Sunday, September 18, 2011

STUFF

Rhode Island feed-in-tariff (FIT) law, signed by Repub governor in June, will set tariffs by October and launch mid-Oct. It calls for state to offer contracts for wind, solar and anaerobic digestion biogas. 5MW to be offered in '11, 15MW in '12, 10MW each in '13 and '14. The state now has only 2.4MW of windpower installed, .6MW of solar.

Obama signed 1st major patent law change since '52. Will speed up process.

Govt-backed student loans have risen from <$100B in '08 to >$400B now. Folks marking time in school because of lack of jobs. Hopefully the increased eduction will be fruitful.

China closed lead/acid batt plants after finding poisoning in children.

One problem with Social Security: US birth rates were an average 20-25% lower than baby boomer or present rates (in actual birth numbers) from the mid-'60's to mid-'80's.

Renewable Energy Group to re-open Monday a MN biodiesel plant shut down 3 years. MN has required 5% biodiesel blend. REG largest US biodiesel producer at >210M gal/yr.

Cross-state air pollution rule requires cap and trade on power plant emissions to start in Jan. Should cost utilities $130B by '15 for equipment. We'll have cleaner, healthier air but I bet utilities will be allowed to pass through the costs.

Happy game day, pards.

No comments:

Post a Comment