New Jersey SREC Market Faces Possible Crash



New Jersey Governor Chris Christie

 Since New Jersey first began to put together a Renewable Energy Portfolio Standard in 1999 the state’s solar industry has been growing. Growth expanded into full-on boom as the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities successively increased the size of the solar carve-out over the past decade. This past month New Jersey reached 10,000 solar installations statewide. The only other state with more solar is California.


However, there is an important market factor to consider in the New Jersey solar bonanza. As solar became successful, New Jersey SREC prices soared to over $600 per REC. With the boom in solar installation the amount of renewable energy being generated by solar panels is now exceeding the Renewable Portfolio Standard’s requirement. This means that there is an excess of RECs and consequently the once high prices have steeply declined and there is substantial volatility in the market.

This is to be expected to a degree, as it conforms to the universal economic law of supply and demand. Most experts believe that following the correction, the market will stabilize over the next couple of years. On the other hand, there are steps state governments can take to ease the financial burden of homeowners who are counting on SRECs to help pay for their solar systems. Some legislators in New Jersey are now pushing for measures similar to those in Massachusetts that create a “floor” for SREC prices. However it is unclear how successful these efforts will be.


Pennsylvania's Tom Corbett, which
way will he go.

 While he is not as overtly hostile to renewable energy as his shale-rich counterpart in Pennsylvania, Governor Chris Christie of New Jersey has taken some steps that alarm those in the renewable energy industry. As part of his “common sense” government solutions, Christie has unilaterally decided to withdraw the state from the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative, claiming that New Jersey has already done its part. In a 2010 Executive Order, Governor Christie also created a “Department of Environmental Protection Waiver Program”. This allows the state’s Department of Environmental Protection to disregard environmental regulations that it deems “overly burdensome” to the business community. This has been criticized by some as the “ultimate pay-to-play loophole”.

So while the SREC market will likely stabilize in the future, New Jersey’s highly admirable position as a renewable energy powerhouse is precarious at best right now. Hopefully the Governor and legislature will see the benefits of keeping their state as a beachhead of renewable energy on the East Coast and a center of green jobs. Only time will tell.

by Richard Harrod


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The Solar and Wind Expo arrives in Pennsylvania

The Solar and Wind Expo will make its Southeast Pennsylvania debut in less than two weeks with exhibits, informative seminars and lots of excitement about renewable energy!

Our indoor-outdoor consumer show is uniquely devoted to renewable energy and has been created to bring the manufacturer, installer, lender and consumer together under one roof. It’s all about saving energy, saving money, and being good to the Earth.

The Solar and Wind Expo in Pennsylvania will feature companies – many of them local –knowledgeable in renewable energy solutions. Experts in this evolving field will conduct free, informative educational seminars for Expo attendees on topics such as: Benefits of Switching to Renewable Energy, Financing Programs Available Right Now, Green Building Design, Energy Affordability, Wind Power 101, The Benefits of Weatherization, Geothermal 101, and more.

The Expo, at the Valley Forge Convention Center in King of Prussia, Pa., will run Saturday and Sunday, June 11 & 12, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., daily.

Our headline speaker, Pennsylvania State Representative Chris Ross (R-Chester), will discuss his initiatives to keep the solar energy industry strong in Pennsylvania including his recently introduced legislation (House Bill 1580, the Solar Jobs Bill). Rep. Ross, along with a bipartisan group of legislative co-sponsors developed the legislation to fix the crippled solar energy credits market in Pennsylvania. It is expected to create jobs, protect Pennsylvania’s businesses, and clean up the Commonwealth’s air and water.

Rep. Ross is an environmental champion for the state, having sponsored a recently enacted bill to mandate electronic equipment recycling, and having been appointed by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to serve on the agency’s Local Government Advisory Committee. The 30-member committee provides advice to the EPA on environmental issues affecting communities.
Rep. Ross will precede the keynote address by Bob Dixson, mayor of Greensburg, Kansas, a town that chose to rebuild in a sustainable manner after devastation by a major tornado in 2007. His talk is timely given the recent tornado damage in Missouri and surrounding states. Mayor Dixson will address how Greensburg rebuilt and how that experience can be a blueprint for rebuilding in the Midwest.

Mayor Dixson is a native Kansan and he has been a resident of Greensburg since 1985. Dixson took office as Mayor of Greensburg in May 2008 and he is leading the way in the process of rebuilding the community after the May 4, 2007 tornado. Sustainable building, renewable energy and “green” technologies are the cornerstones of the recovery of Greensburg. Mayor Dixson retired from the US Postal Service after 26 years after serving as Postmaster of Greensburg for 16 years and Pratt, Kansas for 6 years. He served on the USD #422 School Board for 12 years and was President for eight years.
The Solar and Wind Expo in Maryland last month was a great success with several thousand people attending, most of them already well-informed on solar, geothermal and wind energy, and interested in making an investment now. We were delighted that Maryland Governor Martin O’Malley opened the Expo with his summit on renewable energy – bringing in an additional 500 people, many of them experts in the field, to the Expo for a lively roundtable discussion.

We know that the Expo in Pennsylvania will be a success too, bringing together those who want to make the change to renewable energy with those who have the know-how and technology to help do so.

Through our partnership with enerG magazine. enerG would like to offer you a complimentary 2-year subscription!

As a Media Partner for the Solar and Wind Expo, we hope you enjoyed the event!

Click here www.altenerG.com/subscribe/form/c2ysf/ to start receiving your complimentary subscription.

enerG, now heading into its 6^th year, is an exciting bi-monthly magazine that delivers the big picture and bright future of alternative energy in North America—be part of that future now! Reaching more than 24,000 decision-makers in energy and related businesses, enerG covers all areas of alternative energy, including wind, solar, biomass, geothermal and biofuels. 
Visit our website for more information: http://thesolarandwindexpo.com/Pennsylvania.html.

See you at the Expo. Let’s make Green a Reality!

THE SOLAR AND WIND EXPO: COMING TO THE PHILADELPHIA AREA IN JUNE

Renewable Energy Experts & Exhibits

The Solar and Wind Expo is coming to Valley Forge Convention Center in King of Prussia, Pa., on June 11 and 12. This indoor-outdoor consumer show is uniquely devoted to renewable energy and was created to bring the manufacturer, installer, lender and consumer together under one roof. It’s all about saving energy, saving money, and being good to the Earth.

The Solar and Wind Expo – Pennsylvania will feature companies knowledgeable in renewable energy solutions. Experts in this evolving field will conduct valuable educational seminars for Expo attendees on topics such as: Benefits of Switching to Renewable Energy, Electric Vehicles, Financing Programs Available Right Now, Green Building Design, Energy Affordability in a Time of Change, Wind Power 101, The Benefits of Weatherization, Geothermal 101, and more.

The keynote speaker at The Solar and Wind Expo – Pennsylvania is Bob Dixson, Mayor of Greensburg, Ks. In 2007, this Midwestern town was decimated by an F5 tornado. The Mayor and township decided to make the best of a terrible situation and rebuild using all renewable and alternative energy practices. The result was more than just LEED certification for a few buildings. Instead, the majority of the town’s structures were rebuilt to the LEED Platinum standard, the highest rating granted by the United States Green Building Council. As the first town in the country to go entirely green, Greensburg is a shining example of how becoming sustainable is both viable and economically beneficial.

“Never has there been a better time for this kind of show in Pennsylvania,” said George Lopez, executive director of The Solar and Wind Expo. “The technology is maturing and becoming more affordable and there is consumer interest in saving money and reducing the carbon footprint. Now is the time to make these investments, and the Valley Forge Convention Center on June 11 and 12 is the place to learn more.”

Expo hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Admission is $12 for adults, $10 if purchased online. Children under 12 admitted free.

More information is available at thesolarandwindexpo.com/Pennsylvania.html

ALTERNATIVE ENERGY SEMINARS FOR CONSUMERS & PROS

Whether you can afford alternative energy in this economy or whether a wind turbine will work in your situation are just two of the many topics to be covered by experts in solar and wind energy at the upcoming Solar and Wind Expo at the State Fairgrounds in Timonium, Md., running May 13-15, 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. daily.

“The Solar and Wind Expo is bringing the public the latest news and information regarding green energy,” said Solar and Wind Expo Executive Director George Lopez. “There will be something for everybody. Your questions will be answered and you’ll learn about affordable new technologies on the market now.”

Additional renewable energy and related topics seminars for consumers:

• The Consumer’s Checklist for Saving Energy and Sustaining our Environment

• Financing Programs Available Right Now

• Electric Vehicles are Here: Learn All About Them

• Benefits of Switching to Renewable Energy

• Solar, Wind and Geothermal Power and Why Now is the Time

• Community-Initiated Solar PV Systems Using a Power Purchase Agreement

• Green Building Design

• Design, Procure, and Construct an Innovative Renewable Energy System

Chelsea Sexton, the electric vehicle’s top advocate and star of the popular “Who Killed the Electric Car” documentary film, will present the keynote address. She will update Expo attendees on the future of electric vehicles. Sexton is a veteran clean transportation and energy advocate. She has served as Director of the Automotive X PRIZE, Senior Advisor to VantagePoint Venture Partners’ Cleantech practice, and co-founder of Plug In America, the largest consumer-oriented electric drive advocacy group. She founded the Lightning Rod Foundation, an advisory and educational organization. Sexton is a Consulting Producer on Chris Paine’s next film, “Revenge of the Electric Car.”

Topics covered in the professional seminars:

• Engage and Educate Employees

• Green Building Design

• Overview of Passive House Energy Performance Standard & Methodology

• Electrifying Your Fleet Charging Stations

• Turbine Basics & Installation Techniques

• Start-Up Workshop: Where to Find Technical Skills & Funding Sources

• Geothermal Basics & Installation Techniques

• The Latest Info. & Incentives That Increase Energy Efficiency & Renewable Energy Production

The Solar and Wind Expo received accolades from Expo attendees and exhibitors in May 2010 when it brought top-quality clean energy advocates to consumers in the east coast region. This year’s Expo promises to do so again and to reach out to professionals in the field as well.

Information is available at www.thesolarandwindexpo.com.

PA Department of Labor & Industry Announces Energy Sector Partnership Education, Training Grants

Organizations that prepare Pennsylvania workers for green careers in the growing energy sector will get a $1.2 million boost from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, Labor & Industry Secretary Sandi Vito announced today.

"Pennsylvania is among the states with the largest number of green jobs," Vito said. "By fostering the development of education and training programs that deliver the skills necessary for workers to excel in these jobs, we are helping to ensure the growth and vitality of the state's energy sector which is among our most important industries, now and for years to come."

The Department of Labor & Industry and Pennsylvania Workforce Investment Board, or PA WIB, are awarding the grants to seven organizations which are investing an additional $800,000 in private-sector matching funds.

The PA WIB is the Governor's principal private-sector policy advisor on building a strong workforce development system aligned with education policies and economic development goals. Its members represent a cross-section of business executives, labor officials, education leaders, economic development practitioners and local elected officials.

Additional information about the grants is available at www.paworkforce.state.pa.us, click "Recovery Act Workforce Information" on the left, then "Workforce Development," then "Workforce Development Grants."

For more information about how federal Recovery Act funds are being invested to help Pennsylvania residents and businesses, visit www.recovery.pa.gov.

"make green a reality" visit http://www.thesolarandwindexpo.com/

New York, Pennsylvania and Maryland are leading the U.S. in a joint effort with China to launch cooperation on Subnational Climate Action

U.S. states and Chinese provinces launch focused effort to cooperate on comprehensive climate action planning.


The Center for Climate Strategies (CCS), a U.S.-based non-profit, and its Chinese partner the Global Environment Institute (GEI), a China-based Non Government Organization, have teamed up to lead the subnational effort between states and provinces in the two nations. CCS and GEI will showcase cooperative work between U.S. states and Chinese provinces. Presentations by key national and subnational government leaders from China and the U.S. will focus on the challenges and opportunities for cooperative engagement at the subnational level.

"The potential for economic, energy and environmental gains through state and provincial cooperation on bottom-up policy solutions in the U.S. and China is vast, and can be realized by cooperative programs such as the current pilot program involving the state of New York and Guangdong Province," said Tom Peterson, president and CEO of the Center for Climate Strategies. "This is exactly the kind of work needed right now at the subnational level to curb greenhouse gas emissions and advance economic growth while helping the global community develop an effective post-Kyoto agreement."

Teams of provincial and state officials have traveled between the Guangdong Province of China and the U.S. states of New York, Pennsylvania and Maryland to focus on the transfer of knowledge and techniques that each needs to attain economic growth and emissions reduction goals simultaneously through advanced climate action planning and analysis. A climate action plan pilot for the Guangdong Province is now underway with CCS and GEI assistance.

"Working together, states and provinces can capitalize on the opportunities binational cooperation offers through advanced climate action," said Mr. Su Wei, Director General, Department of Climate Change, China's National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC).

"make green a reality"  visit http://www.thesolarandwindexpo.com/

Governor Rendell Welcomes European Home Energy Efficiency Leader, 300-Plus New Jobs to Philadelphia Navy Yard

Harrisburg – Governor Edward G. Rendell today welcomed one of Europe’s biggest home energy efficiency companies to its new home at the Philadelphia Navy Yard, saying the company expects to hire nearly 320 workers over the next three years as it expands on South Broad Street.

The Governor said the arrival of Mark Group, based in Leicester, United Kingdom, marks the latest positive development at the Navy Yard as it continues establishing itself as one of the nation’s leading hubs for innovation in the clean energy and energy efficiency fields.

“Helping consumers reduce their energy use is one of the best things we can do to help people and employers save money while improving our environment,” said Governor Rendell. “After all, the cheapest and cleanest energy is that which we don’t use. We’ve made great strides in the past eight years to help energy users do that, but the work being done here at the energy innovation hub and by Mark Group will take those efforts to an entirely new level.

“Mark Group’s decision to locate its U.S. headquarters here and become one of the first companies tied to the Department of Energy’s energy innovation hub is an excellent partnership. Each complements the other and each offers a host of great opportunities for the other,” the Governor said.

Since its founding in 1974, Mark Group has improved the energy efficiency of more than 2 million homes and the company says it installs more than 6,000 measures every week that help consumers save. The company’s debut in Philadelphia follows its recent opening of an Australian headquarters.

The company picked the Navy Yard with the help of the Department of Community and Economic Development’s international trade office, the Governor’s Action Team, as well as the City of Philadelphia, Select Greater Philadelphia, TeamPA Foundation, and the Philadelphia Industrial Development Corp.

“The creation of alternative energy sources is key to America’s economic future, and Greater Philadelphia is the nation’s hub of energy efficiency research and development,” said Mark Group U.S. CEO Jeff Bartos. “We are excited to launch our business from Philadelphia and to deliver energy efficiency upgrades to homes

throughout the nation, and we thank the Rendell administration for the state’s investment in our company.”

The Governor’s Action Team offered Mark Group a $3.28 million funding offer that includes a $2 million Pennsylvania Industrial Development loan, a $500,000 opportunity grant, a $638,000 job creation tax credit, and $143,550 from WEDnet, which is a workforce web portal that is devoted to advancing the training and education needs of workers and employers in Pennsylvania.

Since 2003, the Governor’s Action Team, or GAT, has successfully completed 56 projects in Philadelphia County. The projects account for commitments of 7,342 new and 20,125 retained jobs. The commonwealth has offered more than $192 million in funding to these projects, which will leverage nearly $1.2 billion in additional investment.

Statewide since 2003, GAT has successfully completed 1,188 projects, representing commitments for 130,000 new jobs and 300,000 retained jobs. The commonwealth has offered more than $2.2 billion in funding to these projects, which will leverage more than $16 billion in additional investment.

For more information on the Governor’s Action Team and Pennsylvania’s economic development opportunities, visit http://www.newpa.com/.

 

Also visit http://www.thesolarandwindexpo.com/