As part of the Clean Power Plan, EPA has proposed an early incentive program to reward investments in renewable energy generation (PDF).
The proposal, however, only includes some renewable technologies and
while wind and solar are included, geothermal is not. GEA’s Executive
Director, Karl Gawell made in-person comments at a recent Clean Air
Advisory Committee meeting urging that geothermal should be included in the early incentive program.
A fact sheet distributed by Gawell said, in part: “There are a significant amount of geothermal projects under development that,
if provided market incentives, could help states meet their Clean Power
Plan goals. Including these projects in eligibility for the Clean
Energy Incentive Plan (CEIP) would spur continued geothermal
development, result in emissions reductions that would not otherwise
occur, and provide a sustained market for geothermal power development.”
Gawell noted that the proposal’s emphasis to provide double credits
for efficiency investments aimed at low-income households might also be
re-considered. He pointed out to the Committee that one of the largest
undeveloped geothermal resources in the U.S is the Salton Sea, located
in Imperial County that has one of the highest unemployment rates in the
country. But, ironically, expansion of this resource that would benefit
a community with income needs would not be able to qualify. “The
program needs some re-thinking,” Gawell said.
EPA is expected to complete the public comments process in
mid-December and then publish any changes. EPA has invited written
responses to the non-regulatory docket established for this purpose, and
will accept input, identified by Docket ID Number EPA-HQ-OAR-2015-0734
through December 15, 2015. To submit a response, use one of the
following methods:
- Go to http://www.regulations.gov and follow the on-line instructions for submitting comments.
- Send comments by e-mail to a-and-r-Docket@epa.gov.
- Fax your comments to: (202) 566-9744.
- Mail your comments to: EPA Docket Center, Environmental Protection Agency, Mail Code: 28221T, 1200 Pennsylvania Ave., NW, Washington, DC 20460.
http://www.renewableenergyworld.com/articles/2015/11/geothermal-visual-gea-urges-epa-to-include-geothermal-in-clean-energy-incentive-program.html
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