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Energy & Clean Technology Matters

The Latest Legal, Financing, and Policy Developments in Energy and Clean Tech

SiNode Systems Takes Home the National Clean Energy Business Competition Prize

Posted By Thomas Burton and Sahir Surmeli on Posted in Uncategorized

Last night, SiNode Systems, representing the Western Southwest region of the country, was pronounced the winner of the this year’s Department of Energy National Clean Energy Business Plan Competition. The results were announced after two days of events dedicated to showcasing some of the most exciting young start-ups in the country, and sharing industry insights. On day one of the competition, which took place in our D.C. offices, we were proud to host U.S. Secretary of Energy Ernest Moniz, who delivered the keynote and opening remarks to the competitors and leading VCs including Venrock and Khosla Ventures.

 

From left to right: Sahir Surmeli, Georgette Spanjich, Jordan Collins, Tom Burton, Ernest Moniz, David Leiter, Bryan Stockton, Neal Martin, and Abby Matousek

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The Farm Bill Moves Through the Senate – ML Strategies Weekly Energy and Environmental Update

Posted By David Leiter on Posted in Federal Policy, Legislative Updates

Written by Sarah Litke and David Leiter

Congress came to a halt early last week as members mourned the loss of their colleague Senator Frank Lautenberg (D-NJ) who passed away last Monday.  Following the Senator’s funeral on Wednesday, the Senate considered the Farm Bill on Thursday, voting 75-22 to invoke cloture.  On Monday, the Senate voted 66-27 in favor of the bill, and attention now shifts to the House, where the bill could reach the floor for debate as soon as next week. Continue Reading

Regional Finalists Gather for DOE’s National Clean Energy Business Plan Competition at Mintz Levin and ML Strategies’ D.C. Office

Posted By Thomas Burton and Sahir Surmeli on Posted in Uncategorized

This week, young clean energy entrepreneurs will come to Mintz Levin and ML Strategies’ Washington, D.C. office for the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) second  National Clean Energy Business Plan Competition. Continue Reading

Project Finance and USDA Rural Utilities Service – Request for Comments

Posted By Bryan Stockton on Posted in Federal Policy

On June 5, Acting Agriculture Under Secretary for Rural Development Doug O’Brien announced publication of an Advanced Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (ANPR) requesting public comment on expanding renewable energy and project financing programs under the Rural Utilities Service (RUS). Continue Reading

Farm Bill Amendments, Presidential Nominees, and the Shaheen-Portman Energy Efficiency Bill – ML Strategies Weekly Energy and Environmental Update

Posted By David Leiter on Posted in Federal Policy, Legislative Updates

Written by Sarah Litke and David Leiter

With the Memorial Day recess over and the next break a month away, Congress is firming up its summer agenda. The Senate will first consider S. 954, the Agriculture Reform, Food and Jobs Act of 2013 (the Farm Bill).  More than 200 amendments have been filed, but not all will receive a vote.  Continue Reading

Natural Gas, Keystone XL, and Administrative Nominations – ML Strategies Weekly Energy and Environmental Update

Posted By David Leiter on Posted in Federal Policy, Legislative Updates, Uncategorized

Written by Sarah Litke and David Leiter

Though Congress is out for Memorial Day recess this week, we anticipate that a significant amount of work will be accomplished in the weeks to follow. Last week, the Senate Energy and Natural Resourses Committee held its final forums on natural gas, focusing on liquid natural gas (LNG) exports and hydraulic fracturing. The House passed the Northern Route Approval Act (241-175) on Wednesday of last week, but the bill is less likely to see time in the Senate, and the President released a memo stating his intention to veto the bill.

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MA to Issue AA+ $100m of Green Bonds on June 4

Posted By Jordan Collins on Posted in Energy Efficiency, Legislative Updates, Water

The State of Massachusetts announced that on June 4, 2013, it will issue $100 million of Green General Obligation Bonds (“GO Green Bonds”) underwritten by Bank of America Merrill Lynch.

The proceeds from the sale of the GO Green Bonds will be used to raise capital for four categories of “environmentally beneficial” projects:

  • Clean Water and Drinking Water Projects;
  • Energy Efficiency and Conservation Projects in State Buildings;
  • Land Acquisition, Open Space Protection and Environmental Remediation Projects; and
  • River Revitalization and Preservation and Habitat Restoration Projects. Continue Reading

The Water Resources Development Act and ARPA-E Funding– ML Strategies Weekly Energy and Environmental Update

Posted By Jordan Collins, R. Neal Martin, Bryan Stockton, and David Leiter on Posted in Federal Policy, Legislative Updates

It’s been a tale of two chambers in Congress with the House falling down party lines and the Senate coming together in bipartisan fashion, most notably on confirming Ernest Moniz as Energy Secretary and approving the Water Resources Development Act. Continue Reading

Environmental Protection Agency Takes Steps to Approve New Types of Renewable Fuels

Posted By Bryan Stockton on Posted in Biofuels, Uncategorized, Waste to Value

On May 21, the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released a pre-publication version of a notice of proposed EPA rulemaking (NPRM) that makes technical amendments to the Renewable Fuels Standard (RFS2).

The proposed rulemaking clarifies some provisions of the RFS and approves new types of renewable fuels that can count toward meeting RFS volumes. Most significantly, the NPRM clarifies that biogas from the following sources can count as cellulosic biofuel: renewable diesel, renewable naphtha, and renewable electricity for use in electric vehicles when produced from landfill gas; and renewable compressed natural gas (CNG) and liquefied natural gas (LNG) from biogas. Continue Reading

Previewing the Newest Energy Technology Innovators: Future Energy in NYC on June 13

Posted By Sahir Surmeli on Posted in Uncategorized

Written by: Chris Lhulier and Sahir Surmeli

Mintz Levin community partner Ultra Light Startups will be hosting a Future Energy event June 13th in New York. At this event, energy and clean tech startups will present to a panel of energy-focused venture capital and strategic investors, including Thomas Blum from New York Angels, Andrew Garman from New Venture Partners, Willem Rensink from  Shell GameChanger, and Mark Wight from GE Ventures.

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