NW Indiana Business Owner Keith Lobbies for Clean Energy Bill

Bill Keith, President of SunRise Solar, Inc. in St. John, IN, was in Washington, D.C. earlier this week to lobby for passage of HR 2454, the American Clean Energy & Security Act. Keith was invited to participate in a press conference conducted by Congressman Henry Waxman (in front of the microphones) and Keith is the fourth person to the right of Waxman in the photo wearing the blue tie and jacket. Keith's head is in front of the green sign that says "YES TO GREEN JOBS".

The U.S. House of Representatives began voting Friday evening shortly after 7:00 pm on HR 2454, the American Clean Energy & Security Act. The bill passed narrowly by a vote of 219 to 212.

The members of the Indiana Congressional Delegation voted as follows:

YES:

Carson (D), Hill (D)

NO:

Donnelly (D), Ellsworth (D), Visclosky (D);

Burton (R), Buyer (R), Pence (R), Souder (R)

For a complete analysis of the roll call vote on HR 2454 see http://politics.nytimes.com/congress/votes/111/house/1/477

E-mail from Bill Keith to Shari Taylor Davenport, Office of Pete Visclosky:

Shari,

Thanks for the response, but I have some reservations about Pete’s stance…… [News release from Congreessman Pete Visclosky follows.]

The air in NWI is dirty (it stinks), the water is being polluted, the cancer rate is 8th in the nation, and Pete is still holding on to the old way of doing business. I know what he is thinking, “If I lose the Gary (Lake County) vote then I lose the next election.” The educated public can see right through this Shari, and it may come back to bite him in the rear end.

I appreciate that Pete works hard for industry, but it is time for a NEW industry – one that is CLEAN!

This transition to a clean energy economy WILL happen, either on Pete’s watch or on the next guys watch – MY generation and my children’s generation demand it!

Respectfully,

Bill Keith

SunRise Solar Inc.

PO Box 53

St John, IN 46373

219-558-2211

219-306-4571 fax

http://www.sunrisesolar.net/

Taking GREEN......Mainstream!

In the News

Congressman Pete Visclosky

Proudly Representing Indiana’s 1st Congressional District

2256 Rayburn Building

Washington, D.C.

TELE: 202-225-2461

7895 Broadway, Suite A

Merrillville, IN 46410

TELE: 219-795-1844

http://www.house.gov/visclosky

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

June 26, 2009

Visclosky Votes Against Cap and Trade Legislation
Legislation Would Threaten Competitiveness and Jobs in Northwest Indiana

Washington, D.C. – Congressman Pete Visclosky issued the following statement today after voting no on the American Clean Energy and Security Act, legislation that would establish a cap and trade regime to reduce carbon emissions in the U.S.:

“Climate change is real. It is a serious problem that threatens our way of life, and I am committed to working to solve it.

“Although significant progress has been made on this bill on a number of fronts that would hold down the cost of electricity to residential and industrial customers and help level the playing field for our steel and manufacturing industries that face international competition, the bill still falls short.

“The legislation considered today leaves no margin of error as it relates to jobs in the domestic steel industry, stoking my greatest fear that it will result in a net loss of jobs in Northwest Indiana. I remain seriously concerned about the long-term ramifications that this unilateral action to combat climate change will have on American competitiveness and American workers. We can’t just hope that other countries will follow suit and choose to act concurrently. Additionally, from my perspective this legislation assumes no growth in American industry, including steel.

“I see the need for climate change legislation, but we still have more work to do before this package is ready. The nature of the problem demands a balanced approach that ensures competitiveness and protects American jobs.”

###

Rep. Wes Culver says Hoosiers need to embrace alternative energy sources

From the Goshen News http://www.goshennews.com/local/local_story_168113550.html

By JESSE DAVIS
jesse.davis@goshennews.com

Published: June 17, 2009 11:33 am—

NAPPANEE — Now is the time for Indiana to address the future of alternative energy.

State Rep. Wes Culver, R-Goshen, delivered that thought among other messages while speaking at McCormick Motors in Nappanee Saturday, when both the car dealership and UNL Furs, a fur buying and trading business also located in Nappanee, were recognized by the Indiana Renewable Energy Association for steps taken toward energy conservation. McCormick had a solar grid-tied system installed in February, while UNL Furs installed off-site solar and wind systems late last year.

Culver said Americans in general only tend to appreciate the impact of alternative energy when the cost of traditional energy sources, such as automobile gasoline, are high.

“The American mindset is if gas is $2.50 or less, we’re OK, and if it’s more, then it’s not OK, but it’s only that day that they look at it,” Culver said. “A year ago, when gas was $4, it was a crisis. Then gas went down and everyone forgot about it.”

He said the result of such attitudes in Indiana is compounded by difficulties within the Statehouse that keep alternative energy legislation from passing. Among those difficulties, according to Culver, is the idea that anyone interested in alternative energy wants the same things, such as an end to the use of coal. That creates significant pressure against such measures, especially from legislators located farther south where Indiana’s coal deposits are located.

“They’re thinking that anyone interested in alternative energy wants to shut down coal, and they have all these people in their district that produce coal, and all these utility companies that are built around making their energy off coal,” Culver said. “And then you get these utility companies that come down and say ‘Hey, don’t vote for this bill because it’s hurting the coal industry, and if you do that, utility prices for Hoosiers are going to skyrocket and you don’t want that.”

A bill on net metering, a policy allowing consumers who generate their own energy to sell a certain amount back into the grid for retail credit, was the most recent casualty. Current state law allows energy generators to sell up to 100 kilowatt-hours back into the grid, which Culver said was tied for the lowest amount in the nation. Different bills have suggested a new limit of up to five megawatt-hours.

The main problem with that bill, Culver said, was that it was too cluttered. Although the concept of net metering has drawn solid support from the legislature, it was the additional items within the bill that doomed it. Those items included requirements for utility companies to produce a certain amount of their energy through alternative means by 2015, 2020 and 2025, and also included a tax credit system.“

I remember talking to Ryan (Mishler, a state senator) at 11:30 at night on the last day, and I’m like ‘are these bills going to come out of committee?’ and he said ‘no, it was killed, can’t get a signature on them,’” Culver said.

Another major hindrance in the Statehouse he noted was a partisan divide on the basic issue of alternative energy. Democrats, he said, tend to be more energy-minded, while Republicans are focused on other topics. Culver called himself an “odd duck” in being both Republican and interested in the expanded future use of alternative energy. He later referenced that aspect of his personal efforts in discussing his fight for net metering.

“I’m in their ranks, behind the lines, and I’ve stood up and made this presentation to our caucus, and that’s part of the reason I think we were able to get 20-plus votes coming out of (the Republican caucus) for net metering,” he said.

He also talked about what he called “smoke and mirrors” in the last legislative session, when coal was classified as alternative energy so long as sulfur and other negative outputs were sequestered underground.

Near the end of his comments, Culver also issued a challenge to consumers.

“We need to change, as Americans, how we use energy,” he said.

Rep. Wes Culver (R-Goshen) is a freshman member of the Indiana General Assembly. Visit his official website at http://www.in.gov/r49 or read his Energy Plan at http://electwesculver/energy/html.

Green energy creates jobs

The following letter to the editor from Eric Cotton appeared in the Muncie Star Press on June 16, 2009, in response to a letter to the editor from Shirley Reese which appeared on June 8, 2009.

Muncie Star Press

June 16, 2009

Green energy creates jobs

by ERIC COTTON, ECI Wind and Solar LLC, Fairmount

Recently, Shirley Reese asked in her letter, "Green has a cost," what the bottom line is for green jobs and renewable energy. As a partner with ECI Wind and Solar, let me provide some business insights.

The bottom line is energy that comes from the sun, wind, biomass, and geothermal heat is free forever -- after you invest in the capital needed to harness it. It's also inherently domestic, so jobs and revenue stay local.

As for oil and coal: No one is saying these absolutely cannot be used. In fact, our electricity demand grows by 1 percent per month in the U.S. Even with rapid and aggressive deployment of renewable energy sources, we will struggle to keep up with our increase in demand. Coal and other traditional energy resources will still be in our energy portfolio.

To make these sources viable, we need to close the carbon loophole that allows the fossil fuel industry to displace the economic impacts of their pollution onto the taxpayer -- and we do pay dearly, both in public health costs and diminished ecosystem services.

As for jobs, the bottom line is that renewable energy -- and energy efficiency -- creates at least twice as many jobs per megawatt and per dollar as fossil fuels. Much of renewable energy is manufactured and installed: There are just inherently more man-hours involved than in traditional energy sources. While Mike Pence is decrying the costs of renewable energy, renewable energy is creating jobs right here in Muncie via Brevini.

Eric Cotton is a partner in ECI Wind and Solar in Fairmount. He is a founding member of the Indiana Renewable Energy Association and currently serves as the Vice President of the Board of Directors. Cotton can be reached at 765-702-0231 or eric@eciwindandsolar.com.

June 8, 2009

Green has a cost

by SHIRLEY REESE, Selma

I read in the paper that State Sen. Sue Errington, D-Muncie, and the liberal activist group MoveOn.org are pals. They are putting forth the idea that we must have clean energy jobs. Please explain to me what are these clean energy jobs and how much is it going to cost Muncie and Indiana? How many jobs will be lost when green jobs are created?

Congresswoman Michele Bachman says green jobs mean jobs lost. Spain found that for every green job created, 2.2 jobs were lost.

What are the hidden costs? I would be interested in knowing because we have learned that there are always repercussions when organizations like MoveOn.org are involved. Their agenda is always couched in attractive language such as "creating incentives, and renewable energy standards for American businesses," (laws and mandates). What is the bottom line?

The Windy City of Chicago might look good with a windmill on every block, but Indiana? No one seems to want a field of ghostly, noisy windmills in their back yards.

The Star Press article said they want to hear from ordinary Hoosiers. I'm asking the senator and MoveOn.org why can't all forms of energy be used? What is wrong with drilling for oil and using the clean coal methods that we have?

I will contact my representative, but it won't be Evan Bayh. I'll be contacting Mike Pence. I am getting sick of the term "green." It used to be a favorite color, but not any more.

Green Business Owner Responds to Congressman Mike Pence

This guest editorial was submitted by Terrence Black with Green Way Supply who is a founding member of the Indiana Renewable Energy Association in response to comments made by Congressman Mike Pence in the GOP's weekly radio and Internet address. The original story follows.

Black: Pence Sounds Like "Henny Penny" on Cap and Trade

First, I would like to remind the “Henny Penny” chorus that we very effectively reduced Acid Rain in the 1970’s when we instituted and a cap and trade system on Sulfur Dioxide. The benefits far outweighed the actual very small increase in utility costs. We have a president that worked. Second, we will never persuade other countries to cut their emissions unless we do it ourselves. That’s called leadership. And finally with a sagging national economy hitting us hard here in Indiana, every elected official should be looking for ways to stimulate the economy and create jobs.

The climate bill before congress will essentially limit or cap dirty technology, which will create incentives to reduce our energy use and help develop and install more clean renewable sources of energy. I can tell you first hand that when it comes to creating jobs for Hoosiers, supporting local businesses, and helping residents save money, the smart money is on clean energy. In this economy, my business is growing. This year we have doubled our revenue and the number of employees here in Indianapolis. I believe energy management and renewable energy will be our biggest growth area in the coming years. We recently installed several small-scale commercial and residential wind turbines and photovoltaic systems that are true CLEAN ENERGY generators and more systems are scheduled to be installed this year.

My business also supports more than a dozen local Indiana companies that are the leading edge of the new GREEN ECONCOMY – one that has the potential to power us into a new era of prosperity and energy independence. Study after study has shown what I know from on-the-ground experience: investing in new, clean energy creates jobs at a much faster rate than investments in old, dirty energy sources like oil and gas. Researchers at the University of Massachusetts found that investments in clean energy produce two to three times as many jobs as investments in dirty, low-tech energy. The National Renewable Energy Laboratory and the Department of Energy have issued similar findings. Why settle for half as many jobs when we could have double, or even triple? I think Congressman Pence, Governor Daniels and others are actually wrongheaded.

Terrence Black
Green Way Supply
tblack@greenwaysupply.net
(317) 822-8505


Pence: Climate bill is wrongheaded
Hoosier says GOP's drilling/nuclear plan would have an alternative-energy payoff

By H. Josef Hebert
Associated Press

WASHINGTON -- Republicans on Saturday slammed a Democratic bill before the House that seeks to address climate change, arguing that it amounts to an energy tax on consumers.
In the GOP's weekly radio and Internet address, Indiana Rep. Mike Pence said Congress should instead open the way for more domestic oil and natural gas production and ease regulatory barriers to building new nuclear power plants.

"During these difficult times, the American people don't want a national energy tax out of Washington, D.C.," said Pence, the third-ranking House Republican.
Pence reiterated what GOP lawmakers have been saying for weeks: that the climate bill being considered in the House, which caps releases of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases, would lead to much higher energy costs and accomplish little to counter global warming if other nations do not act as well. The bill's supporters counter that the increased costs can be minimized.

Pence outlined the alternative proposal that he and several other House Republicans unveiled last week. The GOP plan included no mandatory limits on greenhouse gases -- something that supporters of the Democratic bill argue is essential to reduce the risks of global warming.
Still, Pence maintains the GOP plan will promote nonfossil-fuel energy use.

"The Republican energy plan calls for more domestic exploration for oil and natural gas, renewed commitment to clean, emission-free nuclear energy, investments in renewable and alternative energy technologies and incentives to spur greater conservation among individuals and businesses," he said.

The GOP plan calls for using revenue from more oil and gas drilling to promote renewable energy such as wind and solar; it also makes it easier to get approval to build more nuclear power plants. The proposal also sets a goal of doubling the number of nuclear reactors over the next 20 years.

When Pence introduced the GOP measure, the office of House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., called it "the same tired policies embraced" for years by then-President George W. Bush "at a time when Americans are seeking new solutions to rebuild our economy and break our dependence on foreign energy sources."

published in Indianapolis Star on June 14, 2009
http://www.indystar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2009906140373

To watch the GOP Weekly Address http://www.gop.gov/media/weekly-republican-address/09/06/13/weekly-republican-address

Please share your thoughts with Congressman Mike Pence.

Washington, D.C. Website:
http://mikepence.house.gov/

Washington, D.C. Webmail:
https://forms.house.gov/pence/IMA/contact_form.htm

Washington, D.C. Address:
1431 Longworth House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515
Phone: 202-225-3021
Fax: 202-225-3382

Two Northern Indiana "Green" Businesses to be Showcased at Meeting June 13th

The Indiana Renewable Energy Association will highlight two "green" Nappanee-based businesses for installing solar systems and taking additional energy conservation steps. An open house will be held this weekend for auto dealership McCormick Motors and fur buying and trading company UNL Furs.

June 9, 2009

Indiana Renewable Energy Association (InREA) will host a public open house Saturday, June 13 for two "green" Nappanee businesses, highlighting the installed solar systems and additional energy conservation steps taken by the businesses. State Representative Wes Culver will speak at 12:00 noon at McCormick Motors, followed by presentations on renewable energy, and lunch will be served. McCormick Motors, a Nappanee auto dealership, will be open from 11:30 am - 2:30 pm. UNL Furs, a fur buying and trading business also of Nappanee; will be open for tours from 10:00 am - 2:00 pm.

“We are pleased to have a prominent state legislator and businessman such as Wes Culver attending our open house,” said Laura Ann Arnold, president of InREA. “He’s an active advocate for renewable energy; he introduced a bill to provide a tax credit for those who invest in a residential renewable energy system, and he supports action to remove the cap that individuals can sell back to utilities on electricity produced by their systems.”

McCormick Motors auto dealership features a solar grid-tied system, connected to the local utility company, installed in February 2009 by Home and Mobile Energy of Middlebury. The installation was partially funded with a grant winning from the Indiana Office of Energy Development Alternative Power and Energy Program. McCormick's has taken many other energy conservation steps including adding insulation, high-efficiency lighting and programmable equipment that is turned on by demand only. McCormick Motors is located at 1255 W. Market Street in Nappanee.

UNL Furs’ renewable energy system, installed in September 2008 by Home and Mobile Energy, includes both solar and wind power applications. These off-grid solar and wind systems provide power for this fur buying and trading business. UNL Furs is owned by Ura Hochstetler and is located at 10558 North, 900 West, also in Nappanee.

The featured presentations on renewable energy will take place at McCormick Motors from 1:00 pm.-2:30 pm. Gordon Moore, owner of McCormick Motors, will discuss his research and implementation of renewable energy and conservation over the past decade. The auto dealership’s renewable energy project was designed in collaboration with an economics class at Goshen College, and serves as an ongoing educational sight for Goshen College.

Following Moore’s presentation, Arnold will talk about InREA’s mission and how to become involved in the promotion of renewable energy.

Leon Bontrager of Home and Mobile Energy and Eric Cotton of ECI Wind and Solar will give a presentation on net metering, explaining the billing arrangement between a utility company and a customer with a grid-tied renewable energy system. The presentation will include discussions on what a customer should look for in an agreement with the utility company, how Indiana compares with other states, how NEC codes affect installations and the difference in regulations between public utilities, co-ops and municipalities.

InREA was formed in 2008 by individuals and businesses supporting renewable energy development in the State of Indiana. The mission of InREA is to promote the use of renewable energy technologies, environmental sustainability and economic development in the State of Indiana. More information is available online at http://www.indianarenew.org/.

Source: Home and Mobile Energy

Senate Committee Markup on Energy Bill defeats Amendments

Senate panel's RES markup previews floor showdown
by Katherine Ling, E&E reporter, Greenwire.com

The Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee defeated efforts today to make significant changes to a proposed renewable electricity standard (RES) in a sweeping energy bill.

The panel expelled bids to remove caps on energy efficiency that would count toward the standard, exclude all nuclear power from the baseline and raise the standards.

Chairman Jeff Bingaman's RES provision would require utilities to use renewable generation for at least 15 percent of their electricity by 2021 and allow them to substitute energy-efficiency measures for slightly more than a quarter of the target.

The committee did approve several amendments, including two from Sen. Bob Corker (R-Tenn.) and ranking member Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) that would exclude electricity from new nuclear reactors and expansions of existing reactors capacity from the baseline of a utility's electricity sales.

Other approved amendments would exclude electricity from coal-fired power plants equipped with carbon capture and sequestration technology from the RES mandate and also make exemptions for qualified hydropower, biogas, waste to energy and the definition of biomass.

The panel also accepted a proposal by Sen. Sam Brownback (R-Kan.) that would give triple credits for carbon-emission reductions that use algae and an amendment by Sen. Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.) to create a low-interest loan program to finance renewable-energy projects.

But other efforts to alter the RES provision failed to crack a 12-vote coalition built by Bingaman.

Several efforts to include all nuclear to the baseline was rejected in 11-12 votes -- which included Brownback voting against and Democrats Mary Landrieu of Louisiana and Evan Bayh of Indiana voting for.

Bingaman opposed all those amendments, calling them "the worst of all possible outcomes."

"Including nuclear power as a resource in the RES ... doesn't make it more likely that nuclear power will be built," the New Mexico Democrat said. "The issues of not getting nuclear built relate to financing, prohibitive costs, and to some extent proliferation."

An amendment in the nature of a substitute by Landrieu to lift the cap on the amount of energy efficiency that could count toward a renewable standard also failed in an 11-12 vote. Landrieu said she would also offer such a measure on the floor.

"Somewhere along the line, we started confusing the means to the ends with the ends themselves," Landrieu said. "I offer this amendment in the spirit of compromise. We may not win today in this committee, but this is an issue that will be front and center" on the floor.

Landrieu added she might consider a higher target "if we can get it right" and it would be less disruptive to "underappreciated" industries.

Bayh, meanwhile, offered an amendment that would create tax incentives for renewable energy, which would spread the costs of promoting renewables across all regions. He withdrew the amendment and said he would also offer it on the floor.

Amendments by Sen. Byron Dorgan (D-N.D.) to raise the standard to 20 percent by 2021, with a 5 percent efficiency offset, and Sen. Mark Udall's (D-Colo.) bid to boost the standard to 25 percent were passionately discussed but withdrawn. Both lawmakers vowed to resurrect their proposals on the floor.