AR - Following a review that it had not met "specified employment goals," LM Wind Power has repaid the State of Arkansas more than 3 million that it had received as part of a larger incentives package to build a wind turbine production plant near Little Rock. The company received almost 9 million from the Governor's Quick Action Closing Fund. Those funds were contingent on meeting an employment goal of more than 1,000 employees in Little Rock by fall 2014. The State's Economic Development Commission (AEDC), according to the Danish manufacturer, has recouped the funds, which took into account employment and payroll estimates. "Although LM is not operating at the employment level the company originally announced in 2007, AEDC is encouraged the company still employs more than 500 people in a volatile wind energy market," said a company representative. AEDC: LM Wind Power paid back 3.4M in incentives - "Arkansas Business"
MD - Outgoing Governor Martin O'Malley's administration said it will release proposed rules next month on hydraulic fracturing, commonly known as fracking, in western Maryland. Fracking is the process by which fluids are injected into wellbores to help release natural gas and oil. Governor O'Malley, who previously ordered a study be completed on the risks and impacts of fracking, believes it can be done safely and will benefit Maryland economically. Governor-elect Larry Hogan will take office in January and said he will review the O'Malley administration's rules and decide on whether to proceed with fracking immediately. "We're committed to ensuring that Marylanders have access to the economic opportunities associated with fracking," Governor O'Malley said, "while also putting the most complete practices into place to ensure the highest level of protection for Maryland residents." O'Malley administration sets out path to fracking in MD - "The Baltimore Sun" and Maryland to begin drafting fracking regulations - "Southern Maryland Newspapers Online"
UT - Working to decrease air pollution and to improve public health, Governor Gary Herbert is proposing a ban on the use of wood-burning devices. Recently, the Utah Air Quality Board voted to explore the Governor's idea, which was met with skepticism from some private sector companies and strong support from clean air activists. State regulators believe a total ban on wood-burning would be easier to enforce as opposed to a partial or temporary ban. The Governor's office believes a total ban would "yield big air quality benefits" and "emphasize public health over ambiance." Utah wholesaler John Mortensen, who owns Energy Distribution Systems and disagrees with the Governor's proposal, said "it would be good to encourage upgrading to cleaner technology, allowing some carrot instead of all stick to reduce emissions related to wood burning." Gov. Gary Herbert proposes wood-burning ban in Utah - "The Salt Lake Tribune"
FEDERAL AND REGIONAL
The current and former chairmen and vice chairmen of the Governors' Wind Energy Coalition, a bipartisan group of governors from 23 states, recently sent a letter to House and Senate leadership urging Congress to approve a multi-year extension of the wind energy production tax credit (PTC) and investment tax credit (ITC). The letter cites several state examples as important "achievements directly attributable to the PTC," including in one state where, for example, an estimated 2 billion was added to the state's economy thanks to the construction of a tax credit-supported wind farm. The Governors' letter also asks Congress to consider the role of the PTC and ITC in furthering the nation's off-shore wind energy goals and contends that energy prices have decreased over the last few years in states that produced at least seven percent of their energy from wind power. "While we recognize there is support in Congress for phasing down these various tax incentives for all sectors in a comprehensive tax reform package, until we do, we must allow the nation's wind industry to compete with other energy sources that also receive federal support."
The Department of the Interior announced it had distributed more than 13 billion in 2014 to several government entities resulting from royalties and other fees collected thanks to energy production on federal and Native American lands. The Department, which distributes revenues each month, said "revenue generated from developing public energy resources that belong to all Americans helps fund critical investments in communities across the United States and creates American jobs, fosters land and water conservation efforts, improves critical infrastructure, and supports education." Royalties paid to Native American tribes totaled more than 1 billion, primarily due to the increased production on a North Dakota reservation. Tribes, unlike state and local governments, receive all revenues resulting from energy production on their land while other local or state agencies receive a certain percentage. Feds distribute revenues from energy production on federal, Indian land - "The Hill"
