NASEO News

FEDERAL UPDATE

USDA Announces REAP Feasibility Study Funding Available

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) recently released this year’s funding notice for feasibility studies under REAP – the Rural Energy for America Program. Feasibility studies evaluate the likelihood of renewable project success in consideration of technical, financial, management and other factors.  USDA requires feasibility studies for project funding under REAP where project costs exceed $200,000.  Eligible recipients for the funding are limited to agricultural producers and rural small businesses.  As with REAP generally, the feasibility studies apply to a wide range of technologies including geothermal, wind, solar, numerous biomass technologies, small hydroelectric, marine, and biofuels.  The deadline for applications is October 5, 2010 and they must be submitted to the state USDA Rural Development office.  Please click here for more information as well as for a link to the funding notice.

DOE Paves Way for Additional Clean Energy Projects and Jobs through Manufacturing Solicitation

The U.S. Department of Energy Secretary Steven Chu recently announced a new loan guarantee solicitation for renewable energy manufacturing projects. The Commercial Technology Manufacturing Systems and Components solicitation is supported by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act through Section 1705 of the Loan Guarantee Program. The solicitation will support the deployment of renewable energy technologies that reduce greenhouse gas emissions and help increase employment in the nation's green manufacturing sector, which is part of the Administration's long-term plan to create new green energy jobs.  The solicitation will seek applications for projects that manufacture commercial technology renewable energy systems and components, such as wind turbine systems, blades or solar photovoltaic components.  To read more about the solicitation, please click here. 

EIA: U.S. Energy-Related Carbon Dioxide Emissions to Increase 3.4% in 2010

Carbon dioxide emissions from the burning of fossil fuels are projected to increase by 3.4 percent in 2010 over the previous year, according to a new report by DOE's Energy Information Administration (EIA). The EIA's "Short-Term Energy Outlook" (STEO), released on August 10, projects carbon dioxide emissions from burning coal to increase by 6 percent due to increased use of coal at electric power plants. Carbon dioxide emissions from burning natural gas are projected to increase by 3.9 percent, due to greater use of natural gas in the industrial and electric power sectors, while emissions from using petroleum are expected to increase by only about 1 percent. For more information on the STEO, please click here.

MEETINGS AND WEBINARS

Register Today for the NASEO Annual Meeting in Boston, September 28-October 1, 2010

This year's NASEO Annual Meeting will be held September 28-October 1, 2010, at the Sheraton Boston in Boston, Massachusetts.  While the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA) continues to deliver unprecedented opportunities and challenges for the State and Territory Energy Offices and their partners, what lies beyond ARRA?  Also, as the Administration evolves in Washington, D.C., keeping up with the pace of change at the U.S. Department of Energy and other agencies is critical.  This meeting offers an opportunity for state energy officials to hear from key policy and decision-makers, learn about new funding and partnership opportunities, and interact with peers.

To prepare and inform conference attendees, NASEO has planned a full week of informative events, with the core conference agenda being complemented by ARRA and committee sessions, as well as site tours and in-depth tracks on topical issues.  The 2010 NASEO Annual Meeting will serve as an essential opportunity for State Energy Office (SEO) directors, staff, and interested stakeholders to hear the latest on innovative financing and project implementation, clean energy technologies, and links between energy, environment, and transportation priorities.

Upcoming NASEO Annual Meeting Session Highlights

• State Energy Program Effectiveness and Impact Evaluation Update
• ARRA State Energy Program and Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant Implementation
• DOE ARRA Implementation: Overall Progress and Successes
• Renewable Energy Applications: Electricity and Transportation
• Technology Investments and Innovation: Discovering and Commercializing New Energy Technologies
• Commercial Buildings Consortium: Achieving a High Performing Building Stock
• Appliance Rebate Program: Lessons Learned
• Evolving State and Federal Roles in Energy and Environmental Policy

Please click here to visit the event website to register online, view the preliminary agenda, and learn more about available sponsorship and exhibitor opportunities.

Asia-Pacific Clean Energy Summit – Honolulu, Hawaii

The Asia Pacific Clean Energy Summit and Expo will be held Aug. 30 - Sept. 2, 2010 at the Hawaii Convention Center in Honolulu. Hawaii is one of the world's leading incubators for clean technology development through strategic partnerships with Fortune 500 corporations, U.S. military energy programs and the Hawaiian Electric Industries multiple renewable and microgrid pilot programs. To showcase the growing early clean technology success and opportunities in Hawai‘i, the Asia-Pacific Clean Energy Summit program focuses on topics such as electric vehicle transportation, grid integration of renewable energy, energy security, efficiency, regulatory frameworks, and financing of new renewable energy technologies. Please click here to visit the APCESE website.

ESC Beginnings Webinar: September 10, 2010

The Energy Services Coalition (ESC) will host a webinar bringing together its early founders to share how and why ESC got started and how it evolved while keeping its mission in focus.  The webinar will take place on September 10, 2010 form 1:00 – 1:40 PM ET.  ESC has been a public-private partnership from the start.  ESC's sole focus has always been on energy performance contracting - breaking down barriers and increasing awareness to increase energy efficiency through performance contracting.  Founding a chapter today is very similar to the founding of the organization - public and private participants working on a common mission.  Please click here for more information on the webinar as well as a link to online registration.

ECW Workshop: Fostering Sustainable Behavior: Community-Based Social Marketing, September 16, 2010, Milwaukee, WI

The Energy Center of Wisconsin is excited to announce internationally acclaimed social-marketing expert Doug McKenzie-Mohr, PhD will present, Fostering Sustainable Behavior: Community-based social marketing, September 16, 2010 in Milwaukee, WI.  This full-day workshop will provide participants with a comprehensive, introductory understanding of community-based social marketing.  This workshop is designed for energy program designers and implementers, utility program managers, communications and marketing professionals, community planners, and professionals in the fields of energy and sustainable communities. For more information, including online registration, visit www.ecw.org/socialmarketing.   

STATE AND LOCAL NEWS

Solar Hot Water Moves Ahead in Colorado, Two Projects Receive $69,000 in Grants

The Colorado Carbon Fund, a program of the Governor's Energy Office (GEO), recently announced grants totaling $69,000 to two projects designed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by producing hot water using solar thermal energy systems.  The grants will help fund solar hot water systems at the Apex Recreation Center in Arvada and the Maple Terrace apartment complex, which is operated by the Loveland Housing Authority. Both projects will reduce utility bills, save money for taxpayers, create business for renewable energy installers and cut dependence on fossil fuels. To read more about the project and the Colorado Carbon Fund, please click here.

Illinois Solar Bill Accelerates PV Carve-Out Timeline

Two utilities in Illinois will have to purchase solar energy three years earlier than had originally been planned under a bill signed into law August 17.  Illinois' Power Agency Act and Public Utilities Act required that Commonwealth Edison and Ameren - two electric utilities with operations in the state - buy 0.5 percent of their electricity from solar sources by 2015. With the law enacted this week, that date moves up to June 1, 2012.  In June 2013, Commonwealth Edison and Ameren will have to buy 1.5 percent of their energy from solar installations; the mandate ramps up to 3 percent in 2014 and 6 percent the following year.  To read more about this story and a separate bill to simplify residential PV installations, please click here.

Indiana Water Treatment Facilities Efficiency Program Launched

Indiana Lt. Governor Becky Skillman recently announced a program that gives municipal water treatment facilities in Indiana access to grants to improve the energy efficiency of pumps and motors in these facilities. The Energy Efficiency for Water Treatment (EEWT) grant program offers grants up to $100,000 for replacement of water treatment pumps and motors. Applicants for the program must provide a 50 percent cost match.  The EEWT grant program is available to government-owned water treatment facilities in Indiana. The amount of each grant will range from $25,000 to $100,000. A total of $340,000 is available for this program, which is funded by the U.S. Department of Energy's State Energy Program and administered by the Indiana Office of Energy Development (OED).  To read more about the program, please click here.

Maryland Energy Administration Makes $3.6 Million Available to Create Green Jobs with another Round of Energy Efficiency Initiatives

The Maryland Energy Administration (MEA) recently issued another round of Requests for Proposals for the Jane E. Lawton Conservation Loan (JELLP) and the EmPower Clean Energy Communities Grant programs. In an effort to create more "green" collar jobs, lower energy demand, and reduce energy usage, the recipients of these energy efficiency loans and grants will help streamline energy use across the state and put residents back to work in Maryland's burgeoning energy sector.  Please click here to read more.

Missouri Selects 1,600 Farmers to Use $6 Million in Grants to Improve Agricultural Efficiency

In an effort to help farmers move toward more energy efficient and profitable operations, the Missouri Department of Natural Resources developed the Energize Missouri Agriculture cost-share grant program.  The department offered the energy efficiency cost-share grants to agricultural operations statewide for agricultural energy efficiency improvements and renewable energy equipment. The department has selected more than 1,600 farmers from across the state to receive more than $6 million in grant funds.  To read more about the program, please click here.

Nevada State Energy Office Seeks Proposals to Track State Building Emissions

The Nevada State Office of Energy (NSOE) recently released a request for proposal (RFP) to conduct a cutting-edge program at approximately 125 state buildings that have installed energy efficiency and renewable energy projects. EnergyStar Portfolio Manager will calculate buildings' greenhouse gas emissions, including carbon dioxide, methane and nitrous oxide, from on-site fuel combustion and purchased electricity.  Proposals for the RFP will be evaluated and scored based upon demonstrated competence, experience in performance of comparable agreements, reasonableness of cost, conformance with terms of the RFP, and the expertise and availability of key personnel. They must be submitted to the NSOE by August 31 at 5 p.m.  For more information about the RFP, please click here.

Do you have news you would like to share? Send us your stories and announcements. Email or call Garth Otto with the details: gotto@naseo.org , 703.299.8800, ext. 16.