EcoLocalizer reports Florida Power & Light Company are adding 110MW of solar power to their portfolio through three new projects. These projects will make Florida number two in the nation for solar energy. FPL’s CEO spoke against the US Senate at the Climate Summit because of their failure to pass a legislation that limits carbon dioxide emissions.
Summit Daily News reports Senate backed a bill to keep building permit costs to no more than $300 for residential solar energy projects and no more than $1,000 for commercial projects. While Denver, CO currently charges only $59 for a permit, other surrounding cities are charging as much as $1,300. This figure is discouraging to homeowners as it takes them an average of 12 years to see any savings from their efforts. Counties would have to cut budgets in other areas for this bill to come to fruition.
The Cincinnati Post reports on Ohio being poised to join the renewable energy trend started by more than 20 other states. Broad energy measures to be introduced to the State Legislature this fall will include requirements that power companies provide certain percentages of electricity from renewable sources such as wind and solar. Now that the U.S. Senate is considering a national renewable standard, Ohio officials say the state can’t afford to fall further behind.
Southbendtribune.com reports on Rep. Joe Donnelly’s belief in the benefits of alternative energy sources. Donnelly said in an interview that becoming energy independent is a matter of national security as much as it is an environmental issue. The Granger Democrat is enthusiastic about the possibility of bringing the production of a new kind of photovoltaic cell to South Bend.
The Victorville Daily Press reports that California’s Legislative Bill AB 32, a measure to decrease global warming by cutting greenhouse gas emissions, will not affect Victorville’s plans for a hybrid gas-fired and solar power plant. The plant will generate solar energy from 250 acres of parabolic mirrors.
The bill is specifically aimed at such polluters as non-alternative electric power plants, oil refineries, and cement kilns.
The New Mexico Business Weekly reports the Conservation Voters New Mexico has released its annual ranking of state legislators on how they voted on conservation-related issues. According to the organization, the Solar Market Development Income Tax Credit, which rewards homeowners and businesses that install renewable energy systems, helped boost the legislators’ rankings.
RenewableEnergyAccess.com reports that a closer look at California’s Million Solar Roofs bill by the solar community and homebuilding industry suggests the bill is less than a “mandate.” The bill requires builders of housing developments larger than 50 units to offer solar energy projects as an “option.”
Despite questions about the bill, the solar community is reportedly pleased to have it passed, since it includes provisions that will advance solar energy programs in the state.
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