Sustainable Energy

energymanagertoday.com - December 18th, 2014 - Michael C. Polentz

According to the US Energy Information Administration, the installation of solar photovoltaics in the United States increased by more than 400% from 2010 to 2014. 

Looking towards 2015 and beyond, industry analysts continue to be bullish on solar’s continued growth in residential, commercial and utility scale projects stemming in large part from the drop in silicon prices, the corresponding drop in the prices of solar equipment, increased efficiencies with integrators/installers and equipment, new and creative financing structures that exist in the marketplace and a greater acceptance from consumers and businesses as to the value proposition that solar systems offer the end user. 

Succinctly stated, solar manufacturers, developers, integrators, finance companies and end-users have a great deal to celebrate.

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Image: The Presque Isle Power Plant near Marquette, Michigan. (photo: Superior Watershed Partnership)

readersupportednews.org - November 29th, 2014

Michigan regulators say residential and business customers are benefiting from a state law that requires utilities to implement energy-efficiency programs.

The state Public Service Commission this week issued a report showing that "energy optimization" savings in 2013 were over target. The targets were established under a 2008 rewrite of Michigan's energy law.

PSC Chairman John Quackenbush says for every dollar spent on energy efficiency programs, customers see $3.75 in savings. Statewide funding for such programs was $253 million in 2013, which regulators say will result in $948 million in savings over the lifetime of measures installed.

Image: President Obama meets with President Xi Jinping. Photo Credit: Pete Souza/White House

environmentalleader.com - November 13th, 2014

The US and China set ambitious climate change goals on Wednesday, with President Obama pledging to cut US greenhouse gas emissions 26 percent to 28 percent below 2005 levels by 2025.

Chinese president Xi Jinping announced targets to peak carbon dioxide emissions by 2030 or sooner and to increase China’s non-fossil fuel share of energy to around 20 percent by 2030.

The announcement was met with praise from environmentalists and business groups.

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citizensvoice.com - October 2nd, 2014 - Elizabeth Skrapits

The more natural gas wells in an area, the more of its residents end up in the hospital.

So indicate the results of an unreleased study that was revealed at a state Senate Democratic Policy Committee hearing at King’s College on Wednesday on the subject of tracking, reporting and acting on public health concerns related to natural gas drilling.

State lawmakers believe there needs to be better collection and sharing of health data in Marcellus Shale drilling areas, and state Sen. John Yudichak, D-Plymouth Township, has sponsored a bill that would dedicate $3 million in drilling impact fees to the state Department of Health to conduct the needed research.

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