OREP: What's New

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.

August 2014
8/29/14
Policy News: Community RE

For Minnesota churches, clean energy is a higher calling; Frank Jossi, Midwest Energy News, Aug 29, 2014

8/28/14
Environment: Climate

Natural Law: Does the public trust doctrine that protects air, water, and endangered species apply to climate?; Mary DeMocker, Oregon Quarterly, Autumn 2014

Nuclear and Carbon Capture Aren't Scalable Compared to Wind Energy; Mike Barnard, Barnard on Wind, Jul 26, 2014

World FiT News

Ontario Power Authority to offer 500 FIT 3 and 63 Unconstructed Rooftop Solar Pilot renewable energy contracts; OPA, Jul 30, 2014

8/26/14
Environment: Climate | RE News: Energy

Europe is burning our forests for "renewable" energy. Wait, what?; Ben Adler, Grist, Aug 25, 2014

GAO finds no fault with 'social cost of carbon'; Benjamin Goad, The Hill, Aug, 25, 2014

Policy News: Policy Innovation

Landmark Ruling Opens Grid to Renewable Energy; SustainableBusiness.com News, Aug 18, 2014

RE News: Energy
The combined power plant provides stable power from renewable energies [video]; Renewable Energy Agency (Berlin, Germany), Mar 27, 2013

8/25/14
Environment: Climate
Unions Confronting the Climate Crisis; Labor Network for Sustainability, Aug, 2014

World FiT News

100 percent renewable power investigated; Craig Morris, Renewables International, Aug 25, 2014

Power play: the debate over renewable energy; Eric Johnston, The Japan Times, Aug 16, 2014

Policy News: Community RE

Two Thumbs Up – Oxford Community Energy Co-op; Glen Estil, Wind Blog, Aug 5, 2014

8/19/14
Policy News: RE Policy Innovation

Jon Wellinghoff: Utilities should not operate the distribution grid; Herman K. Trabish, Utility Dive, Aug 15, 2014

8/18/14
Policy News: RE Policy Innovation

Enhancing the Investor Appeal of Renewable Energy [with FITs in the USA]—A review; Paul Gipe, wind-works.org, July 23, 2014

Policy Basics: Reports

Enhancing the Investor Appeal of Renewable Energy; Felix Mormann, Environmental Law, Vol. 42, Aug 30, 2012

World FiT News

Get this: Germany does not have generous subsidies for renewables; Craig Morris, Energy Post, Jul 16, 2014

German Federal Court of Justice: EEG is Constitutional; Karl-Friedrich Lenz, Lenz Blog, Jul 15, 2014

Germany hits 50 percent solar, Ireland 50 percent wind: Transitioning to 100 percent renewables; Craig Morris, Renewables International, Jun 25, 2014

US FiT News

Does LADWP Want to Charge Solar Customers For Grid Access?; Chris Clarke, kcet.org, Jul 10, 2014

RE News: Energy

The difference between low-carbon and renewable: Understanding energy democracy; Craig Morris, Renewables International, Jan 8, 2014

8/15/14
Policy Basics: Presentations
The Future of Feed-in Tariffs; Toby D. Couture, Clean Energy Solutions Center Webinar, Jun 10, 2014

The Future of Feed-In Tariffs: Introduction; Toby D. Couture, Clean Energy Solutions Center, Jun 10, 2014 (via wind-works.org)

Policy Basics: Reports

Reforming the Energy Vision; NYS Department of Public Service Staff Report and Proposal, Apr 4, 2014

Solar Energy Support in Germany: A Closer Look; Jurgen Weiss, PhD, Solar Energy Industries Association, Jul 2014

Water-Smart Power: Strengthening the U.S. Electricity System in a Warming World - Executive Summary; A Report of the Energy and Water in a Warming World Initiative, Jul 2013 (Full Report)

8/13/14
Policy News: Utility Adaptation

Energy Imbalance Market: A Modern Energy System for the Pacific Northwest; Renewable Northwest, May 2014

Germany Added A Lot Of Wind And Solar Power, And Its Electric Grid Became More Reliable; Jeff Spross, Climate Progress, Aug 12, 2014

RE News: Energy

Birthing a Solar Age; Yale Climate Communications, Jun 29, 2014

Policy News: RE Policy Innovation | Policy Basics: Reports

Lighting the Way: The Top Ten States that Helped Drive America's Solar Energy Boom in 2013; Jordan Schneider & Rob Sargent, Environment New York, Aug 2014

5/27/14
RE News: Wind

Study: wind farms reduce carbon emissions at negligible cost; The Fifth Estate, May 8, 2014

RE News: Energy

State Energy Plan Would Alter New York Utilities; Matthew L. Waldmay, New York Times, May 4, 2014

Policy News: Community RE

US DOE's $15 Million Push to Expand Affordable, Community Solar; Emily Hois, Renewable Energy World, Apr 25, 2014

_______________

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