Energy & Clean Tech Connections: Your Law Firm Link to Industry News

October 2012

In the October edition of Energy & 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 local governments to Capitol Hill, grant opportunities, and upcoming events.

We are pleased to announce that Paul Dickerson, a former US Department of Energy senior official, has joined the Mintz Levin energy and clean tech team. Paul served as Chief Operating Officer of the US Department of Energy’s Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE) from 2006-2008, overseeing the office’s $1.8 billion budget and helping to significantly advance the development of alternative and renewable energy technologies and energy efficiency policies. He currently serves on the Texas Bioenergy Policy Council, by appointment of Governor Rick Perry, and on the board of directors of the World Affairs Council of Houston. A frequent speaker and writer, he is a certified public accountant and a graduate of the University of Texas at Austin and the South Texas College of Law. We continue to expand our energy and clean tech team to serve our clients and provide the leading energy and clean technology practice in the country.

This month, we would like to congratulate the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center (MassCEC), which has released requests for proposals as a part of its new $1 million program to further the development of clean energy technology in Massachusetts. Under InnovateMass^c (Innovate Mass to the Clean Power), MassCEC will offer grants of up to $150,000 for projects designed to address energy challenges facing the Commonwealth as well as fund companies to finance demonstration projects.

Earlier this month, Mintz Levin hosted the joint Boston International and Young Professionals in Energy event, US/China Clean Technology Panel, at our Boston office. The seminar addressed the implications for the clean tech/clean energy industry of the increasing trend for US clean energy companies to expand operations in China. The well-attended event featured insights from Dhiraj Malkani (Partner at Rockport Capital Partners), Tom Burton (Chair of Mintz Levin’s Energy & Clean Technology Practice), Edward Cunningham (Assistant Professor in Boston University’s Department of Earth & Environment and Director of the Harvard Kennedy School Asia Energy and Sustainability Initiative), and Kelly Sims Gallagher (Associate Professor of Energy and Environmental Policy at the Fletcher School, Tufts University), and was moderated by Mintz Levin Senior Associate John Rudy.

On Capitol Hill, even with Congress in recess until after the November elections, energy issues continue to make headlines both on the campaign trail and during preparations for the lame duck season. One of the biggest end-of-the-year debates will be over the tax extenders package, and its potential inclusion in some sort of fiscal cliff avoidance package. The Senate Finance committee has already reported out legislation (S. 3521) that would extend the wind energy production tax credit and other expiring energy incentives that may be included in that broader package. The Family and Business Tax Cut Certainty Act of 2012, approved August 2 by the Senate Finance Committee, includes more than $18 billion in energy-related tax incentives that could be extended; $12.1 billion would fund a one-year extension of the 2.2 cent per KWh production tax credit and pay for a change that allows wind projects that are under construction by the end of next year to be eligible for the credit. Other energy tax incentives in the package include a production tax credit for other renewable energy projects, credits for energy-efficient homes and appliances, and tax incentives for cellulosic biofuels and other alternative fuels.

Please mark your calendars for November 11-13, 2012, when the Savannah International Clean Energy Conference (SICEC) 2012 will be held in Savannah, Georgia. The conference will bring together top influencers and leaders to discuss, debate, and explore the significance and global impact energy independence will have on clean energy, clean technologies, and economic growth. Also, Mintz Levin’s Energy & Clean Technology Chair, Tom Burton, will be featured as a speaker during the conference. For more information on upcoming events, please consult our Events section below.

We are very excited to share with you Mintz Levin’s newly established blog that will bring you the latest information and events impacting the clean technology industry. The blog will also include in-depth analysis from the associates and members that work within our Energy & Clean Technology Practice. Please visit our blog at www.energycleantechmatters.com.

We hope that you enjoy this month’s edition of the newsletter. For the most up-to-date information on federal legislation and programs, read the most recent ML Strategies Energy & Environment Update.

Mintz Levin’s Monthly Innovator Profile

This month, we would like to highlight Autodesk’s commitment to supporting the development of clean technology at minimal costs through its Clean Tech Partner Program. Autodesk’s vision is to help users imagine, design, and create quality renewable energy products for a better future. Autodesk’s software helps its customer’s design, visualize, and simulate designs before they are built, rather than using physical prototypes. The impact is profound – as high as 80 percent of a product’s environmental impact is determined by decisions made in the design phase. Through its Clean Tech Partner Program, Autodesk is investing millions of dollars to accelerate clean tech product development. Clean Tech innovators are eligible to receive up to $150,000 in software for as little as $50. We look forward to tracking the progress of the Autodesk Clean Tech Partner Program in the future.

In This Edition

In the News: United States

In the News: Europe and Asia

Government Financial Assistance

Privately Sourced Financial Grants

Federal and State Happenings

Legal News

Events

In the News: United States

BrightSource Energy Raises $80 Million in Venture Capital Financing

Wall Street Journal – October 24, 2012

Energy & Clean Tech Connections: Your Law Firm Link to Industry News

BrightSource Energy Raises $80 Million in Venture Capital Financing

Solar and Wind Provide 100% of New Generating Capacity Added in September

Ocean Power Technologies Receive Financial Boost from Japan

Clean Technology Venture Investment Stabilizes in Q3 2012

Factbox: Obama, Romney positions on Energy Policy

California Proposition 39 Will Provide Funding for Clean Energy, Sustainability, and Energy Efficiency Projects

New U.S. Navy Solar Power Plant at China Lake Saves $13 Million a Year

Solyndra Sues Suntech Holdings Over Antitrust Claims

US Wind Industry Adding Record Number of Turbines

A123 Systems Wins Court Approval of Bankruptcy Loan

SolarCity Scores First Utility Deal, and Why That’s Important

Green Growth Still Setting the Pace

Shale Boom Derails U.S. Investment in Clean Coal Technology

180 Solar Panel Manufacturers Could Disappear by 2015

DOI Approves Solar Energy Zones on Public Lands

Battery & Other Energy Storage Boosted by US Government

Testing the Waters: Gaining Public Support for Offshore Wind

MassCEC Releases RFP for $1 million Program for Clean Energy Firms

Top Ten U.S. States for Renewable Energy Installed Capacity

When Will US Offshore Wind Be Cost-Competitive?

U.S. Sets Steep Final Duties on Chinese Solar Panels

Commerce Slams Chinese Cell & Modules with Final Duties

Centrica Bails on British Biomass Plants

China OKs 12th Five-Year Energy Plan; Focus on Clean Energy, Nuclear Standards

China to Encourage Private Investment in Energy: White Paper

UK Reports Major Renewable Energy Advancements in 2012

UK Must Target Policies to Promote Renewables, Big Clean Energy Companies Pulling Out of UK Plans due to Uncertainty

Germans Support Nuclear Phase Out Even with (Unfairly) Rising Electric Bills, New Poll Shows

81.5 MW Solar Power Plant for Japan by 2014

Mapping an Energy Secure Asia

3,000 MW of Solar to be Added by 2015 for Indian State

UK Government Puts £20 Million Energy Storage Fund Up for Grabs

17,536 MW of Crop-Waste Power Potential in India

Chinese Government Mulls Policies to Support Solar Power Industry

Saudi Arabia Unveils Plan to Be Powered Entirely by Renewable Energy

UK Government Cuts Red Tape for Energy Infrastructure Projects

New Biofuels Rules Could Force EU to Miss Green Target

Asia Report: First Solar Enters Nascent Indonesian Market with 100-MW Deal

UK Energy Firms to Be Forced to Give Customers Lowest Tariffs

First Solar in India: Exploiting RAMs and FITs

Middle East Pursues 150 Renewable Projects, Saves Oil for Export

Renewable Frenzy in Japan But Germany Considers Support Cap

Spanish Firm to Invest $1 Billion in Japan’s Solar Energy Sector

Renewable Energy Incentives for Homes & Businesses

Federal Business Energy Investment Tax Credit

Federal Renewable Electricity Production Tax Credit

Federal Tax Credits for Consumer Energy Efficiency

Federal Energy-Efficient Commercial Buildings Tax Deduction

California Self-Generation Incentive Program

California Property Tax Exclusion for Solar Energy Systems

Massachusetts Incentives/Policies for Renewables & Efficiency

Massachusetts Clean Energy Center: Commonwealth Wind Incentive Program – Micro Wind

Massachusetts Clean Energy Center: Commonwealth Solar II

Energy Efficiency Programs Offered by Massachusetts Utilities

Massachusetts RPS Solar Carve-Out

BIRD Energy: U.S.-Israel Joint Renewable Energy Grants

New Generation Energy Grants, Loans & Microloans (Ongoing)

GE Ecomagination Challenge: Powering the Grid

The Energy Foundation Grants (Ongoing)

The Carbon Trust: Entrepreneurs Fast Track

Connecticut’s Solar Lease Program Demonstrates High Borrower Fidelity

U.S. Solar Jobs Face Bright Future, Wind Posts Flutter

NRG Gets U.S. Lease for Delaware Offshore Wind Project

USDA Announces Funding to Improve Electric Service in Rural Communities

Arizona’s Solar Future Decided Next Month

USDA Doors Still Open to Cleantech After DOE Loan Firestorm

SolarCity Announces Expansion in New York, Files for $200 Million IPO

Obama Administration Announces $20 Million for 10 Public-Private Partnerships to Support American Manufacturing and Encourage Investment in the U.S.

Energy & Environment Update

Energy & Environment Update

NHA Urges Hydropower Advocates to Support Hydro Legislation

DOI Approves Solar Energy Zones on Public Lands

Energy & Environment Update

Commerce Slams Chinese Cell & Modules with Final Duties

Louisiana’s solar tax credit under review

Catalyzing Cleantech: Where are the opportunities for funding?

2012 Global Forum: The Academy Awards of Cleantech

Savannah International Clean Energy Conference

VERGE @ Greenbuild