Energy Efficiency & Renewable Energy Take Center Stage in the Obama Era
, EM MagazineFebruary 1, 2010
Synopsis: The 2008 election of President Barack Obama and the expansion of Democratic majorities in both houses of Congress have ushered in an era of legislative and regulatory activity in the United States focused on renewable energy and energy efficiency. The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) and other federal actions in 2009 dramatically altered the national landscape for energy policy.
Some of the biggest changes have yet to come, as Congress inches closer to passing comprehensive climate and energy legislation. Those companies that effectively navigate the dynamic, complex legal and regulatory landscape can capitalize on the wave of government support for what President Obama referred to during his campaign as the “New Energy Economy.” This article offers a bird’s eye view of the policy changes in 2009 that could redefine the national landscape for renewable energy and energy efficiency in the United States.