Thomas R. Burton Jason Altieri Brady Berg Evan M. Bienstock Faith L. Charles Ralph A. Child Daniel I. DeWolf David P. Dutil Susan L. Foster Jeremy B. Hayden Richard A. Kanoff Patrick J. Kealy Jonathan L. Kravetz Carl A. Kukkonen III David J. Leiter David L. O’Connor Chuck A. Samuels Paul J. Scapicchio Gabriel Schnitzler Sahir C. Surmeli Stanley A. Twarog Michael D. Van Loy Peter Zlotnick
|
In the August edition of Mintz Levin’s Energy and Clean Tech Connections, we’ve gathered recent information from a wide variety of sources in an effort to keep you abreast of what’s new in the world of clean energy. We draw your attention to the latest industry developments, news from Beacon Hill to Capitol Hill, grant opportunities, and upcoming events. This month, Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick signed three important pieces of legislation relating to clean energy: the Green Jobs Act, the Global Warming Solutions Act, and the Clean Energy Biofuels Act. The Green Jobs Act, which was signed into law on August 13th, allocates $43 million to support the state’s emerging green economy by creating jobs, promoting research and workforce training, and supporting the expansion of existing clean energy companies. Signed a mere five days earlier, the Global Warming Solution Act establishes ambitious goals for the Commonwealth aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions and also creates a Green Building Revolving Loan Fund to provide low-interest financing for construction projects that exceed energy efficiency requirements. Read our alert on these bills to learn more about the significance of this legislation and its potential impact on the future of clean energy in Massachusetts. The Clean Energy Biofuels Act, the earliest of these three bills to become law, made Massachusetts the first state to exclude non-food-crop biofuels from state gasoline taxes. In addition to offering such tax incentives, the Act creates a Low Carbon Fuel Standard for the region and mandates that all diesel and heating oil fuels contain a minimum percentage of biodiesel starting in 2010. For more information, see “Federal and State Happenings” below. The Energy and Clean Technology Practice Group is pleased to announce that Mintz Levin attorney Sahir Surmeli was featured in a radio broadcast of NPR’s Morning Edition. The segment featured commentary on the unprecedented growth of the renewable energy and clean technology sector that buoyed related investment to its highest ever domestic level last quarter. To listen to this broadcast or to read a transcript of the segment, please click on the following link (audio clip and transcript). In addition, Mintz Levin is pleased to co-sponsor the Marine Renewable Energy Center’s Ocean Energy for New England Conference on October 6th. United States Congressman William Delahunt will deliver an address on relevant federal initiatives, followed by panelists with expertise in government relations, technology and project development, public policy and related industries. If you are interested in learning more or attending the event, please click here or contact any member of the Mintz Levin Energy & Clean Technology Practice Group. Please consider joining us on October 6th, and we hope that you enjoy this month’s edition of the newsletter. In This Edition Greentech Attracts Hedge Funds Greentech Media - August 13, 2008 Duke, AEP to Spend $1B on New Transmission Lines Greentech Media - August 11, 2008 BP and Verenium Partner to Commericalize Ceullulosic Ethanol Renewable Energy World - August 11, 2008 Funding Roundup: DIY Solar, Electric Cars and Water Disinfectant Greentech Media - August 11, 2008 Renewables and Efficiency Could Plug UK Energy Gap Renewable Energy World - August 11, 2008 A123Systems Files for $175 Million IPO Greentech Media - August 8, 2008 Solar Roundup: New Projects, Financing and Materials Greentech Media - August 7, 2008 BlueFire Ethanol to Build $130 Million Plant in Mecca Greentech Media - August 5, 2008 Running with the Wind The Boston Globe - August 5, 2008 Funding Roundup: More IPOs for Wind, Solar Greentech Media - August 4, 2008 Wind Energy Could Provide 28% of EU Electricity by 2030 Renewable Energy World - August 1, 2008 Funding Roundup: VCs Bet on Electric Rides Greentech Media - July 28, 2008 Four Commercial Solar Installations Completed, 54.7 kW of Clean Energy Generating Capacity in Operation Renewable Energy World - July 28, 2008 EnerNOC to Add Renewable Credits The Boston Globe - July 24, 2008 GT Solar Goes Public Greentech Media - July 24, 2008 First Solar to Build 10 MW of Solar PV Power Plant for Sempra Generation Renewable Energy World - July 24, 2008 General Motors and Electric Utility Industry Launch Major Collaboration to Commercialize Plug-In Vehicles Clean Edge - July 22, 2008 Arizona Utility Agrees to Adopt “Clean Coal” Tech Greentech Media - August 13, 2008 DOE to Invest up to $24 Million for Breakthrough Solar Energy Products Renewable Energy World - August 12, 2008 DOE to Pursue Zero-Net Energy Commercial Buildings Press Release, US Department of Energy - August 5, 2008 Massachusetts Enacts Advanced Biofuels Bill Renewable Energy World - August 4, 2008 48 State Governors Urge Congress to Renew PTC/ITC Clean Edge - July 25, 2008 US and Canada to Create Carbon Cap-and-Trade System Greentech Media - July 24, 2008 Texas PUC Approves Wind Transmission Plan Renewable Energy World - July 24, 2008 Pennsylvania Governor Signs $650 Million Energy Fund Clean Edge - July 23, 2008 DOE Invests US $240 Million in Biorefineries Renewable Energy World - July 23, 2008 California Adopts Innovative Solar Loan Law Los Angeles Times - July 22, 2008 Clearing the Path to a Greener Future The Boston Globe - July 21, 2008 Daria Niewenhous Named by Nightingale to 2008 List of Outstanding Hospital Lawyers Press Release, Mintz Levin - August 19, 2008 “Green Jobs” and “Global Warming” Bills Get Patrick’s Signature Energy and Clean Technology Alert, Mintz Levin - August 13, 2008 EEOC Issues New Compliance Guidance on Religious Discrimination in the Workplace in Response to a Dramatic Increase in Charge Employment Advisory, Mintz Levin - August 11, 2008 Unions’ Exemption from Antitrust Laws Is Not Made of Steel Antitrust Advisory, Mintz Levin - August 8, 2008 New York Legislation Targets Identity Theft Privacy/Employment Advisory, Mintz Levin - July 24, 2008 Recent Case Highlights Pitfalls in Electronic Discovery Litigation Alert, Mintz Levin - July 21, 2008 Massachusetts Orders Revenue Decoupling by Distribution Companies Energy and Clean Technology Alert, Mintz Levin - July 18, 2008 Multiple Mintz Levin Attorneys Named to San Diego Transcript’s 2008 Top Attorneys List Press Release, Mintz Levin - July 16, 2008 National Science Foundation Energy for Sustainability The Energy for Sustainability program supports fundamental research and education in energy production, conversion, and storage and is focused on energy sources that are environmentally friendly and renewable. Eligible sources of sustainable energy include sunlight, wind, and biomass. Hydrogen and alcohols are potential energy carriers that can be derived from renewable sources. Research that generates enabling science and technologies for more efficient hydrogen generation and storage is supported by the program. Advances in these areas are needed to address key challenges in efficiency, durability, power density, and environmental impacts. Although silicon-based materials have been most widely used, other semiconducting materials and titanium dioxide also have potential. New materials and novel fabrication techniques for solar energy conversion are supported by the program. The duration of unsolicited awards is generally one to three years. The average annual award size for the program is $100,000. Small equipment proposals up to $100,000 will also be considered. Application Window: August 15–September 15, 2008 Restructured FutureGen Program The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) today issued a Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) to invest in multiple commercial-scale Integrated Gasification Combined Cycle (IGCC) or other clean coal power plants with cutting-edge carbon capture and storage (CCS) technology under the Department’s restructured FutureGen program. The solicitation is seeking multiple cost-shared projects to advance coal-based power generation technologies that capture and store the greenhouse gas carbon dioxide (CO2). The Department anticipates $290 million will be available for funding of selected projects through fiscal year (FY) 2009 and an additional $1.01 billion is expected to be available in subsequent years, subject to appropriations by Congress. Application Deadline: October 8, 2008 (selection of projects is targeted for the end of calendar year 2008) Solar America Initiative (SAI) Market Transformation: Solar America Showcases, FY2008 Under this Notice of Opportunity for Technical Assistance, DOE will provide technical assistance to large-scale, high-visibility solar installation projects that have the ability to impact the market for solar technologies through large project size, use of a novel solar technology, and/or use of a novel application for a solar technology. In addition, it is desired that the project be replicable or have replicable components. Large-scale installations may include photovoltaic, concentrating solar power, solar water heating, and solar space heating applications. Technical assistance will not be provided for research, product development, or early-stage testing and evaluation of any technology or product. Solar America Showcases focus on providing support to projects in which a commercially ready technology is to be installed in a large-scale application with full financial project commitment already in place. Support for research, product development, or early-stage testing and evaluation of solar products or technologies may be available under other Solar America Initiative opportunities. DOE will not purchase hardware or otherwise provide direct funding to organizations selected from this notice. Application Deadline: October 9, 2008 New York State Energy Research and Development Authority NYSERDA seeks proposals to support the development, demonstration, and commercialization of environmentally preferred power systems and energy storage technologies. The solicitation includes four categories: new product development (funding up to $1,000,000); early stage innovative product feasibility and technology transfer studies (funding up to $250,000); energy storage demonstration projects (funding up to $1,500,000); and other demonstration projects (funding up to $1,500,000). Application Deadline: January 14, 2009 The Energy Foundation Grants The Energy Foundation is a partnership of major donors interested in solving the world’s energy problems. Their mission is to advance energy efficiency and renewable energy—new technologies that are essential components of a clean energy future. The Renewable Fuels Foundation Offers The Renewable Fuels Foundation (RFF) Board of Directors funds those research projects that have clear goals and measurable outcomes with benchmarks that will advance the science of ethanol production. While sound research should be the basis for all grant applications, the RFF will only support projects that directly enhance domestic production of ethanol and the efficient use of co-products. One grant will be awarded for $150,000, of which $75,000 will be made available over two years. Viable projects may qualify for continued funding past this time frame. Research project proposals must have a national implication, not local. The RFF prefers to fund national model projects, thereby making a bigger impact to the U.S. ethanol market. Business Expansion Initiative Business Expansion Initiative (BEI) supports the development and expansion of the production capacity of renewable energy technology firms in Massachusetts. BEI provides secured debt capital to expansion-stage companies for new renewable energy product design and manufacturing financing. BEI loans may only be made to companies located within Massachusetts. The Carbon Trust The Carbon Trust, via an incubator scheme, helps prepare promising early stage companies in the UK to raise the investment needed to grow their business. They work with early-stage companies who have developed innovative carbon-saving technologies, demonstrating commercial potential and high-growth potential. The Carbon Trust is funded by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra), the Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform (BERR), the Scottish Government, the Welsh Assembly Government and Invest Northern Ireland. The scheme aims to create investment opportunities in technology start-up companies developing low-carbon technologies. Companies accepted for incubation will receive up to £60,000 of financial support from the Carbon Trust over a 12–18 month period. The Carbon Trust incubator scheme, which accelerates the commercialization of promising low-carbon businesses, has announced partnerships with business advisory firm Grant Thornton and a commercial law firm local to Cambridge (Mills & Reeve LLP), to provide corporate finance and legal advisory support to its incubator companies. COPENMIND September 1–3, 2008 23rd European Photovoltaic Solar Energy Conference and Exhibition September 1–5, 2008 Soltec September 4–7, 2008 Green Building Finance & Investment Forum September 8–10, 2008 HUSUM WindEnergy 2008 The Leading Wind Energy Trade Fair September 9–13, 2008 5th Euromoney and Ernst & Young Global Renewable Energy Awards September 15, 2008 The Thin Film Revolution September 15, 2008 10th Renewable Energy Finance Forum Europe’s Largest Renewable Energy Finance Conference September 15–16, 2008 Cleantech Forum XVIII September 15–17, 2008 Carbon Markets USA September 16–17, 2008 AlwaysOn GoingGreen Greener Pastures for Global Business September 15–17, 2008 Solar Power Canada 2008 September 16–18, 2008 Houston Sustainable Building Expo and Conference September 17–18, 2008 ISO New England Lights, Power, Action September 18-19, 2008 Green Trade Network Summit September 19, 2008 Corporate Climate Response September 22–23, 2008 Entrepreneurship for a Zero Carbon Society September 22–24, 2008 NHA Fall Forum 2008: Hydrogen from Renewables September 22–24, 2008 Biomass World 2008 - Beijing September 23–24, 2008 2nd U.S. Carbon Finance Forum Preparing for Carbon Regulation and Trading in the US September 24–25, 2008 West Coast Green September 25–27, 2008 2nd Concentrated Solar Power Summit USA September 30–October 1, 2008 World Energy Engineering Congress October 1–3, 2008 Clean & Green Tech Conference October 2, 2008 CPV & CSV Investment and Finance Summit USA 2008 October 2, 2008 Geothermal Energy 2008 Conference and Expo October 5–8, 2008 Ocean Energy for New England Conference October 6, 2008 PV Forum & Exhibition October 7–8, 2008 Cleantech Forum XIX October 7–9, 2008 EuroSun 2008 1st International Conference on Solar Heating, Cooling and Buildings October 7–10, 2008 Solar Energy Asia 2008 October 7–10, 2008 Solar Power International 2008 October 13–16, 2008 Renewable Energy 2008 October 13–17, 2008 EBW Waste-to-Energy Expo & Conference October 14–16, 2008 2008 China International Solar Photovoltaic Industry Fair October 17–19, 2008 2008 New Jersey Clean Energy Conference and Leadership Awards Investing in a CleanTech Economy October 17, 2008 3rd Annual Investing in Solar Where Deals Are Made October 20–21, 2008 World Carbon Emission Reduction Summit October 20–23, 2008 Alternative Energy Innovations 2008 October 21–22, 2008 POWER-GEN Asia 2008 October 21–23, 2008 Renewable Energy Finance Forum - West October 27–28, 2008 2nd Nuclear Energy Finance Forum October 30–31, 2008 Grid-Interop 2008 November 11–13, 2008 2nd Concentrated Solar Power Summit November 12–13, 2008 Arizona Sustainable Building Expo & Conference November 12–13, 2008 Greenbuild International Conference and Expo 2008 November 19–21, 2008 2008 CleanICT Summit November 20–21, 2008 9th Solarpraxis Forum November 20–21, 2008 2nd Energy Efficiency Finance and Investment Forum December 1–2, 2008 Green Energy Summit March 3–7 2009 |
||
| Boston | Washington | New York | Stamford | Los Angeles | Palo Alto | San Diego | London | |||
|
Copyright © 2008 Mintz, Levin, Cohn, Ferris, Glovsky and Popeo, P.C. The above has been sent as a service by the law firm of Mintz, Levin, Cohn, Ferris, Glovsky and Popeo, P.C. and may be considered an advertisement or solicitation. The content enclosed is not intended to provide legal advice or to create an attorney-client relationship. The distribution list is maintained at Mintz Levin’s main office, located at One Financial Center, Boston, Massachusetts 02111. If you no longer wish to receive electronic mailings from the firm, please notify our marketing department by going to www.mintz.com/unsubscribe.cfm. |
|||