The U.S. renewable energy industry used up one of its nine lives at the end of December as the U.S. Congress voted to extend the Treasury Grant program, which has proven effective at stimulating new projects as the economy recovers.
That measure was passed by the 111th Congress, which has since passed into the history books (or the comic books, depending on how you view it). The 112th Congress convened in early January and the industry is adjusting to the shift in political fortunes and priorities. Most notable is the shift in control within the House of Representatives where Republicans now control all committee chairs. Perhaps of most significance are their chairs of the House Energy and Commerce committee and the tax-writing Ways and Means committee.
Of equal interest are calls from across the political spectrum to balance state and federal budgets and the pressure those efforts may place on federal and state support for renewable energy. The 111th Congress granted a one-year extension to the Treasury Grant program. By the end of this year the economy may have recovered sufficiently to ease demand for the program. If not, the industry may need to give up another of its lives seeking another extension.
With this as a backdrop, the conference planning committee for Renewable Energy World Conference & Expo North America elected to invite the executive directors of all major renewable trade associations in the U.S. and Canada to take part in a plenary session on Wednesday March 9 during the annual conference in Tampa, Florida.
I will moderate the session and we have invited the following executive directors: Denise Bode, CEO, American Wind Energy Association; Rhone Resch, President, Solar Energy Industries Association; Bob Gibson, VP of Market Intelligence, Solar Electric Power Association; Elizabeth McDonald, President, Canadian Solar Industries Association; Linda Church Ciocci, Executive Director, National Hydropower Association; Karl Gawell, Executive Director, Geothermal Energy Association; Bob Cleaves, President & CEO, Biomass Power Association; and Barry Worthington, Executive Director, U.S. Energy Association. Allan Marks, a partner at Milbank Tweed, Hadley & McCloy LLP, will also join the discussion. (Watch the conference website for updates on these and other speakers, www.renewableenergyworld-events.com.)
This session should be a conference highlight. So will our Keynote Session, which will include our second annual Excellence in Renewable Energy awards program. Our conference planning committee has assembled an outstanding program, which will provide an enormous amount of actionable information.
I am looking forward to welcoming you to Tampa in March for a provocative discussion on the 112th Congress and productive discussions on prospects for the North American renewable energy industry.
Most notable is the shift in control within the House of Representatives where Republicans now control all committee chairs.