Growing the Grid
Author
Peter Behr - EnergyWire
EnergyWire
Current Issue
Issue
6

The Clean Power Plan’s success hinges on reformation of the transmission lines that link generators and consumers of electrical energy. Congress has the responsibility for creating a durable policy framework for the 21st century’s power infrastructure.

Estimating U.S. Government Subsidies to Energy Sources: 2002-2008
Author
Adenike Adeyeye, James Barrett, Jordan Diamond, Lisa Goldman, John Pendergrass, and Daniel Schramm
Date Released
September 2009
Estimating U.S. Government Subsidies to Energy Sources: 2002-2008

The largest U.S subsidies to fossil fuels are attributed to tax breaks that aid foreign oil production, according to research released by ELI. The study, which reviewed fossil fuel and energy subsidies for Fiscal Years 2002-2008, reveals that the lion’s share of energy subsidies supported energy sources that emit high levels of greenhouse gases. Fossil fuels benefited from approximately $72 billion over the seven-year period, while subsidies for renewable fuels totaled only $29 billion.

Maryland Offshore Energy Framework
Author
James McElfish, Daniel Schramm, and Adam Schempp
Date Released
September 2009
Maryland Offshore Energy Framework

ELI’s Oceans and Land & Biodiversity staff analyze the tools available to Maryland’s Coastal Zone Management Program to address new energy activities in state and federal coastal waters. The report assesses Maryland’s existing laws and policies, interstate agreements, and federal laws, and identifies potential measures that can help Maryland create an Offshore Energy Framework.

Effects of Climate Change on Aquatic Invasive Species and Implications for Management and Research
Author
ELI and U.S. EPA
Date Released
February 2008
Effects of Climate Change on Aquatic Invasive Species and Implications for Manag

This ELI-authored EPA report considers the interactions of climate change and aquatic invasive species (AIS). It analyzes the existing scientific literature on the effects climate change will have on AIS and considers provisions for adaptation to changing conditions in existing state AIS management plans. Based on this analysis, ELI offers five recommendations for states to maintain and improve state AIS management programs and activities in a changing climate.

Siting Wind Energy Facilities - What Do Local Elected Officials Need to Know?
Author
James M. McElfish Jr. and Judith M. Amsalem
Date Released
February 2013
Siting Wind Energy Facilities - What Do Local Elected Officials Need to Know?

Siting Wind Energy Facilities – What Do Local Elected Officials Need to Know? is a brief guide to aid local officials in understanding commercial-scale wind siting. Local government officials presented with potential wind energy projects in their municipalities often find that clear and concise answers to their citizens ’ concerns can be difficult to locate.

State Enabling Legislation for Commercial-Scale Wind Power Siting and the Local Government Role
Author
James M. McElfish, Jr. and Sara Gersen
Date Released
May 2011
State Enabling Legislation for Commercial-Scale Wind Power Siting and the Local

Wind power currently provides less than 2 percent of the nation’s electric power, but the U.S. Department of Energy plans for an increase to 20 percent within the next 20 years. Wind energy is a growing industry sector with the potential to transform much of the nation’s industrial and energy economy, while avoiding harmful greenhouse gas emissions.

Mapping the Energy-Water Policy Landscape
Author
James M. McElfish, Jr., Read Porter, and Adam Schempp
Date Released
August 2010
Mapping the Energy-Water Policy Landscape

This publication identifies the laws and policies that affect water use in the energy sector within the United States. Water quality and quantity are integral to many energy production activities. Most thermoelectric power generation plants require substantial amounts of water for steam generation and cooling, while disposal of combustion byproducts raises issues of water quality. Likewise, the extraction of oil and natural gas using enhanced recovery techniques, and handling of injected and produced water, raise state and federal concerns for oil, gas, and geothermal energy production.