In our first issue of the Clock, we set the time at 9 pm based on progress the clean energy industry has seen in the last decade juxtaposed with the challenges we face today. Now, in this second issue, the second quarter of 2013, we will set the Clock at 9:15 pm. We have seen no major setbacks and have seen some positive movements forward.
In this edition, we look at new clean energy financing proposals, featuring an in-depth interview with Senator Chris Coons (D-DE); we take a deep dive into potential frameworks for EPA greenhouse gas regulations; we discuss promising disruptive technologies with a smart grid leader; and we explore how Japan is moving their clean energy policy forward.
Examples of these movements in both directions are:
+ The President has announced plans to pursue regulations on new and existing power plants through existing EPA authority, and offered June 15, 2015 as a deadline for issuing final rules.
+ Clean tech investment has shifted from the downward slide and looks to be coming up.
+ Positive legislative proposals for financing options have been introduced in Congress.
+ California continues their roll-out of AB32, demonstrating notably progressive treatment of renewables and storage technologies in their state Energy Commission and PUC.
+/- While the House of Representatives tried to shift negative attention from Solyndra to Fisker, Tesla’s early repayment of their DoE loan complicated matters; and the House has been holding positive hearings on energy efficiency.
+/- Natural gas remains cheap and abundant despite a slight uptick in the price over the last year.
– EPA regulations of GHGs in stationary sources have hit a temporary snag in their rollout.
– State RPSs and net metering standards are under attack in a number of states.
Check out the complete report [download id=”21″].
