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.
November 2014
11/28/14
RE News: Energy
Two political lessons from Germany's Energiewende; Peter Sopher, Environmental Defense Fund: Energy Exchange, Nov 27, 2014
While Critics Debate Energiewende, Germany is Gaining a Global Advantage; Peter Sopher, Environmental Defense Fund: Energy Exchange, Oct 6, 2014
German grid more stable in 2013; Craig Morris, the energiewende blog, Aug 25, 2014
Why Aren't Rural Electric Cooperatives Champions of Local Clean Power?; John Farrell, Institute for Local Self-Reliance, Aug 18, 2014
11/26/14
RE News: Energy | Environment: Climate
Yes, the U.S. can reduce emissions 80% by 2050 — in 6 graphs; David Roberts, grist, Nov 25, 2014
Reports
US 2050 Report: Pathways to Deep Decarbonization in the United States; Williams, J.H., B. Haley, F. Kahrl, J. Moore, A.D. Jones, M.S. Torn, H. McJeon, Energy and Environmental Economics, Nov 2014
RE News: Solar
First 'plug and play' rooftop solar system installed in US; Edgar Meza, REnewEconomy, Nov 26, 2014
11/25/14
Policy Basics: Energy/FiT Resources: Websites
Lewis & Clark Law School: Green Energy Institute
RE News: Energy
The Great Sioux Nation, Obama Administration Meet to Address Renewable Energy and Alternatives to the Keystone XL Pipeline; Ben Gotshall, Bold Nebraska, Nov 24, 2014
Policy Basics: Reports
Star Power: The Growing Role of Solar Energy in America; Judee Burr, Lindsey Hallock & Rob Sargent, Environment America Research & Policy Center, Nov 20, 2014
Americans Support CO2 Limits on Existing Coal-Fired Power Plants; Yale Project on Climate Change Communication, Nov 2014
11/24/14
Policy News: World FiT News
How winning over rural constituents changed the political discussions on renewables in Germany; the energiewende blog, Nov 18, 2014
Key Findings: German Energy Transition – Arguments for a renewable energy future; Craig Morris, Martin Pehnt, Heinrich Böll Foundation, Nov 2012
The World's First Rural Feed-In Tariff?; Justin Guay, Sierra Club, Nov 21, 2014
Policy News: Utility Adaptation
A small town in Germany becomes a testing ground for a smart grid; the energiewende blog, Nov 13, 2014
11/21/14
RE News: Solar
Rooftop solar electricity on pace to beat coal, oil; Lucas Mearian, ComputerWorld, Nov 18, 2014
Environment California's New Report: Lighting the Way; Roy Hales, CleanTechnica, Aug 11, 2014
Environment: Climate
What's The Truth About Germany's GHG Emissions?; Roy Hales, CleanTechnica, Nov 16, 2014
11/20/14
Policy News: Utility Adaptation
Big utilities pushing into booming home solar market; Nichola Groom, Reuters, Oct 22, 2014
Will the Solar Industry Get Behind CPS Energy's Alternative to Net Metering in San Antonio?; Stephen Lacey, greentech:solar, Oct 20, 2014
How California is incentivizing solar to solve the Duck Curve; Herman K. Trabish, UtilityDive, Oct 13, 2014
Environment: Climate
These teens are taking their climate lawsuit all the way to the Supreme Court; Sam Bliss, Grist, Oct 22, 2014
11/18/14
Policy News: RE Policy Innovation | Policy Basics: Reports
Addressing Climate Change Without Legislation; Steven Weissman & Romany Webb, University of California, Berkeley School of Law, July 2014
RE News: Energy
A Tricky Transition From Fossil Fuel: Denmark Aims for 100 Percent Renewable Energy; Justin Gillis, New York Times, Nov 10, 2014
RE News: Wind
Scotland Produced Enough Wind Energy To Power Every Home In October; Ari Phillips, Climate Progress, Nov 5, 2014
11/17/14
RE News: Solar
Why Haven't Cities Covered Their Buildings in Solar?; John Farrell, Institute for Local Self-Reliance, Oct 31, 2014
Cisco, 3M, NatGeo illuminate solar as an employee benefit; Garrett Hering, GreenBiz, Nov 12, 2014
Environment: Society
ACORE White Paper: Monetizing Energy Security; Brower, M, Foley, T, Hunter, L, Weiss, J, Sturtevant, J, Dodson, J, Neuhauser, J, Oct 2014
About Us: OREP Activity
Comments to the Northwest Power and Conservation Council regarding Seventh Power Plan: Quantifiable Environmental Costs and Benefits; Kathleen Newman & Ray Neff, Oct 31, 2014
11/14/14
US FiT News
Feed-In Tariffs: A Tool for Increasing Economic Equality in the US?; Tam Hunt, greentech: solar, Oct 28, 2014
Policy News: RE Policy Innovation
Local Solar Rules Can Save You Big Bucks; Nathanael Greene, Renewable Energy World, Oct 24, 2014
Policy News: Community RE
Community Solar Allows Utilities to Adapt, Thrive as Energy Landscape Evolves; Emily Hois, Renewable Energy World, Oct 23, 2014
Environment: Society
A Scourge for Coal Miners Stages a Brutal Comeback; Ken Ward Jr., Environment360, Nov 11, 2014
'Green Envy' Prompts Neighbors to Go Solar; Robert Walton, Clean Energy Collective, Nov 10, 2014
Policy News: Utility Adaptation
Rooftop solar is just the beginning: utilities must innovate or go extinct; David Roberts, grist.org, Oct 21, 2014
Greening the Electric Grid; Pablo Astorga, Clean Energy Collective, Oct 28, 2014
Environment: Climate
Fixing Climate Change May Add No Costs, Report Says; Justin Gillis, New York Times, Sept 16, 2014
RE News: Energy
Be Selfish, Save The World; Gina Scarpa, Renewable Energy World, Oct 22, 2014
10/23/14
RE News: Energy
This German Energy Expert Says Canada is Perfect for a Clean Energy Transition; Erin Flegg, Desmog Canada, Oct 18, 2014
Full Steam Ahead for German Energy Transition, Expert Tells Vancouver;
James Glave, Clean Energy Canada, Oct 17, 2014
Transforming the Utility Sector with New Business Models; Danielle Kershner, Renewable Energy World, Oct 15, 2014
World FiT News
India Faces Mounting Calls to Move Solar to Fixed Tariffs; Natalie Obiko Pearson, Bloomberg, Oct 12, 2014
US FiT News
Saving California's Small-Utility-Scale Renewable Energy Market; Tam Hunt, greentechSolar, Oct 9, 2014
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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