Environmental Law and Policy Center » Renewable Energy

Howard Learner Says Offshore Wind Farms Unlikely In Lake Michigan

pgray — Mon, 11 Jan 2010 17:16:17 +0000

Crain’s Chicago Business examines the prospects for offshore wind power in Lake Michigan. ELPC Executive Director Howard Learner says that wind farms near Chicago would trigger public opposition. ”There’s a reason lakefront property is so valuable in Chicago,” said Learner.

Offshore wind farms in the Great Lakes are less likely to be built because the Midwest has excellent sites for wind power available on land, where wind power development is much cheaper than offshore. Read the article in Crain’s Chicago Business.

Strong Energy and Climate Legislation Will Boost Farm Income and Reduce Risk of Global Warming

jgeiger — Wed, 09 Sep 2009 22:08:55 +0000

The following is a statement by Howard Learner, ELPC’s executive director, following the hearing today of the Senate Ag Committee on how climate legislation affects agriculture.

We agree with the USDA’s recent study showing that actions to reduce greenhouse gas pollution can produce long-term gains for farmers. It’s time for strong energy and climate legislation that will boost farm income and reduce the risk of global warming.

The costs of inaction are high—farmers and agricultural industries are particularly vulnerable to changes in temperature, rainfall patterns and pests that will result from unchecked climate change. Federal climate solutions and clean energy legislation can help farmers and foresters tap into growing markets in carbon offsets, renewable energy generation, advanced biofuels and energy efficiency savings.

The USDA study, among others, shows that minimal short-term costs to farmers will soon be outpaced by significant long-term gains in income, job creation, and other rural development opportunities.

With a strong climate bill, including new investments in farm-based energy and conservation, the agricultural community can help lead efforts to protect and improve our health and environment while fueling our clean energy economy.

A Victory for Clean Energy and Rural America: Senate Committee Votes to Boosts Funding for Farm Energy Programs

pgray — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 14:39:11 +0000

On July 7, the US Senate Committee on Appropriations voted to boost funding for farm energy programs that will create more clean energy and new income for rural Americans.

The committee voted to increase fiscal year 2010 funding for the Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) from $60 million to $128 million. The REAP program helps farmers, ranchers and rural small businesses build their own clean energy projects.

The committee also voted to increase funding for the Biorefinery Assistance program, by $17 million.

Wisconsin Senator Herb Kohl, Chair of the Agriculture Appropriations Subcommittee, was a key supporter of the funding increase. “Our nation faces historic challenges for our economy, our environment and our energy security,” Kohl said. “Farmers in Wisconsin and across the nation have much at stake and want to be part of the solution. These funds will help lead the way toward greener energy independence.”

Read ELPC’s press release here

Learn more about farm energy programs at FarmEnergy.org

South Dakota Program for Small Wind and Solar Projects Begins Critically Important Step

pgray — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 15:15:51 +0000

The South Dakota Public Utilities Commission (PUC) is seeking public input on a program that aims to increase the amount of electricity generated by small renewable energy projects, known as distributed generation.

ELPC recently helped South Dakota enact interconnection standards, the rules necessary to help small energy producers connect to the grid. ELPC Policy Advocate Matt McLarty said that gathering public input on its Small Renewable Energy Initiative is a ”critically important step.”

“If South Dakota is going to see its potential fully develop, especially in wind, this is a critical step to layer businesses, as well as small producers, to start a dialogue and get this going,” McLarty said.

Read coverage of the initiative in the Argus Leader

the public can comment on the initiative through this website

House Passes Historic Global Warming Solutions Bill!

jgeiger — Sat, 27 Jun 2009 15:11:19 +0000

Great news! Today the U.S. House of Representatives passed historic global warming solutions legislation, the American Clean Energy and Security Act (219-212). This was no easy victory – it was achieved in part through constituents’ many letters and phone calls asking legislators to vote “Yes” on the Waxman-Markey Bill. ELPC and our many partners are now turning our strategic attention to the Senate.

Read Grist story quoting ELPC Executive Director Howard Learner on the passage of the bill. “Today’s vote creates momentum for our country to reduce global warming pollution and advance clean energy solutions,” said Howard A. Learner, executive director of the Environmental Law & Policy Center. “We appreciate the Midwest and Great Plains legislators who stood up for the future and voted in favor of this vital legislation.”

Wisconsin Lt. Governor Calls on House to Pass Climate and Energy Bill

pgray — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 15:57:37 +0000

With a close vote expected on historic climate and energy legislation, Wisconsin’s Lieutenant Governor Lawton wrote to the Wisconsin congressional delegation urging representatives to vote for the Waxman-Markey bill. Read Lt. Governor Lawton’s letter here.

Call from individuals may be the best way to influence this important vote. Call your legislators today and ask them to vote yes on the the Waxman-Markey climate and energy bill.

North Dakota Can Lead on Energy

jgeiger — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 22:00:48 +0000

ELPC Government Relations Specialist Mindi Grieve, in ELPC’s Jamestown, North Dakota office, has an OpEd in the June 20th Grand Forks Herald. The opinion piece touts North Dakota’s strong clean energy resources and the state’s potential to benefit from clean energy legislation:

“Transitioning to a new clean-energy economy will create a bright economic future for North Dakota. In fact, the transition is already under way…North Dakota stands to gain a great deal from clean energy legislation. Our state has a huge potential for wind energy, clean biofuels and other energy sources.”

Read the full OpEd.

South Dakota Approves New Rules for Connecting Renewable Energy to the Grid

pgray — Fri, 12 Jun 2009 18:51:53 +0000

ELPC helped create interconnection standards in South Dakota that will make it easier for renewable energy producers to connect to the grid. Those rules were officially approved on June 9, 2009 and will be effective at the end of this month. The rules will pave the way for South Dakota to take advantage of its renewable energy potential.

Read the front page story about the new rules in the Argus Leader.

New South Dakota Rules Help Connect Wind to the Grid

jgeiger — Fri, 29 May 2009 14:32:23 +0000

On May 28, the South Dakota Public Utilities Commission (PUC) approved new state rules to simplify the connection of wind turbines, solar panels, and other clean energy systems to the electric grid. The standards create a consistent statewide process for connecting smaller renewable energy projects and avoid the uncertainty and costs associated with the previous patchwork of regulations.

ELPC has worked to put interconnection standards in place in several Midwestern states including Illinois, Iowa and Michigan, as part of its mission to create economic development and environmental progress together. The new rules must be approved by a legislative committee before becoming final.

Read ELPC’s press release.
Read the front page story in the Argus Leader.

ELPC and Michigan Environmental Coalition Call for Rejection of Costly Consumer Energy Plan

jgeiger — Fri, 01 May 2009 19:11:45 +0000

Leading environmental organizations have filed a brief calling for the Michigan Public Service Commission (PSC) to reject the energy efficiency and renewable energy plan filed by Consumers Energy. The groups argue the plan costs consumers too much and the energy efficiency plan does not do enough to reduce customers’ bills.

The brief argues that Consumers prices renewable energy far too high, placing an unreasonable burden on ratepayers. The environmental coalition emphasizes that Consumers’ renewable energy plan asks ratepayers to pay 60% more for renewable energy than neighboring Detroit Edison has proposed in its plan ($174/MWh versus $108 per MWh).

The coalition of groups that include the Michigan Environmental Council, Ecology Center, the Environmental Law & Policy Center and the Natural Resources Defense Council have been active participants in the PSC review of the plan during the last 60 days. Read the coalition press release.