Thomas R. Burton
Chair
Energy and Clean Technology (Boston)
(617) 348-3097
TRBurton@mintz.com
Brady Berg
Member
Corporate (Palo Alto)
(650) 251-7758
BBerg@mintz.com
Evan M. Bienstock
Corporate (Boston)
(617) 348-3090
EMBienstock@mintz.com
Faith L. Charles
Member
Corporate (New York)
(212) 692-6770
FLCharles@mintz.com
Ralph A. Child
Member
Environmental (Boston)
(617) 348-3021
RChild@mintz.com
Jonathan Cosco
Real Estate (Boston)
(617) 348-4727
JMCosco@mintz.com
Julian Crump
Managing Partner, Member
Intellectual Property (London)
+44 (0) 20 7776 7302
JCrump@mintz.com
Daniel I. DeWolf
Member
Co-Chair, Venture Capital and
Emerging Companies (New York)
(212) 692-6223
DDeWolf@mintz.com
David P. Dutil
Member
Corporate (Washington)
(202) 434-7425
DDutil@mintz.com
Susan L. Foster
Corporate (London)
+44 (0) 20 7776 7330
SFoster@mintz.com
Jeremy Glaser
Member
Corporate (San Diego)
(858) 314-1515
JDGlaser@mintz.com
Jeremy B. Hayden
Of Counsel
Corporate (San Diego)
(858) 314-1524
JBHayden@mintz.com
Irwin Heller
Member
Corporate (Boston)
(617) 348-1654
IHeller@mintz.com
Katherine Comer Holliday
Of Counsel
Corporate (Boston)
(617) 348-1796
KHolliday@mintz.com
Richard A. Kanoff
Of Counsel
Energy Regulatory and
Project Development (Boston)
(617) 348-3070
RAKanoff@mintz.com
Patrick J. Kealy
Corporate (Boston)
(617) 348-1679
PJKealy@mintz.com
Jonathan L. Kravetz
Member
Chair,
Securities Practice Group (Boston)
(617) 348-1674
JLKravetz@mintz.com
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Member
Intellectual Property (San Diego)
(858) 314-1535
CAKukkonen@mintz.com
Cynthia Larose
Member
Corporate (Boston)
(617) 348-1732
CJLarose@mintz.com
David J. Leiter
Senior Executive Vice President
of Government Relations
ML Strategies (Washington)
(202) 434-7346
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David Mandell
Member
Corporate (London)
+44 (0) 20 7776 7371
DMandell@mintz.com
David L. O’Connor
Senior Vice President for
Energy and Clean Technology
ML Strategies (Boston)
(617) 348-4418
DOConnor@mlstrategies.com
Chuck A. Samuels
Member
Federal/Energy Efficiency (Washington)
(202) 434-7311
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Jennifer Sacco Smith
Real Estate (Boston)
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Paul J. Scapicchio
Senior Vice President
of Government Relations
ML Strategies (Boston)
(617) 348-3031
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Gabriel Schnitzler
Real Estate (Palo Alto)
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Corporate (Boston)
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www.mlstrategies.com |
Energy and Clean Tech
Connections |
December
2008 |
In the December 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.
Mintz Levin is pleased to be co-sponsoring next month’s 5th Annual Clean-Tech Investment Summit in Palm Springs, California. The two-day event, which will take place on January 21-22, 2009, will bring together cleantech investors, entrepreneurs, and policy makers for high level presentations, conversations, and networking. Mintz Levin will also be hosting upcoming team-building events for the Ignite Clean Energy (ICE) Business Plan Competition in both our Boston and Washington, D.C. offices. These events will provide an opportunity for those interested to learn more about ICE, one of the premier renewable energy business plan competitions in the country. For more information, please see Events below.
Last week, clean tech leaders from across the globe gathered in Boston for the US-China-India Innovations Partnerships Conference. The event, whose aim was to deepen partnerships among industry, academia, and government, as well as among the three target countries, featured keynote speakers John Holdren, Professor of Environmental Policy at the Kennedy School, and Ian Bowles, Massachusetts Secretary of Energy and Environment. The clean energy portion of the conference was split between presentations and working groups, which addressed challenges to cross-border partnerships in four key areas.
Mintz Levin would like to congratulate clients Solasta and @Ventures on successfully completing financings last month. Solasta, a developer of ultra-high-efficiency solar cells, closed a Series A-1 financing led by Kleiner Perkins. @Ventures completed a Series A-1 financing as well, investing in CarbonFlow, a developer of software for carbon-market participants.
We hope that you enjoy this month’s edition of the newsletter.
In This Edition
In the News: United States
In the News: Europe
Federal and State Happenings
Grants
Legal News
Events
In the News: United States
EnerNOC Expanding into Carbon Management, Energy Services
Greentech Media - December 5, 2008
More info…
Think’s Electric Car Is Here, But Bring Your Wallet
Greentech Media - November 25, 2008
More info…
Small Deals in Wind, Bioplastic, Lighting Lead the Week
Cleantech Group - December 11, 2008
More info…
Dow Corning Announces Multi-Billion Dollar Investments to Serve Emerging Global Solar Power Industry
Trading Markets - December 15, 2008
More info…
Better Place to Charge Up California
Greentech Media - November 20, 2008
More info…
Cleantech Group Predicts Shakeout, Long-Term Growth
Cleantech Group - November 25, 2008
More info…
JA Solar & BP to Form Long-Term Agreement
Renewable Energy World - November 25, 2008
More info…
Funding Roundup: The Art of Fundraising
Greentech Media - November 24, 2008
More info…
PG&E Adds 103-MW of Wind Energy to Its Portfolio
Renewable Energy World - November 25, 2008
More info…
Coskata Gets $40 Million as Pilot Ethanol Plant Nears Completion
Cleantech Group - December 5, 2008
More info…
Will Economic Crunch Whack Greentech Investments?
Greentech Media - November 24, 2008
More info…
Report: Tech Sector Could Cut US Emissions 22% by 2020
Cleantech Group - November 18, 2008
More info…
GE Steps in to Finance $800 Million Finavera Wind Farms
Cleantech Group - November 24, 2008
More info…
US & Israel to Launch Energy Cooperation Agreement
Renewable Energy World - November 26, 2008
More info…
US Renewable Energy Production Increases 7.4%
Renewable Energy World - December 1, 2008
More info…
Exelon and Concergy Complete Largest Solar Energy System on East Coast
Renewable Energy World - November 19, 2008
More info…
Continental Picks Sapphire Energy for Bio Jet Fuel
Greentech Media - December 8, 2008
More info…
New $100 Million Green Building Fund Launches
Greentech Media - December 10, 2008
More info…
Cleantech Funds Worth $1.9 Billion Lead the Week
Cleantech Group - November 20, 2008
More info…
In the News: Europe
E.U. Leaders Agree on Climate Change Deal
Associated Press - December 12, 2008
More info…
Earth Capital Partners Launches $5 Billion Environmental Fund
Cleantech Group - December 12, 2008
More info…
Denmark’s Largest Onshore Wind Farm Opens
Renewable Energy World - December 8, 2008
More info…
SolarWorld Makes €1 Billion Bid for GM’s Opel
Greentech Media - November 19, 2008
More info…
Suntech & a+f Complete 16-MW of Solar in Spain
Renewable Energy World - December 8, 2008
More info…
France’s Largest Wind Project Commissioned
Renewable Energy World - December 5, 2008
More info…
U.K. to Offer Solar Incentives by 2010
Greentech Media - December 1, 2008
More info…
European Wind Energy Market Shows First Signs of Slowdown
Renewable Energy World - December 2, 2008
More info…
Portugal, Renault-Nissan to Set Electric-Car Plan
Greentech Media - November 25, 2008
More info…
Scottish Parliament Backs £100 Million Energy Efficiency Plans
Renewable Energy World - November 18, 2008
More info…
Federal and State Happenings
DOE Announces up to $29.3 Million in Projects for Research, Development, and Demonstration of Alternative Vehicle Technologies
Press Release, US Department of Energy - December 3, 2008
More info…
DOE Announces Expansion and Solicitation for Entrepreneur in Residence Program
Press Release, US Department of Energy - November 19, 2008
More info…
California Adopts the Most Sweeping Curbs on Greenhouse Gas Emissions in United States
Los Angeles Times - December 12, 2008
More info…
DOE Completes Large-Scale Carbon Sequestration Project Awards
Press Release, US Department of Energy - November 17, 2008
More info…
North America’s Largest Municipal Utility Proposes Solar Feed-In Tariff
Renewable Energy World - December 3, 2008
More info…
Connecticut Clean Tech Fund Launched
Renewable Energy World - November 25, 2008
More info…
Texas Wind Farms Paying People to Take Power
Greentech Media - December 10, 2008
More info…
FPL Breaks Ground on First Hybrid Solar Plant
Renewable Energy World - December 5, 2008
More info…
Renewable Fuel Standard Increased for 2009
Renewable Energy World - November 20, 2008
More info…
Gov. Schwarzenegger Looks to Advance California’s Renewable Energy Plans
Renewable Energy World - November 20, 2008
More info…
Maine’s State Tech Arm Doles out $206K in Seed Grants
Mass High Tech - November 14, 2008
More info…
US Green Building Council Revises Its LEED Rating System
Press Release, US Green Building Council - November 18, 2008
More info…
Grants
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
More info…
The Clean Coal Power Initiative
The CCPI Round 3 Announcement seeks advanced coal-based projects that have progressed beyond the research and development stage to a point of readiness for operation at a scale that, once demonstrated, can be readily replicated and deployed into commercial practice within the electric power industry. The announcement is specifically targeting advanced coal-based systems and subsystems that capture and sequester, or put to beneficial reuse, carbon dioxide emissions. The announcement is also open to any coal-based, advanced carbon capture technologies that result in co-benefits with respect to efficiency, environmental, or economic improvements potentially capable of achieving CCPI coal technology performance levels specified in the EPACT 2005, Title IV, Subtitle A, Section 402 (Table 1).
DOE’s goals in this Announcement are to demonstrate at commercial scale in a commercial setting technologies that (1) operate at 90% carbon capture efficiency (2) make progress toward capture and sequestration at less than 10% increase in the COE, and (3) make progress toward capture and sequestration of 50% of plant CO2 output at a scale sufficient to evaluate impact of the carbon capture technology on plant operations, economics, and performance. At least 300,000 tons per year of carbon dioxide emissions from the demonstration plant must be captured and sequestered or put to beneficial reuse. The carbon capture process must operate at a capture efficiency of at least 90%.
Application Deadline: January 15, 2009
More info…
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.
More info…
The Renewable Fuels Foundation Offers
Its First Grants for Ethanol Production
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 US ethanol market.
More info…
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.
More info…
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.
More info…
Focus on Energy Renewable Program Incentives and Grants
Focus on Energy, Wisconsin's energy efficiency and renewable energy
initiative, announced that it is offering large, one-time-only grants
to help finance the installation of innovative renewable energy
systems. Funds will be awarded on a competitive basis and are meant
to support one project in each of the following technologies:
- Industrial or Municipal Anaerobic Digesters & Biomass Combustion: These grants will fund the installation of a commercially available
anaerobic digester system and a biomass combustion system in the
US $2–4 million range. The grant will reward up to 25% of
the installed project cost, or a maximum of US $500,000.
- Solar Water Heating: This grant will fund the installation of a solar hot-water system
that offsets more than 10,000 therms per year. The grant will reward
up to 25% of the installed project cost for tax-paying entities
and up to 35% for nonprofits, or a maximum of US $100,000.
- Solar Electric: This grant will fund the installation of a PV system that produces
more than 50 kilowatts (kW) per year. The grant will reward up to
25% of the installed project cost for tax-paying entities
and up to 35% for nonprofits, or a maximum of US $100,000.
- Wind Energy: This grant will provide financial support for the installation of
one commercially available wind-energy system that demonstrates
a new type of turbine, has a special type of application, and/or
provides very high visibility and educational value. To be eligible
the project must produce 20 kW to 100 kW per year. This grant will
reward up to 35% of the installed project cost, or a maximum
of US $100,000.
More info…
Legal News
When Low Prices Happen to Good Companies
What to Do in Preparation for a Down-Round Financing
Venture Capital and Emerging Companies Advisory, Mintz Levin - December 9, 2008
More info…
Electricity Prices in Northeast Not Likely to Increase from Carbon Costs
Energy and Clean Technology Alert, Mintz Levin - November 12, 2008
More info…
Linda D. Bentley, Thomas R. Burton, and Richard A. Kanoff Speak on Panels at the Mintz Levin Sponsored MassInsight US-India-China Innovation Partnerships Conference
Press Release, Mintz Levin - December 11, 2008
More info…
Mintz Levin Files Suit Against HUD on Behalf of Mississippi Residents Still Homeless Three Years after Hurricane Katrina
Press Release, Mintz Levin - December 10, 2008
More info…
Susan J. Cohen to Be Honored at the Mintz Levin Sponsored 2008 “Women of Justice” Awards Luncheon
Press Release, Mintz Levin - December 5, 2008
More info…
Patrick J. Sharkey Appointed to Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court’s Standing Advisory Committee on Rules of Professional Conduct
Press Release, Mintz Levin - November 19, 2008
More info…
Department of Labor Publishes New Rules on FMLA Leave
Employment Alert, Mintz Levin - November 19, 2008
More info…
The Coming “Sea Change” for Federal Contractors and Subcontractors
Federal Contractor Alert, Mintz Levin - November 18, 2008
More info…
Cary P. Geller Named Top Wealth Advisor by Worth Magazine
Press Release, Mintz Levin - November 18, 2008
More info…
Venture Capital and Private Equity Funds Need to Reconsider the Indemnification Rights of Their Director Designees
Venture Capital Alert, Mintz Levin - November 17, 2008
More info…
Federal Circuit Narrows Scope of Patentable Business Methods
IP Advisory, Mintz Levin - November 5, 2008
More info…
Events
Ignite Clean Energy in Boston
January 12, 2009
Mintz Levin
One Financial Center
Boston, Massachusetts
More info…
2009 Carbon Markets Briefing
January 14, 2009
NYC Torch Club
New York, New York
More info…
Carbon Markets North America 2009
January 15–16, 2009
The Westin Colonnade Coral Gables
Miami, Florida
More info…
World Future Energy Summit
January 19–21, 2009
Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
More info…
Clean-Tech Investor Summit
January 21–22, 2009
Renaissance Esmeralda Resort & Spa
Palm Springs, California
More info…
Wind Energy Institute
January 21–22, 2009
Austin Convention Center
Austin, Texas
More info…
Voluntary Carbon Markets USA
January 22–23, 2009
The Westin
New York, New York
More info...
2009 National Biodiesel Conference & Expo
February 1–4, 2009
Moscone Center West
San Francisco, California
More info…
Ignite Clean Energy in Washington, D.C.
February 11, 2009
Mintz Levin
701 Pennsylvania Avenue NW
Washington, D.C.
More info…
BioPower Generation
February 12–13, 2009
Brussels, Belgium
More info…
Sustainable Bioenergy 2009
February 23–24, 2009
London, United Kingdom
More info…
Cleantech Forum XXI
February 23–25, 2009
Fairmont Hotel
San Francisco, California
More info…
14th National Ethanol Conference
Policy & Marketing
February 23-25, 2009
Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center
San Antonio, Texas
More info…
Green Energy Summit
March 3–7 2009
Bangalore, India
More info…
Going Green East
March 9–11, 2009
Four Seasons Hotel
Boston, Massachusetts
More info…
Renewable Energy World Conference & Expo North America
March 10–12, 2009
Las Vegas, Nevada
More info…
World Biofuels Markets
March 16–18, 2009
Brussels, Belgium
More info…
Biomass 2009
Fueling Our Future
March 17–18, 2009
Gaylord National
National Harbor, Maryland
More info…
3rd Annual ThinkGreen Conference
March 24–26, 2009
Intercontinental
San Francisco, California
More info…
NHA Conference and Hydrogen Expo
March 30–April 3, 2009
Columbia Metropolitan Convention Center
Columbia, South Carolina
More info…
The Wall Street Green Trading Summit
April 1–2, 2009
The Times Center
New York, New York
More info…
Carbon TradeEx America
April 7–8, 2009
Walter E. Washington Convention Center
Washington, D.C.
More info…
Dow Jones Alternative Energy Innovations 2009
April 21–22, 2009
Sofitel San Francisco Bay
Redwood City, California
More info…
Organic Photovoltaics
April 27–29, 2009
Doubletree Hotel Philadelphia
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
More info…
Cleantech Forum XXII
April 28–30, 2009
Copenhagen, Denmark
More info…
Windpower 2009 Conference & Exhibition
May 4–7, 2009
McCormick Place Convention Center
Chicago, Illinois
More info…
Photovoltaics 2009
June 1–3, 2009
Hotel Kabuki
San Francisco, California
More info…
34th IEEE Photovoltaic Specialists Conference
June 7–12, 2009
Philadelphia Marriott
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
More info…
BWEA Offshore Wind 2009
June 24–25, 2009
London, United Kingdom
More info… |
