Source: Washington Post. By Bill McKibben, Published: May 23
Caution: It is vitally important not to make connections. When you see pictures of rubble like this week’s shots from Joplin, Mo., you should not wonder: Is this somehow related to the tornado outbreak three weeks ago in Tuscaloosa, Ala., or the enormous outbreak a couple of weeks before that (which, together, comprised the most active April for tornadoes in U.S. history). No, that doesn’t mean a thing.
It is far better to think of these as isolated, unpredictable, discrete events. It is not advisable to try to connect them in your mind with, say, the fires burning across Texas — fires that have burned more of America at this point this year than any wildfires have in previous years. Texas, and adjoining parts of Oklahoma and New Mexico, are drier than they’ve ever been — the drought is worse than that of the Dust Bowl. But do not wonder if they’re somehow connected.
If you did wonder, you see, you would also have to wonder about whether this year’s record snowfalls and rainfalls across the Midwest — resulting in record flooding along the Mississippi — could somehow be related. And then you might find your thoughts wandering to, oh, global warming, and to the fact that climatologists have been predicting for years that as we flood the atmosphere with carbon we will also start both drying and flooding the planet, since warm air holds more water vapor than cold air.
It’s far smarter to repeat to yourself the comforting mantra that no single weather event can ever be directly tied to climate change. There have been tornadoes before, and floods — that’s the important thing. Just be careful to make sure you don’t let yourself wonder why all these record-breaking events are happening in such proximity — that is, why there have been unprecedented megafloods in Australia, New Zealand and Pakistan in the past year. Why it’s just now that the Arctic has melted for the first time in thousands of years.
At its meeting on March 30, 2011, The New Jersey Board of Public Utilities (“Board” or “BPU”) approved the results of the sixth solicitation under the SREC-Based Financing Program for ACE, JCP&L, and RECO. The sixth solicitation was held for a statewide planned quantity of 20,185.719 kW, divided as follows: 5,876.052 kW for JCP&L, 11,933.267 kW for ACE, and 2,376.400 kW for RECO.
In total, one hundred and ninety-one (191) bids were received totaling 40,419.316 kW. The results for the smaller project segment (50 kW and below) are as follows:
- Eight-six (86) bids were received, totaling 1,336.600 kW;
- Fifty-nine (59) awards were made, totaling 777.695 kW;
- Twenty-seven (27) bids totaling 558.905 kW were rejected because pricing was found not to be competitive;
- The average NPV for the recommended awards is $3,165.52 (corresponding to an average SREC price of $447.66/SREC for a ten-year contract);
- The lowest NPV for the recommended awards is $2,819.33 (corresponding to an average SREC price of $398.70/SREC for a ten-year contract).
The results for the larger project segment (above 50 kW) are as follows:
- One hundred and five (105) bids were received, totaling 39,082.716 kW;
- Forty-seven (47) awards were made, totaling 15,788.237 kW;
- Fifty-eight (58) bids totaling 21,797.641 kW were rejected because pricing was found not to be competitive;
- The average NPV for the recommended awards is $2,926.34 (corresponding to an average SREC price of $413.83/SREC for a ten-year contract);
- The lowest NPV for the recommended awards is $2,423.64 (corresponding to an average SREC price of $342.74/SREC for a ten-year contract).
Note: RenergyCo assisted once client in this SREC RFP to be approved to supply SREC’s for ten years @ $450/SREC. This result was well above the average approved contract price.
100% Renewable Energy Indeed Possible, say Researchers
April 12, 2011
The world can be powered by renewable energy in 20-40 years - using technology available right now, says Stanford researcher Mark Jacobson.
In a time of catastrophe oil spills, nuclear meltdowns, and water poisoned from natural gas fracking, citizens around the world are still being told we must keep using these technologies to fuel our demand for energy.
In the past, any one of these disasters would have been enough to shut them down and pass laws to move toward clean alternatives, but not these days. We’re already giving out new permits for deep water offshore drilling and even as Japan reels under a nuclear meltdown, we make plans for new nukes.
Contrary to what the fossil fuel and nuclear lobbies would have the world believe – 100% renewable energy is within our reach – all we need is the public will, which unfortunately is in short supply today.
“Based on our findings, there are no technological or economic barriers to converting the entire world to clean, renewable energy sources,” says Mark Jacobson, a professor of civil and environmental engineering at Stanford University. “It is a question of whether we have the societal and political will.”
He and co-author Mark Delucchi, from the University of California-Davis, published their paper in Energy Policy – they assess the costs, technology and material requirements to convert our society to renewable energy.
According to their plan, wind and solar can provide 90% of energy demand through electricity. Geothermal and hydroelectric sources would each contribute about 4% (70% of hydro is in place now), and wave/tidal would supply the remaining 2%.
Renewable Energy Standard Legislation Introduced
April 12, 2011
U.S. Senators Tom Udall (D-NM) and Mark Udall (D-CO) introduced legislation that would enact a federal Renewable Energy Standard (RES) which would require utilities to generate 25% of their electricity from renewable energy sources by 2025.
The bill phases the requirement in. Utilities would have to get just 6% by 2013, followed by gradual increases.
“Americans want to put our nation on a path towards energy independence, and this bill is our best chance to get America running on homegrown energy while creating good jobs for hardworking Americans,” says Tom Udall. “Studies show that a federal RES would reduce energy bills, revitalize rural America, slow global warming and strengthen our energy security. With American innovation and ingenuity, we can put our people to work in a thriving, clean energy economy.”
“I was proud to lead the effort in Colorado to pass one of the country’s first Renewable Electricity Standards – and it has helped the state create over 30,000 new good-paying jobs and spurred the growth of one of the strongest renewable energy sectors in the country,” said Mark Udall. “We can do the same thing across the country with a robust national RES. A national RES would unleash innovation, helping America compete for renewable energy jobs and lead in the global economic race.”
Studies have shown it would:
- Create jobs: Wind and solar energy are likely to be among the largest sources of new manufacturing jobs worldwide during the 21st Century. A Navigant Consulting study found that an RES would create over 225,000 American jobs;
- Reduce energy bills: Energy research firm Wood Mackenzie found that an RES would lower natural gas and electricity prices and save more than $100 billion for Americans;
- Revitalize rural America: Farmers and rural land owners in windy areas are reaping payments of $3,000 and up per turbine per year, while still being able to work their land. The “wind harvest” can carry hard-pressed farmers through difficult times, such as droughts, even if crops fail;
- Slow global warming: By displacing the use of fossil fuels to generate electricity, an RES can cut emissions of conventional pollutants and greenhouse gases.
New Jersey Solar Rebates Resume
May 4, 2010
Last month the New Jersey solar rebates were put on hold until the state could figure out its finances.
But as of May 3rd, the state has resumed accepting applications for the Renewable Energy Incentive Program (REIP). The rebate levels are now slightly lower, but here’s what’s available to lower the cost of a residential or small commercial solar installation in New Jersey:
- Residential photovoltaic (PV) systems may receive a rebate of $1.35/watt, for systems up to 10 kilowatts (kW) in size.
- Commercial solar PV systems: $0.80/watt for systems up to 50 kW in size.
What does this new, lower rebate level mean for homeowners? As Margaret Collins reported back in April, probably “nothing to dire.” Home solar and commercial solar energy systems in New Jersey are still a winning bet, as she explains:
When the state ran out of funding for its generous solar rebate a couple years ago, all solar activity ground to a halt for months. And then the state rolled out the market-based SREC program, revitalizing the commercial and industrial solar sectors. The residential market, however, didn’t truly pick back up until the state–then under the leadership of Governor Jon Corzine, a huge solar proponent–reinstated a modest rebate. Combined with the revenue stream provided by SRECs, the reduced solar rebate has been enough to make projects feasible for the average homeowner. In fact, payback periods for home solar installations in New Jersey have been lower than anywhere else in the country due to this unique set of incentives.
See the New Jersey Clean Energy website for complete details.
New County Website Tracks Climate Change Progress
December 13, 2009
Westchester County (New York) has been pushing for everyone – government, business and schools – to go green and do anything possible to reduce their carbon footprint for several years now, but how is it going?
Now there’s a way to find out, and a place for all organizations to do a little bragging about their accomplishments. A new website (www.westchestergov.com/climatechange) is tracking the community’s progress in carrying out the recommendations of the county’s Action Plan for Climate Change & Sustainable Development. And not only does it allow visitors to gauge what type of progress is being made but it also launches a new challenge for companies wanting to green their operations.
The Westchester Green Business Challenge, co-sponsored by the Business Council of Westchester, is open to all companies in the county. All they have to do is register (for free) to gain access to an interactive “scorecard” outlining dozens of actions they can take to help their business save money by going green, and stay ahead of the curve in today’s marketplace. The scorecard was based on a similar one developed by ICLEI – Local Government for Sustainability for the Chicago Green Office Challenge.
Residents can also find out what their municipality is doing when it comes to sustainability. So far, 15 towns and villages have responded by filling out a “Municipal Profile Form.” The forms, available for viewing on the website, indicate whether they have an advisory board charged with dealing with the issues of sustainability, whether they have made any commitments or passed legislation, and if they have completed a climate action plan or greenhouse gas inventory.
Solar PV: Enhancing Corporate Citizenship and Reducing Electricity Costs
December 10, 2009
Solar PV (photo-voltaic) is the technology of producing electricity from light. Whilst already available commercially for decades, it is well considered that Solar PV will help provide important renewable energy production for the future, reducing the pressure on fossil fuels and their negative environmental impacts and increasing costs.
With the threat of climate change and the pressure on our natural resources, many responsible companies are introducing sustainability measures to help reduce their environmental, carbon & energy footprints. And energy usage can provide the greatest impact on that footprint.
Solar PV provides an excellent opportunity to enhance the public image of a company. It is expected that within ten years the vast majority of commercial buildings will host Solar PV systems and, at that point, there will be nothing special to crow about. But, Solar PV is currently in an early adopter market phase providing ample public goodwill opportunity to the forward thinking companies that embrace it as part of their plans towards sustainability.
For many company executives, the above information is already known and not at all surprising. Less known is that the current net cost of Solar PV (assisted by government and utility incentives) provides a viable economic choice for energy supply right now.
For example, in many states a Solar PV system can provide an effective net cost of electricity of less than $0.05/kWh over 30 years. Compare that with current commercial electric rates ranging from $0.10 to $0.18/kWh (mid-Atlantic and North East states) that will escalate by more than 5% on average annually. Solar PV, right now, offers a solution towards reducing current and future energy costs.
At Standard Renewable Energy, we understand Solar PV – not just the engineering, installation & production, but also the economics and sustainability that will provide energy cost reductions whilst enhancing a corporate sustainability program.
Earth: the Sequel
March 10, 2009
See a glimpse of the Clean Energy of the future.
Discovery Channel, March 11 2 10:00pm.
““Krupp and Horn have turned the doom and gloom of global warming on its head. Earth: The Sequel makes it crystal clear that we can build a low-carbon economy while unleashing American entrepreneurs to save the planet, putting optimism back into the environmental story.”
- Michael Bloomberg, Mayor of New York City
