Energy & Clean Tech Connections December 2011
12/28/2011
In the December edition of Energy & Clean Tech Connections, we’ve gathered recent information from a wide variety of sources in an effort to keep you abreast of what’s new in the world of clean energy. We draw your attention to the latest industry developments, news from local governments to Capitol Hill, grant opportunities, and upcoming events.
This month, the Energy & Clean Technology Practice Group would like to highlight a significant victory for the small business community nationwide with the long-term reauthorization of the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs. These programs direct federal research and development dollars to small businesses to assist them in commercializing innovative technologies. A 2008 report by the National Research Council found that the SBIR program at the Department of Energy has provided significant support for small business, frequently acting as the impetus for project deployment, commercialization, and the foundation of new firms in the energy sector. House and Senate negotiators achieved a six-year reauthorization of these programs and included provisions that will allow firms that are majority owned by venture capital concerns to access up to 25% of the funds at the Department of Energy.
During a four-month engagement with the Save SBIR Coalition, ML Strategies, the government relations and consulting arm of Mintz Levin, led the successful lobbying effort that resulted in the final reauthorization. In addition to achieving the goal of a long-term reauthorization and ameliorating the House provisions opposed by the innovation community, ML Strategies was able to develop and facilitate a final deal between five Congressional committees; generate a letter to Congressional leadership signed by 945 technology firms from across the country; build an unprecedented, bipartisan group of support in the Senate; work closely with Congressional leadership and a group of House supporters; and lobby the administration to help get the reauthorization done as part of the Defense Authorization bill.
Other news from Capitol Hill includes the weekend passage of the $1 trillion omnibus spending bill, averting a shutdown of the government, as it was operating on a continuing resolution through Friday evening. The bill cut the Environmental Protection Agency’s budget but added some to the Department of Energy. Though it does not include many of the contentious environment riders House Republicans were hoping to pass, it does block enforcement of federal light bulb efficiency standards and prevents the White House from hiring more climate staff. The bill also blocks the Environmental Protection Agency from regulating greenhouse gas emissions from livestock operations and manure management systems and transfers EPA’s air quality permitting authority to the Department of the Interior.
After a week of back and forth debate over what energy tax extenders might be included in the end of the year tax extenders package, it appears that none will be included because there isn’t a way to pay for them. Senators and representatives were joined by numerous industry groups last week in urging the inclusion within the payroll tax measure of about 10 energy tax credits that expire at the end of the year and another five expiring at the end of 2012. Some lawmakers in both chambers have argued that the annual tax extenders bill is more likely to move in the spring. It remains to be seen whether programs such as the 1603 grant in lieu of tax credits, the 48C advanced energy manufacturing tax credit, or several production tax credits might be extended at that time.
In upcoming events, we would like to draw your attention to the Pacific West Biomass Conference and Trade Show, a regional offshoot of Biorefining Magazine and Biomass Power & Thermal’s International Biomass Conference and Expo, taking place January 16-18 in San Francisco, California. Also coming up in January is the Solar Power Generation USA 2012 conference, widely acknowledged as a premier event in the US utility scale solar power calendar. This will take place January 31 through February 2 in Las Vegas, Nevada. For a more complete calendar of upcoming events please consult our “Events” section below.
We hope that you enjoy this month’s edition of the newsletter. For the most up-to-date information on federal legislation and programs, read the most recent ML Strategies Energy & Environment Update and check back for weekly updates.
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