Over 1000 leaders from across the social spectrum assembled for the Clinton Global Initiative meeting (http://www.cgiamerica.org) in downtown Denver this week to address an ambitious set of issues surrounding the stuttering economic recovery in America. Established in June 2011 by President Bill Clinton, CGI America brings together leaders in business, government, and civil society to generate and implement commitments to create jobs, stimulate economic growth, foster innovation, and support workforce development in the United States. Since its first meeting, CGI America participants have made over 300 commitments valued at more than $15 billion when fully funded and implemented.
On Friday 14 February 2014, an EU Consultation on State Aid Rules for Energy closes. The proposed legislation will further disadvantage small renewable generation projects being driven forward by non-specialists, such as community groups and local stakeholders. Below is the response to the consultation I wrote on behalf of Scene.
The feed-in tariff has been responsible for kick-starting small to medium scale renewables in the UK. I, like many other renewable energy enthusiasts, was grateful for its introduction in 2010 and have been riding the emotional roller-coaster of uncertainties and cuts from pretty much that moment onwards. The famous solar cut of late 2011, which resulted in the gutting of a booming industry which had sprung up to take advantage of the very high tariff levels that were briefly on offer, has been followed by further cuts in solar and other technologies in every year since.
