July 28, 2008: Congress Continues Energy Impasse
Don’t expect legislative action on energy from Congress anytime soon. A New York Times editorial argues this is a good thing, considering the misguided proposals they are debating. The Wall Street Journal reports that though recent polls show Americans trust Democrats over Republicans on the economy by a wide margin, the gap may be closing as Republicans tout offshore oil drilling as a solution to energy price woes.
According to one investor, Congress needs to extend the renewable energy tax credits or investment in large-scale solar projects could drop by 50 percent.
Business Roundup: A new Wi-Fi router uses up to 40 percent less energy.
Hydro Green Energy, LLC and Wind Energy Systems Technology Group will explore the feasibility of hybrid wind-hydrokinetic energy projects in the Gulf of Mexico.
The federal government issued 11 new leases to companies exploring offshore wind and marine energy.
A new wind project in Oregon would more than double the state’s wind energy capacity. The developers of The Shepherd’s Flat Wind Farm bill it as “the largest single wind farm in the world.”
Green-Collar News: A community college’s training program in renewable energy attracts green-collar jobs to an economically depressed area of the Pacific Northwest.
According to one employment research group, green-collar jobs may become an economic stimulus on par with the dot-com boom.
Local Green: The California Air Resources Board (CARB) adopted strict emissions rules for ships within 24 nautical miles of the state’s coast. CARB says the regulations would “cut shipping-related diesel particulate matter by 75 percent in the first year.”
The Dry Lake Wind Project - Arizona’s first wind energy farm - will produce enough electricity to power 15,000 homes by the end of 2009.
A small Missouri town produces more wind-generated electricity than it uses.
–Christopher Greenspan
Tags: Dry Lake Wind Project, green collar-jobs, Hydrokinetic Energy, renewable energy tax credits