CleanTech OC Daily - 4/18/12

Clean Technology on the Brink
A report by experts at the Breakthrough Institute, the Brookings Institution and the World Resources Institute, all concluded that renewable energy generation doubled from 2006 to 2011, and prices for solar, wind and other clean energy technologies have fallen while employment has risen by 70,000 jobs. All of these important gains could be lost unless the federal government renews and pays for subsidies and production credits that have supported those industries.

California Bill May Put Utilities on Verge of Green Goal
A bill is being proposed that would require Pacific Gas & Electric, Edison International, and Sempra Energy to get 33% of their power from wind, solar and other so-called green sources by 2020 (in 2010, the utilities were only at 17% renewable sources). The bill included hydropower plants over 30 megawatts, which are currently excluded.

U.S. Wind Energy Industry Confronts Squalls
The US wind energy industry, which was once a leader in installed capacity and growth, has seen a 17% drop. Now lagging behind China, the industry faces problems with stiff competition from natural gas and the production tax credit that is set to expire at the end of 2012.