Power Up

SmartReads: Week of April 27

Fri, 27 Apr 2012 09:54:00 -0400

We know you can’t catch every article during your busy work week, so we’ve consolidated the week’s top articles for you in one easy list. Share your favorite energy, environmental and efficiency related articles with us on Twitter using the hashtag #SmartReads.

CLEAN & RENEWABLE ENERGY

Huffington Post: Earth Day Energy Quiz Yields Alarming Results – Rather than telling people how to be more energy efficient this Earth Day, SmartPower decided to test consumers’ knowledge of energy efficiency with a 10-question quiz. Instead of receiving the varied results we expected, we noticed that there were some surprisingly common incorrect answers. [April 25, 2012]

Market Watch: New Data Shows 97% of Americans Overestimate the Cost of Installing Solar Panels – Sunrun, the nation’s largest home solar company, today announced results of a nationwide poll assessing Americans’ beliefs about the desirability and costs of installing a home solar system. Among the results is data indicating 97% of Americans overestimate the cost of going solar, while nearly 8 out of 10 of those who do not already have solar panels say they would install solar if cost were not a factor. [April 25, 2012]

CNN: Turning up the heat to drive down carbon emissions and energy bills – It’s an illuminating idea which its creators hope will help drive up energy efficiency and bring down buildings’ carbon emissions. Mixing the idea of Google’s Street View with multi-spectral thermal camera technology, Massachusetts-based startup Essess is building a giant database mapping residential and commercial properties in the U.S. [April 24, 2012]

Phoenix Business Journal: APS listed as top solar energy developer – Arizona Public Service Co. landed third on a list of the nation’s top ten utility developers of solar power in 2011, according to a report by the Solar Electric Power Association. [April 22, 2012]

Yahoo!: NRG Energy, MidAmerican Solar and First Solar Celebrate 100 MW Milestone for 290 MW Agua Caliente Solar Project – Representatives from NRG Energy, Inc. (NRG - News), MidAmerican Solar and First Solar, Inc. (FSLR - News) gathered with federal and local officials today at the 290 megawatt (AC) Agua Caliente solar project in Yuma County, Ariz., to celebrate the project’s first 100 megawatts (MW) being delivered to the grid, making it North America’s largest photovoltaic (PV) power plant in operation. [April 25, 2012]

ELECTRIC VEHICLES

POLITICO: Chevy Volt a charged issue – About 15 months after the Volt and Nissan Leaf hit the market, dealers have reported selling about 23,300 cars of both models. By comparison, it took Toyota five years to reach the same figure with its Prius in the U.S. [April 24, 2012]

GENERAL GREEN

The Atlantic Cities: Green Infrastructure Could Save Cities Billions – Compared to canvas grocery bags or CFL light bulbs or even solar panels, larger “green infrastructure” projects such as roof gardens or permeable streets can be hugely expensive. It turns out, however, that they’re actually not that expensive when compared to the costs of building more traditional infrastructure, and can even save money. [April 24, 2012]

Earth Techling: eBay Adds More Renewable Energy To Power Data Center – You probably don’t think about all that email you have saved in your inbox. But all of those correspondences, not to mention documents, pictures and videos are being saved thanks to the help of data centers located all over the United States. And those data centers are energy hogs. [April 21, 2012]

USA Today: Family takes long, winding road to their ‘green’ house – Some people love cars, the faster the better. Others indulge in food, fashion or football. I like houses, always have. And lucky me, I got the chance to build my dream home. [April 23, 2012]

Los Angeles Times: Public split over elimination of U.S. energy subsidies, poll finds – The American public is divided about whether to eliminate federal subsidies for any form of energy and is giving less support to nuclear power and U.S. funding of renewable energy, a new poll has found. [April 26, 2012]

USA Today: ‘Green’ schools that go beyond basics: One Indiana school is not only drilling its students on academics, but it’s also drilling holes in its campus to tap geothermal energy. A Vermont college is into burning wood chips as a way to save money. [April 20, 2012]

Energy.gov got a new look today with a header that screams...

Thu, 04 Aug 2011 14:31:42 -0400

Energy.gov got a new look today with a header that screams electric — cars that is. The government agency’s website makeover is a clear attempt to push drivers and automakers in the direction of domestic, sustainable, electric vehicles. Can’t say we’re mad.

Solar Cells That Can Fit In Your Pocket.

Thu, 04 Aug 2011 13:01:05 -0400

By Mark Ellis

Given the progression of our world revolving around our electronic devices, it’s not an overstatement to say we need power sockets practically everywhere we go. Well, thanks to a group of dedicated engineers at MIT, the next generation of solar cells may be printed on paper.

Yes, I said paper.

The new generation of ultra thin solar cells can literally fit in your pocket! Instead of

confining solar power to rooftops or solar farms, paper photovoltaics can be virtually used anywhere, making energy ubiquitous.

The implications of these new solar cells are huge. First, the wide implementation of these cells would single handedly eliminate the use of traditional batteries as well as our dependency on home electrical outlets — therefore saving incredibly large amounts of energy by harnessing the power of the sun.

And you can bet these solar cells are expected to be a big hit. According to an April report by Lux Research, a Boston base advisory firm,

the new market [for these solar cells] may grow to as much as $470 million by 2020.

This represents the beginning of a new generation of power. If we can continue our pursuit of alternative energy, namely from the sun, by investing in both these thin solar cells, we will literally be able to have sustainable energy at our fingertips.

Heat Waves, Snow Storms... Climate Change is Real

Thu, 04 Aug 2011 12:10:05 -0400

By Sarah Kiner

These past few weeks, America has been experiencing a staggering heat wave, which can be linked to climate change.

Nationally, 1,966 daily high maximum temperature records have been broken or tied so far this month. 66 of these records were all-time maximum temperature records.

It is important that Americans become concerned about climate change because we need to have citizens aware of this problem and keep it prevalent in the public eye, so that action to reduce our impact on the environment can be made.

NOAA has conducted reports that also stress the need for attention. The increase in U.S. temperatures has forced there to be a “new normal” for what scientist expect the U.S. climate to be.

In fact, in the time period of 2080 to 2099, it is predicted that Chicago will experience 25% more heat waves annually. Los Angeles may be in even greater danger with the number of heat wave days increasing from currently 12 days a year to 45 to 99 days.

If we continue to make changes now, we may be able to lessen the harsh impacts of climate change on the U.S., as well as the world. It is time to rally people to care about the climate!

People for the most part tend to care about the climate and climate change when there are heat waves or large snowstorms. Yale and George Mason took public opinion poles from a large populace and found that the increase in the amount of snowstorms and heat waves have in fact increased many peoples’ belief in climate change.

We need to continue this public interest so that people can make lifestyle changes. Small actions such as buying locally or changing a regular light bulb to a CFL light bulb is something that everyone can do to help reduce the effects of climate change.

The 2011 SmartPower interns walked over to Founding Farmers and...

Thu, 04 Aug 2011 10:55:44 -0400

The 2011 SmartPower interns walked over to Founding Farmers and then a few blocks farther to GW’s campus where they climbed the stairs to the roof to get a look at some bees. The bees are to provide a local, sustainable source of honey to the LEED certified gold restaurant in downtown D.C. See what the buzz is all about!

Cleaning products clean up with clean energy

Thu, 04 Aug 2011 09:00:05 -0400

By Chandler Clay

Remember the last time you wrestled that thick plastic casing that even the best of scissors couldn’t fracture? Well the days of carving-knife-impenetrable packaging are history.

Proctor and Gamble, the world’s largest packaged goods company, just announced its “New Long-Term Vision” — an incredible revamping of the way goods are packaged and disposed of.

Check it out:

This is big.

P&G produces practically every consumer good in your home. Well, that’s an exaggeration, but it’s not all that far from the truth! Among the company’s products are Tide, Gillette, Dolce & Gabbana, Crest, Scope, Pampers, Swiffer, Pantene, the list goes on…

With 100 percent renewable energy, 100 percent recycled and renewable packaging, and no waste to landfills, P&G is changing the way goods are designed, produced, distributed, used and disposed of.

I can’t say they were the quickest to catch on to the benefits and business sense of sustainable production, but I can applaud the magnitude of their goal. This is one large step for P&G, and one giant leap for sustainable production.

"“In June, the Solar Energy Industries Association and GTM Research released the U.S. Solar..."

Wed, 03 Aug 2011 13:45:00 -0400

“

“In June, the Solar Energy Industries Association and GTM Research released the U.S. Solar Market Insight: 1st Quarter 2011 report showing that in the last three years the U.S. solar industry has gone from a start-up to a major industry that is creating well-paying jobs and growing the economy in all 50 states.

Solar’s robust growth in the past years has been the result of a very favorable combination of new, innovative business models, affordability for consumers, rapidly decreasing manufacturing costs, and most importantly, a strong commitment from the Obama Administration and other policymakers in Washington.

In the first quarter of 2011, the solar industry installed 252 megawatts of new solar electric capacity, a 66 percent growth from the same time frame in 2010. There are now almost 3,000 megawatts of solar electric energy installed in the U.S., enough to power 600,000 homes. In the manufacturing sector, solar panel production jumped 31 percent.

And with the growth of the solar industry, thousands of jobs have been created. In fact, solar energy creates more jobs per megawatt than any other energy source. According to the Solar Foundation’s National Solar Jobs Census, 93,000 Americans were employed in the U.S. solar industry in 2010 and that number is expected to grow between 25-50,000 this year.

The Obama Administration has taken solar energy initiatives to unprecedented levels and is leading the effort to win our clean energy future.”

”

- The White House

Churches care about utility bills too

Wed, 03 Aug 2011 11:01:05 -0400

By Chandler Clay

The spacious sanctuaries, large meeting spaces and multi-use buildings of churches, synagogues and other religious spaces are often open day and night, draining the funds required for expansions, events and maintenance into the hefty, thirsting utility bills.

Churches and other religious meeting places are confronted with utility bills that can run into the thousands of dollars each month. They have as much, if not more, incentive as everyone else to reduce energy costs, with the added intent of meeting their duty to care for God’s creation.

Eleven churches and a nonprofit youth group decided to act. They got together here in Washington to solicit reduced-rate bids for electricity — largely from renewable sources. The group expects a combined savings of nearly $100,000 after its first year in action.

After growing membership and parish-wide interest, the alliance plans to exercise even more leverage in its next year by requiring bidders to extend the same discounted rate to individual parishioners and members. The New York Times reported,

Felipe Witchger, the lead organizer with the DC Project, said that the next contract will require participants, which now also include synagogues and affiliates like unions and advocacy groups, to either buy renewable energy or commit to energy-efficiency upgrades. For the upgrades, he said, workers from neighborhoods with high unemployment and poverty rates would be hired.

The specific energy-saving techniques adapted by various churches and synagogues in the district include installing motion sensor lights and purchasing wind power through local utility providers. St. Columba’s Episcopal Church in northwest Washington has already installed these energy upgrades and is reaping the benefits. The church expects to save up to $12,000 in its first year.

Paul J. Barkett, St. Columbia’s chief operating officer, said,

Every dollar we’re not giving to Pepco for electricity, it’s a dollar we can put into our mission and ministry and furthering our presence.

U.S. Air Force and Army's Battle for Clean Energy

Wed, 03 Aug 2011 08:47:00 -0400

By Sarah Kiner

This past week, the first ever joint Army-Air Force Forum took place with the main objective of finding a way to lessen the dependence of the U.S. military on outdated conventional fuels. The Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Army for Energy and Sustainability, Richard Kidd, along with CleanTechnica’s Dr. Geiss, believes the Army and Air Force can achieve this goal with innovation, technology, conservation and sustainability.

Dr. Geiss reminded the roundtable that during the 1988 National Security Strategy, the military wanted to focus on energy as a systematic element in the long term national defense strategy, but the U.S. still has not achieved this goal.

The Iraq and Afghanistan wars has intensified the need for cleaner fuels due to such core issues as financial costs, loss of life due to transportation and storage risks, and the construction of operational flexibility.

At the roundtable, Geiss was optimistic about the ability of the biofuel industry to meet the Air Force’s interest in jet biofuel because of a recent alternative fuel partnership with the commercial aviator sector.

Kidd went on to stress that the only way the Air Force and Army can implement biofuels is if energy, waste, and water solutions are done in sync with local communities.

The entire battalion from Fort Raley, Kansas has been deployed to Afghanistan with sustainable technology. This has reduced the operational burden and supply logistics that conventional fuel and batteries can place on the Army and the Air Force.

Clean Technica’s Tina Casey wrote,

As these service members cycle in and out of the civilian world, that enthusiasm for new sustainable technology will reach virtually every community in the U.S.

Casey concluded,

It’s unfortunate that in the very moment that the U.S. military has adopted a transformational concept of sustainability, some federal legislators are digging in their heels and pushing for “dirty fuels,” but perhaps events like the Energy Forum will help convince more policymakers that there is a lot more to “support our troops” than waving a flag at them.

Are We Trying Too Hard?

Tue, 02 Aug 2011 13:47:30 -0400

By Mark Ellis

There is always a delicate balance in the level of effort when trying to eradicate a problem. Some feel it is necessary to pull out all the stops while others find it more effective to analyze simple steps to fix what is needed. With the ongoing saga of America’s dependence on foreign oil, we my be complicating the issue more than is necessary.

Currently, we are investing billions upon billions of dollars in an attempt to completely revolutionize the automotive industry. In the vain of fuel efficiency, automakers are compromising an incredibly large aspect of car, consumer appeal. I am not saying that the general consumer is not interested in reducing oil consumption, in fact

in a survey published by Consumer Reports, nearly 80% of respondents supported the national goal of reduced dependency on foreign oil.

Though in the very same report, 94% said the high price of environmentally friendly cars is enough to put them off buying them. There must be another solution here.

If you, the average American motorist, feels that gas prices are simply too high, please let me direct your attention to the current rates throughout Europe and Asia. For example,

drivers in the Netherlands pay the equivalent of about $6.73 a gallon at the pump. The gas itself costs $2.61. The rest, $4.12, represents the tax.

In context, that is a 158% tax on oil. The United States in comparison is selling gas at wholesale prices given that the average tax on our fuel is a mere 15%. With this limited tax on gas, we open the door to discretionary driving. Instead of using our cars for necessary trips to the market, work, etc., more often Americans don’t thinking twice about driving basically anywhere. And I will agree that we currently live in a nation that is spread out, accustomed to long commutes, and incredibly deficient in terms of public transit, if we are to truly weaken our dependency on foreign oil, things need to change.

If we were to place a larger tax on gas, maybe not the astronomical 158%, but say a considerable 70% (yes, there would be a period of political fallout), there would be a noticeable change in the mind of the average driver. You would truly think about each gallon you use, and the net effect would be a reduction in gas consumption across the nation. With this, we may be able to turn our attention and funds to public transit. Being a Los Angeles native, I have yet to see even a tenth of the public transit potential.

We have many decisions to make in respect to our energy consumption, and I feel it is necessary to weigh the options before diving head first into the first idea that may sound right.

The 2011 SmartPower interns walked a few blocks downtown to the...

Thu, 28 Jul 2011 17:32:27 -0400

The 2011 SmartPower interns walked a few blocks downtown to the Tesla showroom for a tour of the new high class, high energy-saving Tesla Roadster. Join them on their tour of the fancy, fast and fun electric vehicle.

Fisker's Electric Karma

Wed, 27 Jul 2011 13:31:05 -0400

By Mark Ellis

I recently got an up-close view of the Tesla Roadster. For those of you who are not aware of what that is, it’s a battery charged, two-seater roadster capable of running up to 250 miles on one single charge. And this is by no means is lacking in engine power because the lightweight roadster produces 245 horsepower and goes from zero to 60 in a convincing 3.7 seconds.

It’s safe to say that following the Tesla, the automotive industry has seen the light in terms of electric powered luxury and sports vehicles, and there is no better example than the soon to be released Fisker Karma. Now who’s Fisker you may ask?

[Fisker is] a California company headed by Henrik Fisker who’s resume for designing cars includes BMW, Ford, and Aston Martin.

Sounding a bit more familiar? What he has done with the Karma, a four-door luxury sports car is quite remarkable. He designed it with a completely normal combustible engine with a 20kWh lithium ion battery beneath floor but the catch is, the engine ever actually drives the wheels directly. Instead:

[It’s] perpetually connected to a generator which powers the car’s two electric motors in the rear wheels.

As a result the petrol, or sport mode as they call it, delivers a greater volume of power to the rear wheels therefore increasing the performance of the Karma significantly. The only drawback to this car, besides the hefty asking price, $100,000, is the fact that when only using the battery the Karma has a range of 50 miles. Not exactly your practical every day car but the technologies implemented here are something we will surely see more of in the future.

Tweets from POLITICO's Energy & The Presidency event 7/27

Wed, 27 Jul 2011 13:00:58 -0400

American Wind Power sponsored the POLITICO event series “Energy & The Presidency,” bringing together policymakers and energy specialists to discuss the role of clean energy and climate change in the 2012 presidential election. See what panelists and followers had to say at Wednesday’s event.

“

#POLITICOETP Panel for Energy&Presidency: @SenJohnBarrasso, @RepDianaDeGette, Rep.Hastings, Carol Browner-CAP & @djheakin -AmActionForum

sarah_garay
July 27, 2011


	#politicoetp. POLITICO has taken over the Top of the Hay to talk energy and the White House http://yfrog.com/h8di1fbj
	DHBerman · July 27, 2011

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All #PoliticoETP panelists agreed that the biggest energy issue in 2012 will be jobs, but all had very different ways to create those jobs.

Graham_Jesmer
July 27, 2011


	View from #POLITICOETP this morning. http://twitpic.com/5wm91b
	mps2003 · July 27, 2011

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DeGette: If the Republicans hope to get any youth votes, they will have to take a position on renewable energy #politicoetp @SmartPower_org

chandlereclay
July 27, 2011

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RT @chandlereclay: Hastings: We have to recognize the market realities. We cannot ignore coal and natural gas #politicoetp

smithcameron
July 27, 2011

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Barrasso: Jobs, the economy, health care and spending are the issues being discussed in town hall meetings, not climate change #politicoetp

chandlereclay
July 27, 2011

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RT @ddimartino1: Every time Barrasso says 9.2 percent unemployment, DRINK! #politicoetp

DHBerman
July 27, 2011

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For information on the #AmericanEnergy Initiative to create #jobs, visit http://t.co/DZGGXu0 #PoliticoETP #4jobs #energy

NatResources
July 27, 2011

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Holtz-Eakin: Why the obsessions with certain forms? I don’t know why we demonize oil, why we glamorize wind, we need #energy! #PoliticoETP

kpoedtke
July 27, 2011

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Nothing but why cant we have other energy jobs too? RT @spencerpederson: What’s wrong with oil and gas jobs? #politicoetp

ddimartino1
July 27, 2011

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Hastings: “the climate is changing”. Trigger Tea Party Overreaction #politicoetp

ddimartino1
July 27, 2011

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Barrasso says he would rather have a job than clean air. This explains his job that is paid for big oil. #barrasso #politicoetp #bigoil

checksandBals
July 27, 2011

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He thinks they laugh with him RT @chandlereclay: I wonder how Barrasso feels when the room giggles after he talks #politicoetp

ddimartino1
July 27, 2011

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Question to DeGette and Browner: When does raising taxes EVER lower prices?? A: Never #politicoetp

spencerpederson
July 27, 2011

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“@ddimartino1: Browner asks panel: why not eliminate oil subsidies now? Barrasso and Hastings have no answer. #politicoetp” true

The_Woch_Man
July 27, 2011

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Hastings: mandate or incentivize? #POLITICOETP

smithcameron
July 27, 2011

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Browner: spend more, regulate more. #POLITICOETP

smithcameron
July 27, 2011

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#politicoetp holtz-eakin trying to take the middle ground: a lonely place

TheAndyHolland
July 27, 2011

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RT @chandlereclay: Getting an insight into why we’ve failed to deal with the debt #politicoetp

DHBerman
July 27, 2011

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#politicoetp Rs will hammer on climate in the election- but is that a long-term winner? Probably not

TheAndyHolland
July 27, 2011

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@dimartino1 Tweets: Carol Browner on EPA attacks: “I’ve seen this movie before it’s called 1995 and it starred Newt Gingrich” #politicoetp

DHBerman
July 27, 2011

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Browner- Fuel #efficiency standards will help consumers at the pump, drive producers to innovate, fueling an improved economy #politicoetp

ToSaveEnergy
July 27, 2011

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Getting to some interesting agreement about cleaning up energy tax code. Good policy. Very tough politics. #politicoetp

mps2003
July 27, 2011

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RT @chandlereclay: Browner: Why don’t we tax things that are bad for us? That’s not a bad idea. #politicoetp

DHBerman
July 27, 2011

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RT @sllambe: Main republican takeaway: I’d much rather have a job than save the world. #politicoetp

SerenaConnor
July 27, 2011

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RT @kpoedtke: LOL Rep Hastings has a new fan in me. In closing:”because I don’t think it’s been said, this election going to be about #JOBS” #PoliticoETP

spencerpederson
July 27, 2011

“

Spent the morning at the #PoliticoETP event. @SenJohnBarrasso, Rep. Hastings, @RepDianaDeGette, Carol Browner & @djheakin had a great debate

Graham_Jesmer
July 27, 2011


	#POLITICOETP live now! http://yfrog.com/kkc0pemj
	POLITICOAlexis · July 27, 2011

“

Really great @POLITICO event this morning on #Energy & the #Presidency - it’s definitely going to be an interesting race #POLITICOETP

cquazzo
July 27, 2011

American Airlines, Betting On Green

Wed, 27 Jul 2011 09:30:06 -0400

By Mark Ellis

On July 20, American Airlines announced that it plans to partake in the largest order of airplanes in history: 460 planes from both Boeing and Airbus, with an option for another 465 planes. The reason behind this monumental upgrading of the American Airlines fleet is the focus on bringing energy efficiency into the airline industry.

Projected figures for these aircrafts expect “the first fleet to be 35% more fuel efficient, with the second batch boosting fuel efficiency another 15 to 20%.”

Since jet fuel is responsible for 98% of American Airlines’ direct carbon footprint, it is imperative that measures are taken in order to reduce that figure. And if you thought gas prices have risen for cars, since last year the price of jet fuel has risen 52% since last year. The financial gain by opting for more fuel efficient jets opens up capital for American Airlines as well as other airline companies if they follow suit.

The cost of this new fleet, you ask? A grand total of $38 billion. This is an investment bringing American Airlines closer to

its goal of improving its greenhouse gas intensity (metric tons of carbon measured against passengers and cargo transported) by 30% between 2005 and 2025.

I hope American Airlines will be able to set the standard for fuel efficiency for the entire airline industry. It’s illogical to continue using inefficient and outdated airplanes when the alternative is not only environmentally friendly, but also fiscally profitable.

Bias at 2011 Energy and Mine Ministers' Conference?

Tue, 26 Jul 2011 13:31:05 -0400

By Sarah Kiner

The 2011 Energy and Mine Ministers’ Conference was held on July 16-19 to discuss a Canadian national energy plan. At this conference, there were presentations from both industry and environmentalists. However, with sponsors from some of Alberta’s tar sands oil companies, like CAPP and Nexen, a lot of critics of the oil industry were concerned.

“This is clearly a corrupting influence. It smells bad and certainly sends the wrong message to Canadians,” said John Bennett, Executive Director, Sierra Club Canada.

Indeed, it was reported that the sponsorship by the oil industry was used to help pay for tours of the oil sands, helicopter rides, and other events during the conference. The cost for the actual conference itself was paid by the province.

The oil companies also insist that it was hard to deny the primary regulators when they asked them to sponsor their event. Licia Corbella, from the Calgary Harold, believes that the oil companies should of said “no.”

“While these sponsorships may have saved Alberta taxpayers $180,000, it has cost this province and, I would argue, the federal government as well, much in terms of reputation.”

Over the past decade, the Canadian federal government has claimed their commitment to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Yet according to John Bennett of the Sierra Club, who feels that the ministers are interested in exporting as much dirty energy as they can from the tar sands,

“We can either take the path that leads to a clean, renewable energy future and new economy, or we can be willfully blind, pretend climate change isn’t happening, and go along with big oil’s vision of a Tar Sands-driven, pipeline-filled, carbon-intense and polluted North America.”

After all of the controversy over the sponsorship of the 2011 Energy and Mine Ministers’ Conference, the country’s energy ministers decides that processes should be streamlined, making it easier for a $5.5 billion bitumen pipeline to be built. So in the end, did big industry win during this conference? Tell us what you think.

Saving green with a shipping emissions cut

Tue, 26 Jul 2011 09:30:05 -0400

By Mark Ellis

The International Maritime Organization announced recently that it looks to put forth a plan to reduce green house emissions released from the world’s shipping fleet.

Some of the figures that came about from this plan include a “goal of lowering these emissions by as much as 30% by 2030.” The more important trend to pick up on here is the fact that “ships built between 2015 and 2019 will have to improve their efficiency by 10%, while ships built between 2020 and 2024 will have to improve by 20%.”

This is a promising set of data heading in the right direction in the hunt to reduce green house emissions that are incredibly damaging to our environment. Also, it shows that the international community is willing to make the necessary fixes in order to protect our atmosphere. The benefits of this proposed plan speak for themselves. If today’s new standards “were applied to all ships, not just new builds, we would save 20 million tons of CO2.” This is not even to mention the amount of money that is saved by reverting to more energy efficient components.

Regardless of your intention, whether fiscally oriented or environmentally consciousness, the plan to reduce green house emissions across the board in the shipping industry is a critical and necessary step forward.

Kentucky has potential to be 100% solar dependent

Mon, 25 Jul 2011 13:31:06 -0400

By Sarah Kiner

The state of Kentucky is known for its horse racing and beautiful natural landscape, but sadly 574,000 acres of its land have been surface-mined and more than 293 mountains have been destroyed or severely impacted by mountain top removal (MTR) coal mining.

With all of this leftover barren land, Dan Hoffman, a writer for Greentechsolar, asked the golden question: “Why not cover top-mined mountains with solar panels?”

The state of Kentucky consumed 89,351,000,000 kWh of electricity in 2005, according to the Department of Energy. If we put PV solar panels on only a fifth of the 897 square miles of land that is flattened by MTR coal mining, then we will supply all of the energy needs for the state of Kentucky!

Also, if the U.S. were to cover all of Kentucky’s barren land, then the solar panels would supply enough energy to power 10% of the United States’ needs.

The Appalachian Voices also discovered that a total of 1,813 square miles of land have been surfaced mined for coal in the central and southern Appalachian Region.

The U.S. consumed a total of 3.873 trillion kWh of electricity in 2008. To produce that much electricity, we would need to place solar panels on 8,225 square miles of land. 22% of the energy that we would need to generate could come from the Appalachian region’s land that has been flattened by MTR coal mining.

I know what many of you are thinking, so how can we make this seamless sounding plan a reality? Would this be hard to achieve?

It has been estimated that it would cost about $138 billion to install the PV solar panels that would account for 100% of Kentucky’s energy needs. The cost of energy produced by these solar panels would be roughly 6.2 cents per kWh, turning out to be a cheaper rate to what Kentucky pays now, which is 7.9 cents per kWh!

Also, these abandoned coalmines in Kentucky could be used for renewable energy storage, as it is now in Germany. If we were to implement this renewable storage system, the price per kWh would be a little bit above what Kentucky pays now, but will soon be just as much as they will eventually pay with LG&E requesting a rate increase of 19% over the next five years.

Solar panels supplying the majority of the energy in Kentucky and possibly the United States is something not too far fetched:

The fossil fuel industry in the U.S. received $72 billion in subsidies from 2002 to 2008. Imagine using that money to fund a GW solar project in Kentucky!

The auto industry a sore loser

Mon, 25 Jul 2011 09:31:00 -0400

By Chandler Clay

Carmakers simply aren’t getting it.

Rather than trying to innovate and improve the fuel efficiency of their fleets, the Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers is fighting new efficiency standards with ads that will attempt to counter the strong case for cleaner cars:

Families would be hit with higher car prices. Small businesses dependent on vans, SUVs or pickups would face limited vehicle choice. And, even the government is predicting a drop in auto sales from what amounts to an electric vehicle mandate.

Research groups say that the new fuel economy standards will create more than 500,000 jobs and save consumers $150 billion in gas prices. The real kicker? Three quarters of Americans already support the new standard.

Clearly, this isn’t a battle between consumers and producers or efficiency versus affordability. This is a battle between old school and new. And new is kicking old’s butt.

The Union of Concerned Scientists released a report that found a 6-percent increase in fuel efficiency through 2025 could cut oil imports by 1/3. The sustainability consultancy Ceres found that this 6-percent improvement could also create up to 700,000 jobs and save consumers over $150 billion by 2030. These are some powerful numbers. It’s no wonder the oil-heavy auto industry is pouty.

The case that clean energy is too expensive is quickly losing effect. Across industries the efficient alternatives are becoming increasingly cost-competitive with their older, dirtier counterparts. Imagine if the powers of old and new school were combined what carmakers could be capable of.

There’s a reason the saying goes, If you can’t beat them, join them.

Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee: Seismic Surveys for Oil

Fri, 22 Jul 2011 13:32:05 -0400

By Sarah Kiner

On July 21, the Energy and Natural Resources Committee met to discuss oil development of U.S. coastal waters. There was plenty of conversation about amendments that would make oil drilling safer for the environment and the industry, but one amendment in particular brought the most controversy in this committee meeting.

The Senate and scientific community has recently brought up the idea of conducting seismic surveys to see exactly how much oil resources are out there on America’s coasts. Senator Udall (D-CO) decided to amend this ambition because he does not believe that it is worth spending $854 million of the government’s money to find that there is possibly $10 billion dollars worth of untapped oil.

Senator Landrieu (D- LA), who is strongly opposed to the Udall Amendment, was stern in her position. She believes that it is worth the cost:

“We do not know if resources are there, but we can find out. America deserves to know!”

Senator Landrieu continued on to state that once we find out where the oil resources are, it can be up to the states to decided if we should drill or leave the resources alone, but it is only fair for each state to know what resources they have. Senator Murkowski (R-AK) supported Landrieu’s opposition by agreeing that America cannot explore if they do not own inventory rights.

After this opposition, Senator Paul (R-KY) brought up the fact that the oil industry has enough resources to pay for their own seismic surveys because the government does not have the funds to do so.

Landrieu responded back with the point that oil companies can only drill on the lands that they lease: “85% of the land off the East Coast and Gulf Coast is not leased.”

This makes it difficult for the oil industry, because in order to conduct seismic surveys, they will have to lease the land, costing them millions or even billions of dollars. If there happens to be no oil on a company’s newly leased land, then it is a huge risk that that the oil producer will face.

Senator Udall ended up withdrawing the amendment before the committee could vote because he did not feel confident that he had the support needed.

Although Udall’s amendment was turned down, Senator Cantwell (D-WA) chose to bring up another concern about seismic surveying at the hearing. Off the coast of the Netherlands, seismic surveying was conducted. As a result, a lot of the fish resources off the coast depleted and the commercial fisheries ended up suffering.

Many of the senators are concerned about what would happen to the U.S. commercial fishing industry if these seismic surveys for oil are not conducted properly. The Energy and Natural Resources Committee plans to work on this issue more in the future.

It would be nice to know exactly how much oil reserves are left in America, but the risk of seismic surveying and the idea of more drilling occurring off our coasts is a disconcerting reality.

Get Ready, Africa. Renewable Energy is Coming.

Fri, 22 Jul 2011 09:57:59 -0400

By Sarah Kiner

Africa’s Renewable Energy Meeting was held on July 8 in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, to discuss Africa’s growing economy, which currently relies on carbon-emitting energy. Most of Africa’s energy comes from charcoal and wood burning that can “exponentially” enhance the damaging effects of climate change, unless Africa starts to invest in wind, solar and hydropower.

The main way that the committee feels renewable energy will catch on in Africa is if a regulatory framework is made to convince institutional investors that is safe to put their money into these renewable energy technologies. This push for funding is fueled by the idea that if we reduce our dependence on oil and coal, we can combat climate change and keep temperatures from rising more than 3.8 degrees Fahrenheit above pre-industrial-era levels.

Before this meeting, Africa has been out of the picture of implementing renewable energy sources on their continent because it has a lot of poor nations that only use 5 percent of the world’s energy. As Africa’s economy picks up, it is predicted that a half of a billion residents who currently live without electricity in Africa will start to demand electricity.

Renewables in Africa will be cheaper than traditional sources, and Africa has an abundance of land for wind and solar farms. Rajendar Pachauri, who chairs the U.N. Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, believes that Africa’s clean energy potential is enormous:

Given the fact we have over 500 million people without access to electricity, that is a huge niche market that could be tapped in an economically viable way. If you would provide this section of society with electricity from the grid, it would turn out to be far more expensive.

In the past year, renewable energy investment had increased by 104 percent in the middle East and Africa. It is predicted that renewables could actually make up 60 percent of the energy used in Africa by the year 2035.

There are still many challenges that remain with the hope of Africa moving towards renewable energy. Currently, Africa only spends $10 billion a year on the power sector, which is only 1/5 of the money required to cover renewable energy costs. Also, workers will need to be trained to fufill green jobs to get the projects up and running.