Maryland’s House and Senate have both passed a bill requiring utilities to include 2% solar power in their electric portfolio by 2022.
Governor Martin O’Malley could receive the bill as early as this week, though the legislative branches first must reach an agreement on how utilities will be penalized if they fall short of the requirement, according to MarylandReporter.com.
The bill’s opponents echo the familiar chorus that additional costs will be passed on to ratepayers and could harm businesses. Proponents say it will create renewable energy jobs.
Nebraska Promotes Wind Power
Nebraska’s Republican Governor Dave Heineman signed a bill is designed to encourage the development, ownership and operation of renewable energy facilities for the export of wind energy from Nebraska.
"This legislation, combined with previous wind energy efforts, will allow Nebraska to achieve its wind energy potential," says Heineman. "Wind energy development will foster growth of the new clean energy economy, and provide meaningful employment and educational opportunities for Nebraskans."
L.B.1048 preserves the benefits Nebraskans receive as a result of the state’s public power system by allowing the Nebraska Power Review Board to approve wind energy operations designed to export energy.
According to the American Wind Energy Association, Nebraska is 4th for potential wind energy development and 24th for actual production.
Solar Can Drive Job Creation in Florida
Florida can add thousands of clean energy jobs and bolster the states economy by embracing renewable energy, according to a new study released by Global Energy United.
The study, which was conducted by the Washington Economics Group (WEG), comes as the state legislature is considering policies that would expand Florida’s economy, particularly in the area of solar power.
The report indicates that hypothetical renewable energy legislation calling for 700 MW in increased capacity would potentially create 40,000 new jobs over time, and expand total economic activity in Florida by $8.1 billion. Strong policy would add an additional $2.1 billion in wages across various industries – particularly in manufacturing, construction, and research and development.
WEG found that this policy, if implemented, could generate $4 billion of direct investment in solar power generation projects, spurring the development of a robust and prosperous renewable energy industry.
The full report is available as a pdf at the link below.
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