In This Issue:

CPUC authorizes use of tradable renewable energy credits; RENEWABLE ENERGY FOCUS - California tops in U.S. solar energy production: Fortune Magazine; California BLM sued over solar project water usage; First Solar expands services portfolio with purchase of Ray Tracker; Cal-ISO bid proposal worries generators; Low-carbon energy investment hit record high in 2010: Bloomberg study; Brown appointments likely to make CPUC more consumerfriendly; Bureau of Land Management warns against fast tracking renewable energy projects on tribal lands; NOTABLE RENEWABLE ENERGY PROJECTS AND DEALS - GE, UnionBanCal subsidiaries team to buy Kern County wind farm, and SunPower inks three solar deals with SoCal Edison.

CPUC authorizes use of tradable renewable energy credits

Solar Home and Business Journal - Jan 13

The California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) has approved the use of tradable renewable energy credits by investor-owned utility companies. Utilities buying or trading the credits can use them to help meet their requirements for generating a certain percentage of their electricity from renewable sources. CPUC will allow California utilities to use the credits to meet up to 25 percent of their annual procurement targets for the federal renewable energy incentives.

Please see full update below for more information.