Tag Archives: solar land leases

Clean electricity standard lands spot in $3.5 trillion Democratic-backed infrastructure deal

By Scott Voorhis, Utility Dive

The Biden administration wants Congress to pass a clean electricity standard but is also prepared to pursue efforts to push utilities to ratchet down their emissions through the federal regulatory process should a national standard fail to make the final bill, according to Gina McCarthy, the White House’s national climate adviser. McCarthy said the administration believes a national clean energy standard would be more effective in prompting action on part of the utility industry to reduce emissions. Read more here.

ALSO OF POTENTIAL INTEREST

SOLAR TOOL FOR INSTALLERS & LOCAL GOVERNMENTS

U.S. Department of Energy Kicks Off ‘Summer of Solar 2021’ With Tool That Fast-Tracks Solar Power For Communities Nationwide, Department of Energy News Release

Washington, D.C.— The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) today kicked off the ‘Summer of Solar 2021’ with the nationwide launch of the Solar Automated Permit Processing Plus (SolarAPP+) tool – a free web-based platform that gives local governments the ability to expedite their review and approval of residential solar installation permits. Developed by DOE’s National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), SolarAPP+ will drastically reduce barriers to solar deployment, spur community economic development, and advance the Biden-Harris Administration’s clean energy goals.  

Related Reading

FEATURED REPORTS

The Clean Economy Revolution Will Be Unionized, Center for American Progress
While no state or city government has taken every necessary step to achieve good jobs, climate action and environmental justice, many of them have made important progress—and from this progress, federal lawmakers and lawmakers in other states can derive policy lessons and political momentum. This report offers a recap of some informative state and local actions designed to support good jobs, ensure high-road labor standards, and confront the climate crisis.

Clean Energy Labor Supply Report, American Clean Power Association
Based on two scenarios of renewables deployment — 50% and 70% of electricity generated from renewables by 2030 — the study projects the number of workers that will be needed to meet these goals and highlights those occupations where high demand for workers could result in labor gaps.

Download the executive summary
Download the infographic

City council approve solar project agreement

By Nick Stevenson, Norfolk Daily News

The Norfolk City Council approved a Community Solar Project Agreement at its meeting Monday night. City Engineer Steve Rames told the council members the agreement amends the current Distribution System Lease Agreement between the Nebraska Public Power District and the City. Read more here.

Photo by Ammodramus / Wikimedia Commons

PREVIOUSLY POSTED

UPCOMING EVENT

Solar Land Lease Considerations for Landowners: Webinar Presented by Nebraska & Ohio Extension Specialists

NEBRASKA LEGISLATIVE BILL 824

In 2016 the Nebraska Legislature passed LB 824, which removed some regulatory barriers connected to renewable energy development in our state.

Next money ‘crop’ for Illinois farmers? Solar panels.

By Genevieve Bookwalter – The Washington Post,
Republished by Northwest Herald

ORION, Ill. – Randy DeBaillie pointed to the power meter on his snow-covered farm: Even on a foggy, monochromatic day, with the sun barely piercing the clouds, the flat black panels planted nearby in two long rows were generating electricity.

“There’s enough energy produced to run the whole complex,” said DeBaillie, 50, who farms 6,500 acres with his brother and cousin. They typically grow corn and soybeans each spring, but this year they want to put more solar panels on 15 acres – and sell the energy. The earnings, he said, would be about three times what an average harvest would yield there. Read more here.

Flickr Photo by Juwi Renewable Energies Limited: Poppy and solar farm.

 

Future Energy Jobs Act Website

 

Previously Posted Resources
NREL Webinar: Co-Location of Solar and Agriculture, Fresh Energy
Iowa State University Research Finds Wind Farms Positively Impact Crops, Iowa State University
Extension and Outreach

IN NEBRASKA

Previously Posted: NextEra, Nebraska farmers aim to build largest solar farm in the Midwest, Energy News Network. The 423-megawatt project would be among the largest in the country, but it hinges on an interconnection deal. Photo Credit: Rob Davis

Spring Deadline for USDA Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) Grant Applications

NEW INCENTIVE PROGRAM FOR LOW-INCOME HOMEOWNERS

New utility incentive can help low-income customers go solar, Austin Daily Herald

Upfront expenses have made it hard for low-income
homeowners to afford solar power systems that
generate both clean energy and long-term electricity cost savings. But that barrier is now being lowered for low-income customers of Xcel Energy. Xcel’s new Solar Rewards Income-Qualified Customers Program is
offering about $1 million in incentives for low-income Minnesotans who install solar energy systems. 

NEWS, OPINION & POLL FROM OTHER STATES

South Carolina House Unanimously Passes SC Energy Freedom Act, Vote Solar

The South Carolina House of Representatives passed H3659, the SC Energy Freedom Act, by a vote of
110-0. The bipartisan Energy Freedom Act resolves overly restrictive net metering limits, giving more
South Carolina families and businesses the choice to save money with solar while protecting the state’s
growing solar workforce, which now employs nearly 3,000 South Carolinians.

MANUFACTURING NEWS

First Solar is sitting pretty, PV Magazine

This year, the company expects to ship around 5.5 GW of PV modules and even at that volume, CEO Mark Widmar estimates stock is “fully sold out” through the end of next year and First Solar’s current 12 GW of bookings includes shipments scheduled through 2023.

INTERVIEW

ISES president on the promise of a 100% renewable energy world, PV Magazine International


The oldest solar organization in the world, the International Solar
Energy Society, dates back to 1954. President David Renné tells pv magazine about India’s solar dreams, the next best thing in solar technology and what renewables hold for the world’s future.

More Iowa Farmers Adapting to Climate Change

By Roz Brown, Public News Service – Iowa

Katie Rock, policy associate with the Center for Rural Affairs, said when talking to Iowa farmers, it’s increasingly clear that many want to innovate on their farms to address climate change. “They’ve taken the initiative to add on-site solar power and make energy-efficient upgrades, and these changes have led to significant cost-savings,” Rock said. “And farmers and landowners, they also lead through conservation practices that can improve soil health.”

Matt Russell is executive director of the state’s Interfaith Power and Light. He believes Iowa and other Midwest states that provide America’s food are in a position to lead the conversation on climate change. “One of our strongest ways to lead is to engage Iowa farmers to innovate on their farms, capturing carbon, generating renewable energy,” Russell said. “And then also to advocate for those practices and the resources to make that happen on their farms.”

Read the entire article or listen to the story here.

Photo: Flooding has cost Iowa residents, businesses and farmers about $18 billion over nearly three decades, according to a 2018 University of Iowa study. Credit: Pixabay/werner22brigitte

MORE CLIMATE ACTION NEWS

Michigan’s New Governor Puts Climate Change at Heart of Government, Inside Climate News

Gretchen Whitmer created a new office of climate and energy and is the 20th governor to join the U.S. Climate Alliance, committing to the Paris climate principles. Photo Credit: Governor Whitmer’s Office


IN NEBRASKA: UPCOMING EVENTS & RESOURCES

Nebraska Legislative Hearing
On Monday, February 11 at 12 pm there will be a hearing on LB283 before the Executive Board in room 1525. LB283 would provide funding to the University of Nebraska to
develop a plan for adapting to and mitigating the impacts of
climate change.

You can testify at the hearing or send written testimony to Senator Mike Hilgers, Executive Board Chair, by this Friday, February 8th. His email address is: mhilgers@leg.ne.gov.
Your letter must include your name and address, state a position for, against or neutral on the bill and include a request for the letter to be included as part of the public hearing record.
Nebraska Legislature: Testifier Tips
Nebraska Legislature News