REGISTER NOW
NASEO/ASERTTI Energy Policy and Technology Outlook Conference
January 31 - February 3, 2011 - Washington, DC
The 2011 State Energy Policy and Technology Outlook Conference, hosted by
NASEO and ASERTTI, will be held on Monday, January 31 – Thursday, February 3,
2011, at the Fairmont Hotel in Washington, D.C. This year’s Conference comes as
a historic number of new governors and legislators take office and will serve as
an essential opportunity for State Energy Office directors, staff, and
interested stakeholders to hear the latest on economic development, technology
transfer, innovative financing, and clean energy technologies.
Online registration is open and an
updated
agenda is available.
NATIONAL NEWS
DOE Announces First Companies to Receive Industrial
Energy Efficiency Certification
The U.S. Department of Energy announced the first industrial plants in the
country to be certified under the Superior Energy Performance program -- a new,
market-based industrial energy efficiency program. The three facilities
are located in Texas, and were recruited as part of the joint pilot program
between DOE and Texas Industries of the Future.
DOE Announces New Efforts to Promote Clean Energy in Tribal Communities
U.S. Energy Secretary Steven Chu announced two new initiatives to promote
tribal energy development and continue strengthening the partnership between the
Department of Energy and tribal nations. Up to $10 million will be available
this year through DOE's Tribal Energy Program to support the evaluation,
development and deployment of energy efficiency and renewable energy projects on
tribal lands that will help save energy and money, expand the use of renewable
energy resources, and promote economic development for tribal communities.
Energy Projects Transform Trash to Green Power
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recognized six landfill
methane capture projects and partners for their innovation in generating
renewable energy and protecting the climate and people’s health by reducing
greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. EPA has assisted with more than 490 landfill gas
energy projects over the past 16 years, transforming waste into a green
community asset. Landfill gas electricity generation projects have a capacity of
1,680 megawatts (MW) and provide the energy equivalent of powering more than
994,000 homes annually as a clean energy source. The United States currently has
about 540 operational landfill gas energy projects.
USDA Launches New Biobased Product Label
The U.S. Department of Agriculture's BioPreferred program announced that a
final rule to initiate a voluntary product certification and labeling program
for qualifying biobased products will be published in the Federal Register this
week. This new label will clearly identify biobased products made from renewable
resources, and will promote the increased sale and use of these products in the
commercial market and for consumers.
Buzz
Builds for 'Clean Energy' Standard, but Passage Won't be Easy
The buzz is building for a national 'clean energy' standard (CES), which
would require utilities to generate a portion of power from sources that emit
less carbon pollution like solar and wind but, also nuclear, coal with carbon
capture and sequestration, and possibly natural gas. It would expand on the
renewables-only mandates that failed to pass the last Congress. Battles could
erupt over whether a CES bill should block U.S. EPA from regulating the largest
emitters of greenhouse gases, a move many Republicans and businesses want but
that some Democrats and environmentalists oppose.
STATE NEWS
Colorado Governor Ritter Takes Job at CSU’s Center for the New Energy Economy
As Governor, Ritter worked to make Colorado a leader in clean energy, and
after he will strive to do the same at the Colorado State University’s Center
for the New Energy Economy, working to influence national energy policy.
Governor Ritter will be speaking at the NASEO/ASERTTI State Energy Policy and
Technology Outlook Conference on Tuesday, February, 2011.
Iowa Negotiates Deal with DuPont for Next Generation Ethanol Plant
The Iowa Power Fund Board (Board) approved terms to start contract
negotiations on a grant award for one of the first in the nation, alternative
energy projects to produce cellulosic ethanol in Iowa by the DuPont Danisco
Cellulosic Ethanol (DDCE) companies.
Kansas Governor Demonstrates Energy Saving
Governor Sam Brownback is leading the charge in a state-wide challenge to
become more energy efficient. The Take Charge Challenge is a program to raise
awareness about sensible ways save energy around the home.
Michigan Township to Host “Turn on the Lights” to Celebrate New LED Streetlights
Meridian Township has successfully completed installation of 25 LED lights in
the Meridian Township Downtown Development Authority. In addition to using
59 percent less energy, the new LED streetlights replace aging infrastructure
and will save $755 from Meridian’s annual energy bills.
North Dakotans Asked to “Take the Switch”
North Dakotans are being challenged to switch their thinking, to pledge to
take small actions that can create a big impact with energy savings. The
challenge is part of the NDSwitch campaign funded by the American Recovery
Reinvestment Act funds and developed by the North Dakota Department of Commerce
to give North Dakotans tools and information to help conserve energy and save
money.
Ohio Energizing Careers Program Will Directly Train More than 700 at Six
Companies Statewide
More than 700 employees in the manufacturing sector will receive training
Ohio’s Energizing Career Program to support the state’s wind, solar and biomass
industries. The $1.3 million granted to six companies is part of the program’s
second round of grants.
Oregon Woodstove Replacement Program Reduces Fire Hazards, Energy Use
The Oregon Department of Energy (ODOE) recently awarded $2 million in
American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (stimulus) funds to Oregon Department of
Environmental Quality (DEQ) for the woodstove replacement program – a
three-tiered rebate program targeted at areas with poor air quality and high use
of uncertified woodstoves.
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