So I was hoping the Massachusetts Utilities and the state government would come to a conclusion about how to institute (define) the new net metering regulations stipulated in the Green Communities Act passed last year by the Massachusetts Legislature and the governor. Since they’re not quite there yet, I’ll stall and we can talk about Community Net Metering (CNM), or Neighborhood Net Metering (NNM) and why we haven’t done this sooner. For the sake of simplicity we’ll call it all CNM, and prepare yourself for an interesting blog post…

I just got whiff of the specifics of some specifics in the proposed stimulus plan. This was just delivered to the house: TAX RELIEF INCLUDED IN “THE AMERICAN RECOVERY AND REINVESTMENT PLAN” 

On page 5 section V there are suggestions for renewable energy. The highlight in my view is the second in the section, “Temporary election to claim the investment tax credit in lieu of the production tax credit.” (ITC and PTC respectively)

Here’s why this could be a game changer for smaller, community wind projects.

Barack Obama has officially been inaugurated as the 44th President of the United States of America. He now has the opportunity to take action on renewable energy that all previous administrations have yet to take. However, he has a difficult time ahead of him before he achieves his ambitious goals.

In Detroit, amidst the 2009 North American International Auto Show and almost impending economic doom, American and foreign automakers are racing to deliver the first fully electric automobile to the masses. We’ve been hearing about, and teased about, electric cars for years and all we’ve seen is inaction on the part of all automakers. Today is a different story, however. All car manufacturers in the world, especially General Motors and Chrysler, are facing true difficulty in their ability to stave off insolvency. The NY Times recently covered all the new auto models that will debut over the next few years boasting either fully electric motors, new hybrid systems, and other non-fossil fuel driven modes of propulsion.

Some questions that I have on the proposed Obama Economic Stimulus Package, which lacks so much detail at this point, are as follows:

1. Will “green energy” funds be available to all alternative energy companies, or just those with the biggest lobbying voice in Washington?
2. Can we expect new subsidies in Renewable Energy Credits (REC), causing REC prices to rise, and support more alternative energy development?
3. What funds will be allocated to sustainable mass transit?
4. How much will unsustainable highway projects get?
5. Will there be a focus on community energy or more centralized, industrial-scale alternative energy development?
6. Will the plan favor one technology over the other, or give more of a blanket approach for all technologies?
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As I sit here looking out onto the beautiful blue ocean on the beaches of the Dominican Republic, I think about the millions of Americans like me who traveled thousands of miles this holiday vacation. The rise in airfare hasn’t seemed to make a visibile dent in throngs of tourists taking advantage of the warm Carribean sun. While I diligently purchased a carbon offset for my flight, how much does that really reduce the impact that my trip made? Can we continue sustain this kind of global travel for our own pleasure?