Federal Grants are almost twice as effective as tax credits in spurring clean energy innovation, according to Reassessing Renewable Energy Subsidies — a recent report by the Bipartisan Policy Center. From 2005 to 2008, the federal government incurred a liability of almost $10.3 billion due to tax credits given to wind projects totaling almost 19 gigawatts of new generation capacity. However, researchers calculated that direct grants issued at the time of commission could have achieved similar gigawatt production at a cost of only $5 billion.

The Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the Department of Energy (DOE) announced the Biomass Research and Development Initiative (BRDI) — a $30 million initiative to support up to 10 research and development (R&D) projects focused on advanced biofuels, bioenergy and high-value biobased products. Projects should propose integrated science and engineering research in three technical areas of interest:

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) announced that it will commit $25 million over the next five years to support the U.S.-India Joint Clean Energy Research and Development Center, as part of the Partnership to Advance Clean Energy. DOE will provide matching grants to universities, national labs, private companies and others to support research in energy efficiency, second-generation biofuels and solar energy. The $50 million contributed by DOE and award grantees will be matched by an additional $50 million in public and private funds from India.

The Department of Agriculture, the Department of Energy and the Navy will invest up to $510 million during the next three years to produce advanced drop-in biofuels to power military and commercial transportation. To accelerate the production of these advanced bio-based jet and diesel fuels, the federal agencies in partnership with the private sector will work to jointly construct or retrofit several drop-in biofuel plants and refineries.

Steven Chu, Secretary of the Department of Energy, announced $2 million in available funding for the National University Clean Energy Business Challenge — a nationwide network of regional university-based clean energy business creation competitions.

The New England Clean Energy Foundation (NECEF), in partnership with the Connecticut Clean Energy Finance & Investment Authority, announced a new initiative to spur innovation and research in clean technology across New England.

Joining a growing number of states investing in clean energy to promote economic growth and remain competitive, Delaware Gov. Jack Markell signed into law four renewable energy bills that he says will create new jobs by fostering the expansion of renewable energy industries such as wind and solar. Expanding the state's Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS) and updating the Green Energy Fund to address a backlog in recipients waiting for grant dollars are among the new laws in the Clean Energy Jobs Package detailed below.

The Department of Energy and the Department of Defense have agreed to cooperate on the acceleration of clean energy innovation and strengthening the nation's energy security. Under this Memorandum of Understand (MOU), the agencies will work cooperatively together in the several areas including energy efficiency, alternative fuels and renewable energy. An under-secretary level working group will coordinate R&D efforts between the agencies. This will allow the agencies to reduce "waste" by avoiding the duplication of energy innovation efforts.

The clean energy economy has "tremendous potential for growth" due to policies that create incentives to "develop new technologies, infrastructure and processes for clean energy, efficiency and conversation," according to a recent report from the Pew Charitable Trusts. Five types of policies — Financial Incentives, Renewable Portfolio Standards, Energy Efficiency Standards, Regional Clean Energy Initiatives and Vehicle Emissions Standards — should continue to fuel the growth of the clean energy technologies over the coming years.

In an interview with Globes, an Israeli business magazine, former Pennsylvania governor Tom Ridge discussed the importance of innovation in the renewable energy industry and its role in the transition from "the industrial era to the green era." Ridge said, "Renewable energy isn't another discovery and research field, it must be an applied science that will lead to energy solutions to guarantee our lives in the near and distant future." During his time in the Governor's office, Gov.

By 2035, nearly 40% of all new energy capacity will come from renewable energies according to a report from the National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL). However, one resource or technology will not meet the energy needs of the future. It is necessary to develop a comprehensive plan that includes a combination of many technologies and resources. This plan may include energy efficiency, natural gas, cleaner coal technologies, nuclear energy, smart grid technologies and renewable energy.

An interagency government initiative was launched last week to promote the nation's renewable energy sector, helping to meet the goals of the National Export Initiative and President Obama's challenge to become the leading exporter of clean energy technologies. Seven government agencies, including the Department of Energy, will lead market research and discovery efforts such as identifying U.S. manufactured energy efficiency products likely to be competitive in global markets and exploring the creation of guides for foreign buyers listing technologies and services available from U.S.

The 11th Annual Tech Talkin' Govs series highlights new and expanded TBED proposals from governors' State of the State, Budget and Inaugural Addresses across the nation. The first edition includes excerpts from speeches delivered in the following states:

The second installment of SSTI's Tech Talkin' Govs' series includes excerpts from speeches delivered in Arkansas, Connecticut, Idaho, Kansas, New Hampshire, Virginia, Washington, and Wyoming. Our first installment was in the Jan. 5 Digest.

The fifth installment of SSTI's Tech Talkin' Govs series includes excerpts from speeches delivered in Maryland, Montana, Oklahoma, Texas, and Utah. The first four installments are available in the Jan. 5, Jan. 12, Jan. 19 and Jan. 26 issues of the Digest.

The fourth installment of SSTI's Tech Talkin' Govs series includes excerpts from speeches delivered in Alaska, Delaware, Hawaii, Michigan, Missouri, Nevada, and Vermont. The first three installments are available in the Jan. 5, Jan. 12 and Jan. 19 issues of the Digest.

Motivated by a number of interests, including enhancing economic development for their states, governors are seeking ways to be more energy efficient and build their portfolio of renewables. To help states move forward in these efforts, the National Governors Association (NGA) has released a white paper outlining 10 new ways to address longstanding challenges focused around four approaches:

The Illinois Science & Energy Innovation Foundation, a $72.5 million investment fund approved by the state's General Assembly last year, debuted this week. While 70 percent of the fund will be used to educate consumers about smart grid technology, another $22.5 million, provided by utility companies, will support grants, loans and contracts to groups working on smart grid technologies, according to the Chicago Tribune.

Voters in 37 states will decide on more than 170 ballot measures this year, many of which are related to tech-based economic development (TBED). Tax measures seem to be dominating ballots this year, with questions relating to both decreases and increases for sales, property and income taxes. Several states are counting on voters to agree to temporary increases to help fill budget deficits and ensure steady funding for education.

Though innovation and entrepreneurship was notably absent from Wednesday's presidential debate on domestic policy, presidential candidates Mitt Romney and Barack Obama have acknowledged the importance of technological innovation in stimulating the economy and bolstering U.S. competitive capabilities in the global economy.

Two measures, one dealing with improving access to higher education in Alaska, and another focusing on economic growth through renewable energy in Nebraska, recently were approved as part of the 2010 legislative sessions. Lawmakers in Alaska passed a measure establishing a merit-based scholarship program championed by Gov. Sean Parnell, but left funding for the program uncertain. Meanwhile, Nebraska legislators passed a bill to promote economic growth through renewable energy export.

Alaska

U.S. Secretary of Energy Steven Chu has announced that the Obama Administration will invest $200 million over the next five years to expand and accelerate the development, commercialization, and use of solar and water power technologies across the U.S.. The funding includes up to $125 million for s photovoltaic manufacturing intiative, $40 million for photovoltaic supply chain development, $4.5 million for a new national administrator for the solar instructor training network and $39 million for marine and hydrokinetic technologies.

A group of prominent American businessman recently issued five recommendations on how the federal government should address the nations need for energy innovation. The American Energy Innovation Council, which includes Bill Gates from Microsoft, Jeff Immelt from General Electric, Ursela Burns from Xerox, Norm Augustine formerly with Lockheed Martin, John Doerr from Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers, and Tim Solso from Cummins Inc., proposes a national oversight board for energy technology policy and billions in funding for energy research, commercialization and pilot projects.

Colorado Gov. Bill Ritter recently signed legislation to fund initiatives around the state preparing workers for the clean energy economy. The Green Jobs Colorado Program bill, originally proposed last year by Gov. Ritter, was included in a package of sixteen clean energy related bills passed state legislature in May. Gov. Ritter believes that this package of bills will position Colorado as "a national leader in New Energy Economy."

A new state agency to promote innovation and job creation in New Jersey was established by Gov. Chris Christie earlier this year. Envisioned as a hub for all economic development activity, the New Jersey Partnership for Action consists of three interconnected organizations to promote the state's incentives and resources, develop pro-growth policies, and assist businesses in navigating government programs. The governor's promise of a more effective strategy for economic development activity comes at the same time of severe reductions to the state's technology-based initiatives, however.