Headlines
Economic Stabilization Bill Includes Clean Energy Tax Incentives
President Bush signed into law on October 3 the $700 billion Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008 (H.R. 1424), which also extended and enhanced critical tax credits and financing relating to renewable energy and energy efficiency. The Energy Improvement and Extension Act of 2008, which was attached to H.R. 1424, provides a one-year extension of the production tax credit (PTC) for wind energy, keeping the credit in effect through 2009.
The bill also provides a two-year PTC extension, through 2010, for electricity produced from geothermal, biomass, and solar energy facilities, as well as trash-to-energy facilities, small hydropower facilities using irrigation water, capacity additions to existing hydropower plants, and hydropower facilities added to existing dams. In addition, the bill creates a new PTC for electricity produced by marine and hydrokinetic renewable energy systems (also called advanced water power systems) with a rated capacity of at least 150 kilowatts and placed in service by 2011. To help on the financing end, the bill authorizes $800 million in new Clean Renewable Energy Bonds for all of the above technologies. Learn more from DOE's Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy program.
DOE revokes Energy Star label for five refrigerator models
Following an investigation by the Department of Energy (DOE), LG Electronics must remove the Energy Star label from five French-door refrigerator models that DOE found to be incorrectly certified.
Current LG models include the LFX23961, LFX25971, LFX21971, LMX25981 and LMX21981, all with in-the-door ice and water dispensers. Affected units include 10 LG-branded SKUs and 12 Kenmore-branded Trio units designed and manufactured by LG and sold by Sears. The company must compensate owners, modify inventory and remove the five models mistakenly labeled with the Energy Star.
Read the full story in This Week in Consumer Electronics.
Register now for Harvesting Clean Energy, Jan. 25-27
Harvesting Clean Energy 9, the Northwest’s premiere conference to advance rural economic development through clean energy production, will take place in Billings, Mont., Jan. 25-27. Sponsorship and exhibiting opportunities are also available. Read more.
Wind and renewables webinar schedule announced for 2008-09
Transmission, environmental issues, production forecasting and jobs are just a few of the topics for 2008-09 Wind and Renewable Energy Webinars.
The first, Transmission and Wind Integration into the U.S. Electrical System, will take place Dec. 17, 10 a.m.–12:00 p.m. MST. Space will be limited at some events, so reserve your place early. To register, contact Ryan Harry; BCS, Incorporated; at 303-425-6800.
Distributed Wind Interconnection Workshop Offered
The Wind Interconnection Workshop is back, this year with a focus on interconnecting wind turbines—and other forms of distributed generation—to electric cooperative and public power distribution systems. Join wind experts Jan. 21-22, 2009, at Western's Electric Power Training Center in Golden, Colo., to learn about the latest issues and advances related to this fast-growing renewable resource. Read more.
E-mail your announcements to the Energy Services Web master.
Go to Energy Services Bulletin.
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