Ohio Governor Continues To Postpone Renewable Energy State Grants

Governor John Kasich, the Ohio governor elected nearly one year ago has continued to hold the renewable energy industry to a slow growth in Ohio. Most recently he has held an energy summit far resembling a full spectrum conference on all forms of energy. It was quite the contrary. The majority of the panelist and symposium time was centered on the natural gas and oil business. Much of the discussion time focused on the amount of fossil fuel resources prevalent in the Utica shale on the eastern side of the state. After viewing the summit it was clear that several fossil fuel deals had already gained momentum within the state government, unlike renewable energy. During his closing speech governor Kasich touted renewable industry advocates with the idea that financial incentives for co-generation and heat capture is just as important for the sustainability movement. In some ways he is correct in that statement but has missed the importance of solar, hydro, and wind industry growth for the state. It is clear that deals have been negotiated,if not signed, with the same fossil fuel mentality that has held back truly "green" renewable energy for the past 100 years and even more recently since its former revolution in the late 1970's. It is hard to imagine that governor Kasich, which has claimed support for renewable energy, would allow Ohio to fall short in the most recent revolution of renewable energy and away from energy produced with fossil fuels over the last decade. The lack of re-implementing a state rebate program put into place by the states former governor has continued to hurt an industry that had been gaining both new business growth and employment opportunities. Watching the governor focus on fossil fuels continues to dismay those in the state working to foster the renewable energy industry.
The state of Ohio does have a renewable energy portfolio that must be met by the utilities.During the current administrative movement away from support for the solar and wind industry there is continued support for large businesses such as utilities. Most recent, a 7 million dollar financial donation to the AEP utility company. The money will be used for the construction of a 50 Megawatt solar project owned by the utility company. A system of this size by one owner decreases the potential for small system development by utility customers at their own locations allowing for energy needed from the utility company, and amount of financial payment due to it. This project will also provide a major share of SREC ownership within the state to the AEP company. Even though this type of state action does show support for state mandates it does not show support for the small businesses, building owners, and residential property owners within the state. The question is yet to be answered. How will 8 million dollars previously allocated for the rebate program be spent, and when? Questions are now rising about the 7 million given to AEP for the construction of the 50 MW solar generator which in itself will help to propel a crushing blow to the Srec market within the state.Is the state donation from the 8 million dollars allocated to the rebate program? If so, then, where will the money come from for the anticipated rebate program through 7/30/2012 for small business and residences. The question is, if the state continues to keep a small green energy fee, which was under 25 cents, off customer utility bills, and continues to focus on the growth of the fossil fuel industry, then when will the state residents and businesses see funding availability for these rebate programs?

Proposed Federal Energy budget Released for 2012

The following budget requests for 2012 were released by the Department Of Energy today.

Please click on the link below to review the press release dated 2-14-11.

http://www.energy.gov/news/10064.htm

Cape Wind Controversy

The controversy over the Cape Wind project continues between support and opposition groups. US Secretary of Interior Kenneth Salazar has stepped in to settle the dispute. He has vowed to make a decision on the subject in April 2010. He has been conducting meetings with both groups in Massachusetts and Washington.

Here is a link to an excellent source for details regarding Cape Wind and the controversy surrounding it.

Allocation of Federal Funding for Projects

The following link I have placed below has information on the American Recovery & Reinvestment Act. This can serve as an excellent aid for everyone interested in allocation of government financial incentives for their projects.

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