Renewable Energy Law News for Week of 10/17

Department of Energy Finalizes $4.8bn in Solar Loan Guarantees  On the last day of its 1705 loan guarantees program, the US Department of Energy finalized support packages for four major solar projects on Friday, totaling almost $4.8 billion.US Energy Secretary Steven Chu confirmed awards for three huge solar power plants in California, and a “transformational” project installing solar panels on 750 warehouse rooftops.$1.46 billion in partial guarantees when to the 550MW Desert Sunlight project, a $1.237 billion guarantee for the 250MW California Valley Solar Ranch project, and a $646 million for the 230MW Antelope Valley Solar Ranch project.Read more here.  State’s New Energy Department Taking Shape The plan to turn Connecticut into a leader in clean energy technology, renewable resources and lower cost electricity is beginning to take form.“We are at that transformational moment,” said Kevin DelGobbo, chairman of the Connecticut Public Utilities Regulatory Authority.When Gov. Dannel Malloy signed a comprehensive energy policy reform law in June, the legislation was high on concepts and big-picture moves but low on the details of how Connecticut could become an energy leader while also lowering its overall costs. Read more here.  US Military to Invest $10 Billion a Year in Renewable EnergyCongress may be dithering over green energy, but the US military has no qualms about its value.The U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) - one of the largest energy consumers in the world at 300,000 barrels of oil a day - is quickly moving toward energy efficiency and renewables to reduce risks to soldiers, enhance national energy security, and save money.  DOD is committed to getting 25% of its energy from renewables by 2025, the Air Force plans to use biofuels for 50% of domestic aviation by 2016 and the Navy will reduce fuel consumption on ships 15% by 2020. Read more here. Hawaiian Electric Files Draft Renewable Energy RFPLast Friday, Hawaiian Electric Company submitted to the Hawaii Public Utilities Commission a draft Request for Proposals (RFP) for at least 200 megawatts (MW) of renewable energy projects.The draft RFP, which is targeted to be finalized and issued by March 31, 2012, proposes the parameters for projects to deliver renewable energy to the Oahu grid no later than December 31, 2018.  The 200 MW draft renewable RFP will now be reviewed by the PUC, the state consumer advocate, prospective bidders, and other parties wishing to comment. The PUC is expected to appoint an independent observer to oversee the competitive bidding process.Read more here. Photo via Michael Rael.