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Weekly Clean Energy Roundup:April 20, 2005
News and Events NREL Reports Growth in Utility Green Power Sales in 2004 Novozymes and NREL Cut Cost of Converting Biomass to Ethanol FERC: No Hydropower License Required for N.Y. Tidal Power Test Washington State Approves Green Building Law Wisconsin Paper Mills Cut Costs with Energy Efficiency, HydropowerSite News Commercial Windows Initiative Energy ConnectionsEIA Study Finds Minor Economic Impact from Greenhouse Gas Cuts News and EventsNREL Reports Growth in Utility Green Power Sales in 2004An increasing number of U.S. electric utilities are selling greater amounts of green power to their customers, causing the total utility sales of green power to increase to 1.9 billion kilowatt-hours in 2004, according to the DOE’s National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL). Austin Energy, the nation’s leader in total green power sales for three years running, saw an increase in green power sales of more than 15 percent, exceeding 334 million kilowatt-hours in 2004. NREL’s annual “top ten” lists of utility green power programs shows many of the same leaders as in 2003, although the lists now include renewable energy sales from utilities in competitive electricity markets, which were formerly excluded. According to NREL, nearly 600 utilities in 34 states now offer green power to their […]
Weekly Clean Energy Roundup:April 13, 2005
News and Events New Mexico Bills to Encourage Efficiency and Renewable Energy Pennsylvania Offers $10 Million for Clean Energy Projects Connecticut and New Jersey Launch New Green Power Programs Major Wind Plants Under Construction in New York and Texas Wyoming Offers Ranchers Solar- and Wind-Powered Water Pumps Canadian Automakers Agree to Reduce Greenhouse Gas EmissionsSite News California Industries Form BioEnergy Producers Association Energy ConnectionsEIA: Gasoline Prices to Remain High All Summer News and EventsNew Mexico Bills to Encourage Efficiency and Renewable EnergyNew Mexico Governor Bill Richardson signed three new energy-related bills into law last week, including a groundbreaking bill that establishes up to $20 million in bonds to finance energy efficiency and renewable energy improvements in public buildings. House Bill 32, the Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Bonding Act, aims to achieve the maximum amount of renewable energy use that, combined with energy efficiency measures, still results in long-term cost savings. Projects financed with the bonds will be paid back to the bonding authority using the savings on energy bills. The bonds will be applied to state buildings and school district buildings, and the projects will include most energy efficiency measures and any type of renewable energy system, as well […]
World Expo Opens In Japan
More than 15 million visitors are expected to attend Japan’s 2005 World Exposition, which opened last week and runs through September 25. The theme is sustainable development; creating a new direction for humanity which is sustainable and harmonious with nature.“This is not a theme that we have chosen lightly,” say the organizers, the Japan Association for the 2005 World Exposition. Recognizing that rapid technological development, mass production and mass consumption have brought about desertification, global warming, and a shortage of natural resources, only recently have we realized the enormity of our loss.“Learning from the world’s vast collection of wisdom and methods of interaction with nature found around the globe, we hope to bring the world together for the creation of a global society allowing the multitude of cultures and civilizations to coexist together,” the organizers said. Visitors will be transported either in low emissions buses or shuttles that run on magnets. There will be several environmental pavilions, one that runs on only renewable energy and where visitors will be treated to the potential of environmental technologies, and another that allows visitors to experience the changes occuring on Earth from the inside. Restaurants will serve food with bioplastics dishware and visitors […]
Nepal's First Certified Sustainable Nepal Forest Products
While more than 80% of all medicinal plants are collected from the wild, the collectors rarely receive a living wage. This is particularly true in Nepal where every year villagers gather some 15,000 tons of medicinal plants, pack and dry them and sell them to traders for export. Although the plants hold the promise of a potentially sustainable source of income for local villagers, most of the time they must sell their goods to medicinal herb traders, who encourage them to harvest as much as they can, while paying them poorly for their products. Once a plant supply runs out, the medicinal traders move on, leaving the villagers, who have destroyed their only source of livelihood, without recourse. Thanks to the efforts of the Nepal Nontimber Forest Products Promotion Alliance, essential oils and handmade paper harvested to protect forests and provide benefits to villagers in Nepal are now available in the US. Coordinated by the Asia Network for Sustainable Agriculture and Bioresources, the alliance includes Aveda Corporation; the Rainforest Alliance; community forestry groups and local institutions; and donors, including the United States Agency for International Development and the Ford Foundation. As a result of the group s efforts, in January […]
Heart and Money: Finding a SRI Advisor That's Right For You
These words usually don't appear in the same sentence, unless you're speaking with a social financial advisor.
3 Sustainability Trends to Watch for 2005
Sustainability is poised to break into the mainstream in 2005 as a key bottom-line issue for investors.
Weekly Clean Energy Roundup:March 30, 2005
News and Events USDA Offers $22.8 Million for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Company to Build Largest U.S. Biodiesel Plant in North Dakota Lexus to Start Selling Hybrid Sedan in Spring 2006 California Wine Co-op to Install Two Large Solar Power Systems Ongoing Drought in Northwest Threatens Hydropower Production Clean Air Act Settlement to Yield Solar and Wind or Biomass Projects Site News Wind Industry Launches Global Wind Energy Council Energy ConnectionsDOE Releases Revised Greenhouse Gas Reporting Guidance News and EventsUSDA Offers $22.8 Million for Renewable Energy and Energy EfficiencyThe U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced on Monday the availability of $22.8 million to support new renewable energy systems and energy efficiency improvements by agricultural producers and rural small businesses. The funds will support the use of renewable energy technologies such as biomass (including anaerobic digesters), geothermal, hydrogen, solar, and wind energy.The new funds will be made available in two stages. One half, or $11.4 million, is available immediately for competitive grants of up to $500,000 for renewable energy projects and up to $250,000 for energy efficiency projects. The grant request may not exceed 25 percent of the eligible project cost, and applications must be submitted by June 27th. The […]
Weekly Clean Energy Roundup:March 23, 2005
News and Events USDA Conservation Program Includes Efficiency, Renewable Incentives California Launches $30 Million Clean Energy Investment Fund Ormat Breaks Ground on New Geothermal Power Plant in Nevada Ethanol Plant to Take Advantage of Waste Heat from Coal Plant Illinois Provides $500,000 to Build Ethanol Infrastructure Site News DOE and White House Launch Hydrogen Energy Web Sites Energy ConnectionsRecord Gasoline Prices Slow Sales of Full-Size SUVs News and EventsUSDA Conservation Program Includes Efficiency, Renewable IncentivesThe U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced last week that its Conservation Security Program (CSP) will start accepting sign-ups from farmer and ranchers on March 28th. Although the program is primarily meant to support ongoing stewardship of private agricultural lands, this year’s program sign-up includes a renewable energy and energy efficiency component. Eligible producers will receive compensation for conducting energy audits, for cutting their energy use, for converting to renewable energy fuels (such as biodiesel or ethanol), and for implementing renewable energy production, including methane production as well as wind, solar, hydroelectric and geothermal energy. See the USDA press release and the CSP job sheets for energy enhancement activities.According to the USDA, roughly 235,000 farmer and ranchers in 220 watersheds will be eligible for this year’s […]
On the Way to 10 Million Certified Forest Acres in Maine
Baskahegan Company, of Brookton, Maine, recently achieved Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) forest management certification for its entire 101,000-acre ownership. Scientific Certification Systems (SCS), an FSC-accredited certifier, audited the Washington and Penobscot County forestland during the summer and fall of 2004. “Our SCS evaluation team confirmed that Baskahegan is a conscientious land steward as well as a civic-minded organization, and we are very pleased to be able to issue an FSC-endorsed certification of exemplary forest management,” said Dr. Robert J. Hrubes, SCS Senior Vice-President.Company President Roger Milliken, Jr. said the Company had chosen to undergo the certification process to gain recognition for its multi-generational approach to forest management. “We wanted to be judged against the highest ecological standards,and to be challenged to become even better stewards of our family’s lands. FSC certification is an ideal vehicle for this. I am grateful to our highly-motivated forestry staff for laying the groundwork for this significant achievement.”The certification of Baskahegan’s lands expands further the certified forestland base in Maine. “The Baskahegan holdings push certified forestland inventory in Maine to more than 7 million acres,” said Governor John Baldacci. “We are seeing more demand each year for products made from certified wood fiber and solid […]
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