Solar Uniquely Positioned To Help States Meet New Regulations

After more than five months of listening to both pros and cons, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has finally closed the public comment period on its proposed plan to cut carbon emissions from power plants. Now it's time for the EPA to make a good plan even better. In detailed comments submitted this week to the agency, the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) made a persuasive case that "solar contributes to a balanced portfolio of energy resources," which can help states meet proposed new carbon regulations under the EPA's Clean Power Plan, benefitting both the economy and environment. Simply put, the steady decline in solar energy costs makes it a cost-effective solution to reducing greenhouse gas emissions, modernizing grid operations, increasing energy independence, addressing water supply challenges, while simultaneously lowering long-term electricity supply costs and providing significant economic benefits. The EPA's Clean Power Plan recognizes and bolsters the current opportunity to reduce carbon emissions by transitioning United States electric grid from a fossil fuel dominant fuel mix to a balanced energy portfolio that includes higher penetration of renewable energy resources. The plan will require affected electric generating units (EGUs) within each state to reduce their carbon emissions, thus presenting the opportunity for utilities and states to shift towards sources that generate energy with little or no carbon emissions such as solar energy. As an organization, we are completely supportive of the EPA's overall goal - which is to cut damaging carbon emissions from power plants by 30 percent by 2030 - and believe the Clean Power Plan will significantly help to fight the devastating impacts of climate change. To its credit, the EPA has included solar as part of its definition of "best system of emission reduction" (BSER), but we also believe it's important for the agency to include, among other things, distributed PV as part of its final rule. Today, distributed PV is one of the largest and fastest-growing segments of the renewable energy market and needs be part of the BSER in order to maximize the future effectiveness of the EPA's Clean Power Plan. This year, the United States will install an estimated 7.4 gigawatts (GW) of solar - a 42 percent increase over 2013 - making it the best year ever for solar installations in America. What's more, solar accounted for a record 53 percent of all new electric generation capacity installed in the first half of 2014, pushing solar to the front as the fastest-growing source of renewable energy in America. Today, the solar industry employs 143,000 Americans and pumps nearly 20 billion a year into the U.S. economy. This remarkable growth is due, in large part, to smart and effective public policies, such as the solar Investment Tax Credit (ITC), Net Energy Metering (NEM) and Renewable Portfolio Standards (RPS). By any measurement, these policies are paying huge dividends for both the economy and environment, putting us in a unique position to be able to help states meet future obligations under the EPA's Clean Power Plan.

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Focus On Energy Offers Wps Customers Increased Incentives For Home Energy Efficiency Projects

"From a news release issued by Focus on Energy:"

MADISON, Wis. (Nov. 23, 2009) - Homeowners who purchase their gas from Wisconsin Public Service (WPS) have the opportunity to enhance the comfort of their homes and reduce their energy bills with the introduction of new financial incentives. The additional financial incentives are being offered by Focus on Energy, Wisconsin's statewide energy efficiency and renewable energy resource, in partnership with WPS and are meant to encourage participation in Focus on Energy's Home Performance with ENERGY STAR(R) Program....

HOME PERFORMANCE WITH ENERGY STAR - HOW THE PROGRAM WORKS

High energy bills are primarily traced to poorly performing components of a home such as air leaks and insufficient insulation. This is an important reason why homeowners should try to pinpoint the exact source of their high energy bills. Through the Home Performance with ENERGY STAR Program and a network of partnering consultants, homeowners can schedule a home energy evaluation which will help them find out exactly what energy efficiency improvements their home needs. The program's qualified contractors and trade partners can then implement the recommended improvements, ensuring the work is done to Home Performance with ENERGY STAR standards.

HOME PERFORMANCE WITH ENERGY STAR - INCREASED FINANCIAL INCENTIVES In addition to technical expertise, the Home Performance with ENERGY STAR Program offers Cash-Back Rewards to consumers who improve the energy efficiency of their omes. And for a limited time, homeowners who have an evaluation and complete at least three recommendations within six months, will be eligible for additional rewards of up to 3,000. Improvements made will pay off not only in lower energy bills, but in peace of mind knowing the home is now comfortable and less of a strain on the environment.

To find out more about the Home Performance with ENERGY STAR Program, including details on the increased financial incentives, program Cash-Back Rewards, eligibility requirements and names of consultants and qualified contractors who partner with the program, call (800) 762-7077 or visit focusonenergy.com/wps.

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