'Combined heat and power' (CHP) plants and 'district heating' systems have been around for well over a hundred years. And yet, only a handful of modern cities and towns have made use of these highly efficient technologies until very recently. Now that we've rediscovered CHP and district heating, what role will they play in retrofitting our economies to rely on local energy?

The Interstate Renewable Energy Council's conference deals with some of the best practices and teaching models underway across the country at community colleges, technical high schools, skill centers, the trades, industry, and other training centers and organizations. The conference will be three days packed with information you will want to know if you are offering or planning training programs (degree granting, certification, continuing education, public education, etc.) for the renewable energy and energy efficiency markets.

The Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources (DOER) and the Massachusetts Executive Office of Environmental Affairs (EOEEA) have issued a model by-law to help cities and towns establish reasonable standards for small wind-energy development. This model applies to stand-alone wind facilities up to 60 kilowatts (kW) in capacity.

The National Association of Counties presents an educational forum on the role of counties in shaping our energy independent future and how it can help secure our nation’s economy and natural environment.

Geothermal energy, which takes less space than solar or wind farms and provides consistent baseline energy, is getting increased attention despite the high upfront costs. A new geothermal plant near Reno, Nevada produces more than enough electricity to power every home in Reno, population 221,000.

Many of us are familiar with residential solar energy systems and utility green power programs. But as community members look for a collective approach to solar energy, what can be done? This seminar will examine community approaches for increasing accessibility, economies of scale, and benefits of solar energy use. Special attention will be paid to financing models and approaches to meeting unique community needs. Find out how to help those in your community overcome many of the barriers that have prevented them from investing in solar energy on their own homes and businesses. Community organizers, government officials, utilities, and solar energy advocates are all encouraged to attend.

The American Wind Energy Association has put together a cornucopia of resources for proponents of small-scale wind, including a policy menu for state and local governments, information about permitting, and materials on promoting this alternative energy form.

How to Overcome Permitting Obstacles to Small-Scale Distributed Renewable Energy
This report provides seven sets of recommendations for overcoming financial, political and social hurdles to widespread deployment of distributed renewable energy, focusing on the most common technologies – solar photovoltaics (PV) and small wind turbines.

In a new agreement between Hawaii's largest utility and the state, the goal is to create 70 percent of Hawaii's energy use from clean energy sources by 2030. Currently, the state gets about 10 percent of its energy from renewable sources. "We don't have years and years anymore to make these changes," Gov. Linda Lingle said Monday.

Gainesville Regional Utilities, a city-owned utility in Florida, has attracted the eyes of environmentalists across the nation for a trail-blazing plan to encourage solar energy production by agreeing to buy the electricity above market value for 20 years. This scheme for promoting small-scale alternative energy installations has been in use in places like Germany for some time, but has only appeared in the United States this year.