Michigan
Under Gov. Jennifer Granholm, renewable energy projects
made good progress — so much so that there’s a solid base
of emerging solar and wind manufacturers and a recognizable jobs base. new gov. rick snyder was the first republican
ever endorsed by the michigan league of conservation voters
and served on the board of the nature conservancy’s michigan
chapter. his administration is not likely to put the brakes on the
brightest area of jobs growth in the state. “michigan has experienced large investment in renewable energy, particularly in
the manufacturing side of the business,” says jennifer alvarado,
executive director of the great lakes renewable energy association, ases’ michigan chapter. “i think that gov. snyder will
want to continue this and use renewable energy as an opportunity for economic development.”
Copyright © 2011 by the American Solar Energy Society Inc. All rights reserved.
Florida
Very little is known about new Republican Gov. Rick Scott’s
stance on renewable energy policy. florida’s photovoltaic
incentive ($4 per watt) sunset june 30, and the state legislature
declined to appropriate any funding to restart the program.
with no state renewable portfolio standard and no incentive
program, it’s looking like a grim 2011 for the sunshine state’s
renewable energy business community. “the new governor
says that ‘my priority is jobs, jobs, jobs,’” says al simpler, owner
of tallahassee-based simpler solar. “well, the solar industry in
florida has lost roughly 30 percent of all its integrator businesses, and that’s just since june.”
Find policy updates: solartoday.org/states.
Ohio
As a personality on Fox News, ohio Gov. John Kasich has
repeatedly challenged climate change science and greenhouse gas emissions policy. he has criticized ohio’s ambitious renewable portfolio standard (rPs), saying it will “drive
up utility bills.” under pressure from the state’s fast-growing
renewable energy business community, he has since backed
down from his anti-rPs position. one of departing ohio gov.
ted strickland’s final pleas was for Kasich to save a $400 million high-speed passenger rail project that would have been
financed entirely by the federal stimulus package. Before he
was sworn into office, Kasich confirmed he would turn down
the free federal money. “we’re hopeful that green jobs will be
part of gov. Kasich’s agenda,” says Bill spratley, the executive
director of green energy ohio, ases’ ohio chapter. “jobs are the
big issue here, and right now there’s just so much activity with
renewable energy. that’s why i’m optimistic.”
Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania is a coal state, and it has Marcellus shale natural gas reserves. nuclear plants provide about 21 percent of
the state’s electric power. During his campaign, incoming gov.
tom corbett espoused an energy policy calling for more of
everything, especially liquid fuels derived from coal, gas and
biomass. one goal: “refocusing the Department of environmental Protection by getting back to basics.” corbett’s appointment of Patrick henderson as “energy executive,” an all-new
cabinet post, suggests this will not translate into neglect for
Pennsylvania’s growing renewable energy community. “Patrick
has a strong background and knows the solar issues,” says maureen mulligan, owner of harrisburg-based sustainable futures
communications. “as the chief of staff for the senate energy,
resources and environment committee, he always had an open
door to the solar industry.”
New Jersey
Renewable energy policy in New Jersey, which has the
nation’s second-largest photovoltaic (PV) market, has seen
its ups and downs since Republican Gov. Chris Christie took
office in January. amendments made to the state’s energy
master Plan in august bolstered prospects for offshore wind,
but put in place tighter restrictions on new onshore wind and
solar projects. new installations are now required to be sited
within 120 feet of existing structures on already disturbed land.
“the new rules severely restrict the ability to put clean energy
in most of new jersey’s coastal areas,” says jeff tittel, the director of the new jersey sierra club. “in fact, under those rules it’s
easier to put up a warehouse than a solar farm. it’s easier to put
a ferris wheel on a pier than a windmill.”
