If you need a pick-me-up today, or a reminder of how fun feed-in tariffs can be, take a listen to this: Ed Regan's (a.k.a general manager for strategic planning at Gainsville Regional Utilities) Feed-in Tariff Anthem.

On June 5, 2009 the Internal Revenue Service issued Notice 2009-52 which provides guidance on how a taxpayer can elect a 30% investment tax credit (ITC) in lieu of a production tax credit (PTC) for a qualified renewable energy facility. This election was created in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009.

Minnesota Public Radio reports that the Willmar Municipal Utility is almost finished constructing two 2MW wind turbines that will supply approximately 3% of the city's annual electricity need. The turbines are expected to be online by July and the utility hopes the project will come in under the $10 million budget.

Yesterday the Maine legislature passed LD 1075 An Act to Promote Community-based Energy. Governor Baldacci has expressed tremendous support for this program and will most likely approve the legislation.

National Public Radio recently completed a 13-piece story on the American electric grid. I must admit that I haven't made it through all 13 pieces, but have found it fascinating regardless. There are interactive maps, photos, as well as the audio history and interviews that help listeners understand this critical, yet complicated, piece to a successful renewable energy industry.

Today (4/30/09) the Minnesota House of Representatives debated Senate File 550, the energy omnibus bill. A number of amendments were introduced and a good amount of time was spent debating provisions of the bill that affect landowners and C-BED projects.

Renewable energy has been a major factor in the resurgence of energy corridor acquisitions. The nature of renewable energy means there is a need to link the energy source (often in remote, not-very-populated areas) to the energy demand (in highly populated areas). As advocates for wind energy, transmission can be a significant hurdle in successful development of wind farms.

I started writing a blog about a recent presentation I attended on the legal issues of using eminent domain for energy corridors. While writing I realized an overview of what eminent domain is may be helpful. The original post was too long to include it all, so here is the brief tutorial: