Energy Rules

Ontario Feed-in Tariff and micro Feed-in Tariff program

jfarrell — Wed, 01 Sep 2010 11:38:39 -0500

In 2009, the Canadian province of Ontario dramatically revised its standard offer renewable energy program into a full-fledged feed-in tariff (FIT). The program provides a guaranteed grid connection, cost-based prices for renewable energy producers, and a long-term power purchase contract. Paul Gipe awarded the program an 'A-' in his recent analysis of North American FIT policies and we find the bonuses for domestic content and local ownership to be innovative twists on a successful policy tool.

Community Choice Aggregation - Marin Clean Energy, CA

jfarrell — Wed, 01 Sep 2010 07:33:04 -0500

Over 30 cities, towns and unincorporated areas have formed a community choice aggregation program in Marin County, CA. The program will provide ratepayers with significantly higher levels of renewable energy at rates comparable to their previous PG&E electric provider.

Wisconsin Utility Renewable Energy Production Incentives

jfarrell — Fri, 25 Jun 2010 13:14:34 -0500

Wisconsin investor-owned utilities have adopted production incentives for renewable energy in response to public pressure for a feed-in tariff, but their efforts fall far short. As a result, the utility programs collectively scored an ‘F’ in feed-in tariff expert Paul Gipe’s recent analysis of North American feed-in tariff policies.

Maine Community Based Renewable Energy Production Incentive

jfarrell — Fri, 25 Jun 2010 11:54:14 -0500

The Maine Community Based Renewable Energy Production Incentive launched in 2010 and contains many components of a feed-in tariff and is one of the few policies to (laudably) focus on community-owned projects. But the one-size-fits-all price for every renewable energy technology means it lacks the power to encourage a diversity of renewable energy technologies and may fail to encourage project development. As a result, the program scored an ‘F’ in feed-in tariff expert Paul Gipe’s recent analysis of North American feed-in tariff policies.

Gainesville Solar Feed-in Tariff

jfarrell — Thu, 24 Jun 2010 11:54:18 -0500

Gainesville Regional Utilities, the municipal utility serving the Florida city of Gainesville, launched its solar photovoltaic (PV) feed-in tariff program in early 2009. The city’s program set a cap of 4 MW of solar PV through 2016 and the program is fully subscribed. Customers will still have the option of installing solar with the utility’s rebate and net metering the electricity.

Vermont standard offer renewable energy program

jfarrell — Thu, 24 Jun 2010 11:40:39 -0500

In May 2009, Vermont adopted a standard offer program that serves as a small feed-in tariff. Although the program scored only a ‘D’ in feed-in tariff expert Paul Gipe’s recent analysis of North American feed-in tariff policies, it does contain many of the key components of a feed-in tariff policy.

Oregon Solar PV Production Incentive

jfarrell — Thu, 24 Jun 2010 10:43:15 -0500

The state of Oregon established a production incentive for renewable energy systems in 2009 and the state’s Public Utility Commission finalized rules in 2010 that will allow for up to 25 megawatts (MW) of solar photovoltaic (PV) systems to be installed by 2014. Although proponents of the legislation had hoped to develop a robust feed-in tariff in Oregon, the actual program has only small elements of a feed-in tariff.

Regional Plug-In Electric Vehicle Planning - Southern California

jbailey — Mon, 25 Jan 2010 15:42:58 -0600

This effort was announced in December 2009 and is a nice example of the start of a regional effort to do some comprehensive planning to facilitate the smooth transition to electric vehicles. The initiative is a collaboration between cities, utilities, automakers and others in the Southern California region who will work actively to support and build the necessary infrastructure for the commercial launch of electric vehicles.

Electric Vehicle Charging Systems Required For New Buildings – Vancouver, British Columbia

admin — Wed, 20 Jan 2010 10:18:59 -0600

Normal.dotm 0 0 1 683 3895 Institute for Local Self-Reliance 32 7 4783 12.0 Vancouver has established an electric vehicle (EV) charging system requirement for new construction - both single family and multi-family properties. In October 2009, a new rule requires 20% of the parking spots in new multi-family developments in Vancouver to have charging ports for electric vehicles.

Electric Vehicle Charging Rates

jbailey — Tue, 19 Jan 2010 14:39:37 -0600

With respect to charging electric vehicles (EVs), the ideal scenario would result in a maximum amount of renewable energy flowing into the vehicle's battery packs while at the same time utilizing our existing infrastructure (power plants, transmission/distribution lines) as efficiently as possible. To meet this scenario, the timing of charging up vehicles must be compared to the timing of power plant

Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Planning Requirement

jbailey — Tue, 19 Jan 2010 12:43:14 -0600

The idea here would be to get a head start on the emerging market penetration of electric vehicles (EVs) and enact legislation that opens a regulatory proceeding covering electric utility related EV issues. At a minimum, the legislation should require utilities to develop a coordinated infrastructure plan for EVs. Issues included would be: ensuring interoperability of EV equipment, requirements for infrastructure, cost recovery, smart grid integration, time-of-use (TOU) pricing, other rate and billing issues. The proceeding should also bring to light a clear picture of what power plants will be operating during the likeliest charging periods for EVs.

Enabling Municipal Energy Financing - Vermont

jfarrell — Mon, 03 Aug 2009 15:56:06 -0500

This Vermont law allows cities to create districts, subject to voter approval, for financing of designed renewable energy and energy efficiency projects.

HB 446 - May 2009 [pdf]