Energy & Clean Tech Connections October 2011
10/28/2011
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.
This month, the Energy & Clean Technology Practice Group would like to congratulate a number of companies who were included in the prestigious 2011 Global Cleantech 100 list that are either clients of Mintz Levin and/or ML Strategies or with whom we have worked closely representing investors in their financings. Those companies are HydroPoint Data Systems, Digital Lumens, Bridgelux, Hara, Adura Technologies, Amprius, Harvest Power, Suniva, Project Frog, Oasys Water, SustainX, Miasole, and ZeaChem. The Global Cleantech 100 program is run by the Cleantech Group, a leading research firm focused on global cleantech innovation, which annually identifies Cleantech companies that are most likely to make a significant market impact over the next five to ten years.
We would also like to highlight the recent Energy Efficiency Scorecard released October 18, 2011 by the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy. Now in its fifth edition, the annual scorecard is a comprehensive ranking of state leadership in energy efficiency based on six criteria: utility and public benefits fund efficiency programs, transportation, building energy, combined heat and power, government initiatives, and appliance efficiency standards. This year we are excited that Massachusetts earned the top ranking, followed by California and New York, and we congratulate our many clients and colleagues who contributed to the important achievements recognized in this year’s scorecard.
On Capitol Hill, Senator Harry Reid (D-NV) announced that the Senate would take up S 1660, the infrastructure component of President Obama’s jobs package, when the Senate returns from recess October 31. The legislation will include $50 billion for road, transit, rail, and aviation investments as well as $10 billion for the creation of a national infrastructure bank to provide major projects with credit assistance. On the similar subject of funding mechanisms for improvements to U.S. energy infrastructure, Senate Energy Chairman Jeff Bingaman (D-NM), together with Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), is planning a hearing this November on investment in clean energy technologies. In an October 19 interview, Senator Murkowski, ranking Republican on the Senate Energy and Natural Resources committee, defended the Department of Energy’s loan guarantee program as “an appropriate role” for government financing in the area of clean technology research, development, and deployment.
In upcoming events, the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center Seventh Conference on Clean Energy will take place on November 1 in Boston, for those interested in being the first to hear about developments occurring in the clean energy cluster. From November 1-3 in Atlanta, the Southeast Biomass Conference & Trade Show will focus exclusively on biomass utilization and optimization. We’ll be in Denver November 8-10 at the NREL 24th Annual Industry Growth Forum, which will feature presentations from 30 emerging clean energy companies and organized networking opportunities. The 2nd World Smart Grid China Focus 2011 will take place from November 8-11 in Beijing, China and will feature keynote speeches and smart grid project updates. During the same week, our very own Mark Riedy will lead a panel at Advanced Biofuels Markets. The event brings together CEOs in the Advanced Biofuels world and will occur in San Francisco. In Los Angeles, the 5th Annual Opportunity Green Business Conference, which attracts over 100 industry professionals, will take place November 10-11. The 3rd Concentrated Photovoltaic Summit USA 2011 will feature industry speakers and will take place in San Jose on November 14-15. Also, we are an ongoing sponsor of the Clean-Tech Investor Summit, held each year in Palm Springs, California. This year’s meeting is February 1-2, 2012 and we encourage our clients and contacts to experience this unique event for rich networking and first-hand perspectives from a wide range of leaders in the cleantech industry.
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 and check back for weekly updates.
