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The draft Regulations include plans for: New houses built in Ireland will be more environmentally friendly according to plans unveiled today by the government's Green party ministers. A 40% improvement in energy efficiency for new homes in 2008. A 40% reduction in CO2 emissions. A mandatory minimum renewable energy requirement in all new homes, such as solar heating systems. Mandatory levels of energy efficient fixed light fittings. Minimum standards on heating systems to ensure they are highly energy efficient.

In neighborhoods across the country, there's a battle brewing: the environmentalists vs. the aesthetes. As "green"-minded homeowners move to put in new energy-efficient windows, solar panels and light-reflecting roofs, they are bumping up against neighbors and local boards that object, saying the additions defy historic-district regulations, will look ugly or damage property values.

British Gas launched what it calls Britain's "greenest" available energy tariff today. It will cost gas and electricity customers on average £84 per year more than the firm's standard dual fuel deal. The launch reflects high customer demand which is pushing green energy tariffs into the mainstream, according to British Gas. Energy regulator Ofgem last month put forward plans for a star-rating system to help customers understand the array of green tariffs on offer.

Rep. Tom Udall, D-N.M., proposes making the biggest utilities across the nation acquire 20% of their electricity from renewable energy sources like wind, solar and geothermal power by 2020. The plan is gaining momentum as the House of Representatives readies for debate on a massive energy bill this week.

The European Commission has adopted four Eco-design regulations that will tighten up the energy efficiency requirements for common industrial and household electrical items.

"The Ohio Senate went "green" in a bipartisan way on Tuesday, May 18, voting 28-4 for legislation aimed at attracting renewable energy projects such as wind farms and the jobs they create to the state. A vote on similar legislation is expected today, May 19, in a House committee. Backers of the proposals in both chambers are optimistic about getting a final version to Gov. Ted Strickland for his signature before the legislature breaks for the summer. Strickland has called on the legislature to approve such legislation and hopes differences can be worked out, said Amanda Wurst, his spokeswoman."

This merits revisiting. With the recent collapse of the Spanish market, the correction of the German market and the expected collapse of the French PV market, FITs prove unsustainable or victim of their own success. Once the market picks up, governments can no longer support their price tab. Moreover, they are based on a false premise: the cost of taking a technology through the learning cycle is prohibitive - it requires too many tens of billions.

The topic is complex. Some underlying questions: * Why promotion of renewables was set-up? * What is the complete economic balance of renewables promotion? (expenses in subsidies, but savings in fuel imports, job creation, exports.... some interesting studies have been done on this - see for instance Macroeconomic study on the impact of Wind Energy in Spain - http://www.aeeolica.es/userfiles/file/aee-publica/091211-executive-summary-2009.pdf) * Is the allocation of subsidies cost done correctly? Electricity consumers often pay extra-cost, but benefits go to other pockets. Should there be a cost re-allocation to make the model sustainable? * Is regulatory framework evolving less rapidly than technology? FITs on PV in 2008 could be significantly reduced compared to FITs in 2007, and so on. How to accomodate regulation to that quick cost reduction? * Had governments defined a cap in global subsidies amount? Not really, this explains why they are all reacting to initial plans. * Development of technology and market drives costs down. Why some few countries should make this investment to the benefit of the entire world? * Have we excessively promoted market growth and neglected technology development? Are we paying too much for building power plants with primitive technology?

@Fernando - I agree that the topic is complex. However, I'd refrain from making claims on employment effects. This is an area where secondary effects are rarely taken into account. While I realise these claims are popular, basically nobody knows.