October 7, 2009
by John Blau, European Contributor
Berlin, Germany [RenewableEnergyWorld.com]
Germany's newly elected government could hinder the expansion of renewable energy in the country with its plans to extend the lifetime of nuclear reactors, warns the German Renewable Energy Federation (Bundesverband Erneuerbare Energie - BEE).
“A lifetime extension of the nuclear plants would slow, if not completely halt, the expansion of renewable energy in Germany,” said BEE spokesman Daniel Kluge. “There’s a simple reason for this: We have more and more renewable energy companies generating and delivering more and more electricity. So letting nuclear reactors stay on the grid longer will only lead to congestion, with too many companies generating too much electricity.” Kluge and others in the industry worry that renewable energy upstarts could be the ones bumped aside.
Not only an overabundance of electricity could undermine the growth of renewable energy, according to BEE, but also the investment strategies of Germany’s big energy companies, which, if given a choice between investing in next-generation green technologies or generating still more profits from amortized nuclear plants, could favor the latter.
Big German energy companies, such as E.ON and RWE, have been investing in wind turbines, most recently in huge offshore wind parks, but have been less enthusiastic about solar energy. Currently, renewable energy accounts for around 15 percent of the electricity generated in Germany, with more than 50 percent still coming from coal.
If the country’s energy giants are allowed to keep their amortized nuclear plants on the grid longer, they stand to make big profits. The state bank WestLB estimates that E.ON, for instance, could earn an extra €8.6 billion [US $12.6 billion] if its reactors were extended an additional eight years. Germany still has 17 nuclear reactors delivering power to its nationwide electricity grid. Several of them are scheduled to be shut down over the next few years.
German energy utilities have long voiced their opposition to a law, passed in 2002 under former Social Democratic (SPD) Chancellor Gerhard Schröder, that ended the construction of new nuclear power plants and required all plants to be shut down by the early 2020s.
Last Tuesday, Jürgen Grossman, chief executive officer of RWE, called for extending reactor lifetimes. “I think one should use (energy) facilities as long as they are safe,” he said on the German public television station ARD. “Nuclear energy is part of…an energy mix. I think it is necessary to talk about extending the lifetimes of all reactors.”
Those remarks came just two days after the general election, which ended a complex coalition government of liberals and conservatives and gave right-of-center Chancellor Angela Merkel an additional four years to govern. RWE is a member of Germany’s Big Four energy producers, including E.ON, EnBW and Vattenfall, all known supporters of the Christian Democratic Union (CDU), its sister party the Christian Social Union (CSU) and their preferred coalition partner, the equally pro-business Federal Democratic Party (FDP).
In the run-up to the election, the parties made their position clear on nuclear energy: It is — and will remain for some time — an essential part of a balanced energy mix. In a television interview following the election, Chancellor Merkel referred to nuclear energy as “a transition technology,” which Germany will require for “a certain time.” Rumors floating around Berlin put the nuclear lifetime extension at between eight and 10 years.
While most renewable energy companies in Germany are worried about the impact of an extension, some energy experts believe it could benefit the sector. One way, according to Claudia Kemfert, an energy expert at the German Institute of Economic Research (Deutsches Institut für Wirtschaftsforschung - DIW), would be for a chunk of the additional profits to go into a special fund or foundation that, in turn, would allocate money to areas such as energy research and infrastructure expansion. Kemfert warns that an extension of the lifetime for nuclear energy “must be connected to certain conditions” such as a fund and how it is allocated. “There has to be a commitment to a sustainable energy strategy,” she said.
Not everyone buys that argument, however. In particular, BEE points out that Germany’s big electricity producers and grid operators are mandated by law to invest in maintaining and expanding infrastructure. “They already collect enough money for their infrastructure obligations,” Kluge said. “And they don’t even spend all of that.”
Kluge argues that Germany’s renewable energy sector doesn’t need additional money but rather a continued commitment to the country’s Renewable Energy Law (Erneuerbare-Energien-Gesetz or EEG). Under the EEG, grid operators must pay a government-set feed-in tariff to companies supplying energy to the grid from renewable sources.
Kluge believes that while the government will look closely at the tariffs for wind, solar and other renewable energy sources, and make necessary changes based on market developments, it plans no substantial changes. German lawmakers across the board, he adds, view renewable energy not only as a means to reduce the country’s reliance on foreign oil and, ultimately, nuclear power, but also as a job machine. Today, more than 280,000 people are employed in the sector. Earlier this year, outgoing SPD Environment Minister Sigmar Gabriel predicted the sector could have as many as 500,000 by 2020.
“I don’t expect the government to change the Renewable Energy Law,” DIW’s Kemfert said. “The only issue that is really disputed is the feed-in tariff for solar, which many argue is too high. I can imagine the new government will seek a market-oriented feed-in tariff.”
John Blau is a U.S. journalist based in Germany. He specializes in business, technology and environmental reporting and also produces extensive industry research. John has written extensively about environmental issues in Germany.
Original story HERE.
Sunday, October 11, 2009
Saturday, October 10, 2009
Bathing in Sunshine: West Washington School Students Enjoy Solar Hot Water
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Campbellsburg, IN – Faculty may not mind if the students of West Washington High School take a few more moments when washing their hands from now on as they will be washing with water heated from the sun. Students and faculty at West Washington High School will host a ribbon cutting ceremony to celebrate their two new solar hot water systems installed at the beginning of the school year. The two systems have supplied the school with clean, energy efficient hot water ever since.
The unique system is the first of its kind for an Indiana public school, and features a two-panel and a three-panel system located at opposite ends of the building to supply hot water to each end. The solar hot water systems will provide up to 70% of the hot water needed by the school over the course of the year, saving tons of greenhouse gases linked to climate change and saving many thousands of taxpayer dollars in energy savings over its projected 30 year life span. The design of the system into two loops allowed the existing large hot water recirculation loop to be reconfigured so that hot water doesn’t have to travel from one end of the school to the other, resulting in even more energy savings.
“We were spending hundreds of dollars every month just to keep hot water circulating in that loop, even when the school was empty,” said Tim Reinhart, Facilities Manager for the school, “I‘ve been looking for a way to increase our efficiency and reduce our expenses, and the solar hot water systems are doing just that, plus providing our students with a unique and valuable learning tool.”
The project was made possible through collaboration, teamwork and a generous grant of $25,000.00 from Hoosier Energy and Jackson County REMC. Officials from both utilities will be on hand at the event to present a ceremonial check to the school. “We are thrilled to help West Washington School with this grant. We wanted to distribute the grant money to the renewable energy project that would have the most impact, both short term and long term, and we knew that the school had high electric bills,” Said Brian Wolka of Jackson County REMC. “We put a monitor on their hot water system and found that the recirculation loop and their aging 600-gallon boiler were the culprits. We approached Tim with the idea of solar hot water and he was all for it. The energy savings, plus the great educational opportunity for the students, faculty and community make this project a winner for everyone.”
The ribbon cutting will be held on Monday, October 19th at 6 p.m. in the cafeteria at West Washington High School, located at 8028 West Batts Road, Campbellsburg, IN 47108. Refreshments will be provided, followed by the ribbon cutting and presentation of the grant money, and brief statements from key players in the solar project and local officials and community and school leaders from around the state. Educational information about the solar hot water system and solar energy in general will also be provided and time will be available for photos and questions from the media and community.
For more information please contact:
Carol Hoar,
West Washington School Corporation
9699 West Mt. Tabor Rd.
Campbellsburg, IN 47108-9454
Phone 812-755-4872
FAX 812-755-4843
The system was installed by InREA member Mann Plumbing of Bloomington.
Campbellsburg, IN – Faculty may not mind if the students of West Washington High School take a few more moments when washing their hands from now on as they will be washing with water heated from the sun. Students and faculty at West Washington High School will host a ribbon cutting ceremony to celebrate their two new solar hot water systems installed at the beginning of the school year. The two systems have supplied the school with clean, energy efficient hot water ever since.
The unique system is the first of its kind for an Indiana public school, and features a two-panel and a three-panel system located at opposite ends of the building to supply hot water to each end. The solar hot water systems will provide up to 70% of the hot water needed by the school over the course of the year, saving tons of greenhouse gases linked to climate change and saving many thousands of taxpayer dollars in energy savings over its projected 30 year life span. The design of the system into two loops allowed the existing large hot water recirculation loop to be reconfigured so that hot water doesn’t have to travel from one end of the school to the other, resulting in even more energy savings.
“We were spending hundreds of dollars every month just to keep hot water circulating in that loop, even when the school was empty,” said Tim Reinhart, Facilities Manager for the school, “I‘ve been looking for a way to increase our efficiency and reduce our expenses, and the solar hot water systems are doing just that, plus providing our students with a unique and valuable learning tool.”
The project was made possible through collaboration, teamwork and a generous grant of $25,000.00 from Hoosier Energy and Jackson County REMC. Officials from both utilities will be on hand at the event to present a ceremonial check to the school. “We are thrilled to help West Washington School with this grant. We wanted to distribute the grant money to the renewable energy project that would have the most impact, both short term and long term, and we knew that the school had high electric bills,” Said Brian Wolka of Jackson County REMC. “We put a monitor on their hot water system and found that the recirculation loop and their aging 600-gallon boiler were the culprits. We approached Tim with the idea of solar hot water and he was all for it. The energy savings, plus the great educational opportunity for the students, faculty and community make this project a winner for everyone.”
The ribbon cutting will be held on Monday, October 19th at 6 p.m. in the cafeteria at West Washington High School, located at 8028 West Batts Road, Campbellsburg, IN 47108. Refreshments will be provided, followed by the ribbon cutting and presentation of the grant money, and brief statements from key players in the solar project and local officials and community and school leaders from around the state. Educational information about the solar hot water system and solar energy in general will also be provided and time will be available for photos and questions from the media and community.
For more information please contact:
Carol Hoar,
West Washington School Corporation
9699 West Mt. Tabor Rd.
Campbellsburg, IN 47108-9454
Phone 812-755-4872
FAX 812-755-4843
The system was installed by InREA member Mann Plumbing of Bloomington.
Wednesday, October 7, 2009
EPA to get a handle on greenhouse gases
Gary Post-Tribune Editorial Oct 6, 2009
http://www.post-trib.com/news/opinion/1808201,edit-epa.article
It's about time.
Starting Jan. 1, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency will require the largest greenhouse gas emitters to monitor and report what's spewed into the nation's skies.
It's 2009 -- nearly 40 years after the Clean Air Act passed -- and we still have little handle on how much greenhouse gas is emitted each year.
How are we to get a handle on challenging climate change without knowing the full extent of emissions?
(And for those people who insist climate change is a hoax, the Flat Earth Society is seeking like-minded members.)
The new rule covers refineries, iron and steel production, electricity generation, cement production and some municipal solid waste landfills. Small businesses, homeowners and schools are exempt because the EPA is most concerned about the biggest emitters of the gases.
What makes this more important is that the federal mandate affects recalcitrant states that lag not just in environmental enforcement but in environmental concern as well.
Can you say Indiana?
The Hoosier state is just one of nine that has chosen not to be part of the voluntary reporting system called the Climate Registry.
It should come as no surprise that the state is one of a handful that wouldn't be involved voluntarily.
The Daniels administration has shown not just a lack of concern about the environment; it has paraded its antipathy toward green initiatives loudly and clearly around the state.
For the majority of Hoosiers who care about the environment -- in spite of the governor -- it's a tremendous step forward for the state and the country.
It is, after all, hard to fix a problem unless you understand what's causing it.
And it's about time we know.
Rep. Ryan Dvorak (D-South Bend) introduced HB 1352 during the 2009 Regular Session of the Indiana General Assembly.
Synopsis of HB 1352: The climate registry. Requires the state of Indiana to become a member of and participate in the climate registry concerning greenhouse gas emissions reporting and reduction. Requires the governor or the governor's designee to sign the registry's statement of principles and goals to become a member of the registry and deliver a copy of the signed statement to the registry before July 1, 2009. Establishes an exception to the registry membership requirement if a petition of opposition is submitted to the governor by the majority of the local economic development commissions in the state. Allows the governor to withdraw the state from the registry if the governor determines that membership causes a loss of jobs or missed opportunities for jobs.
http://www.post-trib.com/news/opinion/1808201,edit-epa.article
It's about time.
Starting Jan. 1, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency will require the largest greenhouse gas emitters to monitor and report what's spewed into the nation's skies.
It's 2009 -- nearly 40 years after the Clean Air Act passed -- and we still have little handle on how much greenhouse gas is emitted each year.
How are we to get a handle on challenging climate change without knowing the full extent of emissions?
(And for those people who insist climate change is a hoax, the Flat Earth Society is seeking like-minded members.)
The new rule covers refineries, iron and steel production, electricity generation, cement production and some municipal solid waste landfills. Small businesses, homeowners and schools are exempt because the EPA is most concerned about the biggest emitters of the gases.
What makes this more important is that the federal mandate affects recalcitrant states that lag not just in environmental enforcement but in environmental concern as well.
Can you say Indiana?
The Hoosier state is just one of nine that has chosen not to be part of the voluntary reporting system called the Climate Registry.
It should come as no surprise that the state is one of a handful that wouldn't be involved voluntarily.
The Daniels administration has shown not just a lack of concern about the environment; it has paraded its antipathy toward green initiatives loudly and clearly around the state.
For the majority of Hoosiers who care about the environment -- in spite of the governor -- it's a tremendous step forward for the state and the country.
It is, after all, hard to fix a problem unless you understand what's causing it.
And it's about time we know.
Rep. Ryan Dvorak (D-South Bend) introduced HB 1352 during the 2009 Regular Session of the Indiana General Assembly.
Synopsis of HB 1352: The climate registry. Requires the state of Indiana to become a member of and participate in the climate registry concerning greenhouse gas emissions reporting and reduction. Requires the governor or the governor's designee to sign the registry's statement of principles and goals to become a member of the registry and deliver a copy of the signed statement to the registry before July 1, 2009. Establishes an exception to the registry membership requirement if a petition of opposition is submitted to the governor by the majority of the local economic development commissions in the state. Allows the governor to withdraw the state from the registry if the governor determines that membership causes a loss of jobs or missed opportunities for jobs.
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
'Green energy' topic of Muncie forum
September 27, 2009
The impact of the alternative energy industry
on Muncie is the subject of a Wednesday session.
By KEITH ROYSDON, The Star Press, kroysdon@muncie.gannett.com
MUNCIE -- With green energy companies taking root in Delaware County, what's the future of the industry in Muncie?
A forum on Wednesday evening will explore "Community Readiness for Alternative Energy."
The forum, set for 5-7 p.m. Wednesday at the Ball State University Alumni Center, is sponsored by Ball State's Miller College of Business and The Star Press.
"We talk about alternative energy a lot, but I hope this forum will give a perspective on local issues," said Michael Hicks, director of the Center for Business and Economic Research at Ball State. "This is not what's happening in China or Massachusetts, but what's happening in Delaware County and East Central Indiana, what we're doing at the local level to take advantage of what I think, and most analysts think, could be growth in wind energy."
Panelists for the forum are state Sen. Sue Errington (D-Muncie); Terry Murphy of the Muncie-Delaware County Economic Development Alliance; Roy Budd, executive director of Energize-ECI; and Greg Winkler, director of project development for Brevini Wind.
Brevini Wind, an offshoot of Italian gearbox maker Brevini, has begun construction on a plant to make gearboxes for energy-generating wind turbines at Park One/332 in western Delaware County. Brevini Wind will employ 450 people by 2011.
Park One is also home to VAT, a German company that will make wind-and-solar-powered street lights and vertical wind vanes. VAT will employ more than 100 people by 2011.
Winkler said he hoped Wednesday's forum would see discussion of "what about green energy makes sense at this point, what needs to change, what needs to happen and what policy pieces are in place. It'll be an interesting exploration."
Murphy said he believed the forum would provide insight for the community.
"We need to build on what we already have, but we need to showcase that we're the headquarters for Brevini and VAT. And with VAT, we're already implementing some of that green technology in that we'll be installing wind-and-solar-powered street lights and a vertical vane windmill."
Murphy said he also hoped for community recognition of Ball State's geothermal energy project.
The impact of the alternative energy industry
on Muncie is the subject of a Wednesday session.
By KEITH ROYSDON, The Star Press, kroysdon@muncie.gannett.com
MUNCIE -- With green energy companies taking root in Delaware County, what's the future of the industry in Muncie?
A forum on Wednesday evening will explore "Community Readiness for Alternative Energy."
The forum, set for 5-7 p.m. Wednesday at the Ball State University Alumni Center, is sponsored by Ball State's Miller College of Business and The Star Press.
"We talk about alternative energy a lot, but I hope this forum will give a perspective on local issues," said Michael Hicks, director of the Center for Business and Economic Research at Ball State. "This is not what's happening in China or Massachusetts, but what's happening in Delaware County and East Central Indiana, what we're doing at the local level to take advantage of what I think, and most analysts think, could be growth in wind energy."
Panelists for the forum are state Sen. Sue Errington (D-Muncie); Terry Murphy of the Muncie-Delaware County Economic Development Alliance; Roy Budd, executive director of Energize-ECI; and Greg Winkler, director of project development for Brevini Wind.
Brevini Wind, an offshoot of Italian gearbox maker Brevini, has begun construction on a plant to make gearboxes for energy-generating wind turbines at Park One/332 in western Delaware County. Brevini Wind will employ 450 people by 2011.
Park One is also home to VAT, a German company that will make wind-and-solar-powered street lights and vertical wind vanes. VAT will employ more than 100 people by 2011.
Winkler said he hoped Wednesday's forum would see discussion of "what about green energy makes sense at this point, what needs to change, what needs to happen and what policy pieces are in place. It'll be an interesting exploration."
Murphy said he believed the forum would provide insight for the community.
"We need to build on what we already have, but we need to showcase that we're the headquarters for Brevini and VAT. And with VAT, we're already implementing some of that green technology in that we'll be installing wind-and-solar-powered street lights and a vertical vane windmill."
Murphy said he also hoped for community recognition of Ball State's geothermal energy project.
Monday, September 28, 2009
Watch Hearing on Advanced Renewable Energy Contracts (aka Feed-in Tariffs)
The Indiana Renewable Energy Association in conjunction with the World Future Council are sponsoring three experts to testify on Advanced Renewable Energy Contracts (aka Feed-in Tariffs) 9/29/09 at 10 AM to the Regulatory Flexibility Committee in the Indiana Senate Chambers, State House, Indianapolis, IN..
Click HERE for details
http://www.in.gov/legislative/interim/committee/notices/RFSCC9T.pdf
The meeting will be broadcast over the Internet for those unable to attend.
Please visit http://mediaserver.ihets.org/senate to listen to the Webcast.
Martha Duggan, VP Regulatory and Government Affairs, ECD/United Solar, (202) 271-4395 or mduggan@uni-solar.com
Martha A. Duggan serves as Vice President, Government and Regulatory Affairs for United Solar Ovonic (a division of Energy Conversion Devices), headquartered in Rochester Hills, Michigan. United Solar is the leading global manufacturer of thin-film flexible solar laminate products for the building integrated and commercial rooftop markets. Ms. Duggan is responsible for policy development and advocacy before state, federal and international governments and energy regulatory bodies. Prior to joining United Solar, Ms. Duggan served as Vice President, Government Affairs for SunEdison, a leading solar integrator. At SunEdison, Ms. Duggan managed a team of solar policy experts across North America. Ms. Duggan has over 25 years of experience in the energy industry. She has worked at regulated utilities, deregulated energy companies, and consulting firms. She is experienced in executive management, finance, operations, policy and sales.
From 2003 until 2008 Ms. Duggan worked for Constellation Energy in a variety of positions including Vice President, Mid-Atlantic region, Vice President, Business Development and Director of Regulatory Affairs. Ms. Duggan has also served at Reliant Energy, Amerada Hess, Statoil Energy and the New Power Company working on policy matters impacting retail and wholesale electricity and natural gas matters. She has testified before state public utility commissions and legislatures and she is a frequently invited presenter at industry seminars. Ms. Duggan serves on the Board of Directors of the Solar Energy Industries Association. She is also a member of the Board of Directors of the Solar Alliance. She is active in the Business Council for Sustainable Energy and is participating in the Department of Energy’s Solar Vision study. Ms. Duggan holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Languages and Linguistics from Georgetown University and a Masters in Business Administration from The George Washington University. She lives in Arlington VA with her husband and two teen age sons.
John Farrell, Senior Researcher, Institute for Local Self-Reliance, (612) 379-3815 or jfarrell@ilsr.org
John Farrell is a senior researcher on the New Rules Project at the Institute for Local Self-Reliance, where he examines the benefits of local ownership and dispersed generation of renewable energy. His forthcoming paper is the second and expanded edition of Energy Self Reliant States, examining the potential for all 50 states to serve their own renewable energy needs. He has also written and testified about the potential benefits from feed-in tariffs and other advanced renewable energy policies and has worked with rural Minnesota communities to pursue locally owned renewable energy projects. You can find more of his work and more information on the New Rules Project at www.newrules.org.
Farrell holds a Masters in Public Policy from the University of Minnesota's Humphrey Institute and a B.A. in Mathematics and American Politics and Participatory Democracy from St. Olaf College. John currently lives with his wife, Kristin, and son Benjamin under the north parallel runway of the international airport in south Minneapolis.
Toby D. Couture, Energy & Financial Markets Analyst, Director of Energy Analysis, E3 Analytics, (506) 292-2585 or toby@e3analytics.ca
Toby Couture is currently Energy and Financial Markets Analyst with E3 Analytics, based on the east coast of Canada in Fredericton, New Brunswick.
E3 Analytics is an energy consulting company focusing on the analysis of energy markets, energy policy, and energy economics. It provides leading analysis on the interactions between renewable energy policy and financial markets, focusing primarily on the U.S, Canada, and Europe. Toby is currently serving as Director of Energy Analysis with the firm, and focuses the role of policy in driving renewable energy deployment.
In 2008 and 2009, Couture was leading the National Renewable Energy Lab’s (NREL) analysis on feed-in tariff policies in Golden, Colorado. He has worked closely with the states of Washington, California, Florida, Hawaii and Michigan among others on better understanding the policy and on better adapting it to the U.S. market and regulatory context. He has advised both regulators and state legislators on renewable energy policy and advanced renewable tariffs in Washington, California, Michigan, as well as in Florida and continues to work closely with the Canadian Province of Ontario.
Toby was recently a Fulbright Scholar, and holds a Masters in Energy Policy and Sustainable Development from the University of Moncton, in Canada, as well as Honors in Philosophy and from the University of Mount Allison. He has published widely on renewable energy policy, energy markets, and the role that policy can play in reducing market risks and accelerating renewable energy investment. He currently lives in Canada.
For more information, please contact:
Laura Ann Arnold, President, Indiana Renewable Energy Association, (317) 635-1701 or lauraarnold@indianarenew.org or
Chris Striebeck, LEED-AP Principal, IDS (317) 809-4383 or chris@idsustainability.com
Click HERE for details
http://www.in.gov/legislative/interim/committee/notices/RFSCC9T.pdf
The meeting will be broadcast over the Internet for those unable to attend.
Please visit http://mediaserver.ihets.org/senate to listen to the Webcast.
Martha Duggan, VP Regulatory and Government Affairs, ECD/United Solar, (202) 271-4395 or mduggan@uni-solar.com
Martha A. Duggan serves as Vice President, Government and Regulatory Affairs for United Solar Ovonic (a division of Energy Conversion Devices), headquartered in Rochester Hills, Michigan. United Solar is the leading global manufacturer of thin-film flexible solar laminate products for the building integrated and commercial rooftop markets. Ms. Duggan is responsible for policy development and advocacy before state, federal and international governments and energy regulatory bodies. Prior to joining United Solar, Ms. Duggan served as Vice President, Government Affairs for SunEdison, a leading solar integrator. At SunEdison, Ms. Duggan managed a team of solar policy experts across North America. Ms. Duggan has over 25 years of experience in the energy industry. She has worked at regulated utilities, deregulated energy companies, and consulting firms. She is experienced in executive management, finance, operations, policy and sales.
From 2003 until 2008 Ms. Duggan worked for Constellation Energy in a variety of positions including Vice President, Mid-Atlantic region, Vice President, Business Development and Director of Regulatory Affairs. Ms. Duggan has also served at Reliant Energy, Amerada Hess, Statoil Energy and the New Power Company working on policy matters impacting retail and wholesale electricity and natural gas matters. She has testified before state public utility commissions and legislatures and she is a frequently invited presenter at industry seminars. Ms. Duggan serves on the Board of Directors of the Solar Energy Industries Association. She is also a member of the Board of Directors of the Solar Alliance. She is active in the Business Council for Sustainable Energy and is participating in the Department of Energy’s Solar Vision study. Ms. Duggan holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Languages and Linguistics from Georgetown University and a Masters in Business Administration from The George Washington University. She lives in Arlington VA with her husband and two teen age sons.
John Farrell, Senior Researcher, Institute for Local Self-Reliance, (612) 379-3815 or jfarrell@ilsr.org
John Farrell is a senior researcher on the New Rules Project at the Institute for Local Self-Reliance, where he examines the benefits of local ownership and dispersed generation of renewable energy. His forthcoming paper is the second and expanded edition of Energy Self Reliant States, examining the potential for all 50 states to serve their own renewable energy needs. He has also written and testified about the potential benefits from feed-in tariffs and other advanced renewable energy policies and has worked with rural Minnesota communities to pursue locally owned renewable energy projects. You can find more of his work and more information on the New Rules Project at www.newrules.org.
Farrell holds a Masters in Public Policy from the University of Minnesota's Humphrey Institute and a B.A. in Mathematics and American Politics and Participatory Democracy from St. Olaf College. John currently lives with his wife, Kristin, and son Benjamin under the north parallel runway of the international airport in south Minneapolis.
Toby D. Couture, Energy & Financial Markets Analyst, Director of Energy Analysis, E3 Analytics, (506) 292-2585 or toby@e3analytics.ca
Toby Couture is currently Energy and Financial Markets Analyst with E3 Analytics, based on the east coast of Canada in Fredericton, New Brunswick.
E3 Analytics is an energy consulting company focusing on the analysis of energy markets, energy policy, and energy economics. It provides leading analysis on the interactions between renewable energy policy and financial markets, focusing primarily on the U.S, Canada, and Europe. Toby is currently serving as Director of Energy Analysis with the firm, and focuses the role of policy in driving renewable energy deployment.
In 2008 and 2009, Couture was leading the National Renewable Energy Lab’s (NREL) analysis on feed-in tariff policies in Golden, Colorado. He has worked closely with the states of Washington, California, Florida, Hawaii and Michigan among others on better understanding the policy and on better adapting it to the U.S. market and regulatory context. He has advised both regulators and state legislators on renewable energy policy and advanced renewable tariffs in Washington, California, Michigan, as well as in Florida and continues to work closely with the Canadian Province of Ontario.
Toby was recently a Fulbright Scholar, and holds a Masters in Energy Policy and Sustainable Development from the University of Moncton, in Canada, as well as Honors in Philosophy and from the University of Mount Allison. He has published widely on renewable energy policy, energy markets, and the role that policy can play in reducing market risks and accelerating renewable energy investment. He currently lives in Canada.
For more information, please contact:
Laura Ann Arnold, President, Indiana Renewable Energy Association, (317) 635-1701 or lauraarnold@indianarenew.org or
Chris Striebeck, LEED-AP Principal, IDS (317) 809-4383 or chris@idsustainability.com
Sunday, September 27, 2009
Indiana Clean Energy Business Pledge
Editor's Note: Charles 'Chuck' Deppert, Indiana Representative, Pew Environment Group is looking for Indiana businesses to sign the Clean Energy Business Pledge below. I sincerely urge you to carefully read this pledge and then send me an e-mail with your name, business, city, and phone number. Please send this to your business associates and ask them to sign as well. The Indiana Clean Energy Business Pledge will be shared with the news media and Sens. Richard Lugar and Evan Bayh. Laura Ann Arnold
Dear Members of the Indiana Congressional Delegation:
Dear Members of the Indiana Congressional Delegation:
We believe that now is the time for America to take bold and serious action to build a clean energy economy for the future. We urge President Obama and Members of Congress to enact comprehensive federal legislation that provides incentives for new industries, businesses and jobs. This investment in a reliable, clean energy future will strengthen national security, promote environmental sustainability, and create opportunities that ensure America remains competitive in a global energy market.
The U.S. is already behind in clean energy sectors. Chinese cars are more than one-third more efficient than U.S. cars. China is also set to be the world’s leading manufacturer of wind turbines by the end of 2009. And, as of 2006, the U.S had less absolute renewable power capacity than the 25 member nations of the European Union.
It would be a mistake to inhibit the success and leadership of American businesses in the global market. While government must take the lead, we will be strong and willing partners in this effort, which is why we are pledging our support for a comprehensive federal policy that achieves the following:
- Incentives to create clean energy jobs. Incentivizing investments in clean energy technology will create new jobs, businesses and industries. Clean energy industries have produced at least 770,000 jobs, while the traditional energy sector employs only 1.27 million workers. According to a recent report from the Pew Charitable Trusts, clean energy jobs in the U.S. grew at rate 2 ½ times greater than the general economy from 1998 to 2007. A 2009 study by the Political Economy Research Institute at the University of Massachusetts-Amherst in partnership with the Center for American Progress found that investing $150 billion in clean energy produces a net gain of 1.7 million new jobs and reduces the unemployment rate by one full percentage point.
- A path to energy independence. America consumes about 11 percent of world oil production, while we produce only about 3 percent of it. Meanwhile, America spends more than $200,000 per minute on foreign oil, that’s $13 million per hour. For decades we have avoided addressing this dependence on foreign oil, placing America’s economic and national security at risk. Now is the time to move towards greater use and production of clean energy sources such as wind and solar.
- A promise of environmental sustainability for future generations. There is consensus within the scientific community that carbon pollution will have catastrophic impacts on the American people, creating severe natural disasters, spread of disease, loss of coastal communities, and a decline in crop and fish yields unless action is taken to mitigate these impacts.
- Advancement of America’s global competitiveness. Climate and energy trends are compelling a worldwide race toward clean energy goods and services. If we are to remain prosperous and secure, this is a race we must compete in effectively.
According to a task force of the World Economic Forum, investment in clean energy has surged from $33 billion annually in 2004 to more than $155 billion in 2008. Similarly, the International Energy Industry estimates that global investment in clean energy will need to grow to between $500 billion and $1 trillion annually in the next decade. This is a tremendous opportunity for American ingenuity; the clean energy economy must be a pillar for American economic renewal, progress and leadership in the coming years and decades.
We recognize that these are bold and challenging goals. However, when faced with adversity, Americans conquer their problems with optimism, courage and ingenuity. We call upon our leaders in Washington to forge policies that will achieve the economic, energy and environmental goals we need to realize.
Signed,
[Your Name]
[Name of your business]
[City]
[Phone number]
[E-mail]
Your phone number and e-mail will only be used for verification purposes.
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
U.S. Fossil-Fuel Subsidies Twice That of Renewables
By Tina Seeley
Sept. 18 (Bloomberg) -- Fossil fuels including oil, natural gas and coal received more than twice the level of subsidies that renewable energy sources got from the U.S. government in fiscal 2002 through 2008, the Environmental Law Institute said.
Government spending and tax breaks amounted to $72.5 billion for fossil fuels and $29 billion for renewable energy, according to a report by the institute today.
“With climate change and energy legislation pending on Capitol Hill, our research suggests that more attention needs to be given to the existing perverse incentives for ‘dirty’ fuels in the U.S. tax code,” said John Pendergrass, a lawyer for the institute.
President Barack Obama has called for the U.S. to reduce oil dependence by promoting efficiency measures and investing in alternative energy supplies. The $787 billion stimulus package signed in February included more than $60 billion for reducing energy use and supporting renewable programs.
The U.S. House approved legislation in June that would cap greenhouse-gas emissions and require a portion of the nation’s electricity to come from renewable sources. A Senate panel has also approved a renewable power requirement. The full Senate has yet to take up either measure.
The largest of the subsidies for fossil fuels in the report was a tax credit oil and natural gas companies can claim for paying royalties to other governments. The institute’s report finds that credit totaled $15.3 billion over the time period.
‘Tax Breaks’
“The major route for providing subsidies is tax incentives, tax breaks,” Pendergrass said at a briefing today in Washington.
Also included in calculation of subsidies are the U.S. Strategic Petroleum Reserve -- an emergency oil stockpile -- and the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program, which helps some consumers pay for heating and cooling costs.
Including such programs as subsidies is “ludicrous,” Jack Gerard, president of the American Petroleum Institute, said in a statement.
“This study is an irresponsible rendition based on a contorted recycling of government data that should never be used to craft national policy -- especially a tax increase on the oil and natural gas industry that would raise energy costs and kill jobs,” Gerard said.
About half of the government’s subsidies for renewable energy go to corn-based ethanol, according to the study. The largest of the renewable subsidies was for blending ethanol with gasoline, a credit that the institute calculated at $11.6 billion during the seven years.
The institute is a nonprofit research group that works to “strengthen environmental protection,” according to its Web site. Its board includes representatives from Constellation Energy Group Inc., International Business Machines Corp. and Toyota Motor Corp.
To contact the reporter on this story: Tina Seeley in Washington at tseeley@bloomberg.net
To download this study: http://www.elistore.org/reports_detail.asp?ID=11358
Sept. 18 (Bloomberg) -- Fossil fuels including oil, natural gas and coal received more than twice the level of subsidies that renewable energy sources got from the U.S. government in fiscal 2002 through 2008, the Environmental Law Institute said.
Government spending and tax breaks amounted to $72.5 billion for fossil fuels and $29 billion for renewable energy, according to a report by the institute today.
“With climate change and energy legislation pending on Capitol Hill, our research suggests that more attention needs to be given to the existing perverse incentives for ‘dirty’ fuels in the U.S. tax code,” said John Pendergrass, a lawyer for the institute.
President Barack Obama has called for the U.S. to reduce oil dependence by promoting efficiency measures and investing in alternative energy supplies. The $787 billion stimulus package signed in February included more than $60 billion for reducing energy use and supporting renewable programs.
The U.S. House approved legislation in June that would cap greenhouse-gas emissions and require a portion of the nation’s electricity to come from renewable sources. A Senate panel has also approved a renewable power requirement. The full Senate has yet to take up either measure.
The largest of the subsidies for fossil fuels in the report was a tax credit oil and natural gas companies can claim for paying royalties to other governments. The institute’s report finds that credit totaled $15.3 billion over the time period.
‘Tax Breaks’
“The major route for providing subsidies is tax incentives, tax breaks,” Pendergrass said at a briefing today in Washington.
Also included in calculation of subsidies are the U.S. Strategic Petroleum Reserve -- an emergency oil stockpile -- and the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program, which helps some consumers pay for heating and cooling costs.
Including such programs as subsidies is “ludicrous,” Jack Gerard, president of the American Petroleum Institute, said in a statement.
“This study is an irresponsible rendition based on a contorted recycling of government data that should never be used to craft national policy -- especially a tax increase on the oil and natural gas industry that would raise energy costs and kill jobs,” Gerard said.
About half of the government’s subsidies for renewable energy go to corn-based ethanol, according to the study. The largest of the renewable subsidies was for blending ethanol with gasoline, a credit that the institute calculated at $11.6 billion during the seven years.
The institute is a nonprofit research group that works to “strengthen environmental protection,” according to its Web site. Its board includes representatives from Constellation Energy Group Inc., International Business Machines Corp. and Toyota Motor Corp.
To contact the reporter on this story: Tina Seeley in Washington at tseeley@bloomberg.net
To download this study: http://www.elistore.org/reports_detail.asp?ID=11358
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