Sustainable Energy News Summaries –January 12, 2008

Below please find summaries of sustainable energy news stories from the past week. The news stories address developments in renewable energy and energy efficiency particularly as they present solutions to climate change, rising energy costs, expanding energy imports, and nuclear power. This compilation was prepared by the SUN DAY Campaign which publishes a longer, daily compilation of such stories.
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1.) Obama Starts Year With Renewable Energy Pledge:
Business Green, by John Sterlicchi, January 5, 2009
http://www.businessgreen.com/business-green/news/2233250/obama-starts-re...
US president-elect Barack Obama reiterated again at the weekend that strategic investments in renewable energy will be an integral part of his plan to create three million new jobs over the next two years. "To put people back to work today and reduce our dependence on foreign oil tomorrow, we will double renewable energy production and renovate public buildings to make them more energy efficient," he said in the Democratic Party's weekly radio address. Obama offered no further specifics, but in the past he has said he will invest $100 billion over 10 years in clean technology and has outlined plans for an upgraded national energy grid designed to harness and distribute power from wind, water and other alternative energy sources.
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2.) A Pitch for Mass Transit:
New York Times (editorial), January 5, 2009 http://www.nytimes.com/2009/01/05/opinion/05mon2.html?ref=opinion
Barack Obama is going to enter office with a a strong commitment to address both climate change and America’s growing dependency on foreign oil. One way he can do this is to give mass transit — trains, buses, commuter rails — the priority it deserves. For years, the division of transportation money in Washington has heavily favored cars and trucks — more than 80 percent of the big transit money from gas taxes goes to highways and bridges, and less than 20 percent to railroads or mass transit. As part of the stimulus package now under discussion for transportation, James Oberstar (D-MN), chairman of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, is proposing $30 billion for highways and bridges and $12 billion for public transit. That is certainly a far healthier mix.
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3.) Fuel Cell Industry Proposes $1.2 Billion from Stimulus Package:
Fuel Cell Technology Update, January 2009
http://www.usfcc.com
The fuel cell industry is asking Congress and the incoming Obama Administration to set aside $1.2 billion in the planned stimulus package for fuel cells and their fuels. To see the full detailed plan, go to http://www.usfcc.com/Fuel_Cell%20_Stimulus_12.18.08.pdf.
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4.) U.S. Department of Energy's Releases Groundbreaking Marine and Hydrokinetic Technology Database:
U.S. Department of Energy, January 5, 2009
http://apps1.eere.energy.gov/news/progress_alerts.cfm/pa_id=138
The U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE) Wind and Hydropower Technologies Program has developed and released a database that provides up-to-date information on marine and hydrokinetic renewable energy in the United States and around the world. The database includes wave, current, and ocean thermal energy conversion technologies. The fully searchable database allows the user to search among both technology types and specific projects, based on a number of criteria including geographical location, resource type, and technology stage or project status. Users can easily access details on a device or project's size, dimensions, and mooring methods, as well as project details, including information on permitting, power purchase agreements, and partnerships.
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5.) Austin Municipal Utility Working to Boost Renewable Sources in 2009:
Austin Business Journal, by Jean Kwon, January 2, 2009
http://austin.bizjournals.com/austin/stories/2009/01/05/story9.html?b=12...^1754852
Austin Energy counts a new solar plant and an expansion of an energy center among its planned projects for 2009. The 30-megawatt solar facility in East Travis County and the scheduled completion of a $60 million, 100-megawatt expansion of the Sand Hill Energy Center will come on the heels of a major milestone this past year: the approval of a $2.3 billion biomass plant in East Texas. Once operational, the biomass plant is expected to boost Austin Energy’s renewable portfolio from 11 percent to 18 percent of its fuel mix. That project, and seemingly almost everything else it tackles now, are part of Austin Energy’s goal to generate 30 percent of its energy from renewable sources by 2020.
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6.) California Water District Deploys 1.1 MW Photovoltaic Array:
SolarBuzz.com, January 5, 2009
http://www.solarbuzz.com/News/NewsNAPR1352.htm
WorldWater & Solar Technologies has completed installation of a 1.1 MW solar power system for the Valley Center Municipal Water District (VCMWD) of Valley Center, California. The system, which was financed and will be owned, operated, and maintained by Solar Power Partners, Inc. (SPP) of Mill Valley, California, will provide 2.1 million kWh per year of electricity for the district, offsetting up to 20% of the electricity required by their largest pumping station. The project was developed using a solar Power Purchase Agreement, which required no cash outlay from VCMWD, who will purchase the generated power from SPP for the twenty-five year life of the agreement. Sharp supplied the solar panels for the project.
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7.) Raser Completes Initial Commissioning of Thermo Geothermal Facility:
RenewableEnergyWorld.com, January 2, 2009
http://www.renewableenergyworld.com/rea/news/story?id=54407
Raser Technologies Inc. announced that it is nearing completion of the commissioning process of the 50 power generation units at Thermo, its first commercial-scale power plant, in Beaver County, Utah. Most of the individual units have been commissioned and placed in service. The power being generated during the commissioning period is being sold to Rocky Mountain Power in order to avoid the transmission scheduling issues associated with fluctuating power supply. Final testing of the entire plant and its wells is expected to be completed within the next few weeks at which time the plant’s output is expected to be delivered to Anaheim and local utility sales of testing power will be discontinued.
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8.) Liberty Green Renewables to Build Biomass Facility in Michigan:
World of Renewables, January 5, 2009
http://www.worldofrenewables.com/index.php?do=viewarticle&artid=2874&tit...
Liberty Green Renewables plans to build a state-of-the-art 28 megawatt biomass-to-electricity facility on 110 acres north of Milltown, MI. The plant will process woody biomass material from several local forest product industrial sources in south central Indiana and central Kentucky, including residues from logging, sawmills, furniture, cabinet and pallet manufacturers, tree trimmings and storm damage. The plant will utilize a fluidized bed boiler technology to enable utilization of a wide variety of woody biomass materials in an efficient, environmentally friendly manner. The facility will employ around 25 people when completed.
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9.) Hybrid Car Sales Plummeted in November:
UPI, January 3, 2009
http://news.webindia123.com/news/Articles/Business/20090103/1143104.html
U.S. hybrid car sales plummeted in November, falling faster than sales of conventional, gasoline-powered cars, according to AutoData. It U.S. hybrid car sales plummeted in November, falling faster than sales of conventional, gasoline-powered cars. Sales of the Toyota Prius fell almost 50 percent and Camry sales dropped 57 percent. Sales of Ford's crossover car, the Escape, fell 35 percent. Sales of a larger hybrid, the Lexus RX 400 fell to about a third of its sales figures from November 2007.
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10.) Dynegy Drops Dirty Coal Plants under Sierra Club Pressure:
Sierra Club, January 2, 2009
http://action.sierraclub.org/site/MessageViewer?em_id=84181.0
Under pressure from the Sierra Club's "Clean Up Dynegy Campaign," Dynegy Inc. today announced that it is pulling out of its joint venture with LS Power and abandoning five of its seven proposed coal-fired power plants. In February 2008, the Sierra Club launched a national grassroots campaign to urge Houston-based coal giant Dynegy to clean up its act. The campaign kicked off with call-in events in 20 states, which generated thousands of telephone calls to Dynegy headquarters, pressuring the company to shift its investments away from coal and into cleaner, smarter energy solutions.
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11.) The Staggering Cost of New Nuclear Power - Triple Current U.S. Electricity Rates:
Climate Progress, January 5, 2009
http://climateprogress.org/wp-content/uploads/2009/01/nuclear-costs-2009...
A new study, "Business Risks and Costs of New Nuclear Power," puts the generation costs for power from new nuclear plants (including fuel & O&M but not distribution to customers) at from 25 to 30 cents per kilowatt-hour. This is far higher than the cost of a variety of carbon-free renewable power sources available today — and ten times the cost of energy efficiency. Construction delays would run costs higher, risking funding shortfalls. The strain on cash flow is expected to degrade credit ratings. The study was authored by Craig A. Severance, former Assistant to the Chairman and to Commerce Counsel, Iowa State Commerce Commission.
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12.) Bioenergy Has the Potential to Sustainably Meet Around 10% of the World’s Medium-Term Energy Requirement:
World of Renewables, January 6, 2009
http://www.worldofrenewables.com/index.php?do=viewarticle&artid=2883&tit...
In its new report “Future Bioenergy and Sustainable Land Use” WBGU, the German Advisory Council on Global Change, concludes that in the medium term around 10% of the world’s energy needs could be met by sustainable bioenergy from biogenic residues and energy crops. About a quarter of the potential arising from energy crops is located in Central and South America. Sub-Saharan Africa, Europe, North America and China each account for around 15%, while India accounts for 6%. However, utilization of this potential should only be pursued if risks to food security as well as to nature conservation and climate change mitigation targets can be excluded. For this to happen, binding sustainability standards need to be introduced at national and international level.
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13.) First Commercial Hydrokinetic Power Turbine Installed:
RenewableEnergyWorld.com, January 6, 2009
http://www.renewableenergyworld.com/rea/news/story?id=54426
Hydro Green Energy LLC has completed the installation of one of two turbines at the United States' first-ever commercial hydrokinetic power project. The City of Hastings, Minnesota is installing a two-turbine Hydro+ project downstream from its 4.4-megawatt (MW) run-of-river hydropower plant on U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' Lock & Dam No. 2. Once the electrical systems are tested, the hydrokinetic turbine will send electricity to the Minnesota electric power grid. The second underwater turbine will be installed in the spring of 2009. Once the project is operational, extensive water quality, fish survival, mussel and avian impact studies will be performed by Hydro Green Energy.
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14.) California Regulators Push Energy Efficiency for TVs:
New York Times, by Kate Galbraith, January 6, 2009
http://greeninc.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/01/06/regulators-push-energy-effi...
Televisions consume about 4 percent of household electricity nationally, and the modern flat-panels are especially energy-intensive. Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) models require 43 percent more power than conventional tube TVs. In response, California regulators are drafting rules mandating that retailers stock only the most energy-efficient TVs. Critics say that efficiency standards would “kill dealerships,” because Californians would search the Internet for less-efficient TVs, and get them shipped into California. However, the Natural Resources Defense Council, disputes the critics, saying “There are over 100 models today that would meet the proposed California standard."
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15.) Efficiency and Conservation Measures Could Drop Energy Demand by 2020:
Earth-Policy Institute, by Lester R. Brown, January 6, 2009
http://www.earth-policy.org/Books/Seg/PB3bp_ss2.htm
Dramatically ramping up energy efficiency would allow the world to not only avoid growth in energy demand but actually reduce global demand to at least 6 percent below 2006 levels by 2020. For example, retrofitting existing buildings with better insulation and more-efficient appliances can cut energy use by 20 to 50 percent. If everyone around the world turned to high-efficiency home, office, industrial, and street lighting, total world electricity use would fall by 12 percent. Recycling plastics and producing them more efficiently could cut petrochemical energy use by close to one third. Adopting the most-efficient blast furnaces and boosting recycling can cut energy use in this industry by close to 40 percent.
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16.) Massachusetts and 10 Other States Agree to Low-Carbon Standard:
Associated Press, January 6, 2009
http://www.southcoasttoday.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20090106/NEWS/...
Massachusetts and 10 other Northeast and Mid-Atlantic states have agreed to create a low carbon fuel standard to reduce greenhouse gases. The states will come up with a single standard that would apply to the entire region, creating a larger market for cleaner fuels and the development of clean energy technologies. The other states that are part of the initiative include New York, Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Maryland, New Hampshire, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island and Vermont.
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17.) Ambitious Agenda, Simple Ideals:
The Hill, by U.S. Senator Harry Reid (D-NV), January 6, 2008
http://thehill.com/op-eds/ambitious-agenda-simple-ideals-2009-01-06.html
To strengthen both our economy and our security, this Congress will make America more energy-efficient and energy-independent, and significantly increase our investments in clean and renewable energy resources. We have the tools at our fingertips to create green jobs that cannot be outsourced while simultaneously reinvigorating our manufacturing economy and meeting our serious environmental challenges. We must also fulfill our commitment to breaking the nation’s addiction to oil and reducing our dependence on energy supplies from volatile regions of the world.
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18.) First Order of Business Is Creating or Saving Three Million Jobs in U.S.:
The Hill, by U.S. Representative Steny Hoyer (D-MD), January 6, 2008
http://thehill.com/op-eds/1st-order-of-business-is-creating-or-saving-3-...
The first item on our agenda is recovery legislation aimed at getting our economy back on track and creating or saving 3 million jobs. It will include funding to renew our nation’s worn-down infrastructure, including roads, bridges and water systems — as well as to build the advanced infrastructure, such as broadband and green technology, that the 21st century demands. In addition, we plan to invest in new energy technology. Congress will also need to follow through on President Bush’s decision to lend funds to help stabilize America’s automakers. However, the Big Three must take advantage of the bridge loans to become competitive, job-creating companies once again, building cost-effective, fuel-efficient cars.
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19.) Middle-Class Aid First Step to Fixing Broken Economy:
The Hill, by U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), January 6, 2009
http://thehill.com/op-eds/middle-class-aid-first-step-to-fixing-broken-e...
The economic recovery package is an opportunity to invest in new forms of clean energy and take better advantage of existing clean energy technologies. By making major investments now in renewable energy and energy efficiency, we can revitalize our economy, create millions of new green-collar jobs, curb greenhouse gas emissions and help repair our international standing all at the same time. To build the green economy, we must also upgrade our inefficient and outdated energy transmission system. To make the new green-collar economy a reality, we must train the workers that will build it. The good news for workers looking to join the green-collar economy is that most of these jobs involve skilled repair and maintenance capabilities, meaning they can never be outsourced.
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20.) New York Governor Announces New Energy Agenda to Stimulate Economy, Create Jobs:
Natural resources Defense Council, January 7, 2009
http://www.nrdc.org/media/2009/090107.asp
In his State of the State speech today, Governor Paterson announced a comprehensive energy agenda that will include:
** Mandating 30 percent of New York’s energy come from renewable sources by 2015.
** Making energy efficiency investments that will reduce New York’s “business as usual” energy consumption by 15 percent by 2015.
** Using the proceeds from the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI) and other sources to create green jobs and lower consumer energy bills by promoting energy efficiency.
** Committing to coordinating and accelerating research in renewable technologies through the creation of the Battery Research Consortium to explore hybrid plug-in technology, as well as a New York Energy Policy Institute.
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21.) Perpetual Energy Systems Activates Four PV Installations:
SolarBuzz.com, January 7, 2009
http://www.solarbuzz.com/News/NewsNAPR1356.htm
Perpetual Energy Systems, a financier and developer of solar powered renewable energy systems, and Foster’s Wine Estates Americas, a subsidiary of Foster’s Group in Australia, has activated four solar installations including the largest solar energy system hosted by a United States winery. Beringer Vineyards now hosts a 1.34 megawatt DC solar energy system, the largest operational solar installation at a winery in the country. Additionally, Beringer’s sister winery at Asti, home to brands Souverain and Cellar No. 8, hosts the third largest system of its kind, producing 1.15 megawatt DC. All four active rooftop installations, including Etude and Stags’ Leap Winery, will generate 3.85 million Kilowatt hours (KWh AC) of energy annually.
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22.) America's Untapped Energy Resource - Boosting Efficiency:
Time Magazine, by Michael Grunwald, December 31, 2008
http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1869224,00.html
The Alliance to Save Energy calculates that without the efficiency gains made since the last energy crisis, in 1973, the U.S. economy would use nearly 50% more energy today. But we could save much more. A McKinsey study found that a global effort to boost efficiency with existing technologies could have "spectacular results," eliminating more than 20% of world energy demand by 2020. Efficiency guru Amory Lovins argues that today's best techniques could save the U.S. half our oil and gas and three-fourths of our electricity. Honeywell CEO Dave Cote brags that widespread adoption of just his own company's efficiency products could slash U.S. energy use 20%.
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23.) Coal Ash Disaster Underscores Need to End Coal Use:
Friends of the Earth, January 7, 2009
http://action.foe.org/pressRelease.jsp?press_release_KEY=452
A disastrous pre-Christmas spill of a billion gallons of toxic coal ash in Tennessee has led environmental advocates to renew their calls for an end to the use of coal. Friends of the Earth is mobilizing activists to contact Congress and demand an immediate moratorium on the construction of new coal plants, as well as a rapid phase-out of plants that already exist. Those plants should be replaced by clean alternatives, including wind and solar power, as well as energy efficiency. For details, visit: http://www.foe.org/coal-ash-disaster.
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24.) Obama to Boost Alternative Energy:
Politico, January 8, 2009
http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0109/17214.html
Here are excerpts from the prepared text of President-elect Obama's remarks, titled "American Recovery and Reinvestment," the name of his proposed $750 billion stimulus package: "To finally spark the creation of a clean energy economy, we will double the production of alternative energy in the next three years. We will modernize more than 75% of federal buildings and improve the energy efficiency of two million American homes, saving consumers and taxpayers billions on our energy bills. In the process, we will put Americans to work in new jobs that pay well and can’t be outsourced – jobs building solar panels and wind turbines; constructing fuel-efficient cars and buildings; and developing the new energy technologies that will lead to even more jobs, more savings, and a cleaner, safer planet in the bargain. We’ll also do more to retrofit America for a global economy. That means updating the way we get our electricity by starting to build a new smart grid that will save us money, protect our power sources from blackout or attack, and deliver clean, alternative forms of energy to every corner of our nation."
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25.) Obama Will Decide New Auto Fuel Efficiency Targets:
Reuters, by John Crawley, January 8, 2009
http://planetark.org/wen/51131
The Bush administration will not finalize new auto fuel efficiency standards, as it had planned, due to the industry's woeful financial state. The Transportation Department had intended to complete the regulation laying out annual mileage targets from 2011-15 by year's end, but will now hand the matter over to the incoming Obama administration. The rule must be finalized by April to allow automakers time to incorporate tougher mileage standards in their product plans. The government has proposed a 25 percent increase in fleet fuel efficiency for the four-year period ending 2015, which would cover two-thirds of the congressionally mandated target of 35 miles per gallon by 2020.
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26.) Four Democrats Will Join U.S. Senate Energy Committee:
E&E News, by Ben Geman, January 8, 2009
Freshmen Mark Udall of Colorado and Jeanne Shaheen of New Hampshire will be joining the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee in the 111th Congress, along with Sens. Debbie Stabenow of Michigan and Evan Bayh of Indiana. The appointments have not been made official. Three Democrats are leaving the committee: Ken Salazar of Colorado, who is President-elect Barack Obama's pick to lead the Interior Department, Daniel Akaka of Hawaii, and Jon Tester of Montana. Democrats are increasing their ratios on Senate committees to reflect their larger majorities after last year's elections. Chairman Jeff Bingaman (D-NM) said he hopes to introduce a bipartisan energy bill early in this Congress.
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27.) Environment and Labor Usher in Next Generation of Congressional Green Leaders:
Natural Resources Defense council, January 8, 2009
http://www.nrdc.org/media/2009/090108a.asp
U.S. Congressman Earl Blumenauer (D-OR), a senior member of the U.S. House of Representatives and a recognized environmental leader, introduced four new members of Congress who are committed to forging a green economic recovery: Representatives Debbie Halvorson (IL), Steve Driehaus (OH), Tom Perriello (VA), and Mark Schauer (MI).
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28.) Statement of U.S. Senator Barbara Boxer at Briefing "Investing in Green Technology as a Strategy for Economic Recovery":
U.S. Senate Committee on Environment & Public Works, January 7, 2009
http://epw.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?FuseAction=Majority.PressReleases...
“Economic recovery and job creation will be a central focus of the Environment and Public Works Committee. We should mobilize to rebuild our aging infrastructure and we should mobilize to avoid the ravages of global warming. A recent report from the U.S. Conference of Mayors estimates that by 2038, another 4.2 million green jobs could be added to the economy - thanks to the alternative energy and renewable energy industries, and the benefits of energy efficiency. That could account for 10 percent of job growth over the next 30 years. To make this happen, we must make energy independence and global warming top national priorities.”
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29.) Venture Capitalist Tells Congress U.S. Losing Green Race:
San Francisco Chronicle, by Zachary Coile, January 8, 2009
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2009/01/07/MN041558UP.D...
Silicon Valley venture capitalist John Doerr (a partner at Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers, which is betting billions on clean energy technologies), whose early investments helped launch Google and Amazon, delivered a stark warning to Congress on Wednesday that the United States is on the verge of being left behind in the green tech revolution. He made five recommendations to jump-start a green-tech revolution and fight global warming:
** Modernize the grid: As part of the economic stimulus package, Doerr said Congress should invest in a more efficient electric grid that can deliver solar and wind power to consumers across the country.
** Put a price on carbon: A cap-and-trade system and a carbon tax that's refunded to taxpayers could drive up the costs for coal plants and make low-carbon sources, wind and solar, more competitive.
** A national renewable energy standard: Doerr believes the federal government should follow California and two dozen other states that require utilities to generate more of their power from renewable sources.
** New incentives for utilities: California utilities will spend $3 billion on energy-efficiency measures over the next 18 months because state rules give companies major incentives to conserve energy. New federal rules could force other states to follow suit, he said.
** More federal energy research: The federal government spends less than $1 billion a year on renewable energy research. Doerr urged more federal research and loan guarantees to help new technologies get off the ground.
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30.) California Energy Commission Recommends Cost-Based Feed-in Tariff:
Wind-Works.org, by Paul Gipe, January 5, 2009
http://www.wind-works.org/FeedLaws/USA/CECRecommendsCost-BasedFeed-inTar...
At the California Energy Commission's final workshop on feed-in tariffs December 1, 2008, the presiding commissioners accepted the staff's recommendation that California implement a system of feed-in tariffs. The recommendation calls on the Public Utility Commission (PUC) to immediately implement a system of feed-in tariffs for projects up to 20 MW in size. The program should require a "must take" provision and tariffs should be based on the cost of generation and not to the Market Price Referant, the PUC's term of art for wholesale avoided cost. The staff will complete a final report in early 2009 and will submit it for approval by the full commission.
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31.) Solar Power Farm Has Been Completed in Hawaii:
World of Renewables, January 8, 2009
http://www.worldofrenewables.com/index.php?do=viewarticle&artid=2889&tit...
Castle & Cooke Inc. has officially finished building Hawaii's largest single-site solar farm on Lanai. The array of 7,400 tilting photovoltaic panels now cuts across 10 acres of the former agricultural land. The $19 million, 1.2-megawatt La Ola Solar Farm is expected to supply up to 30 percent of Lanai's electricity. Maui Electric Co. plans to buy the farm's power and transmit it to Lanai homes through its electric power grid. It is part of a Castle & Cooke plan to powered the island entirely with renewable energy by 2020.
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32.) First Phase of 69-MW Michigan Wind in Commercial Operation:
RenewableEnergyWorld.com, January 8, 2009
http://www.renewableenergyworld.com/rea/news/story?id=54453
Construction of Michigan's largest commercial-scale wind farm near Ubly, has been successfully completed. John Deere Renewables and Consumers Energy, the utility purchasing the power, announced that Michigan Wind 1 went into commercial operation on December 16. Michigan Wind 1 is part of the former Noble Thumb Windpark, which John Deere Renewables acquired from Noble Environmental Power in October. The project includes 46 GE SLE wind turbines and has a total capacity of 69 megawatts (MW).
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33.) Continental Conducts First Test Flight With Algae-Based Biofuel:
SustainableBusiness.com, January 8, 2009
http://www.sustainablebusiness.com/index.cfm/go/news.display/id/17437
Continental Airlines flew a demonstration flight yesterday powered in part by a biofuel made from algae and jatropha oil. It is the first U.S. commercial carrier to do so. The algae oil was provided by Sapphire Energy, and the jatropha oil by Terasol Energy. It was the first time a commercial carrier has power a flight using fuel derived in part from algae. The flight was conducted in partnership with Boeing, GE Aviation/CFM International, and Honeywell's UOP, using a Boeing 737-800 equipped with CFM International CFM56-7B engines--two of which ran on a 50-50 blend of biofuel and traditional jetfuel.
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34.) Big Name Customers Light Up LED Market - US Pentagon and New York City to Roll Out Cutting-Edge, Energy-Saving Lighting Technology:
BusinessGreen, by John Sterlicchi, January 8, 2009
http://www.businessgreen.com/business-green/news/2233532/big-name-custom...
The US Pentagon and the City of New York have this week confirmed that they are moving to light-emitting diode (LED) lighting, boosting the acceptance profile of the energy-saving technology. The Pentagon said it is buying 4,200 recessed lighting units from LED manufacturer Cree, paying an estimated $1 million, to outfit one-fifth the building. It said that the move will cut its lighting energy use by 22 per cent compared with its old fluorescent lighting fixtures while reducing carbon dioxide emissions by 140 tons a year. Meanwhile, New York City is about to begin a trial that replaces street lights with specially designed LEDs. The city ran a design competition for the street lights and the winning entry, from Office for Visual Interaction, promises less glare, energy savings of up to 30 per cent and maintenance cost savings.
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35.) 2008 Temperature for U.S. Near Average, was Coldest Since 1997; Below Average for December:
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, January 8, 2009
http://www.noaanews.noaa.gov/stories2009/20090108_decemberstats.html
The 2008 annual temperature for the contiguous United States was near average, while the temperature for December was below the long-term average, based on records dating back to 1895, according to a preliminary analysis by scientists at NOAA’s National Climatic Data Center in Asheville, N.C. For 2008, the average temperature of 53.0 degrees F was 0.2 degree above the 20th Century average. The nation’s January-December average temperature has increased at a rate of 0.12 degree F per decade since 1895, and at a faster rate of 0.41 degree F per decade during the last 50 years.
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36.) Dozens of Coal Ash Dumps Pose Similar Threat As Tennessee Disaster:
SustainableBusiness.com, January 8, 2009
http://www.sustainablebusiness.com/index.cfm/go/news.display/id/17436
Nearly 100 coal ash dumps across the United States pose an environmental threat equal or greater to the Tennessee Valley Authority's (TVA) pollution storage site that spilled a billion gallons of toxic sludge last month, according to a report released by environmentalists. The report by the nonprofit Environmental Integrity Project claims these sites are largely unmonitored for safety risks and have a place on one or more of the “worst site” lists for six toxic metals, including arsenic and lead.
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37.) Obama Faces Key Decisions About Ethanol:
The Hill, by Jim Snyder, October 8, 2009
http://thehill.com/the-executive/obama-faces-key-decisions-about-ethanol...
President-elect Obama’s support for biofuels faces a few early tests, including a decision on whether to provide more aid to the corn ethanol industry, which critics say already gets too big a piece of the money pie. The corn ethanol industry sucks up $2 out of every $3 the government spends to support renewable energy, according to a new report from the Environmental Working Group based on data from the Energy Information Administration. The Renewable Fuels Association submitted a proposal to the Obama transition team for inclusion in the economic stimulus package that asks for $50 billion in loan guarantees and $1 billion in immediate credit to finance ongoing operations.
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38.) US Department of Energy Gives Energy Savings the "Cold Shoulder" - Some New Commercial Refrigeration Efficiency Standards Fall Short:
American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy, January 9, 2009
http://www.aceee.org/press/0901cre.html
ACEEE faulted a new energy efficiency rule issued by the Bush administration today. Although DOE chose the strongest efficiency standards for some types of supermarket refrigerators, it elected to go with weaker standards for several major types, leaving significant energy savings on the table. According to DOE, the new standards issued will net supermarkets and other users of this equipment nearly $4 billion in savings and save about one quad of energy (about 96 billion kilowatt hours of electricity) over thirty years, or roughly enough to meet the needs of 5 million U.S. households for a year. The stronger standards that DOE rejected would have saved another .26 quads (about 25 billion kilowatt hours), or enough to power another 1.3 million households for a year. DOE’s chosen standard will eliminate 52.6 millions tons of carbon dioxide over thirty years; the stronger standard would have cut another 13 million tons (an amount equal to that annually emitted by another 82,000 cars).
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39.) U.S. Representative Markey to Get Expanded Role on Energy & Environment in in 111th Congress:
U.S. House of Representatives Select Committee on Energy Independence & Global Warming, January 8, 2009
http://globalwarming.house.gov/mediacenter/pressreleases_2008?id=0077#ma...
In addition to chairing the Select Committee on Energy Independence and Global Warming during the new 111th Congress, which was reauthorized this week, Congressman Ed Markey will also become Chairman of the new Subcommittee on the Energy and the Environment over in the Energy and Commerce Committee (this new subcommittee combines the Energy and Air Quality and the Environment and Hazardous Materials Subcommittees). Markey will be able to draw on information gathered during Select Committee hearings and investigations as he works with Members of the Energy and Environment Subcommittee to develop and advance new legislation that will increase renewable energy technology, create green jobs and fight global warming.
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40.) Renewing Green Development - New Incentives May Be Needed as Projects Lack Financing:
Washington Post, by Steven Mufson, January 9, 2009
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/01/08/AR200901...
The developers of big wind and solar projects struggling to find the capital needed to continue their expansion and many firms are retrenching. For example, construction of big concentrated solar plants -- covering acres of land and built as utility generating stations -- has essentially stopped going forward. Similarly, a maker of towers for wind energy turbines, DMI Industries, said it would lay off 20 percent of its workforce at facilities in North Dakota, Oklahoma and Ontario. Some of the biggest names in solar- and wind-project finance are mired in their own financial crises, and existing tax benefits for renewable energy projects are now unattractive to them. Thus, to double the production of alternative energy over the next three years, as Obama has proposed, will probably require a new set of government incentives for the capital-intensive solar and wind industries.
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41.) Wind, Solar Industry Leaders Say Obama, Congress Should Make Tax Incentives Refundable:
Solar Energy Industries Association, January 9, 2009
http://seia.org/cs/news_detail?pressrelease.id=322
The American Wind Energy Association and the Solar Energy Industries Association today reported that both wind and solar energy enjoyed record-breaking years in 2008, but face a dramatic reduction in 2009 if Congress and the incoming Administration do not take swift action to help make renewable tax incentives work in today’s difficult economy. Both cited the need to make the ITC and PTC refundable to preserve their effectiveness in the current economic climate and maintain the very strong growth of both industries. They said the new Administration and the 111th Congress must act immediately to make renewable tax incentives refundable so they can work as they are intended to – even in the current financial context.
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42.) Groups Press for Tribe-Friendly Renewable Energy Policies:
Indian Country Today, by Rob Capriccioso, January 2, 2009
http://www.indiancountrytoday.com/home/content/36998559.html
A network of tribal groups, representing approximately 250 grassroots tribal organizations and tribes, is asking President-elect Barack Obama to support tribally owned and operated renewable energy projects, along with economic development initiatives that could reduce dependence on fossil fuels. They are also urging that federal government subsidies for the nuclear, coal, gas and oil industry should be rapidly phased out with a proportional ramp up of subsidies for renewable technologies and locally administered conservation and efficiency improvements. The organizations note that tribal lands have an estimated 535 billion kWh/year of wind power generation potential as well as an estimated 17,000 billion kWh/year of solar electricity generation potential, about 4.5 times the total U.S. annual generation.
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43.) Kansas Governor Sebelius Unveils Sustainable Energy Plan:
Office of the Governor, January 9, 2009
http://www.governor.ks.gov/news/NewsRelease/2009/nr-09-0109a.htm
Governor Kathleen Sebelius today announced the legislative components of a comprehensive energy plan for Kansas. It includes:
** Allowing Kansans to generate their own electricity through Net Metering. Net Metering enables customers to use their own generation and effectively sell back the extra electricity they produce.
** Codification of Kansas’ existing voluntary Renewable Portfolio Standard.
** Requiring that new or extended state leases for real property and state-owned real property meet energy efficiency standards.
** A modification of last year’s Cessna legislation to attract and expand wind related manufacturing investment and jobs to Kansas.
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44.) The Rush for Gigawatts in the Desert Explodes:
GreenTech Media, January 9, 2009
http://www.greentechmedia.com/articles/the-rush-for-gigawatts-in-the-des...
The federal Bureau of Land Management has seen a 78 percent jump in the number of solar energy project applications since it reversed a controversial decision last July and started to accept applications again. The number of applications has risen to 223 from 125. The applicants are vying to build solar power plants that are 10 megawatts or larger in California, Arizona, Nevada, New Mexico, Utah and Colorado, according to BLM data. In all, these projects would occupy 2.3 million acres.
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45.) SunEdison Announces 259-MW Solar Program:
RenewableEnergyWorld.com, January 9, 2009
http://www.renewableenergyworld.com/rea/news/story?id=54465
SunEdison announced one of the largest solar distributed generation programs ever conceived with Developers Diversified Realty, a Cleveland-based real estate investment trust (REIT) engaged in the development and management of shopping centers. Under the terms of the deal, SunEdison has the rights to deploy solar energy systems at more than 200 shopping centers, covering up to an estimated 30 million square feet. Potential capacity of the program is up to 259 MW and the centers are located in 24 states and in Puerto Rico.
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46.) Solar-Cell Maker Halts Construction Plans for New Plant in Oregon:
The Oregonian, by Richard Read, January 7, 2009
http://www.oregonlive.com/news/index.ssf/2009/01/solarcell_maker_halts_c...
SpectraWatt Inc., an Intel spinoff that planned to make solar cells in Hillsboro, may leave Oregon because it can't find financing to build a plant. The company had suspended construction plans and was searching inside and outside the state for an existing building to retrofit for less money. The development surprised Gov. Ted Kulongoski's aides and state economic development officials, who had been negotiating tax breaks for the plant. The setback could spell broader trouble for the governor's green initiative.
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47.) Construction of R.I. Offshore Wind Farm to Begin in 2010:
SustainableBusiness.com, January 9, 2009
http://www.sustainablebusiness.com/index.cfm/go/news.display/id/17446
and
Reuters, January 9, 2009
http://planetark.org/wen/51153
Rhode Island Governor Donald Carcieri yesterday released details about the construction timeline for the state's proposed offshore wind farm. The wind farm will be built in two phases beginning in 2010. The first phase will include 20 megawatts (MW) worth of wind turbines in state waters. These are expected to go online by 2012. The second, much-larger phase calls for additional turbines to be installed in federal waters over a three year period. Together, turbines installed in the two phases would provide a yearly supply of roughly 1.3 million megawatt hours of electricity--enough to meet 15% of the state's needs.
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48.) Horizon Announces Commercial Operation of Three Wind Farms:
RenewableEnergyWorld.com, January 9, 2009
http://www.renewableenergyworld.com/rea/news/story?id=54462
Horizon Wind Energy, owned by EDP Renovaveis, fully commissioned more than 500 megawatts (MW) of wind energy projects in December of 2008. The 201-MW Meridian Way Wind Farm located in north central Kansas, the 102.9-MW Rattlesnake Road Wind Farm located in Oregon, and the first phase (201.3 MW) of the Pioneer Prairie Wind Farm located in Iowa, are now fully operational.
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49.) Report Finds 280,000 New U.S. Jobs Tied Directly to Smart Grid Deployment:
Smart Grid Alliance, by Katherine Hamilton, January 6, 2008
http://news.yahoo.com/s/usnw/20090106/pl_usnw/gridwise_alliance_releases...
In a new report by KEMA, Inc. and released by the GridWise Alliance, it is estimated that up to 280,000 new jobs can be created directly from the deployment of smart grid technologies. A $16 billion Federal investment in smart incentives over the next four years would drive $64 billion in smart grid related projects resulting in approximately 280,000 new direct positions across various categories. Over 150,000 of these jobs would be created by the end of 2009 and nearly 140,000 newly created high-value positions would become permanent after a smart grid deployment. The report also notes that a smart grid will drive a substantial number of indirect jobs as it enables the deployment of new technologies such as plug-in hybrid electric vehicles, distributed renewable energy resources such as solar, smart appliances, home automation software and hardware, and wind energy generation. To view the full report visit www.gridwise.org.
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50.) Study Suggests Investments In Energy Efficiency Better Choice Than Virginia Coal-Fired Power Plant:
Wise Energy for Virginia, January 7, 2009
http://wiseenergyforvirginia.org/2009/01/energy-efficiency-trumps-coal-i...
A new report, performed by Abt Associates, shows that investing in energy efficiency instead of building the Wise County coal plant to meet the same electricity demand would yield hundreds of millions of dollars more annually for the state and create at least 2,600 more jobs than the controversial 585-megawatt coal-fired power plant. The study finds that avoiding construction of the coal plant by investing in efficiency would save the average household in Dominion’s service territory between $52 and $91 per year in 2012. Energy efficiency instead of the Wise County plant would boost the state economy by at least $228 million to $323 million each year between 2012 and 2025. The benefits would be even greater if, as anticipated, the federal government enacts controls on global warming emissions. The report is available at: http://wiseenergyforvirginia.org/2009/01/energy-efficiency-trumps-coal-i....
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51.) Exxon CEO Advocates Carbon Tax Rather Than Cap-and-Trade:
Reuters, by Tom Doggett, January 9, 2009
http://planetark.org/wen/51150
Exxon Mobil CEO Rex Tillerson reiterated that it would be better for Congress to pass climate change legislation that levies a carbon tax to curb greenhouse gas emissions, instead of imposing a complicated cap-and-trade system that allows businesses to buy and sell pollution permits to spew emissions. Tillerson said a carbon tax, which could be tacked on to fuel supplies and electricity consumption, was the most efficient way to reflect the cost of carbon. By comparison, a cap-and-trade system is difficult to verify, requires new government regulators and "a Wall Street of emissions brokers," he said.
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