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HSBC Bank USA said it is making one of the largest-ever commitments to purchase renewable energy in North America. HSBC will purchase wind power for 30 percent of its electricity needs, the New York City-based bank said.
The purchase will prevent the release of more than 36 million pounds of carbon dioxide—the equivalent of removing 3,500 cars from the road each year, HSBC said. "We want to be the first bank in the world to have zero greenhouse gas emissions, and a cornerstone of this effort is powering our branches and offices with 30 percent clean, natural wind power," said Martin Glynn, president and CEO of HSBC Bank USA. Source: WasteNews.com, 4/26/2005.
The top 25 green power purchasers are buying enough energy to run more than 150,000 homes a year, according to EPA. The top-25 list includes a diverse set of companies and organizations that have voluntarily bought the most renewable energy and are part of EPA’s Green Power Partnership. Together, the top 25 are purchasing more than 1.6 million MWh (megawatt hours) of green power annually.
Green power is electricity from environmentally-preferable renewable resources such as solar, wind, or geothermal power. Green power currently accounts for about two percent of America’s electricity supply, but voluntary purchasing of renewable energy is accelerating renewable energy development.
The U.S. Air Force leads the green power list, purchasing more than 321,000 MWh annually for Air Force bases across the country. Second on the list, Johnson & Johnson, bought more than 241,000 MWh of renewable energy in 2004. EPA and the World Bank rank third and fourth on the list. The complete list of Top 25 EPA Green Power Partners is as follows, listed in order of purchase size:
1. U.S. Air Force
2. Johnson & Johnson
3. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
4. The World Bank
5. U.S. General Services Administration / Region 2
6. Whole Foods Market
7. City of San Diego, Calif.
8. New Jersey Consolidated Energy Savings Program
9. WhiteWave Foods
10. Austin (Texas) Independent School District
11. Staples
12. University of Pennsylvania
13. Montgomery County, Md.
14. Advanced Micro Devices / Austin, Texas Facilities
15. Commonwealth of
Pennsylvania
16. FedEx Kinko's
17. East Bay Municipal Utility District/Main Wastewater
Plant
18. BMW Manufacturing Co. / Greer, S.C. Facilities
19. City of Santa Monica,
Calif.
20. U.S. Navy / Region South
21. Harvard University
22. Round Rock (Texas) Independent School District
23. City of Portland,
Ore.
24. Pennsylvania State University
25. U.S. Department of Energy/Forrestal & Germantown
Facilities
The Green Power Partnership is an EPA voluntary program working to standardize green power procurement as part of best practice environmental management. Partners in the program pledge to switch to green power for a portion of their electricity needs in return for EPA technical assistance and recognition. The Green Power Partnership currently includes more than 550 Partners, including Fortune 500 companies, states, federal agencies, trade associations and universities. Source: EPA Green Power Partnership, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 4/19/2005.
The City of Naperville, IL and renewable energy marketing partner Community Energy, Inc. recently announced the success of the newly launched City of Naperville Renewable Energy Option, which allows the city's business and residential electric customers to purchase energy from renewable resources.
According to the City of Naperville and CEI, customers can participate in the program at various levels of support, with rates starting as low as $5.00 per month added to the customer's utility bill. The renewable energy option program, which was launched in January of this year, currently has more than 550 participating households, representing more than one percent of the city's residential customers.
"Naperville's leadership in promoting the use of renewable energy at the local level will help achieve governor Blagojevich's renewable goals for Illinois, which in turn will improve the environment, help us achieve energy independence and increase economic development," said Illinois Environmental Protection Agency director Renee Cipriano. Contact: Amy McGinty, CEI, phone 484-744-1782; Gary Karafiat, City of Naperville, phone 630-420-6034. Source: EIN Renewable Energy Today, 4/21/2005.
Purchase of BEF Green Tags Offsets More Than One Million Pounds of Climate-Disrupting Greenhouse Gases. Portland, Oregon ...and the Emmy for least amount of environmental impact during production goes to... Today, this Emmy category does not exist, but if it did (and maybe some day it will), the award would certainly go to MTV's Trippin' for offsetting all of the carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gas pollution generated during the production of the show.
Most people are aware that driving a car produces exhaust gases that are harmful to the environment. However, other forms of travel—especially air transportation—and other travel-related activities such as lodging, have an adverse impact on the environment as well. To offset the environmental impact for three of the episodes produced, MTV provided The Bonneville Environmental Foundation with detailed information on the numbers of production crew traveling to and from remote locations, including jet, prop, and helicopter flights, boat rides, SUV miles, and even balloon travel. BEF calculated that 853 Green Tags would offset the green house gases generated for the Tanzania, Chile and Costa Rica/Honduras segments for the entire production crew as well as the show's host, Cameron Diaz and her friends.
MTV Trippin' provided BEF with detailed information about the three episodes' modes of travel, number of travelers and hotel stays. Information included jet flight information from Los Angeles to destinations that included Amsterdam, Kilimanjaro and Dar es Salaam, as well as Detroit and Houston or Santiago and Calama. Other details included the miles traveled using small planes, boats, SUVs and vans, as well as energy use in balloon rides, helicopter tours, diesel generators, office space, and hotel stays. BEF calculated the pounds of CO2 generated by each activity and the number of Green Tags required to offset the gas produced. MTV Trippin' purchased 853 Green Tags for the three episodes and offset 100 percent of the CO2 generated, or nearly 1.2 million pounds of CO2. Source: Press Release from Bonneville Environmental Foundation, 4/25/2005.
After a bump in the road, the referendum for campus use of wind power is taking place today in an online ballot. "The vote is to show student support [for wind power]," Environmental Consciousness Outreach Board member sophomore Amanda Fencl said.
All eligible undergraduate students can vote on an initiative supported by ECO, which would transfer part of Tufts' energy to be powered by wind energy. "The administration is nearly already behind [the initiative]," Fencl said. "They want to know that students want it, too."
According to ECO Chair senior Jennifer Baldwin, ECO will increase awareness of the vote by wearing themed T-shirts and placing pinwheels around campus. "We're shooting for 20 percent of Tufts to be supplied," Fencl said. Fencl also said if administrators decide to invest in wind power, the Board of Trustees will choose between local or western wind farms.
According to Fencl, under former University President John DiBiaggio, Tufts pledged to follow the Kyoto Protocol, even if the U.S. government chose not to do so. "We're supposed to be reducing our [carbon dioxide] emissions," she said.
The vote was originally planned as a part of the online ballot in last Wednesday's election for TCU President between juniors Rafi Goldberg and Jeff Katzin. Junior Dave Baumwoll, TCU President for the 2004-2005 year, took the blame for the absence of the issue on the ballot. Baumwoll said that there was miscommunication regarding the referendum's technological representation.
Students can vote for or against the referendum on WebCenter today between 9 a.m. and midnight. Source: By Danny Lutz, TuftsDaily.com, 4/27/2005.
Gov. Phil Bredesen said Tennessee's state parks will start buying ''green power,'' and implement conservation measures to make up for much of the extra cost. Bredesen made the announcement yesterday at a celebration for Earth Day. He said the state, which already buys some green power from the Tennessee Valley Authority, will make sure every state park in an area that offers green power will use electricity made from renewable resources such as solar or wind. ''There's no better day than Earth Day to focus on the benefits of increased use of renewable energy sources,'' he said. ''Reducing traditional power production through increased use of green power lessens impacts on the environment, which is especially important to help improve air quality in Tennessee.'' He said 54 parks will be switched to green power, with a total extra cost of about $55,000 per year. Source: Associated Press, 4/23/2005.
Austin Energy earned high marks once again for its commitment to renewable energy. The U.S. Department of Energy said Austin Energy's GreenChoice program sold more than 334 million hours of renewable energy last year. More than 350 businesses in Austin get their power from renewable sources as an alternative to fossil fuels. Austin Energy uses electricity from 61 West Texas wind turbines. The second closest public utility was in Portland, Oregon. Source: News 8, 4/23/2005.
MEMPHIS, Tenn. Customers of Memphis Light, Gas and Water can now buy so-called green power from TVA if they're willing to pay a little extra for their electricity. Green power is electricity produced by solar power, wind and methane-gas. It has been available for several years in parts of TVA's service area through the agency's Green Power Switch program. Revenues go toward producing more green power. Memphis Light and Gas plans to offer green power to 1 percent of its 420-thousand customers. Memphis customers can buy blocks of green power, each representing about ten-percent of a typical household's monthly needs. Each block will add four-dollars to a customer's bill. Source: Associated Press, 4/22/2005.
The Department of Energy's National Renewable Energy Laboratory recently announced the release of its annual "Top 10" ranking of leading utility's voluntary green power programs, which allow customers to help support additional electricity production from renewable resources.
According to NREL, the rankings of utility programs are based on total sales of renewable energy to program participants, total number of customer participants, customer participation rate and the lowest price premium charged for a green pricing service using new renewable resources.
NREL said that, ranked by green power sales, the program of Austin Energy is first in the nation, followed by Portland General Electric, PacifiCorp, Sacramento Municipal Utility District and Xcel Energy. Ranked by customer participation rates, the top utilities include Lenox Municipal Power Utilities, City of Palo Alto Utilities, Montezuma Municipal Light & Power, Holy Cross Energy, Moorhead Public Service and Sacramento Municipal Utility District.
"Customer participation in utility green power programs continues to grow across the country," said NREL senior energy analyst Lori Bird. "These utilities are the national leaders." Contact: NREL, phone 303-275-4090. Source: EIN Renewable Energy Today, 4/14/2005.
Any way the wind blowsStanding 275-foot tall, with blades spanning 177 feet, the Navy's four new 3-blade wind turbines are among the most noticeable features at Naval Station Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. Each of the four turbines will generate 950 kilowatts of electricity. Together, the four turbines will generate 3,800 kw, and in years of typical weather the wind turbines will produce almost 8 million kilowatt-hours of electricity. They will reduce the consumption of 650,000 gallons of diesel fuel, reduce air pollution by 26 tons of sulfur dioxide and 15 tons of nitrous oxide, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 13 million pounds each year.
The new wind turbines will provide as much as 25 percent of the base's power generation during the high-wind months of late summer, and are expected to save taxpayers $1.2 million in annual energy costs. The project began in July 2004 and cost nearly $12 million. Construction of the wind energy project was made possible through a partnership between the Navy and NORESCO of Westborough, MA as part of an energy savings performance contract.
ESPCs allow the Navy to achieve federal energy saving requirements by using public sector financing to improve energy efficiency and further the goals of the United States to be less dependent on foreign oil imports, to be good stewards of the environment and to be in the forefront of developing and using renewable energy technology.
The Navy's worldwide energy program is managed by the Naval Facilities Engineering Command. The program includes state-of-the-art technology and design, the most energy efficient products, and a focus on individual contributions toward improved conservation and operations and maintenance strategies that significantly reduce energy consumption by Navy and Marine Corps installations worldwide, saving taxpayers more than $500 million each year.
In 2004, the U.S. Navy became the first U.S. government agency honored with a Platts Global Energy Award for its extraordinary leadership and achievement in energy management. Source: Navy News Release, 4/26/2005.
April 22, 2005 was the 35th Anniversary of the first “Earth Day” in the U.S. The Delta-Montrose Electric Association used the day and occasion to highlight the environmental benefits of “GeoExchange” technology at during the installation of a residential GeoExchange system at the home of Tom and Emmy Lou Taylor by DMEA’s subsidiary, InterMountain Energy. GeoExchange is the focus of the Colorado cooperative’s marketing efforts as it builds economical electric loads as well as being a “green” technology.
“GeoExchange is gaining increased visibility as an economical renewable energy technology in Colorado,” said Paul Bony, DMEA’s Manager of Member Services. “We’re pleased that the Taylor family has joined the more than 300 other families served by our cooperative who are using renewable earth energy for affordable heating, cooling and comfort.”
For Earth Day, DMEA distributed information provided by the Geothermal Heat Pump Consortium to local media in order to increase awareness of the environmental benefits attributed to GeoExchange, such as:
“Saving money in the long run was the main reason we went with GeoExchange system, but it feels very good to have a system that’s environmentally clean,” said homeowner Tom Taylor.
“We’re seeing more and more homeowners concerned with the rising cost of fossil fuels and the environment asking us about GeoExchange,” said Rod Geiger, Manager of InterMountain Energy, DMEA’s subsidiary. “This is an exciting time to be in a business that provides cost-effective renewable energy to homes and businesses. Source: Tom Polikalas, 4/25/2005.
The Carson City Planning Commission is scheduled to review the renewable energy center proposed for the Northern Nevada Correction Center at 6:15 p.m. Wednesday in the Community Center’s Sierra Room at 851 E. William St. in Carson City.
A $6.4 million project to heat water and generate electricity at a Carson City prison by burning chipped wood goes before the Carson City Planning Commission for review Wednesday. Proponents tout the renewable-energy project at the Northern Nevada Correctional Center, 1721 Snyder Ave., as a money saver and a way to save space in Carson City’s landfill by turning dumped wood into a fuel source.
But at least two neighbors who live near the prison in south Carson City are concerned about the project’s environmental impacts. NNCC is one of three prisons in Carson City. The state wants to build an energy plant that burns chipped wood to generate electricity and heat water for the 1,200-inmate prison. Excess electricity would be sold to Sierra Pacific Power Co.
Over the 15-year life of the program, it would save the state about $1.2 million in reduced fuel costs and, possibly more if the price of natural gas and electricity rises, said Tom Glab, chief of plant operations for Nevada Department of Corrections.
Carson City Renewable Resources would provide the prison daily with about 22 tons of chipped wood, according to information provided to the city. Owner Stan Raddon said by the time the energy project starts in January, he expects three quarters of the wood used will be wood wastes, such as pallets. The rest will come from the Lake Tahoe basin as part of efforts to improve the forest’s health, Raddon said.
Roger Mitchell, who said his home was about 100 yards from the edge of NNCC, is concerned that the prison is burning fuel generically known as biomass. Carson City staff prepared a report for the commission that noted biomass includes animal waste and “organic components of municipal and industrial waste.”
“There’s no assurances as to what they’re going to burn,” Mitchell said. “They say biomass. That’s it. Biomass covers a lot of material.” Glab said no municipal, industrial or animal waste would be burned. “We’re just planning on using wood products,” Glab said.
Scott Leftwich, another area resident, is concerned the two 50-foot smokestacks will dump pollution into Carson City. “If those stacks are there, something is coming out of it,” Leftwich said. “I’m not interested in that in our area.”
Burning chipped wood is not as clean as the natural gas it will replace, said Jay Johnson, business development manager for APS Energy Services, which would build the project. This project will burn at 1,600 degrees Fahrenheit so it will be much cleaner than conventional wood burning and produce pollution that is a fraction of what state and federal law allows, Johnson said.
“It burns very clean — no visible pollution,” Johnson said. Jason Perock, Fuels for Schools program coordinator for the Nevada Division of Forestry, supports the project. “These projects complement our forest agencies,” Perock said. “It gives them an outlet for this waste product.” A similar project has been started in White Pine County schools, Perock said. Source: Steve Timko, Reno Gazette-Journal, 4/25/2005.
When the sun came up on Earth Day Friday, Alameda County became the top solar energy generator of any county in the nation. A new solar array around the Hall of Justice in Hayward and other county buildings in Fremont, Dublin, Alameda, and Oakland have increased the county's solar capacity to 2.3 megawatts enough to power about 2200 homes. And the county's not done yet.
"As the prices of solar come down, and the prices of electricity go up, we'll be looking at other places to install this technology," said Matt Muniz, Alameda County energy manager.
Alameda County got into solar in a big way three years ago. That's when the county installed one of the nation's largest solar rooftop systems at the Santa Rita Jail. Since then, it has exceeded expectations. The sun now generates 6 percent of all the electricity used by Alameda County government buildings, reducing the county's electricity bill by $700,000 a year.
One of the new arrays is a solar carport. The panels change direction to follow the sun. "The additional cost for the structure itself and the tracker are paid for by the additional energy production and the savings," said Marco Garcia of PowerLight, the Berkeley company that designed and installed the arrays.
The new projects cost $17 million. But about half that money came from state and PG&E rebates. So the projects will pay for themselves in savings in about 10 years. PowerLight has installed similar systems at Moscone Center in San Francisco and for the Santa Clara Valley Water District, and says the PG&E rebates are critical to the solar business in California. Those rebates are due to expire in 2007, unless the legislature and Governor Schwarzenegger decide they should continue. Source: CBS 5 News, 4/22/2005.
If the Massachusetts Technology Collaborative had its way, solar panels would soon become as much of a must-have as the Toyota Prius hybrid car, according to Rob Pratt, director of the renewable energy trust of the Collaborative, a quasi-public agency.
''It's going to be a status symbol" for the home or office, predicted Pratt of the panels that generate electricity from the sun. ''You'll get granite countertops. And you'll get solar panels. This is the Prius for the house."
The trust just launched a $5 million rebate program to help consumers, businesses, and institutions buy renewable energy systems. One goal is to double the estimated number of nearly 400 Bay State homes and buildings with existing solar electric systems.
Among those participating in an earlier rebate program was Harvard Business School, which got $143,500 to install a $365,300 system in 2003 on the roof of its fitness center. ''It's been great," said Frank Hayes, the school's chief of operations. ''There's no maintenance. We literally have not touched it."
The trust's new rebate program is also designed to help create solar industry jobs in the state. One local company is Evergreen Solar Inc. of Marlborough, which manufactures solar panels. Though unprofitable in 2004, its revenues rose from $9.3 million in 2003 to $23.5 million last year. Its panels were used when Conservation Services Group Inc. of Westborough designed a system for a BJ's Wholesale Club in Stoneham.
According to NStar Electric & Gas Corp., an electricity distributor, the average monthly electricity bill for residential customers is $72.50, though numbers can vary widely, depending on the season, a house's size, and a resident's consumption habits. Holland said solar panels are supplying half of his electricity needs. ''I'm getting monthly bills of $40 to $60 instead of $80 to $120," he said. Janis Anderson, 53, is also concerned about the environment. The psychologist had a $16,000 solar electric system installed on the roof of her Jamaica Plain home. She qualified for $7,000 in rebates.
The system generates all of the electricity she needs during summer months, she said. In the winter, she has to pay NStar bills. A solar electric system can also entitle an owner to something called Renewable Energy Certificates, based on the system's output. Anderson's certificates are purchased by the Massachusetts Energy Consumers Alliance, a Boston nonprofit. Those payments offset her winter electricity bills, Anderson said. In effect, she paid nothing for electricity last year.
Meanwhile, many people still have outdated perceptions of solar panels. Thirty years ago, many panels designed to heat water stood upright on roofs and were eyesores to some. Today's electricity-generating panels lie flatter, hugging the roof. ''From an aesthetic standpoint, I don't see anything the neighbors could complain about, and they haven't," Anderson said.
Given limited data, it's hard to say how much a solar electric system could increase a home's sales price, but Pratt is convinced that such an investment adds value and cachet. He just bought a Toyota Prius, which has been ''a big hit among my daughter's 15-year-old friends," he said. He thinks solar electric systems could have a similar capacity to impress people. ''There's a wow factor to it," he said. Source: By Chris Reidy, Globe Staff, 4/23/2005.
The American researchers announced in Los Angeles the first electrically-assisted microbial fuel cell which is able to produce four times the quantity of hydrogen obtained directly from the biomass through typical fermentation. This power supplying solution can be modified to become a part of a hydrogen propulsion system, reducing in this way the costs of the water filtration operations. Source: softpedia.com, 4/22/2005.
Relief from soaring prices at the gas pump could come in the form of corncobs, cornstalks, switchgrass and other types of biomass, according to a joint feasibility study for the departments of Agriculture and Energy.
The recently completed Oak Ridge National Laboratory report outlines a national strategy in which 1 billion dry tons of biomass - any organic matter that is available on a renewable or recurring basis - would displace 30 percent of the nation's petroleum consumption for transportation. Supplying more than 3 percent of the nation's energy, biomass already has surpassed hydropower as the largest domestic source of renewable energy, and researchers believe much potential remains.
"Our report answers several key questions," said Bob Perlack, a member of ORNL's Environmental Sciences Division and a co-author of the report. "We wanted to know how large a role biomass could play, whether the United States has the land resources and whether such a plan would be economically viable."
Looking at just forestland and agricultural land, the two largest potential biomass sources, the study found potential exceeding 1.3 billion dry tons per year. That amount is enough to produce biofuels to meet more than one-third of the current demand for transportation fuels, according to the report.
Such an amount, which would represent a six-fold increase in production from the amount of biomass produced today, could be achieved with only relatively modest changes in land use and agricultural and forestry practices.
"One of the main points of the report is that the United States can produce nearly 1 billion dry tons of biomass annually from agricultural lands and still continue to meet food, feed and export demands," said Robin Graham, leader for Ecosystem and Plant Sciences in ORNL's Environmental Sciences Division.
The benefits of an increased focus on biomass include increased energy security as the U.S. would become less dependent on foreign oil, a potential 10 percent reduction in greenhouse gas emissions and an improved rural economic picture.
Current production of ethanol is about 3.4 billion gallons per year, but that total could reach 80 billion gallons or more under the scenario outlined in this report. Such an increase in ethanol production would see transportation fuels from biomass increase from 0.5 percent of U.S. consumption in 2001 to 4 percent in 2010, 10 percent in 2020 and 20 percent in 2030. In fact, depending on several factors, biomass could supply 15 percent of the nation's energy by 2030.
Meanwhile, biomass consumption in the industrial sector would increase at an annual rate of 2 percent through 2030, while biomass consumption by electric utilities would double every 10 years through 2030. During the same time, production of chemicals and materials from bio-based products would increase from about 12.5 billion pounds, or 5 percent of the current production of target U.S. chemical commodities in 2001, to 12 percent in 2010, 18 percent in 2020 and 25 percent in 2030.
Nearly half of the 2,263 million acres that comprise the land base of the U.S. has potential for growing biomass. About 33 percent of the land area is classified as forest, 26 percent as grassland, 20 percent as cropland, 13 percent as urban areas, swamps and deserts, and 8 percent as special uses such as public facilities.
The report, titled "Biomass as Feedstock for a Bioenergy and Bioproducts Industry: The Technical Feasibility of a Billion-Ton Annual Supply," was sponsored by DOE's Office of Energy Efficiency and Renwable Energy, Office of Biomass Program. Lynn Wright and Anthony Turhollow of ORNL, Bryce Stokes of the USDA Forest Service and Don Erbach of the USDA Agriculture Research Service are co-authors of the report. Source: Oak Ridge National Labs, 4/25/2005.
On April 19, the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power Board of Commissioners approved the final Environmental Impact Report for the Pine Tree Wind project, a new wind energy generation facility that will provide up to 120 megawatts of power for the City of Los Angeles, according to an LADWP announcement.
The Pine Tree Wind project will be the largest municipally owned wind plant in the U.S., according to LADWP. When completed, it would produce enough electricity to power the equivalent of approximately 56,000 homes annually. The proposed project consists of 80 1.5-MW wind turbines feeding power to a 10-mile transmission line, and will be located in the southern Sierra Nevada Mountains, approximately 12 miles north of Mojave, Calif.
LADWP expects to seek approval of the construction contract from the Board and City Council and acquire the necessary permits in the next few months. "The Pine Tree Wind Project will be a powerful step toward achieving my goal of a 20 percent renewable power mix by 2017," said Mayor Jim Hahn. "Through advanced technology and environmental sensitivity, we will not only increase our sources of renewable energy, we will reduce harmful emissions and help protect our environment at the same time."
"The Pine Tree Wind project demonstrates the City's and LADWP's commitment toward achieving the goals established by the Renewable Portfolio Standard, which aims to improve air quality and provide sustainable energy resources," said Dominick Rubalcava, president of the Board of Water and Power Commissioners.
Although the state-mandated RPS does not apply to municipal utilities such as LADWP, the Los Angeles City Council approved an RPS resolution in 2004 that calls for the agency to increase the amount of energy it provides from renewable power sources to 13 percent of its energy sales to retail customers by 2010 and 20 percent by 2017.
A coalition of environmental organizations—including the Coalition for Clean Air, Global Green USA, Natural Resources Defense Council, Center for Energy Efficiency and Renewable Technologies, and Physicians for Social Responsibility-Los Angeles—voiced support for the project.
"Pine Tree is an excellent project model for a municipal utility: to engage private experienced developers to build and transfer ownership to the City of a large, renewable energy project that provides reliable, cost-effective and environmentally preferable energy to ratepayers," the groups said in a letter addressed to the Board.
The Pine Tree Wind project is expected to lower emissions of nitrogen oxides by at least 8 tons per year, emissions of carbon monoxide by at least 11 tons per year, and emissions of carbon dioxide by at least 200,000 tons per year, according to LADWP. The project would also reduce the agency's annual natural gas use and costs by about $15 million per year.
LADWP conducted additional avian surveys in fall 2004 and winter 2005, and an avian specialist determined the site of the project is not likely to pose a threat to birds. Avian studies will continue through this spring and early summer, and for one year following the first delivery of power. The EIR requires LADWP to make operational changes if there are disproportionately high levels of bird deaths. The agency also agreed to mitigate potential conflicts with recreational users and construction traffic.
According to the current design, the 80 turbines will be spread out on approximately 8,000 acres (about 12.5 square miles). The Board's action on the EIR paves the way for construction of the project, slated to begin this summer and take about 10 months to complete. Source: AWEA Wind Energy Weekly, 4/22/2005.
Please save the date and make plans to join us for this leading-edge forum in Santa Fe. Conference attendees will choose from policy and technical sessions on developing renewable energy throughout the Southwest. Policy sessions will include Energy Policy Best Practices, Forums for Advancing Clean Energy Policy, Voluntary Green Power Market, Re-Valuing Renewable Energy and more. Technical sessions will offer Case Studies in Integration and Interconnection, Transmission Access in the West, Renewable Energy Technology Costs and Trends, and Project Development Case Studies, to name a few. Plenary sessions will be offered on Climate Change and Western Energy Choices, and Creating Regional Renewable Markets. Historically, the Southwest Renewable Energy Conference has been held at Northern Arizona University in Flagstaff. In an effort to broaden the reach of the Conference, we will convene this year in New Mexico. We will return to Arizona in 2006. A limited number of rooms are available at the Conference Rate. Source: Amanda Ormond, Conference Director.
The Geothermal Resources Council invites you to present your latest technical work in geothermal research, exploration, development and utilization at the 2005 GRC Annual Meeting at the Reno Hilton in Reno, Nevada, on September 25-28, 2005. The GRC deadline for receipt of draft technical papers is May 13. For more information, go to the GRC Website, then click on "Annual Meeting." There you will find access to our First Announcement & Call for Papers, Session Themes, Author Instructions and GEA Trade Show information. Organizers of the World Geothermal Congress 2005 have extended their permission to all WGC technical program presenters to provide their papers to the GRC 2005 Annual Meeting. Source: Geothermal Resources Council, (530) 758-2360.
The WINDPOWER 2005 Conference and Exhibition will be held May 15 to 18 in Denver, Colo. With 2005 projected as a record year of megawatt growth in the U.S. and with over 4,000 attendees expected along with over 200 exhibiting companies representing the wind industry globally, there is no better way to interact with top wind energy professionals and key decision makers than at the WINDPOWER 2005 Conference and Exhibition. This year’s event includes a special session for electric utilities and power marketers. If your company is interested in exhibiting please contact Stephen Miner, Conference & Education Director, phone (202) 383-2504.
The recently released RETScreen International: Results and Impacts 1996-2012 report provides a brief overview of the RETScreen International Clean Energy Decision Support Centre, it highlights results-to-date and it summarises an independent study that assesses the present and future impacts of RETScreen.
Even with the conservative approach followed in the impact assessment, the firm SGA concludes that RETScreen has had a significant impact on all indicators in the short time that the software and related tools have been available, including:
SGA goes on to conclude that the RETScreen Software will have a substantial influence on the global clean energy industry in the years to come and an exponential rise in the impacts of RETScreen International can be expected. The report is available in English and French in PDF format at the RETScreen Website.
Printed copies of the report can be obtained by contacting RETScreen Customer Support, indicating the number of copies requested and by providing the complete mailing address, including contact person. Source: RETScreen International, 4/13/2005.
Consider sponsoring a local educator, or one of your staff, to attend a session of the Solar Schoolhouse Summer Institute for Educators. There is still space available, but we're filling up fast. The 2005 Solar Schoolhouse Summer Institute for Educators will provide you with a rich experience in building solar energy projects that can be introduced to your classroom, school, and community. 2 session options: June 19 to 24 (Cambria) and July 10 to 15 (Petaluma). Learn more and to sign up. Source: Tor Allen, 4/20/2005.
Americans for Solar Power's team of energy economists released the most comprehensive analysis to date of the value of distributed solar electricity, in testimony submitted April 13 to the California Public Utilities Commission. ASPv's pathbreaking economic study demonstrates that distributed generation of solar photovoltaic electricity, especially when reducing high-cost peak loads, is more valuable than the average alternative power generation and distribution options. The study provides a clear evidentiary record supporting ratepayer investment, as well as a foundation for developing the appropriate regulatory framework to make solar PV a staple of the electricity grid. Source: ASPv Release, 4/20/2005.
Senate Bill 1389 (Bowen and Sher) requires that the California Energy Commission adopt and transmit to the Governor and Legislature a report of findings every two years. Source: CEC Release, 4/26/2005.
The Energy Information Administration released the report titled "Voluntary Reporting of Greenhouse Gases, 2003: Summary" on April 19, 2005. This report is a summary version of the annual report on the EIA's Voluntary Reporting of Greenhouses Program, titled "Voluntary Reporting of Greenhouse Gases, 2003.” The annual report on the Program is prepared by the EIA's Office of Integrated Analysis and Forecasting, pursuant to requirements under Section 1605(b) of the Energy Policy Act of 1992. Section 1605(b) of EPACT requires that the EIA develop, maintain, and support a voluntary reporting of greenhouse gas emissions program. This program, established a mechanism by which corporations, government agencies, individuals, voluntary organizations, etc., can report to the EIA, any actions taken that have or are expected to reduce/avoid emissions of greenhouse gases or sequester carbon. This effort included the development of a reporting framework, forms, and instructions, as well as the establishment and maintenance of a public-use database, as required by EPACT, containing all the information reported to the Program. Source: GEA Update, 4/26/2005.
Earth Day offers an opportunity for people to learn about the impacts of pollution on public health, wildlife, and the environment and to learn about technologies that can help produce a cleaner environment. One of the largest sources of pollution is energy production and use. Fossil fuel combustion, for example, produces more air pollution than any other single source according to the U.S. EPA. To help the public understand how geothermal energy can contribute to a better future the Geothermal Energy Association has released a Guide to Geothermal Energy and the Environment.
The new Guide updates information on geothermal energy, particularly electric power production, for a wide range of environmental issues, and offers pictures, graphs and charts that help to place the potential benefits of expanded geothermal energy use in perspective. The document was produced with extensive expert input and review, and represents the most accurate and up-to-date examination available.
Western states' efforts to encourage new, clean sources of electricity and Congress' expansion last year of the federal production tax credit to include geothermal energy have spurred significant new interest in geothermal power development. New geothermal power projects are being pursued in numerous western states including Alaska, Arizona, California, Hawaii, Idaho, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, and Utah. With continued support and advances in technology, geothermal power could potentially provide energy across the entire US.
Here are some excerpts from the report released April 22, Earth Day:
For specific environmental issues, the report documents advantages of geothermal power:
Press can obtain copies of the Guide by e-mailing or calling 202-454-5261. Individuals celebrating Earth Day may download a free copy of the nearly 100-page Guide on Earth Day (April 22nd). Source: GEA Update, 4/26/2005.
See a presentation on economic transmission planning in the Southwest Power Pool. Source: NWCC, 4/26/2005.
A draft Staff White Paper on "California Wind Resources" written for the May 9 Energy Policy Report Committee Workshop on renewable energy is now availble on the California Energy Commission Web site. Source: CEC Release, 4/26/2005.
Attend these FREE workshops to help you learn how to apply for United States Department of Agriculture funding ($23 million available nation wide) for renewable energy and energy efficiency projects. The courses entitled, United States Department of Agriculture Farm Bill (Section 9006) Grant Writing Workshop For Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Projects in Utah, offers valuable information for free.
Anyone interested in learning the basics of wind power and/or applying for funding from the United States Department of Agriculture for any renewable energy or energy efficiency projects is invited to attend. There is no cost and registration is not required.
The Energy Grant workshop will:
The workshop schedule is:
To find out if this program is right for you or if you have any questions, contact Nykole Littleboy, State Energy Program, Utah Geological Survey at 801-538-5413. This series of workshops was made possible by help from additional sponsors and presenters: U.S. Department of Energy's Wind Powering America and GeoPowering the West Programs, Utah Farm Bureau, National Renewable Energy Laboratory, Utah Geological Survey's State Energy Program, Utah Clean Energy, Utah Power, and USDA-Rural Development. Source: Nykole Littleboy, Environmental Scientist, Utah Geological Survey, 4/27/2005.
The Sunbeam bimonthly electronic newsletter, produced by the American Solar Energy Society, provides up-to-date news and goings-on in the renewable energy community. Source: Carolyn Beach, Membership Coordinator, American Solar Energy Society, 4/27/2005.
The below link provides notes from the last NWCC Siting Workgroup conference call and much more. The call covered three major topic areas:
The next siting workgroup conference call is set for Wednesday, June 15 at 2 p.m. ET. Source: NWCC, 4/19/2005.
Do you receive calls from your customers asking how much it would cost to put solar on their home or business and who can sell them a system? Have you spent resources or considered spending resources to build a local database of installers in response to these inquiries? FindSolar.com will provide the nationwide answer!
SEPA has heard on a regular basis from utilities, solar companies, and the public that there is a need for a central location where anyone can find out what companies sell, install and service solar electric and water heating systems in their local area (and in the process get an idea of how much a system will cost them). We are pleased to announce that SEPA, in partnership with ASES and with funding from the US Department of Energy, will launch this tool, FindSolar.com, this summer! SEPA members will have the opportunity to review the site pre-launch during a live demonstration:
Title: FindSolar.com –Live Demonstration
Date: May 19
Time: 1 p.m. PT / 2 p.m. MT / 3 p.m. CT / 4 p.m. ET
Length: 90 minutes
If you are a SEPA member and would like to participate, you must RSVP no later than Monday, May 16 by contacting Julia Judd, Executive Director, Solar Electric Power Association, 202-857-0898. Source: SEPA, 4/19/2005.
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in partnership with the Avian Power Line Interaction Committee recently released voluntary guidelines designed to help electrical utilities protect and conserve migratory birds. Working with the guidelines, a utility can use the latest technology and science to tailor a voluntary Avian Protection Plan that meets specific utility needs at its facilities.
"The voluntary guidelines for protecting birds from electrocution and collisions with power lines will improve safeguards for migratory birds," said Acting Service Director Matt Hogan. "We value our partnership with APLIC and the electric utility industry, and encourage electric power companies to take advantage of the new guidelines."
An Avian Protection Plan is utility-specific and is designed to reduce avian and operational risks that result from avian interactions with electric utility facilities.
Electrocutions are a particular threat to birds with large wingspans, such as eagles, hawks, and owls * all species protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act. Wire strikes are a problem for many different bird species. Birds also can cause power outages and fires, resulting in increased costs and inconvenience for electric utilities and their customers.
"Last week's signing of the Avian Protection Plan Guidelines is a shining example of what can be accomplished when industry and the Fish and Wildlife Service roll up their sleeves and work together on a project," said Florida Power & Light Principal Biologist and APLIC Chair Jim Lindsay.
The guidance document, which will be available by the week of April 18 references the latest industry standards for preventing avian power line interactions.
"Voluntary industry cooperation has long been essential to our conservation efforts, and many electric power companies have already taken steps to protect migratory birds," Hogan said. "The new guidelines build on and strengthen that tradition." Source: AWEA, 4/18/2005.
President George Bush has stepped up White House pressure for Congress to pass an energy bill. During a recent national radio address, President Bush repeated his commitment to promoting renewable fuels and urged Congress to send him an energy bill by August. Source: RFA Release, 4/26/2005.
The House of Representatives began floor consideration of H.R. 6, the Energy Policy Act of 2005, on Wednesday April 20th and completed action on the bill by the following day. Four House Committees–Energy and Commerce, Resources, Science and Ways and Means–each reported energy legislation that was brought together as one bill for consideration by the full House. It was passed by the House by a vote of 249-183.
President Bush on April 20 delivered a speech on energy policy before the United States Hispanic Chamber Of Commerce. The President stressed the vital need for comprehensive energy legislation to sustain the economic growth of the last two years, and outlined a plan to put us on a path toward greater energy independence. The President laid out four basic principles to guide comprehensive energy legislation and asked Congress to get a bill to him this summer. His four principles were:
Senator Pete Domenici (R-NM), Chair of the Senate Energy Committee, praised the President's remarks and said he will deliver a bill to the President this summer. Chairman Domenici reiterated that the bill currently being crafted by committee Republicans and Democrats meets the four criteria outlined by the President.
Chairman Domenici called upon the Senate to pass a bipartisan energy bill. He told the press: "This long season of spiraling prices and tight supplies has convinced Republicans and Democrats that we must produce more and conserve more. We can no longer talk about doing just one or the other. I think energy political landscape in the Senate is more bipartisan today than I’ve seen it in a long time. I have been working closely with ranking Senator Jeff Bingaman (D-NM) and committee Democrats as well as committee Republicans to craft a bill I hope will receive strong bipartisan support on the Senate floor this summer."
According to reports, the Energy Committee is looking to vote on legislation in Committee the week of May 16th, and the Senate Finance Committee may mark-up companion energy tax legislation late that week or the following week. The full Senate would be expected to take up the full energy bill shortly thereafter.
In the Energy Committee, there is likely to be considerable debate about an expected amendment sponsored by Senator Jeff Bingaman (D-NM) establishing a national renewable portfolio standard (RPS). The Senator is expected to offer an amendment similar to that passed by the Senate last year's energy bill. The Bingaman RPS proposal would require 10 percent of covered electric utility generation to be from new renewable sources by 2020. It is expected that there will be efforts in Committee to include nuclear power and clean coal technologies in the Bingaman RPS. News, schedules and other information about the Senate Energy Committee schedule. Source: GEA Update, 4/26/2005.
The House Ways and Means Committee included $ 8 billion in energy tax incentives in HR 6, energy legislation passed by the House, but extension or modification of the Section 45 Production Tax Credit was not included in the package. According to the Committee, this new legislation "...builds on last year’s success in extending and expanding a variety of incentives for renewable resources like geothermal, solar, biomass, ethanol and biodiesel. These provisions were included in the Working Families Tax Relief Act of 2004 and the American Jobs Creation Act of 2004."
During the Committee mark-up of the bill, Rep. Nussle (R-IA) offered an amendment to extend the wind and biomass portions of the Section 45 credit, but was opposed by Chairman Thomas. Reportedly, Chairman Thomas would like to see Section 45 dealt within either the Budget Reconciliation Bill or in an end of the year tax extender package. He also reportedly supports taking action on all parts of Section 45 together, rather than singling out one technology. Congressman Nussle explained his voted against the Committee proposal "to protest its lack of renewable energy and conservation provisions."
The Senate, however, may include Section provisions in its energy tax legislation that will be voted on in May. Several members of the Senate Finance Committee have expressed interest in doing so, and Senators Smith (R-OR) and Dorgan (D-ND)—both members of the Finance Committee—have introduced legislation (S. 542) that would extend the credit through 2011. Senator Lamar Alexander (R-TN), a leader in Senate efforts to address natural gas supply problems, has also included a 5-year extension of the Production Tax Credit for solar and geothermal in his legislation, the Natural Gas Price Reduction Act of 2005, S. 762. Source: GEA Update, 4/26/2005.
The House Resources Committee met on April 13, to vote on its portion of the energy bill. Included in the Resources Committee bill were provisions similar to those included in last year's bill to modify and update the Geothermal Steam Act. Title II, the geothermal section of the bill, would make several important changes in the law and was passed by the Committee without amendment.
Title II, also known as the John Rishel Geothermal Steam Act Amendments of 2005, would make several important changes in the law. Some highlights of the legislation are its proposals to:
"For both electric power and direct uses, we have only begun to tap our geothermal energy potential, GEA's Executive Director Karl Gawell told the Committee. "Title II of the Domestic Energy Security Act will go a long way towards unlocking that potential," Gawell said. Source: GEA Update, 4/26/2005.
The Associated Press recently reported that an energy bill approved by the U.S. House of Representatives last week includes an amendment sponsored by Rep. Jay Inslee (D-WA) that reduces the royalty fee paid by private companies to build wind turbines on public lands.
AP said Inslee's amendment, which was supported by Reps. Joe Barton (R-TX) and Richard Pombo (R-CA), would reduce the fees from a maximum of $2,365 per megawatt per year to $1,182 per MW per year. The news service reported that Inslee introduced the amendment because royalty fees charged by private landowners are significantly lower than the fees charged by the Department of Interior's Bureau of Land Management (BLM).
AP noted that BLM is responsible for approximately 260 million acres of public lands and administers 25 wind energy "right of way" authorizations in California and Wyoming. Source: AP, 4/21/2005 via EIN Renewable Energy Today, 4/25/2005.
Notice of Proposed Rulemaking that has been issued by FERC proposing to change imbalance provisions of the open access transmission tariff. FERC is listing it as "Imbalance Provisions for Intermittent Resources", Docket No. RM05-10-000.
Kansas Gov. Kathleen Sebelius on Monday signed into law a measure (HB 2263) that will create an electric transmission authority for the Midwest state. The move follows similar efforts to set up such authorities in a number of other states, including the Dakotas (see Power Market Today, March 28), and could spur further wind power development in Kansas.
The transmission authority will have the ability to finance or even own transmission facilities, noted Jim Ludwig, vice president of public affairs at Westar Energy, in an interview with Power Market Today on Tuesday.
Westar worked with "several other interested persons to kind of fashion the bill for Kansas," he noted. "It was originally modeled on Wyoming legislation, where in that state they have a transmission authority." The types of facilities that would probably be financed or potentially owned by the Kansas authority would be those built primarily for economic development purposes, Ludwig noted. These types of projects would be for transmission facilities "that might not be absolutely necessary for reliability, but may allow [for] greater development for wind generation in the state or might allow for more wholesale business—moving power in and out of our state."
Prior to the bill's signing, the legislation drew support from the Kansas chapter of the Sierra Club. The environmental group noted that the measure would help to encourage the development of wind-generated electricity in western Kansas.
Charles Benjamin, a lobbyist for the Kansas chapter of the Sierra Club, said that the group's motivation for promoting the bill was that "the western part of the state has an enormous wind resource, but it's largely untapped because of the lack of transmission lines. We feel that the wind resource could provide additional power not only for Kansas, but could also be exported if there was a mechanism for building transmission lines."
The problem, he said, "is that the utilities won't build the transmission lines or have not so far, because they have their sources of power, which is from primarily coal and other sources of electric power and they are servicing their customers through the existing grid."
"I think in part some of the supporters of the transmission authority do see it as a way to encourage the building of wind turbines," Ludwig said. "It's not exclusively, of course, for that." He noted that Kansas ranks among "the very best states for our wind resources. We have particularly favorable wind for generating electricity, so we've got wonderful potential in the state."
A key federal production tax credit promoting renewables is due to expire at the end of this year. Benjamin commented on how much of an impact there would be on wind power development in the western part of Kansas if the PTC isn't renewed.
"Obviously, it would be helpful if it was renewed," he noted. "But what we're seeing is a trend toward bigger and more efficient wind turbines. There is some expectation that the next generation of wind turbines will be 3 MW machines and that they may be so efficient that they can produce electricity under two cents a kilowatt hour, without a production tax credit."
Benjamin noted that "these are enormous machines. They would be 450 feet high. Now, in some parts of the United States, there would be [an] objection to having machines that high, but in the western part of the state it's largely unpopulated and fairly flat," he told Power Market Today. He said that if a trend towards fewer, but bigger and more efficient wind power machines occurs in western Kansas, "it may not be dependent on the renewal of the tax credit."
Kansas also has a property tax exemption for wind turbines. "And that's an enormous help," Benjamin said. "This is what the wind companies tell us. Also, the governor has proposed a state tax credit that would kick in should the federal tax expire. Right now, that is stuck in the legislature....but we think that could be helpful as well."
Sebelius earlier this year said that electric utilities in Kansas should have a total of at least 1,000 MW of renewable energy capacity installed in the state by 2015, which would amount to about 10 percent of the state's current total electric generation capacity and is more than nine times the current amount (see Power Market Today, January 18).
If anyone knows the history of the Kansas transmission siting authority, it's Benjamin. "This bill originated, actually, with me," he said this week. He suggested the idea of a transmission authority in a conversation with the now-deceased chair of the Kansas Senate Utilities Committee Stan Clark in March 2004.
Clark was killed in an auto accident that same year. Benjamin subsequently pursued the idea of a transmission authority with Kansas State Rep. Carl Holmes, "who decided that he was going to promote this idea." As for next steps for the Kansas electric transmission authority, Ludwig noted that the "authority itself will have to be populated. The bill establishes people who will be appointed to the authority and there are certain qualifications that I'm sure they'll want–some knowledge of the industry." He thinks that it will "probably take some time to constitute" the authority.
"With respect to owning [transmission lines], that's a big step. I would think that would be down the road, if it ever occurred," the Westar official said. "With respect to financing, the state has significant financing authority, but we're like any other state—there's quite a line of entities who'd like to borrow money for all sorts of purposes." Source: Jim Ploger, Energy Manager, Kansas Corporation Commission, 4/22/2005.
Reuters recently reported that many solar industry executives attending the Semicon trade fair held earlier this month in Munich, Germany, expressed concerns that the current worldwide shortage of polysilicon, one of the main components in solar cells, could potentially hamper growth in the industry.
According to Reuters, the price of solar-grade silicon has increased from approximately $9 per kilogram in 2000 to $60 per kilogram this month. The news service said Sharp Corporation chief of solar systems Takashi Tomita warned that spiking prices for silicon could ultimately stall the solar cell manufacturing market.
Reuters reported that Semicon attendees proposed a range of long-term solutions to the shortage problem, such as producing larger silicon wafers or moving to thin-film production. Source: Reuters, 4/13/2005.
The U.S. wind energy industry appears set this year to shatter the previous record for installation of new projects, generating clean power and creating new jobs from New York to Arizona, the American Wind Energy Association said today.
In its quarterly market outlook estimate, the trade group nudged its 2005 forecast for the expanding industry from "over 2,000 megawatts" of new capacity upward to "up to 2,500 MW," based on a private survey of wind turbine manufacturer plans. A megawatt of wind capacity generates about as much electricity as is used by 250-300 households, so the new forecast translates to the equivalent of approximately 700,000 homes.
AWEA executive director Randall Swisher called the forecast "excellent news," adding, "We are seeing a series of positive trends, from new major players entering the industry to strong economic activity in hard-hit rural areas, and we continue to press for a timely long-term extension of the federal wind energy production tax credit (PTC) so that this latest boom can continue." The PTC expires at the end of this year, and Congress has previously allowed it to expire three times before renewal, each time creating uncertainty about the industry's future, Swisher said.
AWEA views wind energy as one of the most promising new sources of manufacturing jobs for the 21st century, and notes that evidence of that aspect of its growth is widespread:
"More states are looking seriously at wind energy these days as an engine of economic development," Swisher commented, "and what they are seeing confirms a major study released last fall by the Renewable Energy Policy Project (REPP). It reported that boosting wind energy from 6,000 MW to 50,000 MW nationwide would create 150,000 manufacturing jobs.
"With its energy, economic, and environmental benefits, wind is the technology that is ready today to power America's future." The new market forecast, AWEA said, means the U.S. wind industry is within striking distance of exceeding its previous record year (2001, with 1,696 MW) by 50 percent. 2,544 MW of new capacity would be needed to reach that mark.
A state-by-state listing of existing and proposed wind energy projects is available on AWEA's Website. A table showing manufacturing jobs that could be created in the U.S. by an eight-fold expansion of wind energy installations (a capital investment of $50 billion), according to the Renewable Energy Policy Project study, is included below.
Years ago, when Gordian Raacke of Renewable Energy Long Island began advocating for the use of clean sources of energy “only hippies” embraced the concept, he recalled. Last week County Executive Steve Levy, along with South Fork Legislator Jay Schneiderman and Legislator Jon Cooper of Lloyd Harbor, eschewed ragged bell-bottoms and love beads. Instead, they showed support for the use of renewable energy sources with decidedly un-hippie-like measures — new laws.
On Wednesday, Levy kicked off Earth Day celebrations with the signing of two bills requiring the county to use non-polluting energy sources. He characterized the companion measures as “a win-win for both our environment and the economy.” Besides the environmental bonus using alternate sources of energy entails, the county’s participation in clean energy programs may help stimulate the renewable energy market, and make it more affordable, Levy pointed out.
Problems Of Pollution: Cooper’s law mandates that by 2010, 25 percent of the energy used to run municipal buildings will come from renewable sources, capping expenditures for the power source at $500,000 per year. “Suffolk County has a long reputation for sponsoring innovative legislation to protect our environment,” he said, “These bills follow in that tradition.” While the lawmaker acknowledged that the 25 percent goal is not going to solve the problems of pollution and dependence on foreign oil overnight, he said the laws set an example for county businesses and residents to follow.
Schneiderman’s bill enrolls the county in LIPA’s Green Energy program, and requires the county to purchase 5 percent of its energy from clean sources. The bill caps the cost for Clean Energy at $100,000 per year. According to Schneiderman, the county’s annual energy bills run around $20 million. While his bill calls for the county to purchase 5 percent of its energy under the LIPA program, the cap brings the actual purchase closer to 2.5 percent. So far all the East End towns save East Hampton have signed on to the LIPA Green Energy program.
According to the county executive, 5 percent of the county’s energy usage is enough to power 500 homes, or the 12-story H. Lee Dennison Building in Hauppauge, where his offices are located, for an entire year. Schneiderman pointed out that both bills passed unanimously in the legislature, which he believes demonstrates the body’s “strong commitment” to pursuing alternate sources of energy.
Visionary Thing: The lawmakers were joined at the signing ceremony by Richard Kessel of LIPA, along with a variety of representatives from island-wide environmental organizations. Kessel praised Levy for “doing a visionary thing,” then challenged county officials to do more. He announced that if the county would install the largest solar panels on the island on either the Dennison building or the roof of the legislature’s digs, he’d offer LIPA’s largest rebate to date. Cooper has been working on a plan to install solar panels at the legislature’s home base, the William H. Rogers building off Vet’s Highway.
Earlier this year Levy unveiled a Clean Energy Action Plan aimed at increasing energy efficiency, reducing demand, and promoting clean energy alternatives for electricity and powering vehicles. It will reduce energy costs by over $1 million annually. Program features include energy efficient upgrades at a number of county buildings, the purchase of hybrid technology buses to replace diesel-fuel buses, and the purchase of clean-diesel buses that reduce emissions by 85 percent. Green building practices will be used for new projects and renovations and only Energy-Star rated office equipment will be purchased. Radke noted: “The County Executive doesn’t just talk the green talk; he walks the green walk” (In wingtips, though, not Birkenstocks). Source: By Kitty Merrill, The Independent, 4/26/2005.
It's time for the United States to become more energy self-sufficient, an alternative energy panel asserted Saturday. The panel, featuring U.S. Rep. Mark Udall, D-Colo., and former Speaker of the Colorado House of Representatives Lola Spradley, stopped in Fort Morgan during its tour to listen to Coloradans' energy needs.
"For me at the federal level, what I'm moved by this (amendment) is national security as much as rural development," Udall said. "We're supporting both sides in the war on terror; we send a lot of money to countries that we don't have much in common with." Udall said that China with its expansion boom has become a major competitor to America for the world's oil.
"We want a secure, safe, peaceful China, but they are competing with us for the purchase of oil, and they're holding a lot of our paper," he said.
In November, Colorado citizens passed Amendment 37 which requires portions of the state's energy consumption to be made up of renewable energy. This provides a new market that farmers and ranchers, especially, can take advantage of if they construct wind turbines on their property.
"It's the opportunity for farmers and ranchers to diversify because there's no higher risk than being a farmer or rancher," Spradley said. "There are income opportunities for us to benefit local communities and local farmers and ranchers. Doing nothing means continuing to pay more for the status quo."
Spradley said that there are no losers in this issue although there were many opponents to Amendment 37, most notably utility companies that will have to pay more for the renewable energy.
One source of renewable energy that was up for discussion was wind power. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, the High Plains region offers marginal to good sources of wind power with Morgan County's land being mostly marginal. This means that the wind speed at 50 meters high is from 13-15 miles per hour.
Larry Flowers of Wind Powering America in Golden was part of the panel and said that his motto is "carpe ventum," seize the wind. Flowers said that wind power will help with economic development because it is an inexhaustible, indigenous resource. He also noted its low environmental impact.
"There's gonna be jobs, good jobs," he said. "There's gonna be payments to the rancher and there's gonna be tax income. You guys have the resource (the utility companies) need, and they're willing to pay for it."
While it is possible for Morgan County to generate energy from harvesting the wind, an even more abundant resource is available on all the local cattle farms. Manure from the cows can be processed in a biomass refinery to create energy, said Carl Lehrburger, founder and executive vice president of PureVision Technology in Fort Lupton.
"The solution to the dilemma that faces our country today is going to come from rural America," he said. "It's not just the wind and it's not just the corn stalks; it's also the animal manure that provides opportunities to generate income."
Lehrburger said that biomass refining is a favorable alternative to using corn to make ethanol because it has very limited other uses. "The Department of Energy set a goal of 10 billion gallons of ethanol each year," he said. "Right now we're at 3.4 billion gallons which uses 12.6 percent of the corn supply. We're beyond talking about the price of corn rising; we're talking about having enough corn for food and animal feed." He said that the biomass refining process would also yield hundreds of chemicals for industrial use although he admits that "we have a long way to go."
Jon Becker, director of Morgan County Economic Development Corp., said that the first benefit that county residents are likely to notice from the new energy sources is an increase in taxes but that wind energy will also help the farmers and ranchers who can still use the land to graze their animals; however, he said that he sees biomass as the future.
"Biomass is something we know we can support here," he said. "What that will do for the local economy is absolutely amazing." Becker said it's important to make sure that reliability is assured, and he also said that there were projects in the pipeline to move forward with biomass refining. The panel also featured energy advocate Stephanie Bonin from Environment Colorado who helped spearhead the campaign that got Amendment 37 passed.
"The important thing to remember is that Amendment 37 was the first vote on renewable energy to be passed by the people," she said. "It's really left the environmentalists' hands." Bonin said that parties from both sides of the issue had come together to see where they could go from here. She said that even though the focus is on wind power, the amendment opens the door to all the other technologies.
There were concerns expressed about transmission of the renewable energy sources while Udall assured Brian Downing of Brush, who is looking into a wind-harnessing business, that Congress will pass the Production Tax Credit. Udall did note, however, that he was only one of 535 voting members in the U.S. House of Representatives. Source: By Luke Cornish, The Fort MorganTimes Staff Writer, 4/25/2005.
Iowa governor Tom Vilsack signed late last week Executive Order Number 41, which directs state agencies to generate at least 10 percent of their electric consumption from renewable energy resources, as well as purchase alternative fuel or hybrid electric vehicles for 100 percent of their non-law-enforcement, light-duty fleet and increase their usage of bulk diesel fuel.
"When we use renewable fuels, we create economic opportunities for the farmers of our state, we return dollars to our local economies and strengthen communities," said Vilsack. "Renewable fuels also give families an opportunity to stretch their energy dollars because they are less expensive." To ensure progress is made in improving the state's energy efficiency, Vilsack said agencies will be required to submit quarterly reports on their progress toward the goals of the Executive Order. Contact: Office of Governor Vilsack, Website. Source: EIN Renewable Energy Today, 4/22/2005.
The U.S. Department of Energy requests proposals for Fuel Cell Coal Based Systems Phase 1. DOE seeks to aid in the development of large (greater than 100 MWe) fuel cell power systems that will produce affordable, efficient and environmentally friendly electrical power from coal. The objective of Phase 1 is to design and perform analysis of the baseline (greater than 100 MWe) and proof-of-concept systems, to include concept identification, system definition and cost analysis, resolve any fuel cell technology barrier issues, and fabricate and test scaled-up fuel cells and fuel cell stacks. $5 million expected to be available, 1 to 2 awards anticipated. Responses due 6/7/05. For more info, contact Mary Price at or go to IIPS Financial Assitance Opportunity, Refer to Sol# DE-PS26-05NT42346 (Fedgrants 4/14/05). Source: Western Regional Office of the U.S. Department of Energy, 4/27/2005.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration requests applications for the Climate and Global Change Program. The goal of this program is improve the scientific understanding of the earth's past and present climate variability and change to improve climate forecast skill, increase the credibility of climate change projections, and the use of climate information for policy and decision makers and resource managers. Areas of interest include but are not limited to: Climate Change Data and Detection, Atmospheric Composition and Climate, and Climate Variability and Predictability. Up to $8 million expected to be available, 60 awards anticipated. Letters of intent are requested but not required and are due 5/20/05. Final proposals due 7/15/05. For more info, go to FedGrants's Website, refer to Sol# OAR-OGP-2006-2000116. (Fedgrants 4/25/04). Source: Western Regional Office of the U.S. Department of Energy, 4/27/2005.
The U.S. Department of Energy requests proposals for Enabling Turbine Technologies for High-Hydrogen Fuels. The objective of this solicitation is to establish projects and programs for the R&D of turbines and related systems that can utilize high hydrogen fuels, promote the use of hydrogen derived from coal and be integrated into systems that eliminate the emissions of CO2. Areas of interest include but are not limited to Hydrogen Turbines for FutureGen, and Novel Concepts for the Compression of Large Volumes of Carbon Dioxide. $3.7 million expected to be available in FY05, 9 to 13 awards anticipated. Responses due 5/27/05. For more info, contact Angela Delmastro at or go to IIPS Financial Assistacne Opportunity. Refer to Sol# DE-FC26-05NT42380-00. (Fedgrants 3/31/05). Source: Western Regional Office of the U.S. Department of Energy, 4/27/2005.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture requests proposals for the Rural Business Opportunity Grants Program. This program promotes sustainable economic development in rural communities with exceptional needs by supporting economic planning for rural communities, technical assistance for rural businesses, or training for rural entrepreneurs or economic development officials. $3 million expected to be available, award range $50K to $150K. Responses due 5/27/05. For more info. (Fedgrants 3/31/05). Source: Western Regional Office of the U.S. Department of Energy, 4/27/2005.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency requests applications for the development & maintenance of a Compliance Assistance Center for schools, colleges, and universities. Centers provide easy to understand compliance information targeted to specific sectors, geographic areas and environmental topics including but not limited to the U.S./Mexico border environmental issues, transportation and agriculture. $350K expected to be available, pre-proposals due 5/6/05. For more info, contact Ken Harmon or go to FedGrants's Request for Initial Proposals. Refer to Sol# EPA-GRANTS-033005-002. (Fedgrants 3/31/05). Source: Western Regional Office of the U.S. Department of Energy, 4/27/2005.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Regions 3 to 10, request applications for the Source Reduction Assistance Program. This program supports source reduction, pollution prevention and/or resource conservation activities. $163K expected to be available per Region. Due dates for pre-proposals and/or applications vary by region. Due date range 5/20 to 6/13. For more info, go to EPA's Website. Refer to Sol# EPA-GRANTS-040705-001. (Fedgrants 4/7/05). Source: Western Regional Office of the U.S. Department of Energy, 4/27/2005. Tribal Environmental Education Outreach and Support Program
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency requests proposals for the Tribal Environmental Education Outreach and Support Program for work that provides outreach in Indian country to tribal students to help develop their understanding and interest in pursuing careers in air quality and environmental programs. Up to $1 million expected to be available, 1 award anticipated. Responses due 5/27/05. For more info, contact Darrel Harmon or go to FedGrants–Federal Funding Opportunities. Refer to Sol# OAR-IO-05-10. (Fedgrants 4/18/05). Source: Western Regional Office of the U.S. Department of Energy, 4/27/2005.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency requests proposals for "Foresight and the Future of Environmental Quality." The objective of this RFP is to promote the learning and application of foresight techniques among a diverse group of environmental stakeholders to improve long-range planning, inform decision making and support policy development. $450K expected to be available, 2 awards a nticipated. Responses due 5/31/05. For more info, contact Anita Street at or go to FedGrants–Foresight and the Future of Environmental Quality. Refer to Sol# USEPA-ORD-OSP-05-01. (Fedgrants 4/15/05). Source: Western Regional Office of the U.S. Department of Energy, 4/27/2005.
The U.S. Agency for International Development announces it's intent to request quotes for natural resource management and sustainable economic development activities in Jamaica. The project will consist of protecting Jamaica's rich natural resource while: (1) Building productive capacity of targeted rural communities; (2) Promoting the development of agricultural and non-agricultural business enterprises; and (3) Providing grant funding to rural community organizations for economically viable income generating activities. The request for quote will be issued in early or mid May 2005. For more info, go to Rural Enterprise, Agricultural and Community Tourism (REACT). Refer to Sol# 532-05-013. (FBO 4/28/05). Source: Western Regional Office of the U.S. Department of Energy, 4/27/2005.
The U.S. Agency for International Development has issued a draft Statement of Work and is compiling a list of interested vendors for the Afghanistan Energy and Natural Resources Program. The objectives of this indefinite quantity contract are: 1) To facilitate the reconstruction and expansion of energy and natural resource infrastructure; 2) To expand the availability of and access to commercial quality energy products and services; 3) To improve the governance and efficiency of the sector. For more info, go to AFGHANISTAN ENERGY AND NATURAL RESOURCES PROGRAM. Refer to Sol# 306-05-006-APSO. (FBO 4/7/05). Source: Western Regional Office of the U.S. Department of Energy, 4/27/2005.
The Patagonia Environmental Grants Program supports grassroots environmental work in communities where the outdoor clothing and gear company does business. Grant range generally $3K to $8K. Proposals accepted in April and August 2005. Foundation Center RFP Bulletin 4/1/05). Source: Western Regional Office of the U.S. Department of Energy, 4/27/2005.
Australia's minister for the environment and heritage Ian Campbell recently announced that the government is seeking "expressions of interest" from industry for the participation in the $75-million Solar Cities program. According to Campbell, the Solar Cities program is intended to demonstrate the economic and environmental costs and benefits of the mass installation of solar energy technology, energy efficient measures and smart meters on electricity supply and demand profiles and infrastructure needs. Campbell said Adelaide and three other locations will be selected for Solar City sites. "Solar Cities is essentially about partnerships," said Campbell. "It will bring together governments, industry, communities and businesses to radically change the way we think about energy." Campbell noted that groups interested in applying for funding should demonstrate their ability to garner the support of local households and businesses. Contact: Renae Stoikos, Office of Minister Campbell, phone 02-6277-7640. Source: EIN Renewable Energy Today, 4/15/2005.
This news item comes to you as a service of Western's Renewable Resources Program.
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