What's New
Our understanding of the global need to act, and the state of renewable energy policy and news are rapidly evolving in Oregon, nationally and internationally. This monthly resource will keep you up-to-date with what's new both in OREP and renwewable energy conversations from around the planet.
From local communities to national policy decisions, informed and engaged citizens will advance the transition to locally-owned and locally-generated clean renewable energy. We encourage you to check back regularly.
April 2015
4/30/15
Policy News: World FiT News
German PV auctions: told you so; Craig Morris, Renewables International, Apr 30, 2015
RE News: Wind
Redirecting Anti-Wind Energy; Susan Holtz, Alternative Journal, Sep 2013
RE News: Energy
Why community shared solar is ready to be the 'great equalizer'; Herman K. Trabish, Utility Dive, Apr 30, 2015
Hawaii lawmakers agree on 100% renewables by 2045 mandate; Herman K. Trabish, Utility Dive, Apr 29, 2015
4/23/15
RE News: Storage & Integration
Liquid Batteries for Solar and Wind Power; Henry Fountain, New York Times, Apr 22, 2015
Oncor microgrid gives a peek into the future of distributed energy; Robert Walton, Utility Dive, Apr 15, 2015
How a smart grid project is pushing Northwest utilities to innovate; Robert Walton, Utility Dive, Apr 22, 2015
Batteries and Renewable Energy Set to Grow Together; Henry Fountain, New York Times, Apr 20, 2015
The Economics of Load Defection; Rocky Mountain Institute, 2015
The Economics of Load Defection-Execuitve Summary; Peter Bronski, Jon Creyts,
Mark Crowdis, et al, April 2015
4/22/15
Policy News: Utility Adaptation
A new kind of utility: Why SolarCity wants to be 'more than a solar company'; Davide Savenije, Utility Dive, Apr 21, 2015
"One power plant per company"; Craig Morris, Renewables International, Mar 19, 2015
Environment: Water & Energy
AWEA: Wind energy has saved 2.5 billion gallons of water in California; Jaclyn Brandt, Fierce Energy, Apr 5, 2015
4/21/15
Policy News: US FiT News
Short staffing at LADWP blamed for slow solar rollout; Jed Kim, 89.3 KPCC, Mar 27, 2015
Policy News: RE Policy Innovation
EPA's Clean Power Plan Will Create Quarter-Million Jobs; John H. Cushman Jr., InsideClimate News, Apr 21, 2015
Solar, Wind Industries Release 'How-To' Handbook for Cutting Carbon Emissions; Rhone Resch, Renewable Energy World, Mar 30, 2015
RE-Allocating Risk: The Case for Closer Integration of Price- and Quantity-Based Support Policies for Clean Energy; Felix Mormann, Energy Policy Insititute's Fourth Annual Energy Policy Research Conference, Nov 2014
RE News: Solar
Assuring Solar Modules Will Last for Decades; Bill Scanlon, Renewable Energy World, Apr 14, 2015
4/20/15
Policy News: RE Policy Innovation
Three trends that get the grid to 70% renewables by mid-century; Herman K. Trabish, Apr 1, 2015
Inside the new approach to finding the true value of solar; Herman K. Trabish, Utility Dive, Mar 31, 2015
RE News: Energy
California Power Grid Seen Able to Handle 100% Renewables; Christopher Martin & Jonathan Crawford, Bloomberg Business, Apr 14, 2015
4/15/15
Policy News: Utility Adaptation
Report: 'Load Defection' From Customer-Owned Solar and Batteries Is Already Here; Jeff St. John, greenTech:media, Apr 7, 2015
4/9/15
Policy News: Utility Adaptation
Texas city opts for 100% renewable energy – to save cash, not the planet; Tom Dart, The Guardian, Mar 29, 2015
4/3/15
RE News: Energy
Kansas utility targets solar customers for higher rate; Karen Uhlenhuth, Midwest Energy News, Mar 24, 2015
Policy News: OR FiT News
Pay-for-production solar incentive proving viable in Oregon; Christina Williams, Portland Business Journal, Jan 7, 2015
3/25/15
Policy Basics: Oregon FiT Resources
PUC Order to Determine VIR Rates for May 1, 2015 Enrollment Window; Oregon Public Utility Commission, Mar 25, 2015
RE News: Energy
Why Minnesota's Community Solar Program is the Best; John Farrell, Institute for Local Self-Reilance, Mar 18, 2015
Policy News: Utility Innovation
Are fixed charges a curse in disguise for investor-owned utilities?; James Tong, Jon Wellinghoff, Utility Dive, Mar 25, 2015
_______________
OREP's Vision for a sustainable, decentralized energy future:
- A sustainable economy with family-wage, energy jobs throughout the state
- Farmers, ranchers, tribes, and rural communities harnessing Oregon's abundant and varied renewable resources
- Private and community ownership of solar panels across the built environment
- Local financing of renewable energy projects keeping energy dollars recirculating in Oregon
- Flourishing renewable energy industries across the state
- Energy-informed voter support for renewable energy
- A healthy environment, minimally impacted by energy production
Note: OREP is no longer an active organization. We chose to leave our website up for the time being for the archival value it provides. 
Oregonians for Renewable Energy Progress