by Mike Koshmri, Solar Today
The shift in political power following the November 2010 elections may threaten solar and wind policies in key states. Here's what's happening.
Iowa
Four years ago, former Democratic Gov. Chet Culver created the Iowa Power Fund, which provides matching grants and loans for renewable energy projects. The Power Fund has helped grow Iowa's wind market into the nation's second largest.
New Republican Gov. Terry Barnstad campaigned against the Fund, telling the Sioux City Journal it was a "colossal failure" and the $25 million budget should be reallocated to reducing taxes. The Fund's fate hangs in the balance.
New Mexico
One of the first moves for Republican Gov. Susana Martinez was to fire every member of the state's Environmental Improvement Board for allegedly promoting "anti-business" policies. Then she appointed Harrison Schmitt, an outspoken climate change skeptic, to run New Mexico's Energy, Minerals & Natural Resources Department.
Martinez halted new greenhouse gas emission regulations that passed in the closing days of former Democratic Gov. Bill Richardson's administration. The regulations were later reinstated by the state Supreme Court.
Wisconsin
Wisconsin's solar and wind economies are booming, driven by a robust renewable energy portfolio standard (RPS), a statewide Focus on Energy program and a number of municipal incentive programs.
In Milwaukee, the number of solar installers has increased 250% since early 2009. The state's wind capacity is up to 630 MW, nearly 90% of which has come online since mid-2008.
During Republican Scott Walker's campaign, he criticized his Democratic opponent, Tom Barrett, for supporting a "radical environmental agenda that will cost us jobs."
After taking office, Walker's first executive order proposed a regulatory reform that would prohibit developers from siting wind turbines within 1800 feet of the nearest property line, making many projects suddenly economically unfeasible. Walker turned down $801 million in federal stimulus funds to build a high speed train line from Milwaukee to Madison. "It's a shooting war right now," said Michael Vickerman, executive director of RENEW Wisconsin. "Whole businesses could shut down."
Michigan
Under Democratic Gov. Jennifer Granholm, renewable energy projects made good progress - so much so that there's a solid base of emerging solar and wind manufacturers and a recognizable green jobs base.
New Republican Gov. Rick Snyder was the first Republican to be endorsed by the Michigan League of Conservation Voters and served on the board of The Nature Conservancy's Michigan chapter.
His administration is not likely to put the brakes on the brightest area of jobs growth for the state. "Michigan has experienced large investment in renewable energy, particularly in the manufacturing side of the business," says Jennifer Alvarado, executive director of the Great Lakes Renewable Energy Association, a local American Solar Energy Association (ASES) chapter. "I think Gov. Snyder will want to continue this and use renewable energy as an opportunity for economic development.
Florida
Very little is known about new Republican Gov. Rick Scott's stance on renewable energy policy.
Florida's photovoltaic incentive ($4 per watt) sunset June 30, and the state legislature declined to appropriate any funding to restart the program. With no state RPS and no incentive program, it's looking like a grim 2011 for the Sunshine state's renewable energy community.
"The new governor says his priority is jobs, jobs, jobs," says Al Simpler, owner of Tallahassee-based Simpler Solar. "Well, the solar industry in Florida has lost roughly 30% of all its integrator businesses, and that's just since June."
