Signing the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, President Barack Obama has included a new tax credit to encourage investment in efficient energy production equipment manufacturing facilities.
A new 30% investment tax credit is available for projects that establish, re-equip or expand manufacturing facilities for fuel cells, micro-turbines, renewable fuel refineries and blending facilities, energy saving technologies, smart grid technologies and solar, wind and geothermal technologies.
In addition, as part of the Act, close to $17 billion of funding for the Department of Energy (DoE) Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE).
The funding is a nearly tenfold increase for EERE, which is expected to use the bulk of the new funding in direct grants and rebates, although $2.5 billion will support its applied research, development and deployment activities, including $800 million for biomass.
A further $400 million will support the establishment of an agency to support innovative energy research.
Furthermore, the Act stipulates that $3.2 billion will go toward Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grants, which were established in the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007, but were not previously funded, to support energy audit programmes and projects to install fuel cells and solar, wind, and biomass power projects at government buildings.
The economic stimulus bill also stipulates that $5 billion will go towards the improving domestic household efficiency and $4 billion to rehabilitate and retrofit public housing, including increasing the energy efficiency of units.
Federal buildings and fleets will also become greener under the new bill, with $4.5 billion to convert federal buildings into 'high-performance' green buildings likely to feature on-site generation.
The tax section of the Act provides greater tax credits for clean energy projects at homes and businesses and for the manufacturers of clean energy technologies. For homeowners, the Act increases a 10% tax credit for energy efficiency improvements to a 30% tax credit, eliminates caps for specific improvements (such as windows and furnaces), and instead establishes an aggregate cap of $1500 for all improvements placed in service in 2009 and 2010 (except biomass systems, which must be placed in service after the Act is enacted).
Full article From Cogeneration & Power
30% Invetment Tax Credit to Manufacturers of Micro Turbines, Fuel Cells, bi Fuel Refineries
on Thursday, February 26, 2009Geothermal Map, Texas
on Wednesday, February 25, 2009
2008 Weatherization Assistance Program
on Saturday, February 21, 2009The US Department of Energy's Weatherization Assistane Program
2008 Weatherization Assistance
Click on the links below to download a PDF of each section.
Table of Contents
1. Program Overview
This section provides an Executive Summary of the Weatherization Assistance Program, as well as a Legislative and Regulatory Timeline since the Program's inception.
2. Program Funding
This section includes information on funding, state start and end dates, state allocations, how the allocation formula works, as well as the 1995 Federal Register 10 CFR Part 440 ruling.
3. Training and Technical Assistance
Click the link above to view activities taking place at DOE Headquarters, as well as in the PMC field offices. This section also includes information on what audit tools states are using and identifies those that use a priority list.
4. New Initiatives
This section addresses: Lead Safe Weatherization Pollution Occurrence Insurance, Adding U.S. Territories to Service Area, the National Evaluation, the Hot Climate Initiative Project, and How Weatherization is Green.
5. Health and Safety
Lead-based paint regulations, mold and moisture, two-part spray foam, unvented space heaters, and disaster relief planning are covered here.
6. Questions and Answers
Do you have basic questions about the Weatherization Assistance Program? Click the link above to find answers to what the Program is, how it works, why it is important, and much more!
7. Program Accomplishments
In 30 years of providing service to low-income citizens, the Program has has garnered a great deal of attention and credit. View the number of units weatherized, average unit costs, and more with this link.
8. Media Relations
Click here to view press coverage the Program receives on a consistent basis.
9. Weatherization Plus
Curious about Weatherization Plus and how it has moved forward in recent years? This section provides an overview of the initial effort as well as the latest actions.
10. Additional Resources
Still haven't found what you are looking for? Perhaps it's a fact sheet, a presentation, a specific report, or something else. This section contains an assortment of useful tools for the weatherization network.
Source: Weatherization Assistance Program Technical Assistance Site
National Wind Solutions forms "Zero Emissions Fuel Cell" Company
on Friday, February 20, 2009Feb 9, 2009
National Wind Solutions, Inc. (NWND) announced today that it has purchased an option to acquire a breakthrough new fuel cell technology developed by one of America’s major research universities.
The acquisition of this technology is expected to be completed in about 30 days, and will be the cornerstone of NWND’s recently formed subsidiary, Zero Emissions Fuel Cell, Inc. (http://www.zeroemissionsenergy.com/).
- Fuel cells promise clean, efficient power for both home and transportation. While most fuel cell development has focused on automotive applications,
- NWND’s technology will be aimed at delivering power to homes and businesses. The technology will allow users to meet their complete electrical needs using natural gas to drive the fuel cell.
- Natural gas is a readily available, environmentally friendly domestic fuel source which will be an integral part of weaning the United States from our addiction to foreign oil.
- More than 65 million residences and businesses in the United States already have natural gas service.
- These factors will allow for rapid adoption of this breakthrough green energy technology.
Massachusetts to Spend 50 Million on Clean Energy Sector
on Thursday, February 19, 2009On Tuesday, Massachusetts House Speaker Salvatore DiMasi will announce a proposal for a five-year, $50 million spending program designed to boost the state’s clean energy sector, mainly by providing seed grants for early-stage technologies, retraining experienced entrepreneurs from other industries to navigate the energy business, and overhauling vocational-ed programs.
Investors and executives are greeting the proposal as a breakthrough for the clean energy business in Massachusetts. But to raise money for the program, DiMasi proposes taking money away from an existing renewable energy program, funded by a surcharge on residential ratepayers’ electric bills, that supports construction of solar, wind, and hydropower facilities through grants and rebates.
The Rest of the Article from Xconomy
The WeatherTRAK solution from HydroPoint eliminates landscape overwatering, delivering value faster than any other clean technology.
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For an additional amount for `Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy', $16,800,000,000: Provided, That
- $3,200,000,000 shall be available for Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grants for implementation of programs authorized under subtitle E of title V of the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 (42 U.S.C. 17151 et seq.), of which $2,800,000,000 is available through the formula in subtitle E: Provided further,
- That the Secretary may use the most recent and accurate population data available to satisfy the requirements of section 543(b) of the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007:
- Provided further, That the remaining $400,000,000 shall be awarded on a competitive basis:
- Provided further, That $5,000,000,000 shall be for the Weatherization Assistance Program under part A of title IV of the Energy Conservation and Production Act (42 U.S.C. 6861 et seq.):
- Provided further, That $3,100,000,000 shall be for the State Energy Program authorized under part D of title III of the Energy Policy and Conservation Act (42 U.S.C. 6321):
- Provided further, That $2,000,000,000 shall be available for grants for the manufacturing of advanced batteries and components and the Secretary shall provide facility funding awards under this section to manufacturers of advanced battery systems and vehicle batteries that are produced in the United States, including :
advanced lithium ion batteries,
hybrid electrical systems,
component manufacturers,
and software designers:
- Provided further, That notwithstanding section 3304 of title 5, United States Code, and without regard to the provisions of sections 3309 through 3318 of such title 5, the Secretary of Energy, upon a determination that there is a severe shortage of candidates or a critical hiring need for particular positions, may from within the funds provided, recruit and directly appoint highly qualified individuals into the competitive service:
- Provided further, That such authority shall not apply to positions in the Excepted Service or the Senior Executive Service: Provided further, That any action authorized herein shall be consistent with the merit principles of section 2301 of such title 5, and the Department shall comply with the public notice requirements of section 3327 of such title 5.
Electricity Delivery and Energy Reliability
For an additional amount for `Electricity Delivery and Energy Reliability,' $4,500,000,000:
- Provided, That funds shall be available for expenses necessary for electricity delivery and energy reliability activities to modernize the electric grid, to include
demand responsive equipment,
enhance security and reliability of the energy infrastructure,
energy storage research, development, demonstration and deployment,
and facilitate recovery from disruptions to the energy supply,
and for implementation of programs authorized under title XIII of the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 (42 U.S.C. 17381 et seq.):
- Provided further, That $100,000,000 shall be available for worker training activities: Provided further, That notwithstanding section 3304 of title 5, United States Code, and without regard to the provisions of sections 3309 through 3318 of such title 5, the Secretary of Energy, upon a determination that there is a severe shortage of candidates or a critical hiring need for particular positions, may from within the funds provided, recruit and directly appoint highly qualified individuals into the competitive service:
- Provided further, That such authority shall not apply to positions in the Excepted Service or the Senior Executive Service:
- Provided further, That any action authorized herein shall be consistent with the merit principles of section 2301 of such title 5, and the Department shall comply with the public notice requirements of section 3327 of such title 5:
- Provided further, That for the purpose of facilitating the development of regional transmission plans, the Office of Electricity Delivery and Energy Reliability within the Department of Energy is provided $80,000,000 within the available funds to conduct a resource assessment and an analysis of future demand and transmission requirements after consultation with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission:
- Provided further, That the Office of Electricity Delivery and Energy Reliability in coordination with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission will provide technical assistance to the North American Electric Reliability Corporation, the regional reliability entities, the States, and other transmission owners and operators for the formation of interconnection-based transmission plans for the Eastern and Western Interconnections and ERCOT:
- Provided further, That such assistance may include modeling support to regions and States for the development of coordinated State electricity policies, programs, laws, and regulations:
- Provided further, That $10,000,000 is provided to implement section 1305 of Public Law 110-140:
- Provided further, That the Secretary of Energy may use or transfer amounts provided under this heading to carry out new authority for transmission improvements, if such authority is enacted in any subsequent Act, consistent with existing fiscal management practices and procedures.
The Associated General Contractors of America (commercial Construction Professional Organization) did a Great Analysis of the Stimulus bill, where it is going and how to access it.
NAHB Responds to the Stimulus
on Wednesday, February 18, 2009The $787 billion economic stimulus package signed into law on Feb. 17 by President Barack Obama contains elements that will bolster housing and the economy, according to NAHB.
“While we believe that including a more enhanced home buyer tax credit in the final legislation would have been the best way to spur housing demand and move the economy forward, the new law does include several provisions that should help to put housing and the economy on the right track,” said NAHB Chairman Joe Robson.
Chief among these is an $8,000 first-time home buyer tax credit for qualified home purchases in 2009. To encourage prospective home buyers to get off the fence, the tax credit:
- Does not have to be repaid
- Is fully refundable
- Will remain in effect until Dec. 1, 2009 so that consumers can utilize it during the critical summer and fall home-buying months
- Allows tax credit home buyers to participate in the mortgage revenue bond program
- Permits state housing finance agencies to help buyers at closing by advancing the credit amount as a loan using tax-exempt bond proceeds
More information on the first-time home buyer tax credit
Other important components in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 will help small businesses and bolster the housing market.
The legislation will:
- Help home borrowers by restoring the higher 2008 FHA, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac loan limits through the end of this year (the limit will return to $729,750 from the current $625,500 in the highest cost markets, and will also rise in many other areas because the 2008 maximums were based on a more generous formula and, for most areas, higher median prices)
- Temporarily allow exchange of Low-Income Housing Tax Credit allocating authority for tax-exempt grants and it appropriates $2 billion in HOME funding for affordable housing projects
- Provide up to a 10-year deferral of tax due to business debt restructuring
- Expand the net operating loss carry-back period from two years to five years for small businesses (businesses with average gross receipts of no more than $15 million over the prior three years) for losses arising in tax year 2008
- Extend the 25C existing home remodeler credit through the end of 2010, increase the credit rate from 10% to 30%, raise the lifetime cap from $500 to $1,500 and expand the set of qualifying property
- Provide an Alternative Minimum Tax patch for tax year 2009
- Increase bonus depreciation and Section 179 small business expensing for business investment in 2009
view a one-page summary of the key housing provisions in the legislation.
Source Article from NAHB News
by Greg Brown at NAHB or call him at 800-368-5242 x8421.
Algae Most Promising Biofuel
on Tuesday, February 17, 2009Algaoil
Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs), also known as Green tags, Renewable Energy Credits, or Tradable Renewable Certificates (TRCs), are tradable environmental commodities in the United States which represent proof that 1 megawatt-hour (MWh) of electricity was renewable (generated from an eligible renewable energy resource).
These certificates can be sold and traded and the owner of the REC can claim to have purchased renewable energy. While traditional carbon emissions trading programs promote low-carbon technologies by increasing the cost of emitting carbon, RECs can incentivize carbon-neutral renewable energy by providing a production subsidy to electricity generated from renewable sources. It is important to understand that the energy associated with a REC is sold separately and is used by another party. The consumer of a REC receives only a certificate.
In states which have a REC program, a green energy provider (such as a wind farm) is credited with one REC for every 1,000 kWh or 1 MWh of electricity it produces (for reference, an average residential customer consumes about 800 kWh in a month). A certifying agency gives each REC a unique identification number to make sure it doesn't get double-counted. The green energy is then fed into the electrical grid (by mandate), and the accompanying REC can then be sold on the open market.
Source: Wikipedia
WIND ENERGY GROWS BY RECORD 8,300 MW IN 2008
Smart policies, stimulus bill needed to maintain momentum in 2009
The U.S. wind energy industry shattered all previous records in 2008 by installing 8,358 megawatts (MW) of new generating capacity (enough to serve over 2 million homes), the American Wind Energy Association (AWEA) said today, even as it warned of an uncertain outlook for 2009 due to the continuing financial crisis.
The massive growth in 2008 swelled the nation’s total wind power generating capacity by 50% and channeled an investment of some $17 billion into the economy, positioning wind power as one of the leading sources of new power generation in the country today along with natural gas, AWEA added. At year’s end, however, financing for new projects and orders for turbine components slowed to a trickle and layoffs began to hit the wind turbine manufacturing sector.
“Our numbers are both exciting and sobering,” said AWEA CEO Denise Bode. “The U.S. wind energy industry’s performance in 2008 confirms that wind is an economic and job creation dynamo, ready to deliver on the President’s call to double renewable energy production in three years. At the same time, it is clear that the economic and financial downturn have begun to take a serious toll on new wind development. We are already seeing layoffs in the area where wind’s promise is greatest for our economy: the wind power manufacturing sector. Quick action in the stimulus bill is vital to restore the industry’s momentum and create jobs as we help make our country more secure and leave a more stable climate for our children.”
The new wind projects completed in 2008 account for about 42% of the entire new power-producing capacity added nationally last year, according to initial estimates, and will avoid nearly 44 million tons of carbon emissions, the equivalent of taking over 7 million cars off of the road.
The amount that the industry brought online in the 4th quarter alone – 4,112 MW - exceeds annual additions for every year except 2007. In all, wind energy generating capacity in the U.S. now stands at 25,170 MW, producing enough electricity to power the equivalent of close to 7 million households and strengthening our national energy supply with a clean, inexhaustible, homegrown source of energy.
Iowa, with 2,790 MW installed, surpassed California (2,517 MW) in wind power generating capacity.
The top five states in terms of capacity installed are now:
- Texas, with 7,116 MW
- Iowa, with 2,790 MW
- California, with 2,517 MW
- Minnesota, with 1,752 MW
- Washington, with 1,375 MW
About 85,000 people are employed in the wind industry today, up from 50,000 a year ago, and hold jobs in areas as varied as turbine component manufacturing, construction and installation of wind turbines, wind turbine operations and maintenance, legal and marketing services, and more.
About 8,000 of these jobs are construction jobs, and a significant number of those will be lost in 2009 if financing for the pipeline of new projects is not quickly restored.
Wind power’s recent growth has also accelerated job creation in manufacturing, where the share of domestically manufactured wind turbine components has grown from under 30% in 2005 to about 50% in 2008. Wind turbine and turbine component manufacturers announced, added or expanded 70 new facilities in the past two years, including over 55 in 2008 alone. Those new manufacturing facilities created 13,000 new direct jobs in 2008.
However, because of the recent slowdown in orders, wind turbine and turbine component manufacturers in different parts of the country are beginning to announce layoffs.
“The hope is that provisions such as those included in the House stimulus bill to restore the effectiveness of the tax incentives for renewable energy will quickly become law and provide the capital needed to continue to build projects,” said Bode. “Because wind projects can be built quickly, positive legislation from Congress will have immediate and visible effects. Looking forward, it will also be important for the new Administration and Congress to put in place long-term, supportive renewable energy policies to make the new clean energy economy a reality.”
Source: American Wind Energy Association Press Release
State-by state installation information is available at www.awea.org/projects. For more on the policies that are needed see www.newwindagenda.org.
is a voluntary association of certificate tracking systems, regulators and interested market participants that are vested in preventing double-counting and promoting harmonization among certificate tracking systems and emissions registries in North America. Such harmonization will encourage trade, create a common currency for certificates, prevent double counting, and support new and emerging markets.
Visit U.S. DOE EERE Green
What will be in the Final Stimuls Bill? Here it is
on Friday, February 13, 2009WASHINGTON (MarketWatch) -- U.S. lawmakers will vote soon on the compromise version of economic-stimulus legislation that President Barack Obama says will create or save 3.5 million jobs.
Obama wants to quickly sign the legislation into law. The House and Senate are expected to vote on final passage before the long Presidents Day weekend. See full story.
Here are some of the major features of the bill, which carries an overall cost of $789.5 billion.
Tax cuts
- Reductions will total $282 billion, including payroll-tax credits of $400 for individuals and $800 for couples.
- About $70 billion has been earmarked to shield middle- and upper-income taxpayers from the alternative minimum tax.
- About $20 billion in renewable energy-tax incentives.
Government spending
- Outlays will total $507 billion in spending including:
$53.6 billion to help states avoid budget cuts.
$87 billion to help states pay for Medicaid.
$30 billion for a new power grid, battery technology and energy efficiency. - The legislation also would continue extended unemployment benefits through December 2009 and would increase food-stamp benefits by more than 13%.
Robert Schroeder is a reporter for MarketWatch in Washington.
The Rest from Market Watch
Renewabel Energy Part of the Stimuls Bill
on Wednesday, February 11, 2009THis is the House Bill H.R.1
These amounst may change as the House and Senete reconcile the bills
ENERGY EFFICIENCY AND RENEWABLE ENERGY
Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Research Development, Demonstration and Deployment
Recovery funding: $2.000 billion
Renewable energy and energy efficiency research, development, demonstration and deployment can contribute to strengthening the United States' energy security, environmental quality, and economic vitality. This funding provides for activities to support this goal, including
- $800 million for projects related to biomass and
- $400 million for geothermal activities and projects.
The remaining $800 million will be used for base program activities, such as research and demonstrations for additional renewable energy technologies, including water power and solar energy, and energy efficiency demonstrations for industrial and commercial practices, such as combined heat and power projects.
These funds may also be used to accelerate research and development for advanced batteries necessary for the conversion to electric vehicles and storage of energy to increase the effectiveness of renewable energy projects.
The Department of Energy estimates 12,000 jobs will be created with this investment.
Recovery funding: $500 million
Waste heat streams from U.S. industrial processes are estimated to equal 60 to 90 gigawatts of recoverable electricity generation--the equivalent of 120 coal-fired power plants with zero incremental fuel use, cost or carbon emissions. The companies that could capture this energy employ many thousands of workers whose jobs are at risk due to rising energy costs, and many jobs would be created to build the equipment needed to capture this waste energy or prevent waste in similar new and replacement installations. This funding will implement a waste energy recovery incentive program to encourage the recovery of industrial waste heat and recycling it into useable heat and electricity. Recycling the energy our industrial and manufacturing facilities waste is a cost effective way to increase energy efficiency while reducing emissions. The estimated payback for these investments is on the order of 3 to 4 years. (EISA 2007 Sec.451)
Grants to Institutional Entities for Energy Sustainability and Efficiency
Recovery funding: $1.000 billion
This funding would provide $1 billion in grants to institutional entities to identify, design, and implement sustainable energy infrastructure projects and grants for energy efficiency innovative technologies projects on grounds and facilities of institutions. The term institution includes: institutions of higher education; public school districts; local governments; municipal utilities. This funding will provide concrete results in support of the nation's education system while providing construction jobs that help build local markets for skilled green construction. Job creation based on modeling by the American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy shows that these funds, combined with the $500 million in loans provided under a separate heading, will create 7,000 jobs by the end of 2010.
Weatherization Assistance Program
Recovery funding: $6.200 billion
The Weatherization Assistance Program is designed to assist low-income families reduce their energy costs by sending funds to the states to weatherize low-income homes. On average, weatherization reduces heating bills by 32 percent and overall energy bills by $358 per year per home at current prices. This spending spurs low-income communities toward job growth and economic development while the energy cost savings provides more disposable income for other purposes. This funding improves the energy efficiency of low-income housing. DOE estimates this will support 104,000 direct jobs. The eligibility for this program is expanded by increasing the maximum income from 150 percent to 200 percent of the poverty level and the allowable level of investment per home from $2,500 to $5,000 to achieve greater energy savings.
Energy Efficiency & Conservation Block Grants
Recovery funding: $3.500 billion
The Energy Efficiency & Conservation Block Grant Program will assist states, local governments and Indian tribes in implementing strategies to reduce fossil fuel emissions created as a result of activities within the jurisdictions of the eligible entities and reduce the total energy use. Activities eligible to receive funding include: conducting residential and commercial building energy audits; establishing financial incentives programs for energy efficiency improvements; grants to non-profit organizations to perform energy efficiency retrofits; developing/implementing programs to conserve energy used in transportation; developing and implementing building codes and inspections services to promote building energy efficiency; installing light emitting diodes (LEDs); and developing, implementing, and installing on or in any government building onsite renewable energy technology that generates electricity from renewable sources. The U.S. Conference of Mayors has identified over 944 `ready-to-go' energy infrastructure projects that could be started in cities in just two calendar years. DOE estimates an investment of $3.5 billion could create over 40,800 jobs.
State Energy Program
Recovery funding: $3.400 billion
The State Energy Program (SEP) provides grants to states and directs funding to state energy offices. States use grants to address their energy priorities and program funding to adopt emerging renewable energy and energy efficiency technologies. This funding will provide resources for activities in state energy offices, including key initiatives such as residential, commercial and governmental building energy efficiency retrofits. An investment of $3.4 billion yields over 41,000 jobs.
Transportation Electrification
Recovery funding: $200 million
The Transportation Electrification program helps move an industry sector--transportation--that is vital to the country's economic health toward cleaner energy sources and away from petroleum dependence. States and localities have taken the lead in moving towards an electrification of the light duty fleet. Federal funding is provided to implement a grant program to states, local governments, and metropolitan transportation authorities for qualified electric transportation projects that reduce emissions, including shipside electrification of vehicles, truck stop electrification, airport ground support equipment and cargo handling equipment. Ship service electrical power consumption at the shore side has grown for the shipping industry. The environmental impact of the pollution created while at berth has many ports restricting the operation of on-board generators. Shutting off these on-board generators and supplying the ship's power from the shore power system can reduce the air pollution emissions. The American Association of Port Authorities has identified more than 18 port authorities with projects that could be implemented with this funding. The identified projects range from replacing diesel engines with electric to installation of dockside electrification capability to reduce the emissions from ships. (EISA 2007 Sec.131)
Energy Efficient Appliance Rebate Program and Energy Star
Recovery funding: $300 million
This funding will provide rebates for residential consumers for the purchase of residential Energy Star products to replace used appliances with more efficient models. Approximately 15 states have appliance rebate programs currently operating to incentivize the purchase of energy-efficient appliances. This program would add federal funds to increase the effectiveness of these programs and to encourage the remaining states to adopt similar programs. This will speed the rollout of appliances that will be able to take advantage of smart meters and spur consumer purchases of smart and energy-efficient appliances. (EPACT 2005 Sec. 124)
Alternative Fueled Vehicles Pilot Grant Program
Recovery funding: $400 million
Funding in the amount of $400 million is to establish a grant program through the DOE Clean Cities Program to encourage the use of plug-in electric drive vehicles or other emerging electric vehicle technologies. This grant program may provide up to 30 geographically dispersed project grants. Grant recipients include state governments, local governments, metropolitan transportation authorities, air pollution control districts, and private or nonprofit entities. These grants may be used for the acquisition of alternative fueled vehicles, fuel cell vehicles or hybrid vehicles, including buses for public transportation and ground support vehicles at public airports. The installation or acquisition of infrastructure necessary to directly support an alternative fueled vehicle, fuel cell vehicle, or hybrid vehicle project funded by the grant is also eligible. (EPACT 2005 Sec. 721)
Advanced Battery Manufacturing
Recovery funding: $1.00 billion
In order to move to a new generation of vehicles, the United States must make strides in battery manufacturing capability and not rely on foreign-made technology. This funding will provide $1 billion in grants for facility funding awards to support the manufacturing of advanced vehicle batteries. This funding will incentivize the domestic manufacturing of advanced batteries in order to build a globally competitive battery manufacturing workforce. The DOE estimates 6,000 jobs will be created with this investment. (EISA 2007 Sec. 136(b)(1)(B))
TÜV SÜD Industrie Service GmbH,
on Monday, February 9, 2009The Kyoto Protocol’s joint implementation (JI) mechanism has accredited its first third party verifier, TÜV SÜD Industrie Service GmbH, whose job is to determine the acceptability of emission reduction projects and verify emission reductions achieved.
Under JI, greenhouse gas emission reduction projects in countries with an emission
reduction or limitation commitment under the Kyoto Protocol can generate saleable emission
reduction units (ERUs), each equivalent to one tonne of carbon dioxide. Countries can purchase
and surrender ERUs to meet a part of their commitment under the Protocol.
To date, 170 projects in 12 countries have been submitted for public comment, the first
step in the vetting process before projects undergo “determination” by an accredited entity underso-called JI Track 2. These 170 projects are expected to achieve around 300 million tonnes of emission reductions by the end of the first commitment period of the Kyoto Protocol in 2012.
The mechanism is supervised by the Joint Implementation Supervisory Committee (JISC),
which just concluded its 14th meeting. Members of the JISC are nominated by their home region
or constituency and serve in their private capacity. The work of the committee is supported by
the UNFCCC secretariat.
Six projects have already been accepted by the JISC, and one project, in Ukraine, has
already had its emission reductions verified. The vetting of those projects was done by
independent verifiers acting provisionally as “accredited independent entities”. Official
accreditation of TÜV SÜD Industrie Service, which verified the emission reductions of the Ukraine
project, means that the ERUs can now be issued and traded. The project makes use of coal
mine methane to produce electricity, instead of venting the gas into the atmosphere, it is
expected to generate 1,177,905 ERUs annually.
At the meeting, the JISC's first of 2009, the committee elected Derrick Oderson as Chair
and Vlad Trusca as Vice-Chair.
- Appendix A of the JI guidelines defines standards and procedures for the accreditation of independent entities.
- According to paragraphs 3 (b) and (c) of the JI guidelines the Joint Implementation Supervisory Committee (JISC) shall be responsible for the "accreditation of independent entities in accordance with standards and procedures contained in appendix A", as well as the "review of standards and procedures for the accreditation of independent entities in appendix A... , giving consideration to relevant work of the Executive Board of the clean development mechanism (CDM) and, as appropriate, making recommendations to the CMP on revisions to these standards and procedures".
- In Decision 10/CMP.1 the CMP requested the JISC in paragraphs 2 (b) and (c) to "further elaborate, as a priority, standards and procedures for the accreditation of independent entities, consistent with appendix A of the guidelines for the implementation of Article 6 of the Kyoto Protocol, taking into consideration, as appropriate, the procedures for accrediting operational entities developed by the Executive Board of the clean development mechanism", and to "accredit independent entities in accordance with the standards and procedures for the accreditation of independent entities as contained in appendix A of the guidelines for the implementation of Article 6 of the Kyoto Protocol".
- Moreover, the CMP specified in paragraph 3 of Decision 10/CMP.1: "(a) Designated operational entities under the clean development mechanism may act provisionally as accredited independent entities under Article 6 until the Joint Implementation Supervisory Committee has approved its procedures for accreditation; (b) Those designated operational entities that apply for accreditation under the approved procedures for accreditation may continue to act provisionally as accredited independent entities until a final accreditation decision is taken; (c) The determinations and relevant activities undertaken under these provisions shall be valid only after the accreditation of the independent entity is finalized". A list of designated operational entities under the CDM is accessible on the UNFCCC CDM website.
The Rest @ the UNFCCC
Ethanol
on Sunday, February 1, 2009Alcohol found in beer, wine, cider, spirits, and other alcoholic drinks. When pure, it is a colourless liquid with a pleasant odour, miscible with water or ether;
It burns in air with a pale blue flame. The vapour forms an explosive mixture with air and may be used in high-compression internal combustion engines.
It is produced naturally by the fermentation of carbohydrates by yeast cells. Industrially, it can be made by absorption of ethene and subsequent reaction with water, or by the reduction of ethanal (acetaldehyde) in the presence of a catalyst, and is widely used as a solvent.
Ethanol is used as a raw material in the manufacture of ethoxyethane (ether), trichloroethanol (chloral), and triiodomethane (iodoform). It can also be added to petrol, where it improves the performance of the engine, or be used as a fuel in its own right (as in Brazil).
In August 2001 it was discovered that when ethanol is added to petrol it boosts the oxygen content, reducing the emissions of air-polluting gases.
Crops such as sugar cane may be grown to provide ethanol (by fermentation) for this purpose.
In the USA, mainly in the mid-western states, 10% ethanol is added to petrol.
Research Machines plc 2004.
Helicon Publishing is a division of Research Machines plc.
A hefty portion of President Obama's $825 billion stimulus plan is aimed at generating a triple play for
- employment
- energy
- the environment:
The House version of the bill, for example, would put more than $68 billion toward boosting America's green-tech sector, which could in turn reduce the average household's energy bill as well as our costly hunger for fossil fuels.
But will the triple play pay off? Some folks on the sidelines worry that billions of dollars could be wasted on technological dead ends, while others complain that all this spending is just a greener shade of pork.
The greening of American infrastructure
Job No. 1 for the stimulus package, also known as the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, is generating jobs. The plan would follow through on Obama's campaign promise to do that by putting billions toward the greening of the nation's infrastructure (which is in a pretty dark place right now).
An analysis by the Center for American Progress, which is where most of Obama's ideas were fleshed out during the campaign, shows that the biggest chunk of the package's green spending - almost $31 billion - would go to increase the energy efficiency of federal facilities and low-income housing, plus rebates for energy-efficient appliances and green-job training programs.
- The package would more than triple the amount that the federal government is currently spending on this category, the center said.
This means that if you're considering an energy-related upgrade, you might want to wait to see what kind of aid will be available once the stimulus package is passed - particularly if you're in a lower income bracket.
When Obama laid out the plan last weekend, he said such measures would "save taxpayers $2 billion a year by making 75 percent of federal buildings more energy-efficient, and save the average working family $350 on their energy bills by weatherizing 2.5 million homes."
It would also create jobs: A report by the Center for American Progress and the University of Minnesota estimated that spending $100 billion on energy efficiency and renewable energy would produce 2 million new jobs in two years.
This part of the plan wouldn't break new ground, technologically speaking, according to Daniel J. Weiss, the center's senior fellow and director of climate strategy.
"What's been lacking is resources rather than technology, particularly in a retrofitting situation," he told me. "For federal buildings, you could be installing more energy-efficient windows, plugging leaks in the buildings, getting a more efficient heating, ventilation and air-conditioning system."
- That means most of the green-tech jobs would go to contractors, electricians and other skilled laborers rather than, say, researchers and business executives.
- Even Joe the Plumber might find something to like.
Scientists - and particularly engineers - would be enlisted to prime the pump with greener technologies and cleaner vehicles. Among the priorities:
- research into advances in renewable energy (for example, solar and wind-generated electric power),
- carbon capture and sequestration,
- support for cleaner diesel vehicles
- better plug-in electric hybrids
- better batteries.
The House has set aside $8.6 billion for these categories, including $600 million to buy plug-ins and alternative-fuel vehicles for federal fleets.
Weiss said the legislation shifts the focus somewhat away from biofuels, which are currently not as affordable or available as experts would have expected a couple of years ago. "Given that problem, focusing on alternative fuels that already have an infrastructure built in for the delivery of that fuel - namely, electrical outlets - has more promise," he said.
Bottom line? Plug-in electric vehicles should get an extra boost toward the marketplace.
Speaking of electricity, the plan would allocate $19 billion for smart-grid technologies - innovations that range from:
- smart meters in the home
- upgraded transmission systems in the countryside.
Another $10 billion would beef up the nation's mass transit systems.
Taking on the challenges
It all sounds great to Charles Vest, president of the National Academy of Engineering. A year ago, the academy announced a list of 14 Grand Challenges for Engineering, and Vest feels as if the Obama administration has picked up on the suggestions.
"Thematically, there's a lot of overlap between the engineering challenges and some of the things that are being started," he told me. "It's obvious that the No. 1 theme was clean, efficient, American energy. Several of the Grand Challenges fit into that."
Of course, the challenges were selected for long-term development rather than short-term stimulus.
For instance, it's not likely that engineers will figure out how to provide cheap, commercial fusion power in the next couple of years (though there's always a chance).
"A jump start is really important," Vest said. "Simply getting engineers engaged in green technology has a lot of intrinsic value for the long term as well.
- Working on the grid ... moving on the efficiency front, retrofits and things like that ... these can literally be done overnight.
- Other areas, like the development of advanced batteries, is something that can use a big push. You can't guarantee that it's going to happen in a year or so, but you can certainly employ people in an area that has critical importance moving forward."
Green pork?So what's not to like? House Republicans are wary about supporting so much spending, particularly on items that don't seem to benefit mom-and-pop businesses. The idea of spending money on new cars for federal agencies has been drawing some of the harshest fire.
House Minority Whip Eric Cantor, R-Va., specifically mentioned the purchase plan for alternative-fuel vehicles and plug-ins during an interview with NPR and said the American people expected Congress to stop pork-barrel spending. "Frankly, this bill doesn't rise to that standard," Cantor said.
Anne Korin, who is co-director of the Institute for the Analysis of Global Security and chair of Set America Free, has a different kind of worry:
...In the rush to pass a stimulus bill that makes billion-dollar bets on future energy technologies, some of those bets may end up being misplaced...
Like Cantor, she pointed to the vehicle purchase plan as an example. "When you look at that, that may on the surface sound good, but the devil is in the details," she said.
- Would the vehicles have to be purchased before the next generation of plug-ins hits the market?
- Should the money go toward buying the whole vehicle, or should it be stretched out to cover only the extra cost of going with the greener technology?
- Should the tax breaks being given for new hybrid vehicles be extended to plug-in conversions as well?
"It would be desirable to slow down and make sure there's a chance to actually analyze these expenditures," Korin said.
Looking ahead
Weiss agreed that the stimulus spending had to be monitored to make sure it was going toward the most appropriate technologies.
"You don't want everybody buying Beta when the rest of the world is going VHS," he said. (For the young kids out there, that's an analogy from the bygone days when most people actually watched videos on tape - think of it as Blu-ray vs. HD DVD.)
You don't want the stimulus money sitting on a shelf while the technology sorts itself out, either. The Congressional Budget Office raised precisely that concern this week, saying that a big chunk of the money in the stimulus package wouldn't be spent before fiscal 2011. As you'd expect, the White House has taken issue with that analysis.
In any case, House action on the package is just an early step along the way. The Senate has to weigh in as well, and the green-tech effect may end up looking a lot different by the time the bill gets out of Congress.
The Senate Appropriations version, for example, would allocate $40 billion for "the development of clean, efficient, American energy" and $2.6 billion for alternative-fuel cars in the federal motor fleet. (Cosmic Variance's John Conway has more on the science stimulus.)
Weiss said the green stimulus spending would be merely the first step in Obama's three-step agenda for energy and the environment.
"There will be an energy bill that begins after the stimulus package," he said. "This will be done in late February or March and April. It's more likely that what you'll have is policies like renewable electricity standards and [policies aimed at making it] easier to build transmission lines."
Weiss said the third step will be the big one: a cap-and-trade system for greenhouse-gas emissions - the type of system that former Vice President Al Gore called for just today during a Senate Foreign Relations Committee hearing.
