New York Times: “Life After Oil and Gas”
In an illuminating New York Times opinion piece, Elisabeth Rosenthal argues that America’s continued dependence on fossil fuels might not be as inevitable as many believe. She points out that with more cost competitive renewables and energy efficient buildings, many countries that once depended on fossil fuels have in recent years greatly diversified their energy portfolios. According...
Solar Industry Magazine Highlights NECEC CT RPS Position
The New England Clean Energy Council was featured in a recent Solar Industry article on the debate over the future of Connecticut’s renewable portfolio standard (RPS). The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) has recommended changing the RPS to increase the Class I resource target from 20% by 2020 to 25% by 2025, and allowing...
Update on Offshore and Onshore Wind in New England
The first in a series of offshore wind conferences hosted in New England kicked off this week with Offshore Wind Power USA in Boston. The conference’s keynote speaker, Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar, stated he was confident that the sale of offshore wind leases for a 257-square miles area between Massachusetts’ Martha’s Vineyard and...
Boston Business Journal: NECEC’s Rothstein Comments on Cleantech Investing
The Boston Business Journal reports on the current state of cleantech investing. NECEC President Peter Rothstein notes that while cleantech investment dollars may currently be limited, this financial slowdown could help to steady and strengthen the industry in the long run. He contrasted cleantech’s development path with that of the Internet, which grew rapidly in...
NECEC Partner ACE NY Promotes RGGI Benefits in Region
Valerie Strauss, Interim Executive Director of the Alliance for Clean Energy New York, authored the op-ed below, which appeared in the February 5, 2013 edition of The Buffalo News. ACE NY is a partner of the New England Clean Energy Council. Another Voice: New York must do more to limit greenhouse gases By Valerie Strauss New...
Globe: Rothstein Quoted on Slow but Steadier Industry Growth
The Boston Globe‘s Erin Ailworth reports on the changing clean technology landscape, saying that cleantech companies are growing more cautiously and steadily in order to protect private sector and government investments. NECEC President Peter Rothstein explained that this trend reflects a maturing industry preparing itself for more long-term growth: “Everyone hopes that this is not going...
NECEC Institute Established, Launches CleanzoNE Innovation Portal
The NECEC Institute today launched CleanzoNE, a new social networking site designed to connect and grow early-stage, cleantech innovations across New England. This announcement comes after a year of profound expansion and growth for the NECEC Institute, formerly known as the New England Clean Energy Foundation, in its focus areas of Innovation, Workforce Development, and...
New Report: Advanced Energy Represents $1.1 Trillion Global Market
Advanced Energy Economy (AEE), the national affiliate of the New England Clean Energy Council, has released a report showing that advanced energy was a $1.1 trillion global market in 2011. This first-ever analysis of the advanced energy sector also demonstrates that the sector represents an important part of the nation’s economy, with $132 billion in...
VT Gov. Shumlin highlights clean energy growth in 2nd Inaugural Address
In his second inaugural address yesterday afternoon, Vermont Governor Peter Shumlin highlighted how clean energy companies are becoming an integral part of economic growth and development for the green mountain state. With the most high tech green jobs per capita than any other state, Shumlin said that Vermont is “on right path” by focusing on renewables...
NECEC Applauds Gov. Cuomo’s Green Banks Announcement
Dear Members and Friends: The New England Clean Energy Council applauds New York Governor Andrew M. Cuomo’s leadership on clean energy, detailed in yesterday’s State of the State Address. A major proposal announced by Governor Cuomo is the creation of a $1 billion state green bank. This bank would fund clean energy projects by leveraging...
“Kickstarting” Clean Energy
Financing can often be a barrier to project development. Creative financing mechanisms are often talked about, and it is refreshing to see examples being acted upon. Since the passage of the JOBS act in April of last year, online crowdfunding platforms such as Kickstarter have given entrepreneurs easier access to capital through non-traditional means. This...
Connecticut Benefits from Solar Company Expansion
Energy initiatives put in place by the state of Connecticut through the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) and the Connecticut Clean Energy Finance and Investment Authority (CEFIA) are paying off for jobseekers and ratepayers. In a press release today, Governor Malloy highlighted some of the advantages of his administration’s initiatives: “I am pleased...