March 19,2009: Tough Times Fuel Solar Consolidation
The solar industry’s recession-fueled consolidation continues; Recurrent Energy purchased UPC Solar.
The political rhetoric tied to climate and energy policy is increasingly linked to potential job growth.
The House of Representatives passed the GIVE Act, legislation that if made into law has important provisions for the Clean Energy Corps.
U.S. Energy Secretary Steven Chu says America will consider a carbon tax on imports.
Representative John Larson (D - Connecticut) introduced a carbon tax in the House last week, though many Democratic leaders prefer a federal cap-and-trade system.
Even if utilities were given a certain percentage of free carbon credits under a cap-and-trade system, companies would still pass on the cost burden to consumers.
Local Green: A combination of energy efficiency measures and renewables could inexpensively meet the Northwest’s growing energy needs while reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 80 percent within the next 40 years.
Michigan utility DTE Energy says it will build 280 wind turbines over the next two decades to comply with the state’s renewable energy portfolio standards.
Three companies plan to build new wind farms in rural Hawaii that would feed into urban Honolulu’s grid.
New Jersey News reports on the conflict building around offshore wind energy in the state.
–Christopher Greenspan
Tags: Cap-and-Trade, Carbon Credits, carbon tax, Hawaii, John Larson, Michigan, Northwest Energy Coalition, Recurrent Energy, Solar Industry, UPC Solar, Wind Farms