

March 10, 2009 By

In an interview with The Associated Press, Interior Department Secretary Ken Salazar called for the creation of “renewable energy zones” to smooth development of offshore wind projects and to spur solar energy development in the Southwest, as well as onshore wind energy in the Great Plains.

Salazar cited offshore wind projects on the Atlantic coast as a key to meeting renewable energy goals in America.

Additionally, Salazar promised to review oil and gas exploration leases on public lands. So far this year, proposed tests to explore oil shale in Colorado, Utah and Wyoming have been sidelined by Interior Department rulings.

To read the full Associate Press release, click here.

Filed Under: Election, Energy Sources, Environment, u.s. energy policy

Stimulus Compromise Bill Contains Renewable Measures

February 13, 2009 By

Details of the latest version of the economic stimulus bill reveal some renewable energy provisions remain intact. The bill still contains $11 billion for modernizing the U.S. electricity grid and developing so-called smart grids, which utilize technology to create more efficient and less costly methods of moving electricity.

Additionally, the bill slates $6 billion in loan guarantees for renewable energy projects such as wind or solar energy development.

This compromise version is under final debate in both the House and Senate.

To read a more in-depth report about renewable provisions within the bill, and some projected outcomes of the bill’s impact, click here.

Filed Under: Economy, Election, renewables, u.s. energy policy

L A Times: “Promise and Peril” of Energy Transition

February 10, 2009 By

As President Barack Obama campaigns for support for his stimulus package, the green cornerstone of his plans is under high scrutiny. The Los Angeles Times released an article acknowledging the tensions in shifting to a new energy paradigm.

“The stakes are high. If Obama succeeds, he could spark a domestic jobs boom and lead an international fight against climate change. If he fails, he could cripple existing industries and squeeze cash-strapped Americans with higher energy prices.”

Comparing the efforts to transition America away from imported oil to the Manhattan Project and moon shot combined, the article offers an interesting comparison of the policy efforts to fast-track alternative energy in the U.S.

To read the article, click here.

Filed Under: Election, Energy Policy, Energy Sources, renewables, u.s. energy policy

New Chair of House Energy Subcommittee Reveals Policy Goals

February 9, 2009 By

Houston Chronicle – Opening CERAWeek, the Cambridge Energy Research Associates’ energy industry conference, luncheon keynote speaker U.S. Rep. Edward Markey (D-Mass) and new chairman of the House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Energy and the Environment revealed his energy policy outlooks.

Citing staunch agreement with T. Boone Pickens, Markey is well-known as a champion for tougher vehicle fuel efficiency standards, a foe of nuclear power plants and has called for less generous royalty terms for oil production on federal lands. He has also supported a windfall tax for oil companies since the 1980s.

While Markey focused on energy-related parts of Congress’ economic stimulus package at CERA, he also indicated that massive climate change law is expected out of his committee this spring.

To read the full article and hear more about Markey and proposed energy policy, click here.

Filed Under: Election, Energy Policy, Energy Sources, Environment, u.s. energy policy

Energy Chair Speaks at National Clean Energy Conference

January 29, 2009 By

In a presentation at this summer’s National Clean Energy Summit convened by the University of Nevada Las Vegas, Sen. Harry Reid (D-NV), and the Center for American Progress Action Fund, Dr. Steven Chu, now Energy Secretary under the Obama administration, described why he has moved from his background in experimental quantum physics to tackling global warming.

To watch the ten minute clip, click here.

Filed Under: Election, global warming, u.s. energy policy
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