IREC State & Stakeholder Newsletter

State & Stakeholder Newsletter April 2, 2008 Volume 7, Issue #7
In This Issue National News State & Local News Grants/RFPs Other News Upcoming Events About this Newsletter/How to Subscribe		Dear Daniel, The IREC State & Stakeholder Newsletter tracks a range of market-oriented news, services and outreach tools valuable to the renewable energy community. From webinars to white papers to workkshops and interviews with renewable energy newsmakers, you'll find the latest news about IREC members and other renewable energy stakeholders in this newsletter which is distributed semi-monthly to email subscribers and published on IREC's website. There is no fee for this newsletter. If you have comments or if you would like to submit a news item, email Jane Pulaski at janep@irecusa.org.    As always, thanks for your interest in and support of IREC.     Jane Pulaski Editor
National News 1)  Building a Workforce of Solar Installers in the Northeast Jane Weissman, Executive Director of IREC and Vice-Chair of the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP), has written an exhaustive article about the explosion of green workforce development training opportunities in the Northeast for NESEA's Spring Edition of its Northeast Sun magazine. 2)  Upcoming Pre-ASES Conference Workshops from Jerry Ventre and Barbara Martin Join Drs. Barbara L. Martin and Jerry Ventre for two pre-conference workshops at Solar 2008 in San Diego on May 3rd.  Barbara will teach Course Development for Renewable Energy Training Programs, and Jerry will teach an Introduction to Distributed Power Systems.  Space is limited.  3)  Articles About Green Jobs Makes NYT In a special business section of the March 26, 2008 edition of the New York Times, the Business of Green features a flurry of articles about green jobs, financing mechanisms, and renewable energy education.  Reports, presented at the recent renewble energy workforce development conference at Hudson Valley Community College by Roger Bezdek, Principal Investigator for the American Solar Energy Society's recent report, Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency: Economic Drivers for the 21st Century, were cited in the NYT article, Millions of Jobs of a Different Color for statistics about current numbers of green jobs. 4)  Johnny Weiss Winner of the 2008 Mark Fitzgerald Memorial Award Mr. Johnny Weiss from Solar Energy International (SEI) was announced the winner of the 2008 ISP Mark C. Fitzgerald Memorial Award at a special ceremony as part of the "New Ideas in Education" Conference held at the Hudson Community College in Troy, New York on March 18th-20th.  The award is for an individual who is dedicated to promoting quality renewable energy training. 5)  Small Wind Energy Stakeholder Meeting at WindPower 2008 The Annual Small Wind State Stakeholders Meeting will be Tuesday, June 3 from 1:00pm - 5:00pm during WINDPOWER 2008 in Houston.  The State Stakeholders meeting provides an opportunity for states to exchange information on policies and programs to promote the use of small wind turbines. The meeting will include reports from state representatives, discussion of model zoning ordinances, a visit with a Texas small wind installer, update on regional test centers, and briefings on  turbine and installer certification.  There is no charge to attend the State Stakeholders Meeting, but pre-registration is requested. State & Local News 6)  HI - Net Metering Limits Raised Net metering is available on a first-come, first-served basis to residential and "small commercial" customers (including government entities) that generate electricity using solar, wind, biomass or hydroelectric systems. Under the terms of the March 2008 PUC order, Hawaii's three investor-owned utilities (HECO, HELCO and MECO) and sole electric cooperative (KIUC) have slightly different programs. 7)  SD:  Voluntary Renewable and Recycled Energy Objective Enacted In February 2008, South Dakota enacted legislation establishing an objective that by 2015, 10% of all retail electricity sales be obtained from renewable and recycled energy. 8)  The Lone Star State's TXU Energy Launches a New Solar Academy A press conference was held in Cleburne, Texas to kick off the TXU Energy Solar Academy on March 7th.  The TXU Energy Solar Academy will provide a 1 kW solar array to each of 40 school districts across Texas and train up to 40 school teachers at each district on NEED's solar curriculum. Furthermore, each teacher will receive a Science of Energy kit and a grade-appropriate solar hands-on kit. 9)  UT:  Net Metering, Interconnection Standards for Systems up to 2 MW Adopted Utah requires all investor-owned utilities and most electric cooperatives to offer net metering to customers that generate electricity using solar energy, wind energy, hydropower, hydrogen, biomass, landfill gas or geothermal energy.:  Net Metering, Interconnection Standards for Systems up to 2 MW Adopted.  (Interconnection standards). 10) VT: New Law Includes Solar Tax Credit, Renewable Energy Goals, Expanded Net Metering (separate hyperlinks included) --Vermont offers a corporate income tax credit in an amount equal to 100% of the "Vermont-property portion" of the federal business energy tax credit for solar. --In March 2008, Vermont enacted legislation (S.B. 209) establishing a separate state renewable portfolio goal of assuring that 20% of total statewide electric retail sales before July 1, 2017, are generated by qualifying renewables. --Vermont's original net-metering legislation was enacted in 1998, and the law has been expanded several times subsequently. Any electric customer in Vermont may net meter after obtaining a Certificate of Public Good from the Vermont Public Service Board (PSB). 11)  WI:  WE Energies Increases Biogas Buy-Back Tariff, Extends Maximum Contract Period We Energies, an investor-owned utility serving portions of Wisconsin and Michigan, offers to purchase electricity and associated renewable energy credits generated by anaerobic digesters owned by its Wisconsin customers. News from Solar America Cities 12)  DOE Provides Up to $2.4 Million to Advance Solar Energy in 12 US Cities U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Secretary Samuel W. Bodman announced recently that DOE will make available up to $2.4 million to 12 cities across the country selected as Solar America Cities, chosen for their commitment and comprehensive approach to the deployment of solar technologies and the development of sustainable solar infrastructures.  Secretary Bodman made the announcement while delivering keynote remarks at the New Frontiers in Energy Summit 2008 in Denver. 13)  NY Solar Summit, June 17th in Manhattan The City University of New York's Center for Sustainable Energy (CSE) will convene the New York City Solar Summit 2008 at the Smithsonian National Museum of the American Indian in Manhattan on Tuesday, June 17th.  Paul Tonko, president and CEO of NYSERDA, is the luncheon speaker.  The day-long summit will feature break-out sessions, continuing education credits, and a walking tour of some of the City's most prominent downtown solar installations.  Grants/RFPs 15) SDG&E Launches New Solicitation for Renewable Energy San Diego Gas & Electric Company (SDG&E) is issuing a Request for Offers (RFO) to solicit offers from eligible renewable energy generators (Respondents). To submit an offer, you must register by April 28, 2008. 16)  Connecticut Clean Energy Fund Issues Third Round of RFP's for 'Project 150' The Connecticut Clean Energy Fund (CCEF) released a Request for Proposals (RFP) for Round 3 of "Project 150," an initiative promoting the development and deployment of "Class I" renewable energy resources.  Parties interested in participating in "Project 150" are required to complete a proposal consistent with the new RFP document and submit it to CCEF by May 30, 2008. 17) Pre-Solicitation notice for 1 MW of PV to be installed at Goodfellow AFB in San Angelo (solicitation number:  FA3030-08-R-0002) All of the output is to be purchased by Goodfellow AFB under an Indefinite Term Contract (IDT). The PV system contractor will include all site preparation efforts, construction, installation, requisite inverters, switch gear, and any other hardware or software necessary for the contractor to operate and/or maintain the system.  The solicitation will be posted on Federal Business Opportunities website, on or about April 8, 2008.  Address any and all questions or concerns in writing to the PCO:  Mr. Brian Williams or Mrs. Brenda Lauer.  18) NYSERDA Funding Opportunities The New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) has several Program Opportunity Notices (PONs) on the street, including: PON 1124:  Clean Energy Business Growth & Development offers $6M for three rounds intended to help clean energy companies achieve success, grow and develop new markets through expanding their business, attracting new companies to New York, etc.  Due dates are 8/4/08.  For information contact:  Vicki Colello, vac@nyserda.org or 518-862-1090, xt. 3273. PON 1176:  Renewable, Clean Energy, and Energy Efficiency Product Manufacturing Incentive Program offers $10M to expand the level of manufacturing of renewable, clean, and energy-efficient products in New York State.  Proposals will be accepted through June 30, 2011 by 5:00pm (ET) or until funds run out, whichever is first.  Proposals will be evaluated on a first come, first served basis as they are received.  Contact Jennifer Harvey at (518) 862-1090, ext. 3264 or jlh@nyserda.org. To see full details on any of these solicitations, visit the NYSERDA website and scroll through the listings to find them.    19)  SMUD Releases 2008 Renewable Energy RFO The Sacramento Municipal Utility District (SMUD) has released a Request for Offers (RFO) of renewable energy for power purchase agreements (PPA).  Proposals are due April 7, 2008. 20)  SPS Issues RFP for Solar, Biomass, Geothermal, Other Energy The RFP seeks approximately 40 - 50 MW of solar and 9-12 MW of biomass/geothermal/other, with commercial operation dates beginning on or before January 2011. Although NOIB forms are not required as a prerequisite to bidding, they are strongly encouraged.  NOIB's had to be submitted by March 3rd.  Proposals must be submitted by:  Monday, May 5th, 2008 - 5:00 Mountain Time. Other News 21)  New Report from Prometheus Institute and Greentech Media Greentech Media and The Prometheus Institute believe that Concentrating Solar Thermal (CST) and Concentrating Photovoltaic (CPV) could become a $200 billion market through 2020. In the last six months plans have been announced for Concentrating Solar Power (CSP) worth in excess of $30 billion, according to the market research partners. 22)  Texas Combined Heat & Power Initiative Applauds PUC for New Energy Efficiency Rule The recent decision by the Public Utility Commission of Texas (PUCT) to broaden the energy efficiency rule to include combined heat and power (CHP) smaller than 10 megawatts has won the approval of the Texas CHP Initiative, an industry led group.  The decision expands the Texas Legislature's omnibus bill (H.B. 3693) passed last year to promote energy efficiency, provide near term reductions in consumption and demand, and avoid a power crisis in Texas. Upcoming Events NOTE:  For details about these and other upcoming events throughout the year, click the calendar icon on IREC's home page.  23)  Apr. 7-8               EIA's Annual Energy Conference, Washington, 24)  Apr. 8-9               North Carolina Sustainable Energy Conference, Raleigh, NC 25)  Apr. 9                  Energizing NC Industries Through Efficiency and Advanced Technologies, NC State, Raleigh, NC 26)  Apr. 10                SEPA Call Seminar:  2007 Solar Year in Review and Future Trends 27)  Apr. 12                GLREA Intermediate PV Seminar, Dimondale, MI 28)  Apr. 14-16           Windustry's Community Wind Energy 2008, Albany, NY 29)  Apr. 19                GLREA Intermediate Wind Seminar, Dimondale, MI 30)  Apr. 21-24           IEEE T&D Conference & Expo, Chicago, IL 31)  Apr. 30-May 2     28th Annual Utility Energy Forum, Tahoe City, CA 32)  May 3-8              Solar 2008: ASES Annual Conference, San Diego, CA 33)  May 8                  SEPA Call Seminar:  Utility Solar Business Models - Final Report 34)  May 11-16          IEEE PV Specialists Conference, San Diego, CA 35)  May 15               2nd Annual Distributed Energy Conference, Stratton Mtn., VT 36)  May 17                GLREA Introductory Renewable Energy Seminar, Hastings, MI 37)  May 21-22          Fuel Cell 2008, Long Beach, CA        38)  June 1-4               Wind Power 2008, Houston, TX 39)  June 3                  Small Wind Stakeholders Meeting, WINDPOWER 2008, Houston 40)  June 20-22           19th MREA Energy Fair, Custer, WI 41)  June 26                SEPA Call Seminar:  National PV Incentive Program Survey60 - What do Solar Customers Think? 42)  June 27-29           Michigan Energy Fair, Onekama, MI 43)  Oct. 5-8               Geothermal Resources Council Annual Meeting, Reno, NV 44)  Oct. 13                 IREC Annual Meeting, San Diego, CA 45)  Oct. 13-16           Solar Power 2008, San Diego, CA About this Newsletter/How to Subscribe The State & Stakeholder Newsletter is published electronically on a semi-monthly basis by the Interstate Renewable Energy Council.  To subscribe to this newsletter, click here and follow the instructions. There is no fee for subscriptions.  If you have comments or news items, please send them to Jane Pulaski.  Disclaimer: The Interstate Renewable Energy Council (IREC) does not assume any legal liability or responsibility for the accuracy, completeness, or usefulness of any information, apparatus, product or process that is referred to or linked to in this newsletter. Reference to any specific commercial product, process, or service by trade name, trademark, manufacturer, or otherwise, does not necessarily constitute or imply IREC's endorsement or recommendation.

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