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. These articles are further archived under the navigation menus listed in red below.
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.
January 2016
1/31/16
RE News: Energy
The U.S. Could Switch to Mostly Renewable Energy, No Batteries Needed; Sarah Zielinski, Smithsonian.com, Jan 25, 2016
Minnesota mayor aims for net zero by 2031; Frank Jossi, Midwest Energy News, Jan 25, 2016
Environment: Climate
The staggering economic cost of air pollution; Chelsea Harvey, The Washington Post, Jan 29, 2016
1/21/16
Environment: Climate
Climate Risks Are #1 Threat to Global Economy; Rachel Cleetus, Union of Concerned Scientists, Jan 20, 2016
Proof That a Price on Carbon Works; The Editorial Board, New York Times, Jan 19, 2016
Policy News: World FiT News
How big can community wind farms be?; Craig Morris, Renewables International, Jan 14, 2016
RE News: Energy
Can Germany reach its renewables target for the energy sector for 2020?; Craig Morris, Energy Transition, Jan 14, 2016
Germany is 20 years away from 100 percent renewable power – not!; Craig Morris, Energy Transition, Jan 5, 2016
RE News: Solar
US solar industry now employs more workers than oil and gas, says report; Jana Kasperkevic, The Guardian, Jan 12, 2016
Massive US Utility Scale Solar Group Dives Into Small Scale Solar; Tina Casey, CleanTechnica, Dec 30, 2015
1/18/16
RE News: Storage & Integration
All the Benefits this Utility Expects from its Microgrid Test Projects; Lisa Cohn, Microgrid Knowledge, Jan 11, 2016
Policy News: Community RE
Alberta solar co-operative to offer shares; Jeffrey Jones, The Globe and Mail, Jan 13, 2016
RE News: Energy
Wind power supplied 97% of electricity needs of Scottish households in 2015; Sami Grover, Treehugger, Jan 14, 2016
Warming Trend: Why New York Needs to Invest in Geothermal; Zephyr Teachout, Observer, Jan 14, 2016
Solar and Wind Just Did the Unthinkable; Tom Randall, Bloomberg Business, Jan 13, 2016
1/8/16
RE News: Energy
Russia could cut their energy costs by 20% by going 100% renewable; Matt Atherton, International Business Times, Dec 30, 2015
Policy News: World FiT News
'Extreme green' homes where energy costs £1 per day; Kate Palmer, The Telegraph, Jan 6, 2016
RE News: Solar
The Conservative Case for Solar Subsidies; Ben Hojan, New York Times, Jan 5, 2016
WA's rooftop solar so popular power privatisation not an option, says expert; Calla Wahlquist, Jan 6, 2016
Environment: Water & Energy
Climate change could dry up global power production, study warns; Alex Pashley, The Guardian, Jan 5, 2016
Environment: Climate
Short Answers to Hard Questions About Climate Change; Justin Gillis, New York Times, Nov 28, 2015
1/6/16
RE News: Energy
Energy Planning for Renewable Cities-Mark Jacobson; Renewable Cities Global Learning Forum, May 13-15, 2015
12/31/15
RE News: Energy
After Paris, utilities look to deeper decarbonization; Gavin Bade, Utility Dive, Dec 18, 2015
Policy News: RE Policy Innovation
Germany Reverses Its Decision to End Residential Energy Storage Subsidies; Mike Stone, greenTech Media, Dec 17, 2015
Environment: Society
Rooftop solar owned by the user can add to home values, LBNL research shows; Herman K. Trabish, Utility Dive, Dec 17, 2015
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OREP's Vision: Oregon communities powered by clean, renewable energy.