Trump budget guts solar research at NREL and Berkeley (14 essential documents embedded)
The president’s federal budget for Fiscal Year 2018 includes the expected cuts to renewable energy within the DOE’s walls, but the cuts to prominent national labs – including the elimination of energy-storage research funding at both – could have unforeseen long-term effects on the industry.
Trump budget calls for 70% reduction in renewable energy spending
A leaked copy of U.S. President Trump’s 2018 budget proposal calls for a 70% reduction at the Energy Department’s Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE), after these programs survived proposed 2017 cuts.
Trump tax cuts could hit solar project finance
A proposed cut in the corporate tax rate to 15% could sharply reduce the flow of tax equity into solar projects.
Potential disaster: Jigar Shah on Suniva’s Section 201 petition
Yesterday Suniva filed for “relief” under a little-known legal provision that would allow the president to take action normally not permitted to protect a domestic industry from imports. pv magazine sought Jigar Shah’s perspective on this case and possible outcomes, and it frankly doesn’t look good.
BREAKING: Suniva petition could start new global solar trade war
Today Suniva filed for relief under a little-known act that could exempt the United States from global trade agreements and allow President Trump to take trade action against solar imports from multiple nations. Suniva is asking for a minimum import price of $0.78 per watt for modules and $0.40 for cells.
The slow walk: Interview with Nathan Serota of BNEF on Trump’s executive order
Yesterday U.S. President Donald Trump signed an executive order to roll back federal regulations on the fossil fuel industry while ordering a review and a re-write of the Clean Power Plan. This morning pv magazine talked with Bloomberg New Energy Finance Senior Analyst Nathan Serota about what the solar industry should expect from this sea change in federal regulatory direction.
Trump executive order based on energy fantasies
In his latest executive order, the president and his administration showed a brazen willingness to manipulate fossil fuel workers as they move energy policy back to the 19th century.
Trump DOE witch hunt questionnaire suggests attacks on renewable energy & staff
Senator Edward Markey (D-Ma) has condemned the questionnaire, and the Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy has been called up for a Monday meeting.
Trump DOE transition team issues vague threat to energy subsidies
A leaked memo on the Trump Administration’s Energy Plan focuses more on expanding fossil fuel infrastructure and stopping federal regulation of carbon, but also says that all energy subsidies should eventually be eliminated.
Trump reiterates delusive “clean coal” message
In YouTube video outlining the first 100 days of his administration, the president-elect again promises to bring coal jobs back — a pledge he cannot possibly keep
