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Clean Energy Finance Through the Bond Market
Report

Clean Energy Finance Through the Bond Market

A New Option for Progress


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Editorial Rating

7

Qualities

  • Innovative

Recommendation

With alternative energy becoming more competitive relative to conventional energy, the main hurdles to widespread adoption of renewables are their upfront costs. At the same time, investors are clamoring for alternative fixed-income investment possibilities. Experts at the Brookings-Rockefeller Project on State and Metropolitan Innovation say that, with some initiative and innovation, these two complementary needs can satisfy each other for the benefit of all. getAbstract suggests this report’s useful approaches to green development to financiers and energy policy makers.

Summary

Dedicated government funds and energy surtaxes have traditionally subsidized green energy initiatives in the United States, but budget pressures put future subsidies in doubt. State and local governments, however, have considerable experience in raising funds for infrastructure projects such as roads, schools and water systems through issuing municipal bonds. Similarly, public bonds could finance alternative energy. Some states are already setting up clean energy funds and “green banks.” Local energy officials have generally worked apart from public finance departments. Thus, those ...

About the Authors

Lewis Milford and Robert Sanders work for the Clean Energy Group. Devashree Saha and Mark Muro are fellows at the Brookings Institution. Toby Rittner is CEO of the Council of Development Finance Agencies.


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