On November 26, the House Ways and Means Committee unveiled its draft of the Taxpayer First Act of 2018, which would retroactively extend several dozen tax credits that expired at the end of 2017 as well as make additional technical corrections to the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (comprehensive tax reform legislation enacted in December 2017). Here’s what clean energy businesses need to know about the proposal and how to engage.
Updated November 21, 2018 | Ruth McCormick, Director, State and Federal Affairs, the Business Council for Sustainable Energy and Andy Barnes, Program Manager, Clean Energy Business Network
On Tuesday, November 6, 2018, voters decided the fate of 435 seats in the U.S. House of Representatives, 35 seats in the U.S. Senate, 36 Gubernatorial races, and many state and local races. See the results of the 2018 Midterm Election and potential implications for clean energy policy.
October 2, 2018 │ Andy Barnes, Program Manager, Clean Energy Business Network
CEBN President Lynn Abramson sat down with United States Senator Martin Heinrich (D-NM) on stage at a September 26 Policy Symposium celebrating National Clean Energy Week (Sep. 24-28). Sen. Heinrich offered his thoughts on the state of clean energy and the future of the sector in this conversation.
September 11, 2018 │ John Mosheim, P.E., CEM, Principal Water + Carbon Sustainability Engineer, GHG Engineering, LLC
The Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) is a national policy created by Congress in 2005 that requires a certain volume of renewable fuel to be blended with petroleum-based fuel used for transportation in the U.S. The policy is intended to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, expand the renewable fuels sector, and shrink U.S. reliance on oil imports.
August 22, 2018 │ Lynn Abramson, President, Clean Energy Business Network
In a visit to Fort Drum on August 13, President Trump signed into law the John S. McCain National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2019 (P.L. 115-232), or NDAA. The new law includes key provisions on energy infrastructure modernization, resilience, and climate change preparation in the interest of national security.
July 25, 2018 │ Justin Koscher, President, Polyisocyanurate Insulation Manufacturers Association
It is fair to say that Washington, D.C., is far from dull. From the recent Tax Cut and Jobs Act to rolling debates on passing a federal budget, there is a great deal going on at the federal level that impacts the building and roofing industries…
July 25, 2018 │ Girish Balakrishnan, Business Development Intern, Clean Energy Business Network
The Department of Energy’s (DOE) Office of Technology Transitions (OTT) recently launched a new resource called the “Lab Partnering Service (LPS),” an online tool for innovators, investors…
The CEBN sent a letter to Senate leaders in support of provisions in the House-passed FAA Reauthorization bill that would encourage the incorporation of clean and resilient energy technologies into pre-disaster planning.
July 5, 2018 │ Girish Balakrishnan, Business Development Intern, Clean Energy Business Network
Sponsorship, investment, and mentorship opportunities are available for activities relating to the American-Made Solar Prize…
The Administration’s budget request for fiscal year 2019—which begins Oct. 1, 2018—proposed deep cuts or even elimination of a number of clean energy programs, such as Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, the Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy (ARPA-E), Electricity Deliverability and Energy Reliability, ENERGY STAR, the CHP Partnership Program, and CHP Technical Assistance Program (CHP TAP). 51 CEBN members signed onto a letter sent to the House Appropriations Committee and the Senate Appropriations Committee. The House and Senate have since passed separate versions of a “minubus” funding package that includes energy and water. The CEBN intends to engage conferees, as they negotiate a final spending package.
The CEBN sent letters signed by 36 clean energy business leaders in support of funding for Farm Bill energy programs to Members of Congress in the House and Senate working towards a final negotiation on the legislation. Farm Bill energy title programs provide the means for agriculture-based entrepreneurs to launch initiatives to generate jobs and economic development. For America’s farmers, ranchers and rural small businesses to continue to be leaders in the development and the advancement of the clean energy economy, it is critical the next Farm Bill reauthorize programs such as the Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) and other energy title programs. Additionally, Congress should update programs like REAP to add fuel cells and energy storage as eligible technologies.
May 3, 2018 | Laura Thompson, Vice President, Flow Energy
Flow Energy Washingtonians are driven by our ideals, ingenuity, and desire to innovate. This is the spirit that brings us together to tackle our state’s most pressing challenges and what inspires us to build a better future for our next generation.
