GHG Emissions, Utilities, Regulation, Sourcing Renewables  -  March 9, 2019

Weekend reads: Biomass battle; Light bulb revolution

It's the weekend! Kick back and relax with these can't-miss energy articles from around the web.

Biomass battle: lawsuit challenges EU on ‘renewable energy’ definition (Electrek) The European Union is relying heavily on burning forest biomass to meet its carbon emissions goals. And now it’s facing a legal challenge that’s sure to ignite debate on what it really means for an energy source to be renewable and carbon neutral.

America’s Light Bulb Revolution (New York Times) Solar panels and wind turbines get a lot of attention, but a more inconspicuous instrument is helping to reshape America’s energy economy right now: The humble light bulb. Over the past decade, traditional incandescent bulbs, those distinctive glass orbs with glowing wire centers, have been rapidly replaced by more energy-efficient lighting. The shift has driven down electricity demand in American homes, saving consumers money and cutting greenhouse gas emissions.

Oregon OKs dual PGE approach to procure renewables for business customers (Utility Dive) The Oregon Public Utilities Commission has approved a Voluntary Renewable Energy Tariff (VRET) proposed by Portland General Electric, paving the way for large customers to purchase energy directly from solar, wind or other renewable generators.

An Illinois bill leans into the most contentious part of the Green New Deal (Vox) A recurring criticism of the Green New Deal resolution introduced in February by Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) and Sen. Ed Markey (D-MA) is that it has too much social justice baggage: Why does a statement of goals to limit climate change and decarbonize the economy devote so much ink to affordable housing, universal health care, and jobs for everyone?

Town Transfers Toilet Waste to Transformers (The New Paltz Oracle) The Town of New Paltz is aiming to become a little greener through the use of brown. Since May of 2018, the Town of New Paltz board has been consulting with energy companies like General Electric, Fair Banks Morse, Caterpillar (CAT) and Carollo Engineers, Inc. to try to convert sewage waste into energy for the municipality. According to town board member Don Kerr, a CAT representative has been consulted on the project. 

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