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This update summarizes recent green power marketing activity, including news and information on competitive green power marketing, utility green pricing programs, renewable energy certificates, green power purchasing, and related market activity. Source: Green Power Network, 11/5/09
Richard C. Oliver is encouraging green-energy production by paying about $5 to $6 more a month on his utility bill.
That's the difference between what Rappahannock Electric Cooperative charges the Orange County farmer for electricity produced in the traditional way and the price for power generated using renewable resources such as biomass. Read more. Source: Fredricksburg Free-lance Star, 11/8/09
KEEN, Inc. is purchasing BEF renewable energy certificates (RECs) certified by Green-e to offset the electricity use of their headquarters in Portland, Ore. KEEN’s purchase of RECs typifies the company’s commitment to the community, environment and growth. At KEEN, special emphasis is placed on sustainable product development, strategic sourcing options, impactful community outreach, and a progressive work environment.
KEEN documents the company’s journey toward social and environmental best practices, which helps them to link KEEN’s vision and values with the company’s day-to-day actions. KEEN’s support of clean, renewable energy contributes to this vision the values of each KEEN employee.
Keep up with the ways KEEN is creating possibilities, reimagining the outdoors and caring for the world around us through the KEEN HybridLife Community by following them on Twitter and Facebook. Source: Bonneville Environmental Foundation, 11/4/09
Fifty companies and organisations in the United States purchase 12.5 TWh a year of green power.
The Green Power Partnership is managed by the US Department of Energy (DOE), to increase the use of renewable energy from a wide variety of organisations, ranging from Fortune 500 companies to local, state and federal governments, and including a growing number of colleges and universities. Combined, the top 50 purchases amount to more than 12.5 TWh a year, which represents 70 percent of the green power commitments made by all EPA Green Power Partners. Read more. Source: Renewable Energy Focus, 11/4/09
Visit U.S. DOE EERE Green Power Network for more information.
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Solar energy costs will drop by half in 2009 while other low-carbon technology costs will see their pre-subsidy costs drop by 10-20 percent, renewable energy analysts said on Monday.
Prices for renewable energy equipment, including wind turbines and solar panels, fell this year, but they were offset by higher financing costs in the wake of the global economic slowdown, New Energy Finance said in a quarterly research note. Read more. Source: Reuters, 11/23/09
But just how much water will be needed to create power near Newberry is unknown
With a $25 million influx of federal stimulus money, two companies are planning to try a different way of generating geothermal power just west of Newberry National Volcanic Monument.
But to test this method, Newberry Geothermal and AltaRock will need to add something more to the equation — an estimated 77 million gallons of water or more. Read more. Source: The Bend Bulletin, 11/12/09
Sen. John Thune, R-S.D., says Western Biomass Energy, which converts wood chips from the Black Hills into renewable fuels, has been selected to take part in the Biomass Crop Assistance Program.
In a release, Thune said he wrote the program, which is part of the 2008 federal farm bill.
Thune says Western Biomass Energy will use funding from the program to offset the feedstock cost associated with their pilot biorefinery in Upton, Wyo., that refines cellulosic ethanol from South Dakota wood chips.
He says that starting early next year, the program also will provide per-acre payments for the production of energy dedicated crops.
Thune says starting the program is a big step toward incorporating more of the nation's resources into its energy strategy. Source: Google News via The Associated Press, 11/11/09
The Sacramento Municipal Utility District (SMUD) Board of Directors has approved a 20-year power purchase agreement with Buena Vista Biomass Power, LLC for the purchase of renewable energy from a 16-megawatt power plant that generates electricity from woody biomass.
Under the agreement, SMUD receives all the energy, capacity attributes and green attributes from the project for an expected average payment of $15 million annually. The plant, located in Ione, Calif., will utilize woody biomass fuel from forest thinnings, agricultural wastes, and urban wood waste and is expected to begin deliveries to SMUD in the third quarter of 2010.
"This regional project is attractive to SMUD as it brings the utility closer to its renewable goal while providing enough electricity to power 14,000 homes," said SMUD Assistant General Manager of Energy Supply Jim Shetler.
The plant is expected to produce up to 123-gigawatt hours per year of baseload renewable energy. This energy will account for over 5 percent of SMUD's renewable procurement goals in 2011 in addition to bringing it closer to its overarching goal of having renewable energy account for 33 percent of its power supply by 2020. Currently, renewable energy accounts for approximately 20 percent of SMUD's power supply.
As the nation's sixth largest publicly owned utility, SMUD has been providing low-cost, reliable electricity for more than 60 years to Sacramento County (and a small portion of Placer County). SMUD is a recognized industry leader and award winner for its innovative energy efficiency programs, renewable power technologies, and for its sustainable solutions for a healthier environment. The utility is on track to become the first large California utility to receive 20 percent of its energy from renewable resources. Source: Sacramento Municipal Utility District, 11/6/09
The corncob could be losing its special place in the nation's energy future.
The 2007 energy bill required that refiners start using biofuels made from cobs, wheat straw, grasses and other sources of plant cellulose by 2010, with the mandate growing annually to reach 16 billion gallons by 2022.
But now there is an effort in Congress to expand that mandate to include fuels made from algae and microorganisms. A climate bill the Senate is considering would replace the requirement for use of cellulosic biofuels with a broader mandate for "advanced green biofuels." Read more. Source: Des Moines Register, 11/8/09
In an effort to cut their carbon footprints, a handful of universities around the country are turning to ground-source heat exchangers and geothermal heating — sometimes with the help of federal financing.
Many schools are exploring ways to pull heat from the ground. Ball State University in Indiana expects to be able to eliminate a coal plant by adding heat pump capabilities. The system, which will take 5 to 10 years to finish, involves drilling holes 450 feet deep in several areas, using the earth’s natural heat to run its heating and cooling more efficiently, according to a blog post by Robert Koester, a professor of architecture at the university. Read more. Source: New York Times, 11/6/09
Last year at this time, the solar industry was staring into the abyss, uncertain about how disastrous 2009 would be. As it turned out, this year did not bring the apocalypse, and today we have a clear (but somewhat cluttered) path ahead of us.
After meeting with more than 30 solar executives at the Solar Power International conference, we came away with a positive view of the prospects for the industry in 2010. Sure, executives are paid to be upbeat and sell their company — but we believe that much of the optimism is warranted. Companies are getting new orders, capital is flowing back into the space, workers are getting re-hired and some businesses have re-structured themselves to meet current market challenges.
This year, we may see around 350-400 MW of solar PV installations in the U.S. We'll probably see another 150,000-200,000 square meters of solar thermal collectors, and around 5 MW of CSP. That's just above last year's overall installations. Even though we won't see major growth like in previous years, the industry has held up well, considering the circumstances.
It took the greatest economic crisis in 80 years just to slow the growth of the solar industry. It's exciting to imagine what will happen next year when the credit markets are healthier, consumers have more purchasing power and we finally have a carbon-weighted policy in place.
Our quick take: We are finally emerging from the darkness that descended upon us 12 months ago. Source: Renewable Energy World, 11/3/09
Cardinal Laboratories will usher in a more earth-friendly era Thursday October 29th, when it officially converts its manufacturing and distribution center to 100% solar power, a project undertaken with the Solar Partnership Program of the City of Azusa. The company will mark the occasion with a 2pm green ribbon cutting ceremony that includes a tour of its new American-made solar collection and distribution system. Read more. Source: PR Newswire, 10/26/09
The fight over corn ethanol could be over, if cooler heads look at the latest data. While academia has busily poured over reports and run computer models, the industry, that is paying the bills, has been busily upgrading the efficiency of the whole industry. Read more. Source: Governors Biofuel Coalition, 11/5/09
Rooftop and residential-scale wind turbines could play a big role in generating renewable energy for the U.S.
That was the message from speakers Wednesday at the 2009 Small and Community Wind Conference, a three-day event that began Tuesday and runs through today at Cobo Center.
The event focuses on small wind power for homes, businesses and government buildings and nonutility scale turbines that generate 100 kilowatts of power or less. Read more. Source: The Detroit News, 11/5/09
A $500 million wind farm slated for CSU's Maxwell Ranch is on hold after the university's private development partner failed to come up with financing.
The farm north of Fort Collins was being developed jointly by the Colorado State University Research Foundation and Wind Holding LLC. But Wind Holding ran into financial difficulties and this summer was warned by CSURF the deal was in jeopardy. CSURF gave the company until the end of October to get back on track. Read more. Source: The Coloroadan, 11/4/09
Oak Ridge City Center LLC has been selected to receive a federal grant worth up to $5 million for a large-scale geothermal demonstration project.
The project would install a hybrid geothermal system in portions of a redeveloped City Center, commonly referred to as "the mall," and help lower operating costs, using the constant temperature of the Earth to help heat and cool buildings. Read more. Source: The Oak Ridger, 11/4/09
Learn more about renewable resources.
Formerly named the Wind Power Asset Management Workshop, this powerful event will help you get the most out of your project with practical insight on successful strategies and approaches for efficient plant operations and maintenance.
Topics Include:
Be sure to take a look at the program agenda for a full listing of conference sessions and register soon for this important event. Register for this workshop before Dec. 22 to take advantage of the discounted registration rates. Source: American Wind Energy Association, 11/12/09
The U.S. Department of Energy and its National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) have assisted the cities of Greensburg, Kan., and New Orleans, La., with their efforts to recover from the extensive damage each city suffered from natural disasters.
The focus of this work has been to help each city rebuild as a model sustainable community. As a result, NREL has developed several publications that we think will be of value to Federal, state and local agencies and leaders assisting in long-term disaster recovery. The following documents are available to download.
Source: National Renewable Energy Laboratory, 11/11/09
The 10th annual Harvesting Clean Energy conference is coming to the Three Rivers Convention Center in Kennewick, Wash., Feb. 7-9, 2010. A host of experts are gathering in one place to tell you how farmers, ranchers, food processors and rural communities can prosper in the new energy economy. Discover your best opportunities in wind power, solar technologies, geothermal, small hydro, biomass or biofuels and energy-efficient equipment. Connect with financing, technical expertise, and partnership assistance.
Register early to receive low rates! Farmers, ranchers and other private individuals can register early for just $90, professionals for $140. Call Dana Colwell at 253-445-4575 for more information. Source: Public Renewables Partnership, 11/12/09
That’s what representatives from the Wind for Schools project hope rural Nebraska schools will do.
“It’s about workforce development and kids understanding wind power,” said Larry Flowers of the Wind Powering America National Renewable Energy Laboratory.
Wind for Schools, which is sponsored by the U.S. Department of Energy’s Wind Powering America, works to raise awareness about wind power in rural America.
Flowers and others from the Wind for Schools project spoke Tuesday at the Wind Power 2009 Conference at Holiday Inn. Read more. Source: Kearney Hub, 11/11/09
Members of the work-group formed to construct a National Geothermal Data System (NGDS) met in Boise, Idaho on November 2-3 for the project’s initial kick-off meeting. As part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA) DOE provided close to $25M in Federal funding to construct and populate a NGDS. The meeting in Boise established an outline and milestones for the development of the NGDS.
Representatives from Boise State University, Energy and Geosciences Institute, Great Basin Center for Geothermal Energy, Geo-Heat Center, Stanford Geothermal Program, U.S. Geoscience Information Network, Bureau of Land Management and the Geothermal Energy Association were all present for the meeting.
The underlying goal of the NGDS is to organize past and future geothermal related data in a manner that will encourage the increased development of geothermal resources by industry. The NGDS will provide data on various inputs of geothermal development via a “Geothermal Desktop.” Information will include data from DOE funded projects, various regional and industry data centers already in existence, legacy data, and additional data provided by the industry.
According to DOE, within the first year of NGDS development the work-group will begin testing desktop software used to access the NGDS after which the large scale implementation and organization of information on domestic geothermal resources will commence. During the course of this development the NGDS work-group will hold a number of work shops with stakeholder groups to both inform and gather feedback from the industry and the public affected by the development of the NGDS.
For more information regarding the NGDS go to or contact Dan Jennejohn. Source: GEA Weekly Update, 11/6/09
Learn from top experts in the geothermal industry and network with professionals at upcoming events sponsored by the Geothermal Energy Association:
And more!
Companies interested in sponsoring any of these events should contact Kathy Kent, GEA Marketing and Events Manager, at 202-454-5263. Source: Public Renewables Partnership, 11/10/09
Headaches, dizziness, sleep disturbances, nausea, irritability, rapid heart rate, problems with concentration and memory, ringing in the ears; it may be “Wind Turbine Syndrome.”
It’s a new a term coined by Dr. Nina Pierpont, a pediatrician in upstate New York. The doctor has been documenting and interviewing people who live near wind turbines, and is releasing a book based on the findings. As wind farms crop up in populated areas, health concerns are growing, and the Internet abounds with the latest news from anti-wind turbine citizen groups. Read more. Source: Indian Country Today, 11/9/09
Listen to The Changing Face of Federal Regulation, Platts’ U.S. Policy Webinar focusing on the changes afoot in U.S. Federal regulation. Cost-free registration is required to access the webinar replay. If you would like to interview Chris Newkumet or the other Platts presenters, please contact Elizabeth Catalano at 212-904-4937. Source: Platts Release, 11/10/09
Officials from the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) today joined industry representatives and managers from DOE's National Laboratories to celebrate the latest tool to advance the Department's wind energy research: a state-of-the-art wind turbine installed at DOE's National Wind Technology Center (NWTC) near Boulder. Read more. Source: EERE Progress Alerts, 11/10/09
Dec. 1 and 2, be part of a bioeconomy conference on the University of Minnesota campus. Agricultural producers, landowners, community and business leaders, citizens and students interested in economic development and biorenewables are encouraged to attend and identify ways they can participate in agriculturally-based and forest based solutions to the global climate change and energy supply issues facing Minnesota.
Cost is $50 per day, $85 for both days. Hosted by University of Minnesota Extension and the University of Minnesota Initiative for Renewable Energy and the Environment. Source: University of Minnesota Extension, 11/10/09
Energy Self-Reliant States, Second and Expanded Edition, is from the New Rules Project and written by John Farrell and David Morris. It makes a case for locally-generated renewables as superior to long-distance transmission where costs for initial investment, O&M, and transportation are high. The entire 37-PDF-report is a large file and may take one or two minutes to download. The Executive Summary begins on document-page iii of the report. Source: Energy Newsbriefs – Week of 11/2/09
National Renewable Energy Laboratory and the Strategic Energy Analysis Center (SEAC) conduct a broad range of energy analysis in support of NREL programs and initiatives, DOE's Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE), technology transfer, and the greater energy analysis community. SEAC integrates and supports the energy analysis functions located in many of the Laboratory's research programs and technology centers. With offices in Washington, D.C., and Golden, Colorado, SEAC promotes understanding and collaboration through partnerships, publications, conferences and seminars, and various on-line resources. Source: National Renewable Energy Laboratory, 11/5/09
The goal of the Utility-Scale PV Variability Workshop was to improve understanding of photovoltaic (PV) plant variability and its impact on utility planning and operations. The workshop was targeted towards PV developers, utilities, the U.S. Department of Energy and its laboratories, consultants, and other stakeholders. This event was motivated by discussions among the PV Variability Ad-Hoc Group. For more information about the PV Variability Ad-Hoc Group, contact Abraham Ellis at Sandia National Laboratories or Benjamin Kroposki at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL). Source: Utility Wind Integration Group, 11/5/09
Plan to participate in the last webinar of the Geothermal Resources Council (GRC) Educational Series Dec. 9 10 a.m.-noon PST. Utility Geothermal Development Strategies focuses on two cost-effective applications utilities can include or expand in their renewable and energy-efficiency portfolios: geothermal power production and geothermal heat pumps. Attendees will learn basic steps and strategies for getting projects on line and become familiar with financing options and environmental benefits the projects offer.
Registration fees are $35 for GRC members, $50 for all others. Register now, or call 530-758-2360 for more information. Source: Public Renewables Partnership, 11/5/09
The Wind Cooperative of the Year call for nominations is underway through Dec. 31, 2009.
The 2009 award will honor one electric cooperative for its leadership in wind power. Past winners include Wolverine Power Cooperative, Alaska Village Electric Cooperative, Associated Electric Cooperative, Illinois Rural Electric Cooperative, Western Farmers Electric Cooperative, Holy Cross Energy, Basin Electric Power Cooperative and Great River Energy. The 2009 winner will be recognized at the NRECA TechAdvantage Conference in Atlanta, Ga., Feb. 11-15, 2010.
All electric cooperative members of the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA) are eligible. Cooperatives can nominate themselves or other systems and there is no cost to enter. Complete the nomination form, which includes the award criteria, and e-mail it to Randy Manion, Western Area Power Administration, or call 720-962-7423 for more information.
The Wind Cooperative of the Year Award is sponsored by the U.S. Department of Energy's Wind Powering America Program in partnership with NRECA. Source: Public Renewables Partnership, 11/5/09
In 2010, the Public Renewables Partnership effort led by Western Area Power Administration and funded through the U.S. DOE Wind and Hydropower Technologies Program will offer thirty $500 scholarships to employees of electric cooperatives and public power utilities to attend Utility Wind Integration Group meetings. The scholarships can be applied to any UWIG workshop or user group meeting and can be used to help defray travel expenses or registration fees. The applicant’s employer must be a member of NRECA or APPA and there is no limit on the number of scholarships per utility. To apply for the scholarship, please contact Randy Manion at 720-962-7423. Source: Utility Wind Integration Group, 11/5/09
Emerging Energy Research reports a strong outlook for the wind industry in 2010 and 2011. Can your utility afford to ignore this fast-growing form of generation? Get an overview of wind energy and hands-on training with assessment tools at this popular two-day workshop, Jan. 20-22 at the Electric Power Training Center in Golden, Colo.
Register online to reserve your place now, or contact Bob Putnam, CH2M Hill, at 315-751-2638 for more information. Source: Public Renewables Partnership, 11/5/09
SBI Energy, a leading energy market research firm and publisher of "Ocean Energy Technologies and Components Worldwide," has released "Hydropower Energy Technologies Worldwide: Large, Small, Mini, Micro and Pico." The report presents an in-depth analysis of the applications, products, manufacturers, and trends in the development of hydropower resources in the United States and around the world. Read more. Source: Marketwire, 11/4/09
In case you missed the webcast, The Stimulus Bill - Structured Tax Incentives, you can still watch it on demand. Source: Stoel Rives, 11/4/09
Stoel Rives conducted a webcast entitled Making Good Marketing Claims – Product Labeling Pitfalls on Nov. 3. The webcast recording is now available for you to watch on-demand. Source: Stoel Rives, 11/3/09
Green Footstep shows architects, engineers, and developers how much their building is contributing to global warming, and reveals design targets to achieve carbon neutrality
Rocky Mountain Institute has unveiled Green Footstep, a free online carbon calculator for reducing carbon emissions in building construction and retrofit projects
While many carbon calculators are available online, none address multiple building emissions over the building lifetime. “Green Footstep makes it easier for design professionals to set the design targets they’ll need to achieve a carbon neutrality that includes not just operation, but also embodied carbon and others,” said Victor Olgyay, AIA, principal at RMI. “Just as a life cycle cost analysis of a green building design shows the operating costs you are saving over time, Green Footstep shows you the saved carbon.” Read more. Source: Rocky Mountain Institute, 11/2/09
Learn more about educational resources.
Underscoring his commitment to strengthen and streamline the U.S. DOE's operations, Secretary Steven Chu today named Jonathan Silver Executive Director of the Department's loan program office. In this role, Silver will oversee the Department's Loan Guarantee Program as well as the Advanced Technology Vehicles Manufacturing loan program. Read more. Source: Ethanol Producer Magazine, 11/10/09
With more than 120 briefings to date, the ACS Science & the Congress Project conducts congressional briefings that provide opportunities for Members of the Congress and their staffs, and the wider science policy community, to gain a greater knowledge of the science involved in numerous public policy issues.
Science & the Congress was established in 1995 to provide a neutral and credible source of scientific information targeted to policymakers on Capitol Hill. Read more. Source: American Chemical Society, 11/10/09
In what could dramatically alter transmission and wind energy development in the Upper Midwest, a Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) ruling last week shifts virtually the entire responsibility of paying for transmission network upgrades to wind developers in the footprint of the Midwest Independent Transmission System Operator (Midwest ISO). Read more. Source: North American Windpower, 10/29/09
The Obama Administration has released a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signed by nine federal departments and agencies that will make it faster and simpler to build power transmission lines through federal lands.
As President Obama announced in his speech yesterday, the agreement “will help break down the bureaucratic barriers that currently make it slow and costly to build new transmission lines on federal lands.” Read more. Source: Wyoming Business Report, 10/28/09
Learn more about legislative activities.
For the estimated 38.4 million Americans set to embark on holiday travel, one of their greatest nightmares is running out of gas with no fueling station in sight. For owners of flex-fuel vehicles (FFVs), that nightmare need not occur. Read more. Source: Renewable Fuels Association, 11/22/09
The Nevada National Guard has kicked off a $17 million solar energy project.
Construction will begin early next year on carports that will cover about half of a four-acre parking lot at the Office of the Adjutant General complex in Carson City.
The carports will house solar panels that are expected to generate up to 60 percent of the energy needed to power the complex.
On sunny days the panels could produce about 140 percent of the complex's needs between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.
Two other sites that will be part of the project are the Las Vegas Readiness Center and the Floyd Edsall Training Center near North Las Vegas.
The guard held a ground breaking ceremony for the project on Monday. Source: Mercury News, 11/11/09
Gov. Phil Bredesen said Tuesday that Tennesseans should expect many of his administration's investments in green energy to fail, but he urged economic development officials to promote the state's efforts, saying those that work will lay the foundation for future growth. Read more. Source: The Tennesseean, 11/11/09
Painting the Golden Gate Bridge yellow might cause less fuss than trying to install a wind farm off Cape Cod's historic coast.
But when you're trying to build where the wind is strongest or the sun is brightest, you never know what obstacles you may run into.
In Massachusetts, a proposed wind farm called Cape Wind was dealt a blow last Friday that will delay what would be the first offshore wind farm in the United States. The Massachusetts Historical Commission agreed with local Indian tribes who claim that the location for the wind farm should be considered for listing in the National Historic Register because the Wampanoags' history and culture are "inextricably linked to Nantucket Sound," according to the opinion. Read more. Source: CNET News, 11/11/09
To add to the hot/cold air swirling around the subject of wind turbines in Estes Park, the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) said last month there are challenges in making small residential wind turbines workable here.
The Estes Valley Planning Commission revisits the subject on Thursday, Nov. 12, in a special meeting at 1:30 p.m., in the municipal building, with a study session starting at noon in Room 202. Read more. Source: Estes Park Trail Gazette, 11/11/09
The largest wind farm in Utah and one of the largest in the western United States was commissioned with a ribbon-cutting ceremony Tuesday at the project site near the small town of Milford. Read more. Source: Environment News Service, 11/11/09
Big companies used to talk about their potential expansion plans with large metro areas in Oklahoma.
Now smaller communities are the focus of their attention.
“Wind development is bringing new money and new energy into Western Oklahoma like I’ve never seen,” said LaVern Phillips, president of Woodward Industrial Foundation. “We’re riding a tide of new opportunities.” Read more. Source: Woodward News, 11/7/09
Jim Stiles has had to wait, but he got good news this week that he soon might be able to put up a wind turbine at his business.
Stiles, co-owner of SuperFresh Produce and Garden, 2101 Fourth St. N.W., was considering building a wind turbine for his produce, bakery and garden store when the city of Austin declared a temporary ban on wind turbines earlier this year. He may build one next year. Read more. Source: Austin News, 11/7/09
The Patrick administration is rethinking its support of wood-burning power plants, a key element of its long-term strategy to wean Massachusetts off fossil fuels.
Wood, also known as "biomass," has long been part of the state’s portfolio of renewable energy sources, along with solar, wind and geothermal.
But some environmental activists say biomass power plants could lead to the clear cutting of forests while pumping more carbon dioxide into the air than coal plants, adding to global warming. Read more. Source: Boston Herald, 11/7/09
Federal officials are delaying what was to be the first auction of geothermal leases in Colorado to resolve questions about the increasingly popular form of renewable energy.
The Bureau of Land Management had planned to offer 800 acres of public property for geothermal during its auction this month, but will postpone action on the proposed lease until its February auction. Federal officials want more time to study the potential effects of geothermal development on water and property rights.
Geothermal energy uses the earth's heat as steam or hot water to heat buildings or produce electricity. Federal officials believe much of central and western Colorado have the potential for geothermal development. Source: Denver Post, 11/8/09
A proposal to build the first wind farm in Western Washington may stall, and may even be doomed, because of concern that turbine blades would kill members of an endangered bird species, a state lawmaker says.
“I’m just not feeling real confident that this is going to grab hold and move forward very fast,” Rep. Dean Takko, D-Longview, said last week. “There are key players who aren’t very supportive, and I think it’s going to hold this up. Is it going to kill it? I don’t know.” Read more. Source: The Longview Daily News, 11/8/09
Ohio will join a coalition of 40 state geological surveys in a national search for renewable geothermal energy.
The Ohio Department of Natural Resources' Division of Geological Survey will collect data from across the state to aid industry in the identification and development of geothermal energy. Ohio's data will be incorporated in the National Geothermal Data System.
On Oct. 29, U.S. Energy Secretary Stephen Chu announced awards totaling $338 million for geothermal energy exploration across the country. That includes a comprehensive geothermal resource data system, compiled by state geological surveys, to support development of geothermal technology.
The project will receive $17.79 million from the Department of Energy over three years. The U.S. Geological Survey, Microsoft Research, and Energistics Inc., a petroleum industry consortium, are partners in the project.
It is part of the national effort to develop non-petroleum energy sources and reduce emission of waste gases that contribute to global warming. Source: Cox Ohio Publishing, 11/9/09
China has been investing in US clean energy projects and many are not happy about it. Last week it was the announcement that China-based ENN will be teaming up with Duke Energy to bid on contracts for utility-scale solar farms and large commercial solar projects in the US. Read more. Source: HeatingOil.com, 11/4/09
Community wind developer Juhl Wind Inc. has executed a 20-year, 19.8 MW power purchase agreement between Adams Wind Generations LLC and Xcel Energy.
The Adams Wind Generations LLC project will be community-owned and -operated, with plans to utilize 12 wind turbines at an estimated cost of approximately $46 million. The project is similar to Juhl's recently announced Danielson wind farm. Read more. Source: North American Wind Power, 11/4/09
The southern Oregon city of Paisley, best known for its annual mosquito festival, could soon add another distinction: the site of the state’s first commercial geothermal electricity plant. The federal Department of Energy awarded the project a $2 million grant. Read more. Source: Oregon Daily Journal of Commerce, 11/4/09
It's like Craigslist for people looking for food scraps in industrial-size mounds or used cooking oil by the drum.
A Web site launched by North Carolina state government seeks to match companies looking to get rid of tubs of oil and tons of wood chips with companies that can turn them into something else.
"They can barter, they can give it away, they can sell it," said Tom Rhodes, an environmental specialist with the state Department of Environment and Natural Resources. "It's to keep materials out of the landfill." Read more. Source: The News Observer, 11/5/09
Arizona and 40 other states have teamed to receive a federal grant of $17.8 million to map the country’s geothermal pockets.
The grant, announced by the U.S. Department of Energy this past week, was part of $338 million handed out by the federal government in an effort to harness geothermal sources to produce power.
Arizona’s portion of the grant is going to the Arizona State Geological Survey to populate the National Geothermal Data System, a record that keeps track of state-specific geothermal areas.
The money is part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. Source: The Phoenix Business Journal, 11/2/09
In her weekly radio address, governor says MSU Extension will spur innovation, economic development
Governor Jennifer M. Granholm applauded Michigan State University’s restructuring of MSU Extension to help support, develop and expand the state’s green economy. Read more. Source: The Gov Monitor, 11/2/09
Learn more about marketing and research.
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Oberlin Municipal Light and Power System seeks approx. 12 MW of non-intermittent renewable energy resources capable of base-load operation. Responses due Dec. 2, 2009. For more information, contact Steve Dupee. Source: Green Power Network 11/6/09
The National Science Foundation requests proposals for Energy for Sustainability. This program supports fundamental research and education in energy production, conversion and storage, and is focused on energy sources that are environmentally friendly and renewable. Sources of sustainable energy include: sunlight, wind/wave, biomass and geothermal. Responses due March 3, 2010. For more information, contact Gregory Rorrer. Refer to Sol# PD-10-7644. Source: Grants.gov 11/16/09
Nevada Geothermal Power Inc. today announced that the United States Department of the Treasury has informed NGP that the Company's application in the amount of US $57.9 million for Specified Energy Property in Lieu of Tax/Credits relating to the Blue Mountain 'Faulkner 1' geothermal power plant has been approved under Section 1603, Division B of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. Payment of the full amount is expected on or before Nov. 15. Read more. Source: Nevada Geothermal Power, Inc., 11/12/09
Up to $30.6 million in economic stimulus funds will be used to finance seven hydroelectric projects nationwide, according to the U.S. Department of Energy.
The additional funding means Voth Hydro, a manufacturer of hydroelectric turbines, will be able to retain 40 jobs at its manufacturing facility in York, Pa. Thanks to $13 million in stimulus funding, those employees can resume work on two replacement turbines for Alcoa Inc’s Tapoco Cheoah hydro plant in Robbinsville, N.C. Read more. Source: Hydroworld, 11/4/09
More than $96 million in funding opportunities is available for state, local, and tribal governments from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) that can be used to support climate and energy initiatives including vehicle technology, energy efficiency, renewable energy, green building, waste management, training and education. Read more. Source: DOE Tribal Energy Program, 11/6/09
Learn more about funding solicitations.
This news item comes to you as a service of Western's Renewable Resources Program.
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