renewable energy

New Law Clarifies Regulation of Biomass, But Doesn't Provide Any Guarantees

Erica Peterson — Mon, 11 Mar 2013 22:04:41 +0000

A new bill signed into law by Governor Steve Beshear last week clarifies the rules that regulate biomass plants in Kentucky.

The bill gives additional guidance to the Public Service Commission on how to regulate biomass plants that sell power to a utility in Kentucky, with one particular project in mind: a biomass plant outside Hazard. Construction on the plant—owned by Lexington-based ecoPower—is expected to begin on the plant sometime this year.

New Deal Will Send Parks Department's Wood Waste to Rubbertown Biomass Boiler

Erica Peterson — Tue, 19 Feb 2013 20:33:41 +0000

Metro Government will start selling landscaping debris gathered from Louisville parks to a Rubbertown facility that will burn it for energy.

Last fall, a company called Recast Energy took control of a boiler in Rubbertown that supplies steam to the Lubrizol and Zeon Chemical plants. The boiler used to be coal-fired, but Recast engineered it to run on biomass.

Deadline is Fast-Approaching on Wind Energy Tax Credit

Erica Peterson — Sun, 25 Nov 2012 13:00:00 +0000

Over the next few weeks, Congress will decide whether to extend a key tax credit to the wind industry. The wind production tax credit—or PTC—subsidizes wind production at 2.2 cents per kilowatt hour, and without action it will expire at the end of the year.

Global Energy Outlook Predicts Gains for American Oil and Gas, and Renewable Energy

Erica Peterson — Mon, 12 Nov 2012 22:19:01 +0000

The International Energy Agency has released its outlook on the world’s energy usage.

Tomorrow's Solar Tour Highlights Solar Energy Systems Around Louisville

Erica Peterson — Fri, 05 Oct 2012 16:46:17 +0000

Cities around the country are participating in the National Solar Tour tomorrow, which highlights solar and other energy efficient building ideas. In Louisville, there are 30 sites lined up to demonstrate how home and business owners can get at least some of their energy from the sun.

Big Box Stores Lead U.S. Companies in Solar Power Usage

Erica Peterson — Wed, 12 Sep 2012 14:50:36 +0000

According to a list released this morning, retail giant Walmart leads U.S. companies in solar power installations. Walmart has 144 solar systems installed in seven states; as the report notes, the combined capacity of Walmart and Costco (number two on the list) is greater than all the solar capacity deployed in the state of Florida.

International Hydropower Conference Begins Today in Louisville

Erica Peterson — Tue, 17 Jul 2012 19:05:58 +0000

Representatives from power companies around the world are in Louisville today for HydroVision International's annual conference. The event draws people who are already invested in hydroelectric power, or are looking for ways to begin the process. Participants also had a chance to tour two local hydropower facilities: the new Cannelton Locks and Dam project (which is still a work in progress) and LG&E's Ohio Falls Generating Station.

The conference's keynote speakers are:

Renewable Energy Workshop Postponed Until March

Erica Peterson — Wed, 11 Jul 2012 20:16:51 +0000

A conference on renewable energy that was scheduled for next month has been pushed back to March 2013.

This year’s Kentucky Statewide Workshop on Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency—organized by the Conn Center at the U of L—was supposed to be next month. But Conn Center Assistant Director Andrew Marsh says the center just decided that more academic speakers would be available at a different time of year.

Study Outlines Barriers to Wind Energy in Kentucky

Erica Peterson — Mon, 25 Jun 2012 21:17:29 +0000

Unlike its Appalachian neighbors, Kentucky has no large or small-scale wind farms. And a study says that’s only partly due to the state’s low wind potential.

Report Analyzes Kentucky's Untapped Renewable Energy Potential

Erica Peterson — Wed, 20 Jun 2012 01:16:28 +0000

A new analysis of Kentucky’s energy potential shows renewable sources could provide more than a third of the state’s energy by 2025. It points to several renewable sources—including solar, hydro and biomass—that aren’t being tapped to their full potential.