Weekly Clean Energy Roundup:April 13, 2005

News and Events New Mexico Bills to Encourage Efficiency and Renewable Energy Pennsylvania Offers $10 Million for Clean Energy Projects Connecticut and New Jersey Launch New Green Power Programs Major Wind Plants Under Construction in New York and Texas Wyoming Offers Ranchers Solar- and Wind-Powered Water Pumps Canadian Automakers Agree to Reduce Greenhouse Gas EmissionsSite News California Industries Form BioEnergy Producers Association Energy ConnectionsEIA: Gasoline Prices to Remain High All Summer News and EventsNew Mexico Bills to Encourage Efficiency and Renewable EnergyNew Mexico Governor Bill Richardson signed three new energy-related bills into law last week, including a groundbreaking bill that establishes up to $20 million in bonds to finance energy efficiency and renewable energy improvements in public buildings. House Bill 32, the Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Bonding Act, aims to achieve the maximum amount of renewable energy use that, combined with energy efficiency measures, still results in long-term cost savings. Projects financed with the bonds will be paid back to the bonding authority using the savings on energy bills. The bonds will be applied to state buildings and school district buildings, and the projects will include most energy efficiency measures and any type of renewable energy system, as well […]

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Ceiling Fan Debate Highlights Energy Controversy (States vs. Federal)

The efficiency of ceiling fans may not be at the center of the country’s energy debate, given record high gasoline prices. Yet the issue has become a focus of critics, including congressional Democrats, who complain Congress is not doing enough to address conservation as part of a broad energy bill. When the House recently began writing a revised package of energy proposals, Rep. Nathan Deal, R-Ga., wasted no time offering an amendment – the first out of the block – that would call for the Energy Department to establish a federal efficiency standard for home ceiling fans. But Democrats and outside energy efficiency advocates said Deal’s measure would pre-empt stronger fan efficiency requirements already approved or being considered in more than half dozen states, calling it a step backward in efforts to curb energy use. Congress not only “is doing far too little to improve energy efficiency,” but also “will pre-empt stronger state standards,” said Rep. Tom Allen, D-Maine, arguing against Deal’s measure. Rep. Ed Markey, D-Mass., also expressed misgivings over Deal’s amendment, but it was quickly approved, 29-17, by the House Energy and Commerce Committee. The committee plans to resume action on the bill Tuesday, and other committees were […]

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