FERC Moves Ahead With Campaign to Promote Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy

Interesting article from The Times on how the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) is full steam ahead with putting policy in place to help promote energy efficiency and renewable energy. Some of these proposals are a bit controversial, if you are an energy generator, although it appears that consumers would benefit from some if not all of these FERC proposals. It also seems like this is going to come down to the fed's right versus the states' rights to regulate their energy production, transmission, and consumption. We'll see what happens. I'm glad that our current regulators have an ear and eye towards renewable energy and energy efficiency for U.S. consumers.

Editorial: Nation Needs a Standard for Renewable Energy

Good work. The Denver Post editorial board comes out in favor of a national renewable energy standard. If you don't agree with government subsidies to help a nascent renewable energy (RE) industry then the only other options are a national RE standard (minimum amount of the states energy has to come from renewable sources) or a carbon/gasoline tax. Doing nothing and keeping the status quo is not an option any longer.

There are some complexities to having all states meet the same RE standard (such as 15% by 2021), because southern states such as Louisiana and Mississippi don't receive as much sun for instance as the southwestern states do. However, there other renewable sources of energy such as biomass or algae that would thrive in those southern states. I hope that Congress is taking these differences into consideration. Whatever the outcome, we do need a RE standard to level the playing field in the energy industry and to provide stability for further capital investment in renewables.

How Will Gulf Spill Affect Energy Debate? A Chat With Colorado Gov. Bill Ritter

In the midst of what will probably turn out to be the worst environmental disaster the United States has ever experienced, we haven't yet had the time to reflect on the impact this oil leak in the Gulf of Mexico will have on our energy and environmental policies. It is safe to say that there will be some impact on the policy debate in Washington. Hopefully the result of that impact will be a policy that includes a way forward to energy independence while radically reducing the use of fossil fuels.

The U.S. is addicted to cheap coal and cheap oil to the detriment of our health and our environment. This damage from fossil fuels is playing itself out slowly over time. On the other hand, the oil leak at the bottom of the Gulf is a rapid and expedited look at the profound damage fossil fuels can do to our environment. I hope that the black sludge that is currently suffocating and killing the marine life in the Gulf of Mexico and that is single-handedly destroying the livelihood of many American fisherman will remain in our memories for a long time. I also hope that it will cause us to pause and reflect every time we fill up our tanks with cheap gasoline. We need to seriously address our energy policy soon.

Oh and here's a quick interview with the Colorado governor on how the oil leak in the Gulf of Mexico might influence the energy policy debate.

Colorado: A Clean Energy Future Done Right

Here's a great synopsis of what's been happening in the Colorado clean energy front. The nutshell? Good public policy coupled with cooperation from private enterprise. It's possible to begin the process of supplanting fossil fuels with renewable energy such as wind, solar, biomass, and geothermal. But it's also necessary to use cleaner fossil fuels, such as natural gas, to bridge the transition to renewables. What's encouraging about Colorado's new energy economy, is the process - government and business coming together in the interest of the environment and of profit. Colorado has shown it's possible to have both clean air and water and profit if changed is not feared.

Even Boulder Finds It Isn't Easy Going Green

This article from the WSJ highlights the growing pains in the energy efficiency industry. Boulder, Colorado is walking the path less traveled with respect to creating an energy policy and educating the public on their carbon footprint. The city will eventually be the model to which the rest of the nation looks. All good policy is built on mistakes.

The article also implies the critical need for certified energy auditors (see RESNET) to help homeowners and businesses save the most money on their energy efficiency efforts. I remember one of my energy teachers saying in class, that we need a license to drive a car but we don't need a license to own a home. He was implying that we really don't know how our homes work (see carbon monoxide deaths due to blockage of combustion air) just as we don't know how to drive a car until we are taught. Each home is unique in that it uses energy differently and wastes energy at different rates. A certified energy auditor will be able to examine your home or commercial building and recommend enhancements that will help your home use energy wisely.

Finally, maybe it's time we all looked in the mirror, myself included. I like gadgets - desktop computers, LCD TVs, cell phones, laptop computers, stereo systems, etc. And our society if increasingly becoming dependent on electricity to use those gadgets. We all have to begin to realize the amount of energy each of our gadgets and households consume and then take the steps to reduce the amount of electricity we consume. It's possible if you educate yourself.

And I'll leave you with this one quote in the 4th paragraph of the article:

"What we've found is that for the vast majority of people, it's exceedingly difficult to get them to do much of anything," says Kevin Doran, a senior research fellow at the University of Colorado at Boulder.

I wonder if humans have always been this way. It is certainly possible that we need some sort of existential threat to light a fire under our posterior.

Precursor to Copenhagen: EPA Says Greenhouse Gases Threaten Public Health and the Environment

And so progress on climate change begins. When the world gets together this week in Copenhagen and tries to hammer out a climate change plan we have the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) proclaim that greenhouse gases threaten public health, the environment AND that the high concentrations of these gases are caused by human activity. Wow. Basically the EPA is saying that greenhouse gases are pollutants and can be regulated. This is tremendous step forward and hopefully foreshadows the action the U.S. will take in Copenhagen this week. We'll be watching.

Xcel Fee Proposal Slammed by State’s Solar Industry

Hmmmm. Charging future solar array customers for access to the grid? Don't know about this one. Isn't that charge already baked into the utility bill when we use electricity form the grid? It'll be interesting to see what the PUC decides on this one.

Colorado HOAs Warm to Solar Gear, Energy-saving Residents

This is good. In my opinion HOA's wield too much power over the homeowner, even in the name of "protecting property values." And as we can see, the recent Colorado law that was passed takes some bite out of the HOA's power. This will be a boon to local companies that provide renewable energy or energy efficiency technology (like outside window blinds).

ASES: Call your Congressional Rep about Waxman-Markey Energy Bill

The other day I posted the "10 Reasons to Support the Waxmen-Markey Energy Bill." This list was created by the Center for American Progress and was in support of the current bill cruising through Congress. Well, the American Solar Energy Society (of which I am a member) states that this bill needs to be strengthened. Read ASES's opinion here.

10 Reasons to Support the Waxman-Markey Energy Bill

They make some good points on the Waxman-Markey Energy Bill. I like number 5, "It would increase new building efficiency by 50%." Let's hope members of Congress do the right thing.

Op-Ed: NREL’s History of Fickle Funding

Anne Butterfield nails it in her op-ed in the Daily Camera. If the Energy Secretary, Dr. Steven Chu, believes what his boss says about renewable energy then he needs to allocate reliable funding for the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) now. Those hard-working scientists at NREL have been working diligently, quietly, and on a shoe-string budget for the last 30 years. They've lasted through the tragic energy policy myopia of Reagan, Bush I, Clinton, and Bush II. The time is now. No more lip-speak.

Homeowners Sell Energy to Power Company

Aaahhh those crazy Canucks. They are doing exactly what needs to happen here in the U.S.- allow individuals to sell their excess power back to the utility company at a decent rate. Some info from the article:

"Modelled after programs in Germany and Japan, the Renewable Energy Standard Offer Program (RESOP) pays guaranteed, preferential rates over a 20-year term for wind, solar, hydro or biomass developments that have capacities of less than 10 megawatts and connect to a local distribution grid."

This will help the utilities meet their renewable energy quotas (being passed by state legislatures all across the country) in addition to reinforcing the localization of energy production. Let's hope that the we can be as progressive in our energy production methods.

Op-Ed: The Climate for Change

Al Gore writes an op-ed in the New York Times letting us know that our economic crisis and the climate change crisis can both be alleviated using the same methods. Whatever your understanding of global warming, I think that we can all agree on some of the basic things that need to happen in order for the U.S. to remain competitive in the world. Read his op-ed and let me know what you think.

Under Obama, Dark Days Seen Ahead For Fossil Fuels

Pardon me for refraining from shedding a tear for the fossil fuel industry, but the dark days for fossil fuels should have happened back in the 1970s. How long must we remain at the mercy of Middle East oil or continue to dig/drill coal/oil/natural gas just to burn it and increase CO2 emissions? I'm ready for a dramatic and intelligent change in our national energy policy and I hope that President Obama will provide that change. I'm fully aware that we can't just flip a switch and blamo! renewable energy displaces fossil fuels and we all live happily ever after. But I'm also fully aware that the petroleum and coal industries are going to whine and complain loudly while never giving up a penny of their profits for the betterment of mankind. It's completely ridiculous that we listen to their horse manure of an excuse about lost jobs or that the coal industry is the backbone of our country. These are greedy individuals who only care about their profits. And until we stop listening to them and start thinking about other ways of producing energy, this country will continue to swirl the toilet drain of myopia.

Pheeww. Thanks for letting me vent.

The Big Difference in Obama's and McCain's Plans for Our Energy Future

Great article on the difference between Obama's and McCain's energy plans. Both plans do not go far enough in my opinion, but there is one plan that is heads and shoulders above the other. Read the article and find out who you should vote for.

The Call for a New U.S. Renewable Energy Policy

This opinion piece makes the case for a new comprehensive federal renewable energy policy. The author gives numerous facts to show that all we have to do is change our thinking just a wee bit and we can go from the biggest polluter and energy consumer for our size to something dramatically less. For instance:

A 2007 Department of Energy report states that energy efficiency measures can reduce the nation's energy demand growth 50 percent by 2025.

50 percent. That's an incredible amount from just completing energy audits (and subsequent retrofits) on all of our buildings. Here's another tidbit from the article:

"The measures that would drastically cut our carbon emissions also would create millions of good-paying domestic jobs in clean industries. Furthermore, jobs in the green collar labor force are resistant to offshoring."

Made in America could be a household term again and job creation could ease some of the pain this recession impose upon us. There's much that could happen with the right leadership, from Congress and more importantly from the President of the United States. I sure hope that an RE policy is at the very top of the agenda in the next administration.

Solar Energy Can Bring Clean Energy to over 4 Billion People by 2030

Solar energy to 4 billion people! I'm ready. Sign me up. But seriously, like the article says, it will require smart policy by governments. Each day I become more and more convinced that renewable energy is the cure to most of our problems, if, IF our leaders are willing to think about our future.

Renewable Energy's Biggest Wish

Any politician that doesn't include tax credits for renewables in his or her energy proposal is not serious about steering this country towards a renewable energy path. They also aren't serious about weening us off of fossil fuels. I've talked about tax credits before here so you know where I stand (shorter version: take tax credits away from an established industry like oil and gas and give it to a burgeoning industry like clean tech). Without tax credits renewable energy will take a much longer time to permeate through our society via clean tech energy production, market stability, and job creation. Read yet another article here on why Congress needs to extend (for a longer period of time) the renewable energy tax credits for businesses and individuals.

Ritter Energized about Removing Oil, Gas Tax Credit

Another reason to admire Colorado Governor Bill Ritter. He's right. Taking on the oil and gas industry in Colorado is no easy feat. But this sums up what I've been saying about providing tax credits to help support the renewable energy industry:

"These are times when you provide a tax incentive to grow an industry. This is not the time for oil and gas."

Word.

A Modest Proposal: Eco-Friendly Stimulus

For some reason I have a rash of car posts this lazy, hot Sunday. We have another thought-provoking article from Alan S. Blinder, an economics professor. It's an interesting concept to help get out cars off the road and stimulate demand for new ones. From the article:

"A California study estimated that cars 13 years old and older accounted for 25 percent of the miles driven but 75 percent of all pollution from cars. So we can reduce pollution by pulling some of these wrecks off the road. Several pilot programs have found that doing so is a cost-effective way to reduce emissions."

So we can clean the environment and create the demand for newer, cleaner, more efficient automobiles, by paying, "Cash for Clunkers." It's a pin-pointed policy proposal with a direct, measurable result. Plus this smart policy proposal beats just handing out a $600 "stimulus check" that could be used randomly on anything and not create a greater good for an industry and a country. What do you think?