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Report Sheds Light on the Growing U.S. Wind Power Market

The U.S. Department of Energy’s Wind and Hydropower Technologies Program released its first ever “Annual Report on U.S. Wind Power Installation, Cost, and Performance Trends: 2006.” The report provides a comprehensive overview of trends in the U.S. wind power market, with a particular focus on 2006. The primary authors are Ryan Wiser and Mark Bolinger, both of Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory. The need for such a report has become apparent in the past few years, as the wind power industry has entered an era of substantial growth, both globally and in the United States. “With the market evolving at such a rapid pace, keeping up with trends in the marketplace has become increasingly difficult,” says co-author Ryan Wiser. “Yet, the need for timely, objective information on the industry and its progress has never been greater.” “Much of the information presented in the report reflects a maturing U.S. wind power industry on solid footing, yet also grappling with the implications of unprecedented growth,” notes co-author Mark Bolinger. Some of the key findings of the report include: ” With 2,454 MW of wind capacity added in 2006, the U.S. is the fastest growing wind market worldwide. But there still remains substantial room […]

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45% of Shareholders Support PVC Resolution at Hasbro

In a vote that ranks among the highest ever for resolutions on sustainability and toxic chemicals opposed by management, almost half (44.8%) of Hasbro Inc. (HAS) shareholders endorsed a proxy resolution calling on the toy/game company to produce a sustainability report by December 2007. The resolution recites scientific concerns about PVC, notes regulatory action to outlaw PVC products containing certain toxic additives, and adds that prominent competing toy companies and retailers such as Wal-Mart and Ikea are phasing out PVC in products and/or packaging. Speaking for the resolution filers, Margaret Weber, coordinator of Corporate Responsibility for the Adrian Dominican Sisters in Adrian, Michigan, and also a representative for the Camilla Madden Charitable Trust, commented, “The high vote for this proposal from shareholders indicates that Hasbro needs to meet the standard for accountability on sustainability issues and also that shareholders understand the potential liabilities with continued use of PVC in children’s toys.” The filers at Hasbro had noted in a recent letter to shareholders, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, that Wal-Mart had recently reached a voluntary agreement with the attorneys-general of New York and Illinois on a recall of PVC baby bibs laced with lead; Wal-Mart committed to support […]

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