Republicans in Arizona’s legislature are pushing a bill forward that would redefine the states renewable energy standard (RES) to allow the inclusion of nuclear power.
Already approved by the House Government Committee, if passed, House Bill 2701 would essentially nullify the need for new solar and wind power, because the state already receives a large portion of its electricity from the Palo Verde nuclear power plant outside Phoenix.
Naturally, renewable energy advocates and companies are opposed to the legislation, which they say would jeopardize the state’s growing renewables industry.
SolarCity, Kyocera Solar, Inc. (NYSE: KYO) and Suntech Power Holdings (NYSE: STP) said the bill also sets up a far more burdensome regulatory scheme for solar companies and utilities, replacing the current system of regulation by the Arizona Corporation Commission with a “double regulation” approach that includes the Arizona State Legislature.
"If the bill passes, Arizona will have more government regulation of solar companies and utilities than any other state," the companeis said in a joint release.
But they may be out of luck, as Arizona seems to be charting a course that is less friendly to renewables. Last week Republican Governor Jan Brewer issued an executive order saying the state would not participate in the cap-and-trade system planned by the Western Climate Initiative (WCI).
Vermont to Shutter Old Yankee Nuclear Plant
The Vermont State Senate voted Wednesday to retire the Vermont Yankee Nuclear plant, owned by the Louisiana based corporation Entergy (NYSE: ETR). Despite Entergy’s
efforts to renew the license for the 40-year-old reactor, the Vermont Senate voted to shut down the nuclear plant as scheduled in 2012 with a final count of 26-4.
The vote may be followed by a vote in the House of Representatives–though it is not necessary. If either body votes to deny renewal, the plant must shutdown. Vermont is unique in that it is the only state in which the legislature has the ability to vote to shut a plant. This historic vote will mark the first time a plant has been closed by a state legislature–and it is particularly compelling at a time when the federal government is increasing support for nuclear power.
The power plant was in the news earlier this month when radioactive tritium was found to have leaked into surrounding groundwater.
NY Amends Net Metering Law
The New York State assemply has amended its net metering law to lift restrictions that limit the size of a non-residential customer’s system, as long the system is not larger than 2 megawatts (MW).
Net metering is an electricity policy for consumers who own generally small renewable energy facilities. Under net metering, a system owner receives retail credit for at least a portion of the electricity they generate.
The New York Solar Energy Industries Association praised the amendment sayingit "takes the law back to its orignial intent."
In related news, the New York State Public Service Commission approved tariff filings from the six investor-owned New York utilities to allow homeowners to receive net metering credits for residential micro-combined heat and power systems.
Wyoming Wind Tax
The New York Times covered the growing debate over proposed taxation of wind farms in Wyoming. Link to the article below.
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