1. Home
  2. Articles posted by: Rona Fried (Page 1759)

Poll: Americans Want Action on Global Warming

76% or three out of four Americans – including two out of three conservatives – think the federal government is not doing “enough to address global warming and develop alternative energy sources in order to reduce our dependence on foreign oil.” And 83% of Americans – including 77 percent of conservatives – said that “in the absence of federal leadership” today, they support the fast-growing number of pushes by “state and local officials to curb global warming and promote new energy resources.” The nationwide survey conducted by Opinion Research Corporation also found that 58 percent of Americans – including 57 percent of independents and 42 percent of conservatives – are more concerned about global warming today than they were two years ago. Other key survey findings: 77 percent of Americans think that “developing alternative or renewable energy sources and reducing U.S. dependence on foreign oil should be President Bush’s top priority for the balance of his term in office”; and 83 percent of Americans — including 72 percent of conservatives and 85 percent of independents — would like to see more attention paid to global warming during the 2006 Congressional elections and the 2008 Presidential elections. Civil Society Institute President […]

Read More

World Solar PV Market Grew 34% in 2005

World solar photovoltaic (PV) market installations reached a record high of 1,460 Megawatts (MW) in 2005, representing annual growth of 34%, says the annual PV market report by Solarbuzz LLC, a San Francisco based solar energy consultancy. Germany’s PV market grew 53% to 837 Megawatts in 2005, corresponding to 57% of the world market. This level is eight times the size of the United States market. Japan’s 14% growth took it to 292 MW. Solar cell production reached a consolidated figure of 1,656 MW in 2005, up from 1,146 MW. Japanese producers maintained their leadership with 46% share, while Europe accounted for 28%. US cell production was 156 MW in 2005. “Cumulative installed solar PV electricity generating capacity expanded by 39% in 2005 and now exceeds 5 Gigawatts worldwide and investment in new plant to manufacture solar cells exceeded $1 billion in 2005,” said Craig Stevens, President of Solarbuzz. “Meanwhile, the PV industry raised more than $1.8 billion in the capital markets over the past 12 months.” Despite a rise of 12% in silicon feedstock capacity, tight supply caused long-term polysilicon contract prices to increase by up to 25%. The on-going capacity shortfall will restrict world PV market growth to […]

Read More

States Still Leading on Energy Saving Appliance Standards

Since 2004, ten states (Arizona, California, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, Rhode Island, and Washington) have established new energy-saving standards covering between 5-30 products, most through new state legislation. In August, 2005, Congress took its cue from the states and made 15 of these state standards federal law. From light bulbs to office water coolers to DVD players, new appliance energy efficiency standards could save consumers and businesses billions of dollars, ease pressure on high energy prices, eliminate the need for as many as 40 power plants, and cut global warming pollution, according to a report by the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy (ACEEE) and the Appliance Standards Awareness Project (ASAP). By lowering natural gas use, the standards could help lead to lower natural gas prices. In a separate 2005 study, ACEEE found that a 2 to 4% reduction in natural gas use can reduce natural gas prices by 20% or more in tight market conditions. The recommended appliance efficiency standards would start saving natural gas immediately, with savings levels growing to 340 billion cubic feet per year by 2020, about 1.3% of U.S. Department of Energy’s projected national consumption for that year. According to the […]

Read More

DOE Has a Seldom-Heard of Incentives for Lighting Upgrades

Over the next several years, the more efficient 34-watt T8 fluorescent bulb on the left is expected to replace the standard 40-watt T12 bulb and its magnetic ballast. Either you or someone you know probably works in an office building under a sea of fluorescent lights. Chances are, however, that your boss doesn’t know those old fluorescent fixtures in the office probably use outdated technology and his business is currently losing hundreds or thousands of dollars in electricity each year. Your boss also probably doesn’t know that there are major tax incentives and energy savings available for businesses that switch all of their fluorescent lights over to a new federally mandated lighting requirement. Tell him not to feel too daft, though. Not very many people outside the lighting industry know too much about the Federal rules, the tax incentives or the new technology, according to industry leaders. The federal problem comes down to the basics of your office’s lighting source. In those fluorescent light fixtures above your head, there are two main parts – the bulbs and the ballast. The ballast is the device used for starting and regulating the fluorescent bulbs and for more than 50 years they have […]

Read More

ATS Automation Solar Group to Launch IPO

ATS Automation Tooling Systems Inc.(ATA.TO) announced it will launch an IPO for its Photowatt solar division. The new subsidiary will be named Photowatt Technologies and is expected to include the company’s investments in Photowatt International (in France) and in Spheral Solar Power. “An IPO of Photowatt Technologies is the principal mandate approved by our Board of Directors,” said Ron Jutras, ATS President and Chief Executive Officer. “For that reason, we continue to aggressively prepare Photowatt Technologies for an IPO. However, at the same time, the Board has stated clearly that it is open to considering alternative transactions during this preparatory period. I believe this is a wise strategy that is in the best interests of our shareholders.” An offering of Photowatt Technologies shares is expected to commence in the third, or potentially the fourth quarter of calendar 2006 and ATS intends to retain both Canadian and U.S. underwriters. “Looking forward, we have much to accomplish in a very short time, but I believe a fall launch is realistic given the legal and accounting requirements associated with separating our solar assets into a new subsidiary,” said Mr. Jutras. “This timetable takes into account a complex corporate reorganization, related tax and accounting […]

Read More

Westman Wind Announces $1.5B In Manitoba Wind Projects

Westman Wind Power Company announced it is developing eight wind power projects to be spread across Manitoba. They will have an initial capacity of about 700 MW, with the potential maximum capacity of more than 1,400 MW. The total value of the projects is approximately $1.5 billion. “Wind is the fastest growing source of power generation in the world” said Westman partner Paul Edwards, a Winnipeg lawyer and businessman, “and we think Manitoba can be a world leader in the development of wind power.” CFI Group (CFI), which specializes in providing customized medium and long-term structured and infrastructure debt and equity financing, has been engaged to arrange financing to develop the wind farm projects. “CFI has obtained significant funding commitments from the investors in its equity fund, including Manitoba Teachers’ Retirement Allowances Fund and Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan, for the purpose of investing in energy and infrastructure projects across Canada,” said Chris Ball, Executive Vice-President of CFI Group. “The Manitoba government’s continued strong support of wind energy is essential to ensure this Manitoba-developed project comes to fruition. We are confident that the Westman team has the right combination of development experience and local knowledge to successfully execute these important energy […]

Read More