Green Power

Maine Ski Resorts Purchase Renewable Energy Certificates

Two of Maine's largest ski resorts have announced plans to offset 100 percent of their operations' electricity use with energy generated from wind. Sugarloaf and Sunday River will purchase 30 million kilowatt hours of renewable energy certificates from Constellation NewEnergy. Under the plan, electricity generated from wind will be used to offset power use at all resort base lodges, offices, ski lifts, energy-intensive snowmaking operations and three hotel and conference centers. A REC certificate entitles the holder to one megawatt hour of power produced by a green power generator, and has the environmental impact of indirectly reducing the emissions associated with one megawatt hour of electricity produced by a fossil fuel generator. This purchase of wind energy qualifies Sugarloaf and Sunday River to the EPA's Green Power Leadership Club. Source: EIN STAFF, 11/17/2006.

New Wind Turbines Commissioned to Supply Bullfrog Power Customers

Bullfrog Power, Ontario's first 100 percent green electricity retailer, announced the commissioning of two new wind turbines at the Sky Generation wind farm in Ferndale on the Bruce Peninsula. The new turbines, developed to meet the demand for clean, green electricity from Bullfrog Power customers, are now in operation, producing new clean power. Together, the two state-of-the-art Vestas V82 1.65 MW turbines are expected to produce almost 9 million kWh of emission-free electricity each year. This new capacity is additional to the various Ministry of Energy programs that are increasing the amount of new renewable power in the overall supply mix.

Bullfrog Power is the first and only 100 percent green electricity retailer in Ontario. Bullfrog Power sources power exclusively from wind and low-impact hydro generators that meet or exceed the federal government's Environmental Choice Program EcoLogo standard for renewable electricity. Sky Generation is one of Bullfrog Power's EcoLogo-certified wind power generators. Bullfrog Power provides businesses, non-profits, and consumers with a new way to purchase renewable power.

Since its launch in September 2005, Bullfrog Power has grown rapidly, signing up homeowners from across the province as well as more than 100 organizations. Residential customers include Margaret Atwood, Graeme Gibson, Gord Downie, Mark Cullen, Edward Burtynsky and Jamie Kennedy. Bullfrog's commercial customers include Wal-Mart Canada, Cadbury Adams, RBC Financial Group, Credit Union Central of Ontario, WWF-Canada, and many other businesses and not-for-profit groups. Additionally, conference planners have turned to Bullfrog Power to "green" the electricity usage of events such as the Cottage Life Shows and the Royal Agricultural Winter Fair. Source:  Bullfrog Power, 11/17/2006.

Nonprofit Floats Emissions Certification Tool for Consumers

Tapping into the burgeoning market for trading carbon emissions, a California nonprofit is developing a retail greenhouse gas reduction product standard. The San Francisco-based Center for Resource Solutions plans to open its "Green-e" emissions product certification standard for public comment in December and promulgate it early next year. Under the proposed standard, CRS is aiming to provide consumers third-party verification of greenhouse gas offsets. The goal is to ensure that a vendor's supplies equal sales and retired offsets are the same as those advertised. "For consumers wanting to use their market power to bring about change, certification and verification of greenhouse gas reduction products will bring them reassurance that their purchase is making a difference," said Jan Hamrin, CRS's president.

The draft that will be put forth for public comment next month was developed with input from the federal government, World Resources Institute, Natural Resources Defense Council, Interface Inc. and other organizations. "What we're trying to do is address some of the biggest issues in the market now--a lack of transparency and a difference in standards," said Interface's Erin Meezan, a consultant on the standard. "There's no agreement as to whose definition of an offset is best, and that can be a problem for companies like Interface that are trying to reduce their emissions."  In addition to ensuring that an offset provider's supplies equal its sales, CRS would attempt to ensure that the provider's marketing claims regarding greenhouse gas reduction types are valid. For example, CRS would verify that a given percentage of a provider's offsets originate from solar, wind or geothermal, as advertised. Offset providers that have been certified under the program would be awarded a Green-e logo. The center already uses the logo to certify renewable energy projects. Source: E&E Publishing, 11/22/2006.

California Energy Commission selects APX for the Western Renewable Energy Generation Information System  

APX, Inc., a leading provider of technology, operations and professional services for the energy industry and environmental markets, announced that the California Energy Commission has selected the APX Environmental Registry & Banking solution for its Western Renewable Energy Generation Information System project, and has signed a multi-year agreement for APX to provide the WREGIS system technology and services.

The APX Environmental Registry & Banking solution will track and register WREGIS Certificates that will be the basis for renewable energy certificate trading across the Western Electricity Coordinating Council region served by WREGIS. WECC comprises the entire Western Interconnection. With a footprint of 1.8 million square miles and members operating in 14 states in the Western U.S., two Canadian provinces, and the Northern portion of Baja, Mexico, WECC is the largest geographically of the eight North American Electric Reliability Council regions. Project implementation is already underway.

A web-based hosted system, the APX Environmental Registry & Banking solution creates and tracks a unique, traceable digital certificate for every MWh of renewable energy generated by generating units registered with WREGIS or imported into WREGIS. Retail electric suppliers use the system's certificates to report compliance with regulatory requirements set by the states and provinces, including power purchases to meet Renewable Portfolio Standards, or with voluntary renewable energy program requirements. The system also records ownership and facilitates transfers of the certificates to support the effective operation and integrity of renewable energy and environmental markets.

APX is North America's leading provider of Environmental Registry & Banking solutions for markets in renewable energy and greenhouse gases, as well as corporate environmental management. Users of these systems include more than 400 of the nation's largest environmental commodity brokers, marketers, generators, and load serving entities. APX also provides technology, strategic consulting, and expert operational services to assist wholesale power market participants reduce costs and improve performance in power scheduling, settlement, market operations, and demand response programs. A privately held company, APX is headquartered in Santa Clara, CA. More information, contacts Reiner Musier at 617-699-0929.  Source:  BUSINESS WIRE, 11/20/2006. 

For more information: http://www.eere.energy.gov/greenpower/index.shtml

Renewable Energy Technologies

SunPower Acquires PowerLight

SunPower Corporation, a manufacturer of solar cells and panels, announced that it has signed a definitive agreement to acquire PowerLight Corporation, a global provider of large-scale solar power systems. The deal is valued at $332.5 million. According to SunPower and PowerLight executives speaking on a conference call, the acquisition will accelerate product innovation, simplify manufacturing and installation processes and lower installation costs by 50 percent in 6 years. Source: Solar Electric Power Association. 

Electrical Power Blowing in N.C. Wind

As a 24-foot rotor nosed into the breeze over Crabtree Valley, wind power officially flowed to North Carolina's electric grid Tuesday. Dr. Louis Mes' mountain-top turbine became the first wind producer to join N.C. GreenPower, a statewide program that buys electricity made from renewable energy sources such as the sun. The turbine, capable of powering the Louisiana plastic surgeon's second home but little more, shows both the potential and the headaches of harnessing the N.C. winds. Wind whips through 770,000 mountain acres at speeds high enough to make electricity, Appalachian State University researchers estimate. Most sites offer only enough wind, like the breeze that teased Mes' blades Tuesday, to power individual homes and farms. Even so, enough wind blows to spin commercial turbines that could power up to 3 million homes, said ASU's Dennis Scanlin. "We still have in Western North Carolina some of the highest wind speeds in the United States, if not in the world," said Scanlin, director of the university's N.C. Small Wind Initiative. State law, however, appears to prohibit building tall structures on mountain ridges above 3,000 feet--where the strongest winds blow. Mes had to get special permission to put his 100-foot tower at 3,800 feet.

Watauga County, where ASU is located, adopted an ordinance in August that sets up a permit process for turbines. The university operates seven test turbines on Beech Mountain, selling the power to the Tennessee Valley Authority. But some neighbors snarl at a horizon with spinning blades. Two of Mes' neighbors still aren't reconciled to his turbine, which was installed in June. A third has dropped a protest, he said. "We know that tourism is worried about it," Madison County state Rep. Ray Rapp said at a dedication ceremony for the turbine. "But this is going to make the air cleaner, and that's what I'm concerned about."

GreenPower hopes wind and solar power will eventually provide 15 to 20 percent of the energy it buys. For now, more than 90 percent of it comes from methane, a landfill gas from decomposing garbage. Consumers take part by contributing $4 a month for 100 kilowatthours of power (the average house uses about 1,000 kilowatthours), money that supports development of alternative energy. Begun in 2003, the program's 9,500 participants buy renewable energy that's equal to the output of 16.5 million pounds of coal. An ardent environmentalist, Mes and his wife, Talitha, built an energy-efficient home that takes advantage of the sun's warmth. But he's also "a gadget guy" who found the thought of capturing the wind on Crabtree Gap irresistible. "People who live up here and have the resources should use them, that's the way I look at it," he said. "My hope is that other people will see this is not threatening and do the same thing." 

Two more turbines, in Watauga County and on the Outer Banks, are expected to join GreenPower soon, said spokesman Jeff Brooks. Even though the fuel is free, their owners won't reap riches. If Mes can produce more wind-generated electricity than his home can use, he will sell the excess to the local electrical cooperative. GreenPower also pays 6 cents per kilowatt hour--the turbine is expected to generate 14,000 kilowatthours a year--as an incentive to alternative-energy producers. But because of the hardware involved, selling his excess power to Haywood Electric Membership Corp. will actually cost Mes a dime per kilowatthour. He shrugs it off. The $40,000 he has invested, Mes figures, would buy a nice pickup and bass boat. The doctor chose to throw his money to the wind, and drive an old truck.

For more on N.C. GreenPower, contact your electric provider or Bruce Henderson at 704-358-5051,  Source: By Bruce Henderson, 11/15/2006.

Renewables Firm Syndicates Investment to Insurance Company

MMA Renewables announced yesterday that it is syndicating its investment in a California solar energy project to a publicly traded insurance company. This is the first investment in renewable energy for the insurance company, which MMA declined to identify. MMA said the insurance company became interested in taking part in the Fetzer Winery solar project because of the tax advantages that accompanied the bill. The Hopland, Calif., project--the largest solar energy project for a U.S. refinery--has 430 solar panels that will produce 80 percent of the electricity for bottling operations at the site. The project will enjoy a 30 percent federal tax credit along with renewable energy credits it can sell on the market and California renewable certs that go for between two and five cents per kilowatt hour (Kerry A. Dolan, Forbes.com, Nov. 15). Source:  E&E Publishing, 11/16/2006.

Bourne Announces New Hydropower Systems

Bourne Energy  has announced development of three renewable, dam-free, silent and invisible hydropower systems. The OceanStar, TidalStar and RiverStar have the potential to harness California's virtually untapped resources of wave, tidal and river energy, according to Bourne. Over the next two years Bourne plans to build full-scale prototypes of each technology, which will be used as demonstrators. The OceanStar, TidalStar and RiverStar series are capable of producing electricity, clean water and hydrogen while the OceanStar also mediates the risks to coastlines and breakwaters from the ravages of storms. OceanStar also serves as a security barrier. Source: EIN Renewable Energy Today, 11/16/2006.

11 Schools To Use Solar Power

Nine Austin schools and two in Round Rock will now power up using new solar panels. Austin Energy installed the panels, which will produce enough energy for five months. The rest of the power will come from traditional electricity. The installations are part of the Texas Solar For Schools Program, sponsored by the Texas State Energy Conservation Office. The long-term goal is to install solar projects at every school in Texas. Including the 11, solar arrays have now been placed at 42 schools across Texas, including earlier installations at three other Austin schools. School leaders say they will design learning opportunities around the solar panels. "I don't want to live in a world when I'm an adult that's full of smog and smoke. I want, when I have children, I want my children to love the world like I do right now and have the air clean and see all the life around me," O. Henry Middle School student Megan Miller said. The energy created by the new school solar panels is only a fraction of Austin Energy's goal for the area. Eventually, it wants to encourage the area to produce 15 times that amount or 100 megawatts, enough to power 12,000 homes for a year.

AISD solar schools:

Bedichek Middle School
Blanton Elementary School
Bryker Woods Elementary
Cunningham Elementary
Garza Independence High School
Kealing Middle School
Maplewood Elementary
Martin Middle School
Murchison Middle School
O. Henry Middle School
Davis Elementary
Zilker Elementary

RRISD solar schools:
Pond Springs Elementary
Westwood High School
Source: By News 8 Austin Staff, 11/15/2006.

A Sunnier Forecast for Solar Energy

The top of a large steel vat gently swings open, and a slab of silicon, cut into pieces the size of large bricks, is lifted onto a conveyor belt. On a mezzanine above the warehouse-style floor of the factory in Frederick, Bill Good is monitoring the six-foot furnaces that melt the silicon that goes into bricks, which are later sliced into wafers and turned into solar panels in a building next door. Good, 53, used to work in a landscaping business, but like many people around the country he has found work in the alternative-energy industry. After two years, he said, "I could retire here."  That's the sort of job certainty many workers would envy. Growth in the solar, wind power and biofuel sectors has been fast and promises to be enduring. Last Thursday, BP PLC's solar division announced a $70 million plan to double the capacity of the Frederick factory and hire 70 more people.

Many boosters of solar, wind and biofuels have tried to sell them as pieces of a new American economy, but these nascent industries rely on many of the same skills and materials as the old American economy? and that's good for people looking for jobs. The wind turbines installed by Madison Gas and Electric Co. in Wisconsin, for example, were placed on towers that weigh 73.5 tons, mostly made of steel. They were built in Shreveport, La. Wind turbines also use components common in many endangered U.S. industries, such as gearboxes, rotors, control systems, disc brakes, yaw motors and drives, and bearings. "What we need are policies that advance the climate for investment in these products," says Marco Trbovich, communications director for the United Steelworkers of America.

The ethanol sector has been adding jobs, too. In August, U.S. refineries produced 27 percent more ethanol than a year earlier, and 48 distilleries are under construction. Meanwhile, the solar industry has about 20,000 jobs nationwide, said Rhone Resch, president of the Solar Energy Industries Association. That's a small number, but Resch said it is growing by 35 percent a year. Expansions like BP's add another reason--along with environmental concerns and national security--for the boosters of solar, wind power and biofuels to use in pleading for more government support in the form of purchases, targets, import limits, subsidies and tax breaks for alternative energy. The Apollo Alliance--a group of environmentalists, alternate energy companies and unions--said in a 2004 report that a $30 billion federal program could create 3.3 million jobs over 10 years.

That sort of spending isn't likely, so the report's optimistic forecast won't be tested. But many governors and mayors are realizing that fostering renewable energy can be good for their states and cities. Under Gov. Edward G. Rendell (D), Pennsylvania has become a major purchaser of "green energy." The jobs created, while modest in number, have symbolic importance and make a difference in individual communities. In March, after receiving financing from the state and assurances from Rendell, Spanish wind power company Gamesa Energy said it would invest $34 million to manufacture towers and blades for wind turbines in Fairless Hills, Pa., which was hit hard by the closing of the last U.S. Steel Corp. facilities there in 2001. Gamesa said it expected to create 530 jobs. Many of the jobs are good ones, in contrast to the low-wage food-service jobs that have bolstered employment statistics without improving quality of life for the people who hold them. "You're producing high-quality manufacturing jobs when others are moving out of the United States," Resch said. "If you look at the next high-tech growth industry in the United States, it can and should be solar energy." 

Jigar Shah, 32, started a solar installation and financing company, Sun Edison LLC, in the basement of his District home in 2003. Now he employs 150 people. Shah gets stores, warehouses and factories to let him buy, install and maintain solar panels on their roofs and he gives them 10- to 20-year contracts for energy with set prices. That way companies don't need to make the initial investment for the panels, whose payback periods can be long. One of Sun Edison's first customers was a Whole Foods Market in Edgewater, N.J. With backing from Goldman Sachs & Co., Shah bought solar panels and installed them on the store's roof. Sun Edison retained a small stake in the system while Goldman Sachs owns the rest. Whole Foods got a contract for energy that rises a modest 2 percent or so a year for more than a decade. By making Goldman Sachs a partner, Shah got not only financing but also credibility. He also made sure that the 30 percent federal tax credit for solar panels weren't wasted on Sun Edison, whose profit wasn't big enough to make use of them all. When the panels were installed in January 2004, Whole Foods was paying about 1 percent less than utility rates for electricity. But rates have since soared and now the store's power costs about 20 percent less than the electricity sold by the local utility, a bonus for its effort to promote an environmentalist image. If utilities start charging customers more for electricity during peak-usage periods--around midday and early afternoon, when solar power is most available, the solar business could get another boost.

While Shah started his company in the District and put its headquarters in Baltimore, most of Sun Edison's business has been in such states as California, New Jersey and Arizona, where government incentives for solar power are best. Shah said he might move the company because of obstacles that make this area one of the toughest for solar installations. He complained that area utilities demand interconnection studies and require expensive safety equipment that is not required elsewhere. Pepco executive Stephen Sunderhauf said there are safety issues, such as protecting people who are repairing downed lines, and technical limitations. Shah also lamented that Maryland's budget for renewable energy is tiny compared with New Jersey's or California's. "It's a real shame to me that BP Solar is building all this manufacturing capacity in Maryland and virtually none of that product will stay in Maryland to help citizens get over the rate increase," Shah said.

But BP is thinking about more than Maryland. It acquired a half-interest in the Frederick plant when it bought Amoco Corp. in 1999; it bought the rest from Enron Corp. Now it has about 15 percent of the U.S. solar market, BP's Edwards said last week. As he spoke in the plant's control room, silicon wafers in another part of the plant were being cleaned, polished, stamped with silver wires, backed with aluminum, hooked together and placed under protective glass. To check their durability, some panels were tested in machines that simulate harsh weather--extreme cold or heat, high humidity and one-inch hailstones traveling at 52 mph. If they last as long as planned, solar panels might become competitive without government subsidies. Edwards said that every time industry capacity doubles, the cost of panels falls about 20 percent. Capacity has doubled over the past three years, but costs haven't dropped as much as expected because of a silicon shortage. Eventually, though, Edwards said that "if we can keep driving costs lower, we will reach a point where solar is the same price as grid power."  Source:  By Steven Mufson, The Washington Post Company, 11/20/2006.

Lubbock Wind Turbine Generates Power Within City Limits

The American Wind Power Center in Lubbock has the only wind turbine of its' kind within city limits in the United States. The turbine creates enough power for the center as well as for a hundred homes in the area. "You really can't deny the efficiency of wind turbines," says Glenn Patton with the American Wind Power Center. "I think this is a whole other industry that wants to come into our area" says Patton, "and we should be excited and welcome it with open arms because there are other places in the U.S. that would have the equivalent wind that we have." For more information, contact Glenn Patton, Director of Development, American Wind Power Center, at 806-747-8734. Source: ep-overviews, 11/21/2006.

For more information on Renewable Resources go to: http://www.repartners.org

Outreach, Education, Reports & Studies

Renewable Energy World Magazine

The November issue of Renewable Energy World magazine is now online. Source: Renewable Energy World, 11/16/2006.

Register now for January Wind Interconnection Workshop

Are you ready to integrate the world's fastest growing form of generation into your power mix? Learn about interconnecting wind turbines and other distributed generation applications to public power distribution systems at the two-day Wind Interconnection workshop Jan. 24 and 25 in Golden, Colo. Source: Western, 11/16/2006.

Geothermal Power Generation Webinar--December 6, 2006 ? 9 am - 11 am PST

The Webinar is sponsored by GeoPowering the West, Western Area Power Administration, Bonneville Power Administration, National Rural Electric Cooperative Association, American Public Power Association, and Northwest Public Power Association. The event covers key issues in Geothermal power development, including

• Getting a Geothermal Power Plant Constructed and Online
• Operating a Geothermal Power Plant
• Determining the Value of Geothermal Power in a Utility Resource Portfolio
• Gaining Transmission Access
• Gauging Public Acceptance

Speakers for the Webinar are Dan Schochet, VP Ormat International, Inc; Roger Hill, GeoPowering the West Technical Director, Sandia Labs; Garth Larsen, Geothermal Power Plant Manager, PacifiCorp; John Pease, PE, Project Manager, Bonneville Power Administration; and Guy Nelson, Team Leader, Utility Geothermal

Working Group. There is no charge for participating in the webinar, however, space is limited. To reserve a space, please register with Debbie Rock.

RAND Corporation Releases Study--"Impacts on U.S. Energy Expenditures of Increasing Renewable Energy Use."

Renewable resources could produce 25 percent of the electricity and motor vehicle fuels used in the United States by 2025 at little or no additional cost if fossil fuel prices remain high enough and the cost of producing renewable energy continues falling in accord with historical trends, according to a RAND Corporation study. The RAND study examined 1,500 cases of varying energy price and technology cost conditions for renewable and nonrenewable resources. The RAND team developed a model based on the National Energy Modeling System created by the U.S. Energy Information Administration. The study was commissioned by the Energy Future Coalition. (Source:  Energy Daily, Nov. 14, '06).

For more information, contact Michael Toman. Director, Environment, Energy and Economic Development Program, at 703-413-1100, x5189, or Energy Future Coalition at 202-463-1947. Source: ep-overviews, 11/16/2006.

Utility Wind Integration--GroupNovember News

The Utility Wind Integration Group (UWIG) has recently published its November 2006 e-newsletter. To receive this newsletter, contact UWIG. Past issues  of UWIG e-news are also available.  Although, there are too many interesting articles in this month's issue to list them all, here were some of the article titles:

California Regional Wind Energy Forecasting Development Project Report Released

Idaho Power Holds Meetings to Present, Discuss Integrated Resource Plan

Source: UWIG, 11/16/2006.

Study Says Alternative Energy Could Power Europe by 2050

A study commissioned by Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety in Germany has shown that a mix of local renewable energy sources combined with imports of solar from the Middle East and North Africa could largely power Europe by 2050. The Trans-Mediterranean Interconnection for Concentrating Solar Power study analyzed a total of 30 countries in Europe, and evaluated an interconnection of the electricity grids of Europe, the Middle East and North Africa. According to the study, a well-balanced mix of renewable energy sources backed by fossil fuels could provide sustainable, competitive and secure electricity for Europe by 2050. Source: GREENCLIPPINGS: 11/16/2006.

National Green Power Marketing Conference

In its eleventh year, the National Green Power Marketing Conference has become the National Renewable Energy Marketing Conference. The conference agenda and supporting activities now encompass a wide range of renewable energy policy issues, national marketing expertise, and key information relevant to a broad marketplace for renewables. With your participation and support, this will be the best conference in over a decade! Register now as registration will close soon for this early December event! Be sure to visit the conference web site and register today. Source: CRS, 11/20/2006.

NWCC News of Note

Announcing Keynote Speaker, FERC Commissioner Suedeen Kelly ? Hear about the activities of FERC, MISO, and other Midwest stakeholders at NWCC Midwest Transmission Workshop VI on Dec 4-5, 2006 in Bloomington, MN. The agenda, logistics, and registration are online.

Draft Mitigation Toolbox Online for Review--The first draft mitigation "toolbox" looking at mitigation options for wind energy impacts on wildlife is now located online for review. Comments on the toolbox should be sent to Madeleine West no later than November 30th. For additional information visit the NWCC. Source: NWCC, 11/21/2006.

California PIER Grant Solicitation for Biofuels

PIER--Renewables--Grant Solicitation for Biofuels Research, Development & Demonstration ? Addendum for the proposed Opportunity Notice and Addendum for Application Manual. Source: CEC, 11/22/2006.

"Polysilicon: Supply, Demand, & Implications for the PV Industry Report"

A new report "Polysilicon: Supply, Demand, & Implications for the PV Industry" has just been released by the Prometheus Institute for Sustainable Development. The report so far has been well received by the industry, and we believe the content may be of interest to you.  Source: SEPA, 11/13/2006.

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News from Washington

Senate Pow-Wow Draws Focus to 'Clean Energy' Agenda

Senior energy policy staff members in the Senate underscored the importance of the "clean energy" debate yesterday when they held a closed-door session with officials from Wall Street, the Bush administration and industry to go over the issues and challenges they are likely to face next year. The nearly four-hour roundtable discussion was the latest in a series of meetings on energy and environmental issues hosted by the staffs of the Environment and Public Works and Energy and Natural Resources committees. Yesterday's session encouraged many renewable energy industry insiders who saw the effort as confirmation of the importance of their industries to U.S. energy policy. Yet others noted that finding a consensus on clean energy policy, particularly so soon after lawmakers passed the Energy Policy Act of 2005, could prove difficult particularly as demands for longer extensions of the renewable energy production tax credit are likely to run into lawmakers' efforts to cut the deficit. Even so, the incoming Democratic congressional majority has announced its intent to make energy independence one of its major priorities for next year, industry officials are hopeful that yesterday's meeting might help set the tone for the coming debate.

Frank Maisano, an energy industry spokesman, characterized the discussion as a "thoughtful and common-sense" approach to starting a debate on tax and regulatory policy as a driver for certainty in the clean energy business. It is clear, he added, that "if you are going to be involved in energy policy, you need to use a collaborative approach."  Rhone Resch, president of the Solar Energy Industries Association, said clean energy will be the largest growth sector of the energy industry over the next 10 years.

Primary among the topics of discussion, attendees said, was the need for longer extensions of the renewable energy production tax credit. The credit, initially established only for wind power projects, was extended last year to many other renewable energy sources. Others who were in the room for portions of the discussion said participants discussed carbon caps, renewable portfolio standards and the effects of alternative energy programs on the Clean Air Act. No specifics were outlined for any of these matters, these sources said.

Yet some of those interviewed acknowledged that incoming Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee Chairman Jeff Bingaman (D-N.M.) is a longtime supporter of renewable portfolio standards and more than likely will try to get an RPS bill through Congress next year. According to the meeting's agenda, the Wall Street panel, which focused on investment needs and the tax credit issues, included Dan Reicher, president of New Energy Capital and former assistant Energy secretary for energy efficiency and renewable energy in the Clinton administration; Alan Waxman, a partner at Goldman Sachs; Nancy Floyd, managing director of Nth Power; and Steve Taub, senior vice president for strategic marketing and renewables at GE Energy Financial Services. Karl Gawell, of the Geothermal Energy Association, said there is "a lot of anxiety in the investment community" about the future of the production tax credits. Last year's energy bill extended the tax credit, but it expires at the end of 2007. That has led many in the industry to complain that they cannot depend on two-year policy windows to make the kinds of investment decisions the economy requires. The tax credit issue has also grabbed the attention of some members of Congress.

Speaking yesterday at an event hosted by Duke University's Nicholas Institute for Environmental Policy Solutions, Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) described several items he says would help combat global warming, and cited permanent research and development tax credits. "Why don't we for once be honest and just make it permanent rather than hold up the corporate executives every two years and say 'Oh, we're not going to be able to renew the R&D tax credit, unless you contribute." A "Main Street" panel of clean energy project developers featured Chris O'Brien, vice president of Sharp solar; Sam Enfield, director of development for the Mid-Atlantic Region for PPM Atlantic Renewable; Kent Burton, senior vice president of National Environmental Strategies; Steve Wilson, director of research and technology management at Southern Co.; and Laurel Heacock, manager of licensing and regulatory compliance for the Grant County (Washington) Public Utility District. Maisano noted that the panel gave a broad definition to "clean energy," as the Grant County PUD is involved in hydropower and Southern Co.'s representative focused on the Integrated Gasification Combined Cycle plant project. Also on the agenda were representatives of the federal government: Andy Karsner, assistant Energy secretary for renewable energy; Robert Rainey of the White House; Bill Wehrum, acting U.S. EPA assistant administrator; and Mark Robinson of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission. Senior reporter Darren Samuelsohn contributed. Source: E&E Publishing, Mary O'Driscoll, E&E Daily senior reporter, 11/16/2006.

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State Activities, Marketing & Market Research

Oregon Looks at Alternative Energy Plan (Legislation)

Gov. Ted Kulongoski says he wants to make Oregon a leader in the development of alternative energy. He has developed a three-pronged energy plan, which includes combinations of mandates and tax breaks. A renewable energy standard bill would require utilities, including Portland General Electric Co. and PacifiCorp, to obtain specified amounts of their power supplies from new renewables in the years ahead: 5 percent by 2011 and 25 percent by 2025. Incentives would increase the business energy tax credit for companies that install renewable energy systems such as wind turbines and solar photovoltaic arrays. The credit percentage would rise to 50 percent from the current 35 percent. Limits on a project's cost would increase to $20,000,000 US from $10,000,000 US.

Another component would increase residential tax credits for wind generation and fuel cells to $6,000 from $1,500, matching the maximum available for solar electric systems. The proposal also would allow the residential credit to be used for more than one qualifying system--a solar water heater and a solar electric system, for example.  The Legislature reconvenes in January 2007.  (Source:  AP, Nov. 11, '06)   Contact Ted Kulongoski, Governor Oregon, at 503-378.4582.  Source: ep-overviews, 11/16/2006.

Ohio's Leadership in Alternative Energy Grows

Companies are catching on that Ohio is the ideal location for the alternative energy industry. Recently, the state announced two major alternative energy initiatives that will be developed in Ohio. Rolls-Royce Fuel Cell Systems, Inc.'s U.S. headquarters will be in Canton, Ohio and will be the first occupant of the Stark State College of Technology Prototyping Center, and UltraCell Corporation of California will be moving the first high-volume fuel cell production line to Dayton, Ohio. These companies join GrafTech International, HydroGen Corporation, Pemery Corporation, ECD Ovonics and NexTech Materials, among others in calling Ohio home.

The development of these two initiatives reinforces that Ohio is a leading location for the alternative energy industry. It also verifies that the state's business reforms, such as no tax on investments in machinery and equipment and no tax on the first $1 million in gross receipts, are important considerations for alternative energy companies looking to maximize their return on investment. Along with the business reforms, in 2005 the state renewed the Ohio Fuel Cell Initiative, which helps expand financing, research, development, demonstration and training projects in the fuel cell industry. As one of the few places where all phases of fuel cell development takes place, from research and development to component suppliers and final product manufacturing, Ohio continues to develop a supportive business environment for fuel cell companies and other alternative energy sources.

Ohio recognizes that alternative energy sources are a critical investment area for economic growth. As part of the state's marketing efforts, the Ohio Business Development Coalition has targeted alternative energy as an emerging growth industry and is working to promote the state's initiatives in alternative fuels and the benefits of the recent business reforms. "It is clear executives at alternative energy companies recognize the benefits of Ohio's business environment and the strong quality of life the state has to offer," said Ed Burghard, executive director of the Ohio Business Development Coalition. "Ohio offers ideal-sized cities, affordable housing and a wide variety of cultural, recreational and educational opportunities. This allows executives and their employees to find the perfect work-life balance." Source: Ohio Business Development Coalition, 11/15/2006.

San Diego Gas & Electric Signs Contracts for Solar and Geothermal Power (G&C)

Energy utility San Diego Gas & Electric has signed contracts to purchase 120 megawatts of solar and geothermal power by 2010. Bethel Energy LLC has obtained two contracts to supply 100 megawatts of solar energy and Esmeralda Energy Co. will supply 20 megawatts of geothermal power. Their facilities will be constructed in the Imperial Valley. San Diego Gas & Electric has said its' goal is to have 20 percent of customers' energy needs met by renewable sources by 2010. (Source:  San Diego Business Journal, Nov. 14, '06)

Contact Len Daniel, Bethel Energy, at 760-508-0046, or Jack McNamara Esmeralda Energy Co., at 818-865-8515. Source: ep-overviews, 11/17/2006.

For more information on marketing and research go to: http://www.nrel.gov/analysis/

Grants, RFPs & Other Funding News

Title: Energy Innovations Small Grant Program

The EISG provides funding to small businesses, small non-profits, individuals and academic institutions for establishing the feasibility of new energy concepts. Qualifying entities outside of California are eligible. Projects must develop innovative and original energy concepts that address a clear market need, provide benefit for California electricity ratepayers and target one or more areas of interest: industrial/agriculture/water end-use efficiency; building end-use efficiency; advanced generation; renewable generation; energy-related environmental research; strategic energy research. Government Agency:  California Energy Commission. Schedule: EISG has up to 4 cycles of grants a year. Source: Biomass R&D Initiative Newsletter November 2006.

Continuing Solicitation for the Office of Science

Description: Seeking grant applications for support of basic energy science fundamental research in the natural sciences and engineering leading to new and improved energy technologies and to understanding and mitigating the environmental impacts of energy technologies. Government Agency: U.S. Department of Energy, Office of Science. Schedule: Applications may be submitted at any time. Source: Biomass R&D Initiative Newsletter November 2006.

Deadline Extension for U.S. Government Methane to Markets Grant Solicitation

The deadline for submitting proposals for the U.S. Methane to Markets request for proposals has been extended. The new deadline is now January 3, 2007, at 4:00 PM Eastern Standard Time. Additionally, there is now a listing of frequently asked questions posted on the grants site.

We hope this additional time will enable more applicants to contemplate this opportunity and that those considering it will have additional time to develop a winning proposal. If you have any questions on this extension, or on the RFP, please read through the frequently asked questions. If your question is not listed there, please contact Erin Birgfeld in the Methane to Markets Program. Source: Scott Sklar, 11/20/2006.

NYSERDA Releases RFP

New York State Energy Research and Development Authority recently announced the release of request for proposals 1037, "Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS) Program Purchase of Renewable Energy Attributes." Through this RFP, NYSERDA seeks to purchase, beginning Jan. 1, 2008, RPS attributes associated with approximately 2.7 million MWh per year. NYSERDA has made available applications for provisional certification, which affirms that a facility, on the basis of information known at the time of application, can meet the RPS program's main tier eligibility criteria, as defined by the Public Service Commission. A facility must be provisionally certified to be considered for an RPS program contract award. RFP application packages are due Dec. 12, 2006, and can be downloaded at the NYSERDA Web site. Source: By NAW Staff, 11/20/2006.

FAU to Have Ocean Energy Technology Center

The Florida Technology, Research and Scholarship Board recently awarded Florida Atlantic University $5 million to establish The Florida Center of Excellence in Ocean Energy Technology. The Center will look at South Florida's ocean currents, specifically the Gulf Stream, as a source of renewable energy to meet the power needs of Florida and beyond. Florida's electricity consumption is expected to increase by nearly 30 percent over the next 10 years. In-state energy production is less than 1 percent of consumption, leaving the state heavily reliant on imported sources of energy. Source: EIN Renewable Energy Today, 11/20/2006.

For more information on funding solicitations go to: http://www.repartners.org/grants.htm