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July 23, 2010

The Honorable Harry Reid
United States Senate
522 Hart Senate Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20510

Dear Senator Reid:

As representatives of labor, the environmental community, renewable energy trades, and the utility sector, we appeal to you to include the national renewable electricity standard (RES) in the energy bill next week. Without immediate passage, hundreds of thousands of future jobs in the clean energy sector could be lost and surrendered to other countries forever.

A bipartisan bill with a national RES passed the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee. An RES would provide a down-payment on carbon reduction goals, save and create jobs, and keep America competitive.

We urge you to include a renewable electricity standard in next week’s energy legislation.

Sincerely,

Labor:
Blue Green Alliance
United Steelworkers
Utility Workers Union of America

Environment:
Environment America
League of Conservation Voters
Natural Resources Defense Council
Pew Environment Group
Sierra Club
Union of Concerned Scientists

Renewable Energy:
American Wind Energy Association
Biomass Power Association
Energy Recovery Council
National Hydropower Association
RES Alliance for Jobs

Utility:
AES Corporation
NextEra Energy Resources, Inc.
Xcel Energy

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(To lend your support to this urgent effort, go to [url=http://www.powerofwind.com]powerofwind.com[/url] NOW.)

This has not been a great week for capping carbon emissions … unless you live in China. While the U.S. Senate was buckling under polluter pressure, China announced a decision to begin capping and trading its carbon emissions next year. Couple that with its huge investments in renewables, its new lead in wind installations and solar manufacturing, and the fact that it appears to be making policy based on facts instead of lobbying dollars, and you might just be able to mark July 21-22, 2010, as the turning point in the US/China race to dominate the 21st century economy.

Here’s where we stand in the global picture on clean renewable energy, and it’s not a pretty sight:

[img]http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4094/4821787352_5c0aeae1d9.jpg[/img]

With the Senate considering a stripped-down energy bill that does not at this point include a Renewable Electricity Standard, the time for action is now, this minute. Go to [url=http://www.powerofwind.com]PowerOfWind.com[/url] and let your Senators hear from you on this critical issue.

Oregon is already home to the largest solar panel manufacturing plant in North America, thanks to SolarWorld’s continental headquarters in Hillsboro just west of Portland. Now, the Portland area — one of the most sustainable in the land — will receive another landmark boost from the renewable energy sector. This morning, Solexant Corp. announced that it will build a 110-megawatt thin-film production plant in Gresham,  east of Portland.

The thin-film plant will be the first of its kind in the world, according to Solexant. The San Jose, CA-based company utilizes technology developed at the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (one-time workplace of Energy Secretary Stephen Chu) to manufacture printable nanocrystal solar cells using special inks.

While the company already operates a 2-MW pilot plant in California, the Gresham plant will represent its first step into large-scale production. The plant will initially employ about 100 workers, increasing to 170 at full production. Furthermore, if all goes well for Solexant, there is the long-term possibility of increasing annual production to 1,000 MW, which could add up to 1,000 new jobs in Gresham.

Solexant has qualified for $18.75 million in tax credits for the manufacturing facility, and will also receive a $25 million loan from the Oregon Department of Energy’s small-scale energy loan program (SELP). When finalized, this will be the largest SELP award ever offered, and will be doled out in two installments of $6 million before a final $13-million installment. Because the award is so large, the town of Gresham has been required by the ODOE to guarantee the final $13 million.

The winning of a thin-film manufacturing plant adds nicely to Oregon’s growing solar energy portfolio. In addition to the 500 MW SolarWorld plant, Oregon is leading the nation in many other ways as well. Not least of those is a new pilot feed-in tariff similar to that which made Germany a global leader in solar power.

Solexant’s nanocrystal solar cells are, according to a company press release, “The first solar cells based on ultrathin films incorporating nanocrystals made of high‐performance, inorganic materials.” The company also claims cost savings of up to 50 percent compared to other PV technologies, due to high-efficiency materials and low-cost production. The secret, apparently, is the use of inorganic materials (as opposed to low-efficiency organic materials) to produce a flexible thin-film solar cell.

Source & first picture: OregonLive
Second photo: GreenTechMedia

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Rain is the great blessing of God. When it rains it is said that God is showering all his love and blessings on mother nature. However when it is acid rain, God is cursing the cruel manner in which man is exploiting the nature. Acid rain is a rain or any other form of precipitation that is unusually acidic, i.e. elevated levels of hydrogen ions. This can occur due to volcanoes and lightning strikes but the major cause of acid rain is the release of high levels of harmful gases by vehicles and factories. Acid rain is caused by emissions of compounds of ammonium, carbon, nitrogen, and sulfur which react with the water molecules in the atmosphere to produce acids.

The damaging effects of acid rain are seen on the forests, soil, and flora fauna and on human health. It is also one of the main reasons of extinction of certain life forms. There are two forms of acid disposition

1. Wet deposition: It occurs when any form of precipitation i-e rain, snow, etc. removes acids from the atmosphere and transfers it to the Earth’s surface. This can result from the deposition of acids produced in the raindrops or by the precipitation removing the acids either in clouds or below clouds.
2. Dry deposition: It occurs through dry deposition in the absence of precipitation.This can be responsible for as much as 20 to 60% of total acid deposition. This occurs when particles and gases stick to the ground, plants or other surfaces.

Harmful effects of acid rain are as follows:

• Acid rain corrodes the protective covering of leaves of the plants, which affects the photosynthesis of the plants. Due to lack of nutrition, plants become vulnerable to diseases.

• Lack of nutrition for trees may be due to acid rain getting absorbed by the soil. The harmful acids can have hazardous effects on the roots of the trees.

• Soil has abundant amount of various metals and minerals, when these metals come in contact with acid rain there can be some harmful chemical reactions and leads to soil erosion.

• Acid rains affect the pH level of the water which reduces the absorption capacity of essential nutrients of the aquatic life. This also hampers the reproduction process in fish leading to weak or brittle eggs.

• Acid rains can pollute the drinking water which leads to various health hazards. The release of various gases in the atmosphere leads to lung problems. Some scientists have related the cause of premature death to environmental pollution.

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Now it really is crunch time. Senate Leader Harry Reid announced today the leadership had abandoned plans for a comprehensive energy bill that included any kind of climate change provisions.

The question is whether a pared down bill centered on oil spill liability would include anything resembling a renewable electricity standard.

Denise Bode, AWEA’s CEO, today issued the following statement:
[quote]A bipartisan bill with a national renewable electricity standard (RES) passed the Senate Committee over a year ago. It is beyond comprehension that we are now hearing that the bill may never be brought to the Senate floor.

Only about 700 megawatts (MW) of wind power were added in the second quarter of 2010 and wind power installations to date this year have dropped by 54% and 69% from 2008 and 2009 levels, respectively. Manufacturing investment also continues to lag below 2008 and 2009 levels.

A refusal to pass an RES is an attack on every American worker and consumer. Not passing an RES endangers at least 360,000 jobs: 85,000 currently employed in the wind industry and the potential 274,000 additional jobs created by an RES. Workers, families, and our country demand a new energy future. That future must emphasize new strategies that embrace clean, renewable sources of energy that reduce costs, create jobs, and enhance our national security.”
[/quote]

If you want to help us, go to our [url=http://capwiz.com/powerofwind/callalert/index.tt?alertid=15267716&PROCESS=Call+Now]PowerofWind[/url]website and contact your Senators.

Pattern Energy, an AWEA member and wind energy producer with activities in the Gulf region, recently donated $100,000 to Tri-State Bird Rescue & Research, a non-profit headquartered in Delaware that has been active in the cleanup.

John Calaway, director of wind development for Pattern, said, “As a wind power producer in the Gulf, Pattern has a strong connection to the area and we have been alarmed to see the bird population devastated by the oil spill. The impressive efforts of Tri-State Bird Rescue & Research have inspired Pattern to become a major sponsor behind their commitment.”

Tri-State Bird Rescue & Research is a nonprofit wildlife rehabilitation organization that cares for nearly 3,000 injured, orphaned, and oiled native wild birds each year ranging from hummingbirds to eagles. For more information about Tri-State, visit www.tristatebird.org.

Calaway added, “I had the opportunity to witness firsthand as Tri-State helped to rescue and clean pelicans and other birds on the Gulf Coast and we are proud to help support their tremendous work. We hope all energy companies take steps to help the Gulf recover from our nation’s largest environmental disaster.”

Come one, come all to the seventh week of the Green Business Blog Carnival, a series of green business news, ideas and awesome bloggers traveling across the web and right to you. In case you missed it, last week was located at Green Marketing TV and will head to the Eco-Libris Blog next Friday. For now, though, get some cotton candy, your game tickets and enjoy the ride!

Why wait in those annoyingly long lines, though, when we can jump right on the roller coaster that is China’s clean tech industry! Luckily, The Green Economy Post has an upswing on the ‘coaster. Suntech’s Zhengrong Shi is a prime mover on this ride and is helping turn China into a global force in photovoltaic technology. The ultimate goal? Make solar power as cheap as convential electricity. That’s one ride no one will get sick riding!

What’s the best part of any carnival? The food, of course! Good thing The Inspired Economist has this week covered with a delicious story about Fletcher Allen Heath Care and how hospitals can leverage their purchasing power to increase antibiotic-free animal protein production.

While we’re waiting for that meal to settle, let’s head to the show room and learn a thing or two, shall we?

We’ll kick off the eco-fair with an online post on the thing offline journalism is printed on. Confused? Figure it all out with Sustainablog. Futuremark, a Chicago-based papermaker, has figured out a way to make glossy recycled-content paper at a cost comparable to paper from virgin materials, perfect for magazines!

Ready for a heart-warming story about real American families putting sustainability to work? An unemployed logging town rallies together to re-open the local business, revitalize community spirit and push profits through the roof — one eco-friendly tactic at a time. We have the details right here at CalFinder Solar just for you.

Making another stop on the learning tour, CleanTechies has our sustainable building ideas covered this week. If you’re looking for sustainable materials for a new home, there are more choices than you might expect. Find a handy run-down from architect Wally Geer all in one stop.

Sundance Channel’s SUNfiltered asks an excellent question: Can green fashion save our oceans? Let’s head to the water park and ride along with eco-entrepreneur Brian Linton, who launched United by Blue with the mission to clean up our oceans and beaches. Jump in, the water’s warm!

Already wet? Might as well keep the water fun going with Just 4 the Planet. They’ve been following Steven Schappert for some time now and have the whole tale of “Frankie” the water-powered car!

And in case you came late to the party, Daily Green Brief has got you covered with a rundown on everything happening in green business. They cover Google’s investment in wind, “Plan B” for Kyoto, and more.

Well, as they say, all good things must end and it’s all too true here (did it go by too fast for you as well? Oh, how time flies…). That raps up this week’s adventure, but don’t feel too down. The Green Business Blog Carnival will be back next week to do it all again!

In the meantime, want to really join the fun? Submit a green business post for next week’s carnival, or if you’re feeling really ambitious (and you can convince the county board), sign up to host the Green Business Blog Carnival.

Photo Credit: Nancy~ in AZ, IIT, & Mike and Camila’s Picture Diary

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