2007 Harvesting Energy Summit:
PUBLIC POLICY TO ADVANCE RENEWABLE ENERGY
The shortage of water predicted in the intermountain west as temperatures rise will have a profound effect on agriculture, with available water predicted to decline below today’s demand in 20 years. That was one of the framing themes of a day’s discussion devoted to public policy at the IHEN Summit.
On the national front, 25 x ’25 coordinator Ernie Shea discussed taking the nation’s energy future to 25 percent renewables by 2025, a four-fold increase from the current situation. That will require both a massive investment and a huge organizing push across rural America.
In the short term, the 2007 Farm Bill presents opportunities to grow renewable energy production and help build new markets for bio-based products. Representatives from the National Farmers Union and Colorado Farm Bureau shared perspectives on what lies ahead in Congress on a panel moderated by the Environmental Law & Policy Center.
Updates from the IHEN states made clear the push is on at statehouses to boost renewable energy.
- Utah Agriculture Commissioner Leonard Blackham said the state has set a goal of increasing efficiency 20 percent by 2015 and is looking at single point permitting. A large hog plant produces biodiesel and the state is exploring using biomass from pinon junipers.
- Tom Plant, director of Colorado’s Office of Energy Conservation and Management, said Colorado is working on doubling the renewable portfolio standard, increasing transmission capacity and working with research institutions that recently formed a collaboratory. The state is further seeking to increase the demand for renewables with more E85 and Biodiesel pumps.
- Jim Ploger, director of the Kansas Energy Office, said the staff recently was increased by 25 percent, the state is evaluating joining the Chicago Climate Exchange, and the legislature is “packed full’’ of bills to promote wind energy.
- Michael McDiarmid, of the New Mexico office of Energy, Minerals and Natural Resources, said transmission is the state’s biggest obstacle and he is working with other states to get more developed. Three investor-owned utilities are on track to meet a 10 percent renewable portfolio standard by 2011, and New Mexico has a state production tax credit along with a solar credit for residential systems.
- Pete Konesky of the Nevada State Energy Office said his state has an anemometer loan program, and several schools equipped with wind turbines and photovoltaic panels. Nevada is working to implement a renewable standard of 20 percent by 2015.
- Dale Hoffman of the Wyoming State Energy Office said his state’s big push is coal to liquids. The state has 288 MW of wind on the grid with another wind farm planned, and one corn ethanol plant in production.
Other topics explored during the day included a focus on state policies such as electric power policies, farm fuels policies and creating urban markets. The role of rural electric associations, efficiency policies and financing were also examined.
State breakout groups included valuable brainstorming sessions to develop consensus on policy initiatives to move state policy forward.
John Covert, left, director of Colorado Working Landscapes, introduces state energy officials.
Click on the agenda below to see the presentations:
AGENDA and PRESENTATIONS : PUBLIC POLICY TO ADVANCE RENEWABLE ENERGY
