Energy Policy Update

Here's the Portland Press Herald blurb on Michael Stoddard's selection as Executive Director of Efficiency Maine. I've worked closely with Michael in his current (3 more weeks) role as senior counsel at Environment Northeast. Congratulations Michael!

US Department of Energy has filed a petition to withdraw its request to store nuclear waste at Yucca Mountain.

Remember the "Buy American" portions of the stimulus bill? Apparently they only apply to projects built by the government, not projects built by private companies. Senator Chuck Schumer cites the example of a $1.5 billion wind project in West Texas that is will receive $450 million in stimulus grants, most of which will be used to purchase of turbines from China. How much of that money truly stimulates American jobs?

On the residential weatherization front, President Obama gave more details on his proposed "Homestar" energy retrofit program. President Obama first announced this initiative in his State of the Union address. The initiative needs legislative approval, but for now it looks like it will provide jobs for contractors by offering homeowners up to $3,000 to insulate their houses, replace their leaky doors and windows, replace their old water heaters and roofs, and generally cut down on their consumption of energy.