Policy Update

Clean Energy Digest

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National

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Ava Gallo
Climate and Energy Program Manager

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There have been numerous clean energy developments in recent months, and we have compiled online resources related to different clean energy policies for your convenience.

1. State Plans To Achieve 100 Percent Renewable By 2050

Researchers from Stanford and U.C. Berkeley have created specific state-by-state plans outlining how to achieve 100 percent renewable energy by 2050. The plans call for significant changes to infrastructure and energy use, but the study demonstrates that the goal is economically feasible with existing technology. You can read a news story on the research here, and you can find your state plan on http://thesolutionsproject.org/


2. Renewable Jobs Hit 7.7 Million And Counting

Increased accessibility to the wind and solar market have spurred installation and expanded operations of renewable energy companies worldwide. In 2014, 7.7 million people were employed in the renewable industry; an 18 percent increase from the previous year. The number of women in the field increased by 11,000 as well during that time. You can read more about the new report here: http://www.pv-tech.org/news/jobs_in_renewable_energy_reach_7.7_million_worldwide


3. An Alaskan Island Nears 100 Percent Renewable

Faced with high energy costs, residents of Alaska’s Kodiak Island–population 15,000–have surpassed their goal of 95 percent renewable by 2020 by reaching 99.7 percent renewables this year. The island used a combined system of wind and hydro power to eliminate diesel from their energy diet, and the result has produced lower energy prices, along with increased jobs and tax revenue. You can read more about the case study here: http://blog.rmi.org/blog_2015_05_19_an_alaskan_island_goes_one_hundred_percent_renewable


4. Cow Power Provides Energy for 2,500 Customers

Energy managers in Vermont are capitalizing on an abundance of cow manure to provide electricity for 2,500 customers. The process, called anaerobic digestion, involves microbes breaking down manure in an oxygenless environment to release methane that can be used as an energy source. Proponents add that this process reduces odor and can keep the lights running 24 hours a day regardless of wind or sunlight. You can read more about the development of this emerging energy source here: http://www.eenews.net/stories/1060018678


5. CA Senate Passes Ambitious Renewables Legislation

The California Senate has passed a set of bills to establish new targets for renewable energy, reduce gasoline usage and increase energy efficiency in buildings. Among the goals is a plan to generate 50 percent of electricity from renewable energy by 2050. The bills are currently moving through the Assembly, but already has support from the Governor. You can read more about the legislation here: http://www.latimes.com/local/political/la-me-pc-california-climate-change-legislation-20150603-story.html


6. EPA Clarifies Implications of New Study The EPA released a study last week on the safety of hydraulic fracturing, but stressed that their report does not demonstrate that the practice is completely safe, despite industry headlines stating otherwise. Rather, scientists emphasize that the report identified vulnerabilities in the water system that need to be addressed to keep risks as low as possible. The study found that the identified number of water impacts were low compared to the number of active wells, but cautioned that limited data makes it difficult to measure occurrences nationwide. You can read more about the study here: http://www.wvgazette.com/article/20150607/GZ01/150609432/1419