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.
February 2015
2/27/15
RE News: Energy
6 charts that show renewable energy is getting cheaper; David Roberts, grist.org, Feb 3, 2015
Policy News: RE Policy Innovation | Community RE
California communities seize control of their energy futures; David Roberts grist.org, Feb 25, 2015
2/25/15
RE News: Energy
How renewables are changing the way we operate the grid; Herman K. Trabish, Utility Dive, Feb 23, 2015
How is Germany integrating and balancing renewable energy today?; Eric Martinot, Energy Transition, Feb 19, 2015
2/18/15
RE News: Wind
More wind power and less carbon dioxide in Oregon's future: Guest opinion; Tom Darin, The Oregonian, Feb 14, 2015
RE News: Solar
Solar Power Can Spark a New Energy Economy; John Farrell, Renewable Energy World, Feb 11, 2015
RE News: Energy
Big, Expensive Power Plants Undermine a Clean Energy Future; John Farrell, Renewable Energy World, Feb 05, 2015
Policy Basics: Reports
2013 Renewable Energy Data Book; US Department of Energy, National Renewable Energy Lab, December 2014
NC Clean Energy Technology Center Releases "The 50 States of Solar", A Solar Policy Update; NC CETC, North Carolina State University, Feb 11, 2015
Policy News: Utility Adaptation
A Possible Solution to the Utility Revenue Shift; Peter Rive, greentechGrid, Feb 10, 2015
Two Ways PG&E Community Solar Gardens Enable 100 Percent Solar for All; Susan Kraemer, Renewable Energy World,
Feb 18, 2015
2/16/15
RE News: Wind | Energy
Blowing away myths: Study says wind energy could be even more reliable than baseload power; Kari Lydersen, Midwest Energy News, Feb 13, 2015
Policy News: World FiT News
Renewables have made power cheaper for German industry; Craig Morris, Energy Transition, Feb 11, 2015
2/12/15
Policy Basics: Community RE
Why Dept of Energy is going big on community shared solar; Herman K. Trabish, Utility Dive, Feb 12, 2015
Ohio towns look to aggregation for clean energy goals; Douglas J. Guth, Midwest Energy News, Feb 05, 2015
A Guide to Community Shared Solar: Utility, Private, and Nonprofit Project Development; Jason Coughlin, Jennifer Grove, Linda Irvine, et. al., National Renewable Laboratory, May 2012
Model Rules for Shared Renewable Energy Programs; Interstate Renewable Energy Council, June 2013
RE News: Energy
An Illustrated Guide to the State of America's Clean Energy Sector Lacey, green; StephenTechmedia, Feb 4 2015
2/11/15
Policy News: RE Policy Innovation
5 Pillars of Energy Democracy: Webinar Archive; John Farrell, Institute for Local Self Reliance, Feb 5, 2015
Shared Resources: Regulatory Reform Models for Shared Renewable Energy Program; Interstate Renewable Energy Council, 1998-2015
RE News: Energy
Nuclear: Is It Clean and Green?; Tom DeRosa, Renewable Energy World, Feb 11, 2015
Learning from the leaders in biomass; Dylan Kruse, Sustainable Northwest blog, Sept 29, 2014
RE News: Solar
What Apple Just Did in Solar Is a Really Big Deal; Tom Randall, Bloomberg (via renewableenergyworld.com, February 11, 2015
Policy News: World FiT News
German PV stats for 2014; Craig Morris, Renewables International, Feb 4, 2015
Policy Basics: Reports
Easing the Transition to a More Distributed Electricity System: The Changing Roles of Consumers, Utilities and Regulators within the Regulatory Compact; Interstate Renewable Energy Council, Feb 2015
Comparative Regional Economic Impacts of Solar Ownership/Financing Alternatives; Cadmus, Meister Consultants Group & Sustainable Energy Advantage, LLC for MA Department of Energy Resources, Sept 30 2013
Policy Basics: Energy | FiT Resources: Websites
Ontario Power Authority: Feed-in Tariff Program; Independent Electricity System Operator, 2015
2/3/15
Policy News: OR FiT Resources
The Solar Pilot Program has been a Big Success for Oregon; OREP, January 2015
RE News: Energy
US could nearly quadruple share of renewables; Craig Morris, Renewables International, Jan 16, 2015
Was 2014 the turning point for the Energiewende?; Craig Morris, Renewables International, Jan 9, 2015
Energiewende (Energy Shift): The Remarkable Renewable Energy Transformation in Germany: an inspiration for Alberta; Conference Proceedings, Oct 29, 2014
RE News: Wind
2014 Ontario Wind Output Sets Record, Exceeds 5%; WindBlog, Jan 1, 2015
Green-Energy Inspiration Off the Coast of Denmark; Diane Cardwell, New York Times, Jan 17, 2015
Policy News: Policy Innovation
How California is incentivizing solar to solve the Duck Curve; Herman K. Trabish, Utility Dive, Oct 13, 2014
1/26/15
Poicy Basics: Oregon FiT News
Solar Photovoltaic Volumetric Incentive Program: 2015 Report to the Legislative Assembly; Oregon Public Utility Commission, Jan 1, 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