In the States
GA – Governor Nathan Deal announced the construction of a new, $60 million wood pellet manufacturing plant in Sandersville, Georgia. The General Biofuels Georgia, LLC facility, which is expected to create 35 jobs, is scheduled to open in 2014 and will produce industrial-grade wood pellets for sale to a leading European utility. The plant’s capacity is expected to be approximately 440,000 tons per year. “We are committed to making Georgia the No. 1 place in the nation in which to do business,” Gov. Deal said, “and a central plank in our strategy is to boost the manufacturing sector.” Biofuels facility planned for Sandersville, Ga. – The August Chronicle and Georgia Governor Nathan Deal: General Biofuels Georgia to locate in Sandersville – WJBF
NY – Governor Andrew Cuomo announced the launch of a $30 million initiative designed to expedite the development of energy efficiency technologies and to create market channels for energy efficiency technology companies. The new program, titled the Energy Efficiency Market Acceleration Program (EE-MAP), which is being implemented by the New York Power Authority, will fund research, market development activities, and demonstration projects. A Request for Proposals was recently issued in order to execute the initiative. “This public-private partnership,” said Gov. Cuomo, “will help bring innovative green technologies into the marketplace, helping spur economic investment in the clean energy sector and protect our environment, while maintaining New York’s position as a leader in sustainability.” State starts market-acceleration program focused on energy efficiency – Central New York Business Journal and Cuomo announced launch of initiative to bring new energy efficient technologies into the marketplace – WBNG
WA – Governor Christine Gregoire said cleaning up the nuclear weapons waste at the Hanford nuclear reservation remains a priority during the last months of her term. In a speech to business leaders, Gov Gregoire stated her work on Hanford is a highlight of her career in public service. The Governor, who continues to urge federal authorities, including Energy Secretary Steven Chu, to continue the clean-up, is confident the Department of Energy will remain committed to the effort. "I feel good about the secretary and his team and what he's doing,” Governor Gregoire said. “So we're going to partner with him. I want to pass the baton to my successor making sure this thing is on track, on time with funding to move this forward.” Governor Gregoire makes last visit to Hanford before end of term – NBC KNDU
WY – Governor Matt Mead urged federal officials to cancel or to scale back their plans to regulate hydraulic fracturing. A proposed rule by the U.S. Bureau of Land Management seeks to require companies to disclose the chemicals they inject down well bores. The fracking process improves the flow of oil and gas by creating rock fissures and fracture through the pumping of pressurized water, sand, and chemicals down well bores. Arguing that states can better regulate the fracturing process, Gov. Mead noted that the rule, which resembles one already in place in Wyoming, is duplicative and unnecessary. In a letter to Interior Secretary Ken Salazar, Gov. Mead said “The effect (of the rule) is fewer jobs, less economic development and a dangerous precedent for future regulatory actions.” Wyo. Gov. to Interior: Back off on fracking rules – Bloomberg Businessweek
Federal News
The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) announced the creation of a division designed to diminish cyber threats and attacks on the nation’s electric grid, while at the same time acknowledging it lacks enforcement capabilities. The new Office of Energy Infrastructure Security will identify best practices and serve as a liaison to private-sector firms. According to the FERC, though congressional cybersecurity legislation has stalled and the Obama administration is circulating a draft executive order on cybersecurity, the new office will operate within “existing statutory authority…and will not affect most electric utilities,” such as distribution-level utilities, which fall outside the FERC’s jurisdiction. Electric grid regulator creates cybersecurity office – The Hill
A proposed $3.5 billion power transmission line was recently approved by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC). The Plans and Eastern Clean Line project, which will transport wind energy generated in western Oklahoma across a 500-mile kilovolt line to Tennessee, will be built by Clean Line Energy Partners LP in the next five years, if approval is also granted by Arkansas and Tennessee. Oklahoma approved the proposed project last year. The 3,500-megawatt line, according to project officials, will create regional jobs and supply power up to approximately one million homes when completed. Federal energy panel OKs wind power line project in Oklahoma – The Tulsa World