Renewable Energy
In February 2012, the Atlantic Chapter Energy Committee published a white paper on Renewable Energy and Green Jobs Policy: CLEAN-FIT Programs: Clean Local Energy Accessible Now - Feed in Tariff

An excerpt from the Executive Summary:

• "Clean Local Energy Accessible Now – Feed-In Tariff (CLEAN-FIT) programs are an efficient method of maximizing both job creation and rapid renewable energy deployment.
  
  
  • CLEAN-FIT programs provide a guarantee that a wide variety of renewable energy projects are able to feed in to the energy grid on equitable terms at a long-term price that reflects the cost of producing the energy plus a reasonable rate of return.
    
    
• CLEAN-FIT programs have been used in more than 80 jurisdictions around the world and have been very effective in creating jobs manufacturing, developing and installing renewable energy technology. Examples include Germany, which has created 367,400 clean energy jobs for a population that is less than 28% of the USA’s, and Ontario, Canada, which has created 20,000 jobs under a recently established CLEAN-FIT program.
  
  
• CLEAN-FIT programs provide a stable investment climate that makes financing projects less complicated, less expensive, more attractive, and more available to individuals, small businesses and communities. For those reasons, CLEAN-FIT programs have a strong track record at creating demand for renewable energy projects and speeding the transition to renewable energy and away from polluting sources of energy.”
  
  

More on Feed-in-Tarriffs (FITs):

• Feed-in-tariffs, or CLEAN Contracts, provide a mechanism where producers of renewable energy (solar, wind, etc.) are fairly compensated for clean energy sold to utility companies. A set rate of return guarantees payments to the renewable energy companies for a number of years. This allows banks and investors to confidently invest in the industry to insure its development. Rates paid on renewable energy contracts are reviewed annually so that new contracts are adjusted to the market conditions. The cost of clean energy declines over time as the renewable companies grow in scale and energy spikes connected with fossil fuels are controlled.
   

  Members from our Niagara Group work on CLEAN FIT: From left to right is Executive Committee Member and Education Committee co-chair Angela Knisley with Education co-chair Vicky Southall at one of many tabling events conducted during the year regarding Education on Clean Energy and horizontal high volume hydrofracking.

  
  
  
• Feed-in-tariffs have produced numerous good paying jobs in the renewable energy field, which cannot be transferred overseas. The policy has led to the development of an industry which supplies fifteen to twenty present of energy in the European countries. The feed-in-tariff modifies the energy spikes which occur in systems solely dependent on fossil fuels. The renewables also reduce carbon dioxide and greenhouse gas emissions substantially. The entire renewable system has helped reduce dependence on foreign energy.

• Feed-in-Tarriff (FIT) Review Report (pdf)
  Here is the Province of Ontario, Canada's 2-year study on their Feed-in-Tarriff Program. The program, started in 2009, has resulted in 20,000 clean energy jobs with an anticipated 50,000 job-total.  The program has brought $20 billion of investments into the Province and has made Ontario a leader in the development of clean energy in North America.  Read the report here.

New York State

The development of renewable energy sources in New York State is essential to:

1. Reduce our dependence on destructive extraction and burning of fossil fuels and nuclear energy
2. Create tens of thousands of jobs
3. Increase investments in sustainable economic development
4. Help control global climate change
5. Leave a livable planet for our children and grandchildren

*NEW*  Governor Cuomo released the NYSun Initiative in April, 2012.  Part of the proposal calls for a pilot 50 megawatt solar power feed-in-tariff program to be run by the Long Island Power Authority (LIPA).  The Initiative calls for LIPA to set rates for the purchase electricity from private producers of solar power and enter into long-term 20 year contracts.  With these contracts, suppliers will be able to obtain funding from banks and investors for the installation of new solar arrays.  Proposed LIPA regulations are subject to public comment.

ENERGY INFORMATION RESOURCES – RENEWABLES, EFFICIENCY, CONSERVATION

New York State Department of Environmental Conservation(http://www.dec.ny.gov/)

• Click here to find information on regional sustainability planning and funding in NYS. This is the first stage of Governor Cuomo’s Cleaner, Greener Communities Program.
  
  

• Click here for an explanation of the components of a regional Sustainability Plan and how to develop the Plans.  Examples of Plans provided at the bottom of the page.
  
  

• For more on Climate Smart Communities, see here.  Find materials on how to become a “Climate Smart Community” (similar to the earlier Sierra Club Cool Cities initiative). It includes “Climate Smart Communities Guide to Local Action”, a model “Climate Smart Communities Pledge” and links to funding opportunities, educational webinars, and networking.  Also, an explanation on how to inventory greenhouse gas emissions and develop Climate Action Plans.  
  This Program is jointly sponsored by: The New York State Department of Environment Conservation, Energy Research and Development Authority, Public Service Commission and Department, Department of State, and Transportation Department.

 Note:  Advocating and helping your community to become a Climate Smart Community is important.  Actions by local governments can serve as a catalyst for actions by the rest of the community.  

• Find out more about how New York is incorporating the use of renewable energy!  Includes information about State policies and programs that promote renewable energy installation and use. 
  
  

New York State Energy Research and Development Authority(http://www.nyserda.ny.gov)  The site has a wealth of information on energy conservation, efficiency and renewables.
 

• For information on Energy Smart Communities, click here.   This program offers community access via 25 Community Coordinators in 10 regional offices in NYS. 
  
  

Other Sites with Important Energy-Related Information:

• New York State Department of Public Service and Public Service Commission (http://www.dps.ny.gov)
• Ask PSC.  For both residences and businesses.  This site answers many questions, including issues dealing with energy conservation, tax credits, and financial assistance.  (http://www.AskPSC.com )

• U.S. Department of Energy
• http://www.energystar.gov
• http://www.energysavers.gov

COLLEGES, UNIVERSITIES AND STUDENTS:
The involvement of U.S. Colleges and Universities and their students in developing clean energy and sustainable communities is essential. These educational institutions can provide leadership by educating graduates and having their students participate in clean energy initiatives. Find out how to support the American College & University Presidents' Climate Commitment in NYS by going to http://www.presidentsclimatecommitment.org.

MODEL SUSTAINABLE CITIES EXIST:
Check out the northern port city of Hamburg, Germany for a major example of a walkable, sustainable community on the old harbor called Hafen City or Harbor City at http://www.hafencity.com.

Feed-in-Tariffs Worldwide

• Niagara Group Executive Committee member, Larry Beahan, has written “Let’s Put Our Money into Clean Energy”. A global explosion of renewable energy, which the media in the United States often does not speak of, is outlined at “Revolution Greens: The energy [r]evolution has begun”. Renewable energy and conservation can supply our energy needs.
  
  
• Both Germany and China are taking massive steps to develop renewable clean energy.
  
  
• Europe’s industrial powerhouse, Germany, adopted a feed-in-tariff some ten years ago. This year 20% of their electricity comes from renewables.  The country’s goal is to produce 35% of their electricity from renewables by 2020 and 80% by 2050.  In 2010, €26 billion euros (about $35 billion) was invested in German clean energy.
  

 

• Right across the Niagara River and Lake Ontario, the Province of Ontario, Canada adopted a CLEAN Contract based on their version of a feed-in-tariff, also known as their Green Energy and Jobs Act. Billions of dollars of investments and thousands of jobs have been created since the laws inception in 2009. Projections are that Ontario will install more solar than California, and become the largest solar market in North America.  The 2012 Ontario two-year study  discusses the FIT, and projects 50,000 jobs from the program in the near future
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• The YouTube video “Renewable Energy Development in New York State” is the May, 2010 presentation of the former Chair of Ontario’s Department of Energy George Smitherman to the New York State Senate on the Canadian legislation, and how New York State could benefit from a similar law. View a video of his presentation “Renewable Energy Development in New York State.”
  
  
• In California, the development of clean energy has been the fastest growing industry in the State. Despite this, the fossil fuel industry proposed and funded a ballot proposition to discontinue clean energy development in the State.  After an informed citizenry soundly defeated the petroleum industry’s proposition in 2010, California Governor Brown signed a law that 33 percent of California’s electricity will be produced by renewable sources by the year 2020. This legislation goes hand in hand with the State’s ongoing efforts to conserve energy, which itself has become a booming industry.
  
  
• Vermont, Rhode Island and Gainesville, Florida have adopted feed-in-tariff legislation.
  
  ·   Energy Policy currently being pursued in Ontario, Canada: www.energy.ca.gov/renewables

·  Report Highlights Job Creation Benefits Of Developing Wind Power In Ontario

·  “China, Germany lead clean energy recovery” Germany is second only to China when it comes to investing in renewable energy.

·  From Grist.org Ontario’s ‘buy local’ energy program growing rapidly May 12, 2011.

·  From Grist.org Grist.org on Feb. 20, 2011: “Revolution Greens: The energy [r]evolution has begun”

·  From Grist.org on January 18, 2011: American states can learn much from Ontario’s ‘buy local’ clean energy strategy

·  From Grist.org on November 23, 2011: Ontario feed-in tariffs creating solar jobs at the cost of a donut per month