Energy Law

Ocean Power Technologies announced Wednesday it's close to getting a license to build a wave energy plant off the coast of Oregon.

The New Jersey-based company has signed a settlement agreement that includes over 11 government agencies, and several private companies, to develop a 1.5-megawatt wave energy station.

When completed the plant will consist of 10 PowerBuoys that could generate enough electricity to power 1,000 homes annually, according to Ocean Power.

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid promised Thursday that Congress eventually will restore $1.5 billion rescinded from an Energy Department renewable-energy loan program to help pay for emergency education and Medicaid aid for states.

?That money is just temporarily gone,? Reid said, referring to the funds used to offset the cost of the $26.1 billion state fiscal aid package passed by the Senate on Thursday.
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The Solar Energy Industries Association had urged senators to oppose the rescission to a renewable energy loan guarantee program, which the group maintained would threaten $15 billion to $20 billion in investment in the industry.

As solar and wind energy are moving from niche businesses to big global industries, companies around the world could realize big rewards if they became leaders. The race is on, as many American, European and Asian competitors are increasing production capacity, investing abroad and pouring more money into R&D to improve their products.

One interesting question: How well will Chinese companies do in the renewable energy business? To date, China's competitive strength has been, with few exceptions, in slower-moving industries like apparel, commodity steel, lower grade machinery, computer and cellphone assembly. Firms entered late into established businesses and gained position on the basis of lower cost.

Photovoltaic solar panels and wind turbines, however, are two new, fast-moving businesses where technology and cost both matter--and are a test case of whether Chinese companies can successfully compete.

Idaho's energy czar is getting ready to divvy up about $2.75 million in federal stimulus money for state schools.

The Office of Energy Resources is now taking grant proposals from districts for the Idaho Solar Panels for Schools program.

The money will go to installing large solar electric net-metered equipment at schools.

The New Jersey National Guard is proposing building what would be one of the state's largest wind power turbines at its training center in Sea Girt by late 2012, a report on APP.com said.

The 1.5 megawatt-generating onshore tower could be as high as a 40-story building under the proposal, according to the report. The N.J. National Guard said the location would be good because of winds off the ocean, the report said.

Commuting got a little greener Thursday morning with the unveiling of Portland General Electric's first quick charging station for electric vehicles.

The station, manufactured by NEC Corporation, is installed in the parking garage of the Two World Trade Center in downtown Portland. It's the first of more than 2000 stations that are expected to be installed in Oregon homes and public spaces over the next two years, with most public stations along the Interstate-5 corridor.

Nissan Motor Co., Ltd. and Kagoshima Prefecture signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to jointly embark on the ?Development of a CO2-Free Island? project to create an advanced low-carbon society on Yakushima Island.

Japan?s first World Heritage Site, Yakushima Island is home to some of the country?s oldest trees?the oldest of which may be more than 7,000 years old?and has abundant hydropower.

The partnership will primarily focus on promoting the widespread adoption of electric vehicles (EVs) on the island and creating an environment where people can safely drive EVs and utilize renewable energy.

NRG Bluewater Wind officials said the restructuring of the Minerals Management Service, (MMS) following the Gulf spill could delay the development of its Mid-Atlantic offshore wind project by up to two years. The facility was initially scheduled to come online in 2014 but, under a new timeline, NRG Bluewater officials said it won?t start operating until 2016.

The MMS is the Interior Department agency in charge of regulating the country?s offshore resources. Shortly after the start of the BP spill, it came under fire for its cozy relationships with the oil and gas companies it was suppose to regulate. Since then, the MMS has been undergoing a deep restructuring, including a name-change: it?s now called The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, Regulation and Enforcement (BOEMRE).