Wednesday, November 24, 2010
Solar energy - General overview
Friday, October 15, 2010
GEA’s 2010 Geothermal Energy Expo: 10 Days Away
GEA’s Geothermal Energy Expo: 10 Days Away
Exhibitors, presenters, sponsors, attendees and staff all eagerly anticipate the geothermal event of the year, GEA’s Geothermal Energy Expo and the GRC Annual Meetings, coming October 24–27 in Sacramento, CA. The 2010 Expo will feature over 160 Exhibitors from 31 US states and 10 countries: The number of Exhibitors at the Geothermal Energy Expo has more than doubled since 2008. Between the Geothermal Energy Expo and the GRC Annual Meeting over 2500 participants are expected. To stay in touch with all of the industry celebration and business that is the Geothermal Energy Expo follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/GEAgeoenergy.
Opening Reception
The Geothermal Energy Association and Geothermal Resources Council invite you to the official kick-off on Sunday, October 24th, 6–8:00pm in the Expo Hall at the Sacramento Convention Center.
Virtual Job Fair
As a new addition for the GEA Geothermal Energy Expo 2010, GEA will host a job fair. Look for the Job Fair table in the West Lobby near the Geothermal Energy Expo registration desk for a map of the Expo Hall to see what exhibitors have job opportunities available. Visit the hiring exhibitors to pick up company literature, meet the staff and make introductions. For more details on job listings, please visit our website at http://www.geothermalenergy2010.com/VirtualJobFair.asp.
VIP Tour of the Expo Hall
GEA staff will offer a tour of the Expo Hall at the Geothermal Energy Expo 2010 at noon on Monday, October 25th and Tuesday, October 26th. No reservation required. Just look for signage next to Expo Registration Counter in the West Lobby Convention Center. Tours will leave at approximately 12:05pm.
GEA Booth
Stop by the GEA booth, booth 106 to see what GEA has been up to in 2010 and our plans for 2011. We will also be featuring information on GEA membership, the Geothermal Energy Weekly, GEA publications, and events. Here you will also find out more information about GEA’s new and exciting initiatives for 2011.
Best in Show Awards
On the final day of the Expo, Wednesday, October 27th at noon, GEA will celebrate by presenting our much-anticipated, highly sought-after Best in Show Awards to exhibitors chosen by a select panel of judges….and don’t forget to vote for the People’s Choice Award.
We can’t wait to see you. For more details on all Expo-related events see the Upcoming Events section of this newsletter and visit the Expo Web site at http://www.geothermalenergy2010.com. Please feel free to email Kathy@geo-energy.org with any questions.
Leading Author, Federal, State Agencies to Address GEA Workshop Participants on Climate Change
On Saturday, October 23, Eugene Linden, author of seven books and for many years a writer about global environmental issues for Time, will join federal and state agency representatives participating in GEA's Critical Issues Workshop in Sacramento. Mr. Linden has contributed to The New York Times, Foreign Affairs, National Geographic, The Wall Street Journal, The Atlantic, Fortune, and Slate and he has won numerous journalistic awards, including the American Geophysical Union¹s Walter Sullivan Award. He will be speaking to the question: "What the financial crisis tells us about how the world will deal with climate change."
Following his address, workshop participants will hear from key federal and state agency representatives. The California Air Resources Board, the California Energy Commission, US Department of Energy, US Department of Commerce, US Bureau of Land Management and others will discuss their programs as the workshop examines how addressing climate change could affect federal and state agencies and the geothermal industry. In addition to government participants, speakers from GEA, the Center for Energy Efficiency Renewable Technologies and Environmental Defense Fund will join leading attorneys from Stoel Rives and Wilson, Sonsini, Goodrich in the discussion.
The GEA Workshop and Annual Members Meeting is scheduled from Noon to 6pm at the Hyatt Regency room C in Sacramento, California on Saturday, October 23. The Workshop will run to approximately 4pm, when GEA staff will begin the members meeting with an overview of GEA's 2010 activities and engage members in a discussion of industry priorities for 2011. The meeting is open free of charge to GEA Members companies, Expo exhibitors and GRC members. If you are interested in attending or to view the current agenda, please visit: http://www.gifttool.com/registrar/ShowEventDetails?ID=1872&EID=7810.
Sacramento Mayor to Join GEA’s Karl Gawell for Geothermal Energy Expo Media Preview (October 22)
Next Friday, October 22, Sacramento Mayor Kevin Johnson will join GEA’s Karl Gawell in Sacramento as the Geothermal Energy Association provides a media preview of the 2010 Geothermal Energy Expo (press conference, not a public event). Karl will provide the press with an update on the current state of the geothermal industry from both a local and national perspective and will report on the results of GEA’s forthcoming report on jobs, “Green Jobs through Geothermal Energy.” GEA will also release a new Geothermal Education and Training Guide.
Geothermal Energy Expo 2010: Four Booth Spaces Remain
If you plan on exhibiting at our 2010 Expo and have not yet registered, please register soon. There are only 4 booth spaces remaining. For more information and to register, please visit our Web site at: http://www.geothermalenergy2010.com/
To view the floor plan for the 2010 Expo, please go to: http://www.geothermalenergy2010.com/floor_plan.asp
To register as an Exhibitor, please go to: http://www.geothermalenergy2010.com/registration.asp
To view the Exhibitors contract for 2010, please go to: http://www.geothermalenergy2010.com/contract.asp
Hope to see you there! Please do not hesitate to let us know if you have any questions: Kathy@geo-energy.org
Lack of Climate Bill Discourages Investment in U.S., Says Investment Group
Lack of Climate Bill Discourages Investment in U.S., Says Investment Group
The lack of a comprehensive climate bill in the U.S. discourages potential investors of low-carbon projects, according to Rob Lake, head of sustainability and governance for the Dutch pension fund APG. Lake said a cap-and-trade system in the European Union has spurred investment, but that when his group looked into U.S. projects to reduce deforestation and degradation emissions, "the prices and volumes just were not there due to the absence of federal cap and trade."
Think Tanks Release 'Post-Partisan' Proposal for Energy Innovation
Think Tanks Release 'Post-Partisan' Proposal for Energy Innovation
A report released by the conservative American Enterprise Institute and liberal Brookings Institution and Breakthrough Institute says the United States should emphasize innovation to drive down the cost of clean energy technologies and curb greenhouse gas emissions. Policies focused on improving technologies to drive down clean energy costs will win support, they said. Their report focuses on four “post-partisan” approaches:
· Expand spending on energy science and education: Double the budget of the DOE Office of Science to address scientific obstacles and put $5 billion per year toward innovation institutes to tackle energy challenges and $500 million per year toward energy education.
· Overhaul the energy innovation system to focus on private sector and Defense Department needs: Form a national network of innovation institutes bringing public and private researchers together with investors and give DOD a greater role in administering DOE’s Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy.
· Overhaul federal subsidies to reward innovation that results in lower prices: Provide $5 billion per year toward the testing, demonstration and purchase of energy technologies that will be beneficial to DOD and also to the private marketplace
· Make energy investments cost-neutral: Phase out existing subsidies, increase oil and gas royalties, add a fee for imported oil, place a surcharge on electricity sales, impose a modest carbon price
"This framework is direct because the federal government would directly drive innovation and adoption through basic research, development, and procurement in the same way it did with computers, pharmaceutical drugs, radios, microchips, and many other technologies,” Michael Shellenberger of the Breakthrough Institute, coauthor of the report told press.
Agencies Must Prepare for Climate Change Adaptation, Says White House Council
Agencies Must Prepare for Climate Change Adaptation, Says White House Council
A report authored by a task force from over 20 federal agencies and several White House offices concludes federal agencies must consider unavoidable side effects of climate change in their decision-making. The report was in response to an executive order from President Obama and was led by the office of Nancy Sutley, chairwoman of the White House Council on Environmental Quality along with the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
The report, released October 14, outlines recommendations for preparation including: making adaptation a standard part of Agency planning, ensuring scientific information about the impacts of climate change is easily accessible, aligning Federal efforts to respond to climate impacts that cut across jurisdictions and missions, developing a strategy to support international adaptation and developing countries, and support local, state, and tribal decision-makers in places and infrastructure most likely to be affected. The task force will establish a partnership committee composed of local, state, and Tribal representatives by Spring 2011.
"This should mean that federal agencies cannot assume that protecting the status quo means protecting the environment," noted Karl Gawell, GEA's Executive Director. "This is particularly pertinent to renewable energy decisions where taking the no action alternative can mean blocking clean energy production which is a significant part of the answer to reducing greenhouse gas emissions."
See http://www.eenews.net/climatewire/2010/10/15/3/, http://www.sustainablebusiness.com/index.cfm/go/news.display/id/21243Legislators and Scholars Respond to Implementation of EPA Emissions Cuts
Legislators and Scholars Respond to Implementation of EPA Emissions Cuts
As the Environmental Protection Agency begins requiring cuts in greenhouse gas emissions from large industrial sources, the Obama administration promises a smooth transition, lawmakers continue to block climate rules, and many states will be required to change state laws that don’t allow regulation of GHG gases or don’t comply with plans to regulate only the biggest facilities.
A new paper by three Duke University experts says the New Source Performance Standards (NSPS) of the Clean Air Act are a more practical way to reduce emissions under existing law. The NSPS have not been implemented by the EPA, which has thus far relied on New Source Review (NSR) provisions. The paper aims to balance EPA's legal obligations, based on their finding that carbon dioxide emissions are a threat to human health and welfare, with the political reality that no climate legislation has been able to build sufficient support from legislators.
In the absence of climate legislation, environmental groups feel the performance standards are "the best tool we have," said David Doniger, policy director at the climate center of the Natural Resources Defense Council, one of three major environmental groups that have threatened to take legal action if the EPA does not agree to set performance standards for power plants.
Senator Max Baucus (D-MO), chairman of the Senate Finance Committee supports a measure to ban the EPA from regulating GHG emissions, preferring legislation to be written by congressional committees representing varying views.
http://www.politico.com/news/stories/1010/43416.html
http://thehill.com/blogs/e2-wire/677-e2-wire/123055-baucus-opposes-epa-climate-regs
Saturday, October 9, 2010
Wind power jobs facts
Monday, October 4, 2010
Clean energy race - China plays to win
Thursday, September 30, 2010
How promising is algae biofuel?
Friday, September 24, 2010
National News - National RES Bill Introduced
Bingaman and Brownback Introduce National RES Bill: 15% by 2021
On September 21, Sens. Jeff Bingaman (D-NM) and Sam Brownback (R-KS) joined by others introduced a national stand-alone bipartisan Renewable Electricity Standard (RES) bill, S.3813. Sellers of electricity would be required to obtain certain percentages of their energy from renewable resources or energy efficiency improvements, starting at 3% in 2012 and gradually increasing up to 15% by 2021. RES legislation is “an essential component of any forward-looking energy policy,” according to the Senate release.
Mr. Bingaman said the votes are there and that it’s time to move forward. “I think that the votes are present in the Senate to pass a renewable electricity standard. I think that they are present in the House,” he said in a statement. Along with Sen. Brownback, two other Republicans are cosponsoring the bill: Susan Collins of Maine and John Ensign of Nevada.
The current sponsors are working toward 60 cosponsors in hopes of bringing the bill up for consideration before Congress adjourns, although most likely in a lame duck session following the November elections. According to the senators, a national RES also will support efforts in energy security, the reliability of the electricity grid, homegrown renewable energy, and reduction of greenhouse gas emissions. The bill requires 3% from renewable resources and efficiency improvements by 2012-2013, 6% in 2014-2016, 9% in 2017-2018, 12% in 2019-2020, and 15% in 2021-2039.
See Senate Release
NY Times Green Blog
http://green.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/09/21/a-bipartisan-bill-on-renewable-energy/
Non-Hydro Renewable Sources Already Providing More Electrical Output Than Called for by 2013 in New U.S. Senate Legislation
Press Release: September 22, 2010 — Washington DC – Proposed legislation introduced yesterday in the U.S. Senate would establish a Renewable Electricity Standard (RES) that sets targets for the year 2013 and beyond that are actually lower than the amount of non-hydro renewable electricity already being produced in the United States today.
The Senate bill, sponsored by Senators Jeff Bingaman (D-NM), Sam Brownback (R-KS), Byron Dorgan (D-ND), Susan Collins (R-ME), Tom Udall (D-NM), and Mark Udall (D-CO), would require sellers of electricity to retail customers to obtain 3% of their electricity from renewable energy resources or from energy efficiency improvements by the years 2012-2013.
Yet, according to the most recent issue of the "Electric Power Monthly" issued by the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA), non-hydro renewable energy sources (i.e., biomass, geothermal, solar, wind) provided nearly 4.1% of domestic U.S. electrical generation during the first half of 2010. Hydropower provided an additional 6.8% of net U.S. electrical generation for the same time period. **
Moreover, electrical generation from non-hydro renewable sources continues to grow rapidly. According to EIA data, electricity from biomass, geothermal, solar, and wind during the first six months of 2010 increased by 13% over the amount generated during the first half of 2009. Wind-generated electricity increased by 21.4%; electricity from solar thermal and photovoltaics rose by 16.4%; wood & other forms of biomass rose by 4.5%; and geothermal output increased by 0.8%.
Thus, inasmuch as the Senate bill includes incremental hydropower, hydrokinetic, and new hydropower at existing dams as well as energy efficiency improvements among the resources - in addition to biomass, geothermal, solar, and wind - that can contribute to the RES targets, it’s obvious that the 2013 target has already been surpassed by 30% or more and the 2016 target of 6% is within easy reach.
“Creating an RES framework and starting foundation is a worthy goal and the Senate bill should be supported for that reason,” noted Ken Bossong, Executive Director of the SUN DAY Campaign. “However, inasmuch as the near-term targets have already been surpassed and the longer-term targets are easily achievable, any criticism or opposition by those who might suggest the renewable electricity targets would be costly, unrealistic, or otherwise burdensome should be dismissed as being disingenuous at best.”
See http://www.altenergymag.com/news_detail.php?pr_id=17423.National News - Senate Energy Committe Hears Testimony on DOE Loan Guarantee Program
Loan Guarantee Process Needs Improvements, Says Industry at Senate Energy Committee Hearing
On September 23, a Senate energy committee hearing was held on the Department of Energy Loan Guarantee Program. Energy industry representatives told lawmakers that the loan guarantee process is slow and unpredictable and that renewable energy innovations could potentially be threatened by barriers it presents. Despite improvements over the last 12 months “[DOE] is still short of people, still short of resources,” said John Clapp, chief financial officer of Solar Trust of America.
In Sen. Jeff Bingaman’s (D-NM) opening statement he commended Secretary Chu and the DOE for its commitment in “getting this program moving” but expressed concern over the U.S. level of commitment compared to its competitors, saying the American public does not want to fall behind other countries in developing clean energy technologies.
“While we are arguing about whether or not we can afford to restore the $3.5 billion that was withdrawn from the $6 billion program set up less than two years ago, [China’s domestic clean energy support] is measured in the hundreds of billions,” Mr. Bingaman said. He added that while there are many reasons companies would locate in the U.S., “I would argue that we must lift the barriers that currently make it impossible to develop and manufacture new clean energy technologies here.”
Bingaman said a loan guarantee program that is fully functional with all parties committed could provide a remedy to market failure. “I’m concerned that there are those, including some in the Administration, that view financing as merely another benefit, like tax credits, to be cut when other needs dictate, rather than a remedy to a fundamental market failure that is acting as a barrier to domestic technology development.”
“What I’d like to explore today is level of the Administration’s commitment to this effort, not just at the Department of Energy, which I am persuaded does have a commitment in this area, but at other key decision-making centers, like the Office of Management and Budget,” he said.
Tim Newell represented US Renewables Group as a witness at the hearing. “I am here today because we believe the Department of Energy’s loan guarantee program to be a crucial part of US renewable energy policy, as well as an important component of our country’s overall economic policies – particularly with respect to supporting US competitiveness in global energy markets,” he said in his statement.
Newell said the Loan Guarantee program and related programs, such as the Sec. 1603 Treasury Grant program (which provides cash grants to renewable energy projects in lieu of tax credits) are crucial to attracting long-term renewable energy investors. He added that of the $6 billion in appropriated funds for the Loan Guarantee program, $3.5 billion which was diverted to other programs still needs to be restored. “Congress should act immediately to restore funding for this critical program,” he said.
Aside from having full funding restored, Newell said the program could be additionally strengthened through extending the “Commence Construction” date by two years, clarifying and limiting the role of the OMB, extending the Program’s mission to support small business lending, and providing for a permanent renewable energy financing mechanism to support US leadership in renewable energy.
Read witness testimonies and watch the hearing at:
See also
State News - Update on California's AB 32
By John McCaull ~ GEA Western States Representative
September 23, 2010. With a November 2010 ballot initiative (Proposition 23) looming to repeal California’s landmark climate change law, the California Air Resources Board defied the critics of AB 32 today, and approved two major planks in the law’s regulatory strategy on unanimous Board votes.
After the passage of AB 32 (The Global Warming Solutions Act) in 2006, the California Legislature passed SB 375 (Steinberg) in 2008. This law capitalized on the political success of AB 32 by taking on what has traditionally been the third rail of California politics: land use. For decades, the state has refused to weigh in and attempt to direct where and how urban growth should occur. Most major land use and transportation decisions have been essentially local or regional in nature, with the state having very little role in combating sprawl, traffic congestion, air pollution and a skewed “jobs-housing” balance in many communities that forced Californians to live hours from their workplace. The state’s decision to take on climate change also forced a new realization. California had to create a new set of incentives for sustainable land use decisions if it was to have any hope of reducing the largest source of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, namely vehicle emissions.
SB 375, also known as the Sustainable Communities and Climate Protection Act of 2008, requires regional transportation plans to include a Sustainable Communities Strategy (SCS) that links transportation and land use planning together into a more comprehensive, integrated process. On Thursday, the Air Board adopted regional greenhouse gas emission reduction targets for passenger vehicles for 2020 and 2035 for each region covered by one of the State's 18 metropolitan planning organizations (MPOs).
Each of California’s MPOs will prepare a "sustainable communities strategy" that demonstrates how the region will meet its greenhouse gas reduction targets through integrated land use, housing and transportation planning. Once adopted by the MPO, the sustainable communities strategy will be incorporated into that region's federally enforceable regional transportation plan. On Thursday, the Air Board approved regional GHG reduction targets ranging from 2-15%, with each region of the state and MPO pledging to work with the Board to achieve the necessary reductions by 2035.
As the Board staff report stated:
“The benefits of integrated planning and sustainable development go far beyond simply reducing the greenhouse gas emissions that contribute to climate change and its damaging effects. Communities that are well designed provide housing for all income groups, and are supported by a range of transportation options that will have many other advantages. Among these are: increased mobility and transportation choices; reduced congestion; greater housing choices; improved public health as a result of better air and water quality; natural resource conservation; economic benefits such as opportunities for neighborhood economic development and lower costs for community infrastructure; reduced dependence on foreign oil; and greater equity through the provision of improved access to jobs, housing, and everyday needs.”After 5 hours of debate on the SB 375 regional targets, the Air Board then moved on to consideration of the adoption of a 33% by 2020 “Renewable Electricity Standard” (RES) for California. With the Legislature’s failure to pass SB 722 (Simitian) during the 2010 session, the Air Board was left with the task of ensuring that California’s mandate to meet renewable energy procurement targets for all of California’s major utilities stayed on track.
In December 2008, the Board adopted California’s Climate Change Scoping Plan. In the staff report accompanying the “Proposed Regulation for a California Renewable Electricity Standard” CARB staff indicates that:
“In developing the [scoping] plan, ARB staff worked closely with California Public Utilities Commission, the California Energy Commission and the California Independent System Operator (CAISO) to identify various energy-related measures that could substantially reduce GHG emissions. One of the key measures included in the Plan was the need to increase the amount of renewable energy used to meet California electricity demand to 33 percent by 2020. Renewable energy reduces GHG emissions by displacing the amount of electricity derived from fossil fuels.”After a year of hearings, public workshops and voluminous public comment, the Air Board selected a controversial path towards meeting the 33% by 2020 RES. The Board’s regulations are deceivingly simple: California utilities can meet their RES obligations (which gradually rise between 2010 and 2020) by selling or buying “renewable energy” credits (RECs) that are tracked through the Western Renewable Energy Generation Information System (WREGIS) administered by the Western Electricity Coordinating Council (WECC).
As the Air Board staff report states:
“RECs are used to verify and track the creation and use of renewable electricity. RECs are widely used in the U.S for both voluntary green claims and compliance with state RPS programs. RECs used for compliance with the regulation must be registered in and tracked by WREGIS. WREGIS issues a uniquely-numbered certificate for each MWh of electricity generated by a facility in the system, tracks the ownership of certificates as they are traded, and retires the certificates once they are used to avoid double counting. RECs used for compliance with the RES must be retired in WREGIS and may not be used for compliance with any other federal, state, or local program.”To complicate matters, the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) issued its own decision on “Tradable Renewable Energy Credits” in August 2010. On August 25, the CPUC issued a proposed decision that would end the state’s moratorium on approval of tradable renewable energy credit (TREC) transactions and increase the cap on such transactions for large investor-owned utilities to 40%. The Air Board regulation adopted today allows for up to 100% compliance with the RES for California utilities. As part of the adoption of the RES, the Air Board committed to immediately opening a new rulemaking proceeding to reconcile their REC policies with those previously adopted by the CPUC.
Significant concerns were raised at today’s RES hearing by labor, environmental and renewable energy groups. At issue is how to ensure that a compliance process reliant on the REC tool does not result in a loss of momentum for building renewable energy projects in California, or a “paper chase” process that does not result in an actual shift away from more carbon-intensive sources of electricity production. The various attempts in the Legislature and in the RES process to create “deliverability” requirement that the sale of RECs must be “bundled” with the actual delivery of renewable energy into the California electricity grid seems to have lost favor with the Air Board and its sister agencies such as the CPUC and CAISO. It is also worth noting that the principal proponents and backers of the 100% REC based compliance system are California’s major public and private utilities. All the major utilities supported the RES regulations, and praised the Air Board for their creative and collaborative approach. Several also expressed concern against “back sliding” once the Air Board starts to work with the CPUC on reconciling their two systems.
In the coming weeks, the Air Board will open a new proceeding meant to reconcile today’s RES decision with the CPUC findings on tradable renewable energy credits. GEA will continue to monitor and report on the RES regulatory proceeding.
Sunday, September 5, 2010
Is wind power efficient enough?
Tuesday, August 17, 2010
Bingaman Introduces Legislation to Improve Loan Guarantee Program
See http://www.opencongress.org/people/show/300009_Jeff_Bingaman
Speculation on Contents of Oil Spill Bill Continues
But Sen. Jeff Bingaman said last week he doubts Congress will pass anything before Election Day. "I think the Republicans are reluctant to support anything that might result in another signing ceremony between now and the election," he said.
White House energy and climate advisor Carol Browner said on NBC’s “Meet the Press” that there is still a chance to get climate legislation signed during the lame-duck session with cap-and-trade measures included.
But Bingaman disagrees. “I think it’s going to be difficult for the Senate to pass any kind of cap-and trade legislation … I’ve thought that all along.”
The Senate will be in recess until September 13, and the House will be in recess until September 14.
See http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0810/41025.html
Kerry Bill Will Spur Clean Energy Production
The Clean Energy Technology Leadership Act of 2010 will provide tax incentives for clean energy manufacturing, renewable energy, and conservation.
“While we continue the fight to bring comprehensive energy legislation to the floor of the United States Senate, it’s essential that we take action to start moving in the right direction,” said Sen. Kerry. “Providing incentives for clean energy production will drive our economy forward and take us one step closer to reducing our carbon emissions and ending our dependence on foreign oil.”
The Clean Energy Technology Leadership Act of 2010 will:
• provide additional funding for the advanced energy manufacturing credit and uncap the credit for solar energy property, fuel cell power plans, and advanced energy storage systems, including batteries for advanced vehicles;
• extend and modify tax incentives for new energy efficient homes, nonbusiness energy property improvements, and energy efficient commercial buildings;
• encourage clean transportation by providing incentives for natural gas heavy vehicles;
• extend the excise tax credit for biodiesel and renewable diesel retroactively for 2010 and through 2012;
• modify the cellulosic biofuel tax credit to include algae based fuels;
• extend the credit for domestic manufacturers of energy appliances;
• provide an additional $3.5 billion for clean renewable energy bonds; AND
• extend the research and development tax credit retroactively for 2010 and through 2012 and provide an additional 10 percent credit for qualified advanced energy research expenditures.
The Kerry legislation would also extend through 2012 the Section 1603 tax grant program of the stimulus bill, a priority for many renewable energy companies. It also " clarifies that real estate investment trusts and public power would be eligible for the program," a fact sheet from the Senator's office states.
See http://kerry.senate.gov/press/release/?id=91fe4bab-d8bf-4239-9da4-815dab5228ef
Coal – Introduction and some quick facts
Tuesday, August 10, 2010
Viewpoint on the News - Iceland: Magma’s Investment in Economy Threatened
Iceland: Magma’s Investment in Economy Threatened
by Auður Nanna Baldvinsdóttir, audurnanna@gmail.com
Magma Energy’s largest investment to date is now at risk of being blocked by the Icelandic government. Just a few days prior to the finalization of the purchase of geothermal power producer HS Orka, the Icelandic Minister of Economic Affairs sent Magma Energy a letter informing the company of a planned investigation into the legality of the investment by Magma’s Sweden-based subsidiary. The letter also states that the government intends to reverse the privatization that has already occurred in the Icelandic energy sector. This could mean the nationalization of private assets within a developed economy; a global rarity over the last 50 years.
Magma has been increasing its stake in the firm for several months now and the government has known of Magma’s plans to own the company in full for the last nine months. The decision to intervene in the transaction was only made when pop singer Björk held a press conference declaring her disapproval and then organized a petition demanding that the government prevent the purchase. Public debate was ignited and the Left-Green Party members of the governing coalition threatened to disband the ruling government if the investment was not stopped. The centrists agreed and the investigation was organized.
The opponents of the sale argue that Iceland’s resources should not be under the control of private companies and that Magma’s ultimate intent is to own all of Iceland’s energy resources. Magma’s chief executive in Iceland, Ásgeir Margeirsson, formerly of Geysir Green Energy, firmly denies such plans. He points out that Magma merely leases the geothermal resource from the municipalities for a 65-year time period.
The 260 million dollar deal also happens to represent the largest single foreign investment in the Icelandic economy since the economic collapse in the fall of 2008. Magma’s chief executive Ross Beaty told the Financial Times that he thought the investment would be welcome at a time of economic strife. HS Orka needs financing to complete expansions for the planned sale of electricity to a nearby Century Aluminum smelter. A Mitsubishi steam turbine sits unused in their turbine hall waiting for the required six additional production wells to be drilled. Magma is also preferred by HS Orka’s creditors to the previous owner, Geysir Green Energy, which was largely owned by bankrupt bank Glitnir.
The legal argument for the prevention of this particular transaction is that EU legislation stipulates that energy firms in Europe must be owned by European companies. Magma, a Canadian company, set up the Magma Energy Sweden subsidiary in Sweden to hold the HS Orka shares. Magma representatives state they followed the advice of the Ministry of Industry on how the holding should be structured.
Margeirsson told Fréttabladid, a local newspaper, that the company had not yet answered the letter but had expressed its intent to cooperate with the investigation. He said he found it difficult to imagine how the authorities planned on preventing the transaction and that Magma‘s directors are already considering their legal options, should the government somehow prevent Magma‘s investment in HS Orka.
Regardless of the merits of a publicly-held electricity system, forcing foreign investors out of an economy after having made considerable investments in good faith is the equivalent of a large “keep out” sign to international investors. The Icelandic government knew of Magma’s plans for nine months and did nothing. The largest single foreign investment in Iceland’s economy after its collapse has been thrown into uncertainty. As an Icelandic citizen, economist and energy professional, I hear echoes of the same attitudes that largely caused our economy to collapse in the first place; an unprofessional bureaucracy, unclear execution of policy, and an inability to make decisions.
http://www.geo-energy.org/updates.aspx
GEA newsletter - National News 8/5
On July 20 Senator Tester (D-MT) introduced S.3619 – “A bill to amend the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 to improve geothermal energy technology and demonstrate the use of geothermal energy in large scale thermal applications, and for other purposes.” The legislation would direct grants from the DOE to help state and local governments, universities, nonprofits and manufacturers in their development of geothermal energy technology through research and development of new equipment and methods.
“It’s time we spark innovation to develop these kinds of technologies that will create jobs in Montana and help secure American’s energy future,” Tester said in a statement. “Almost no other state can match Montana’s potential when it comes to renewable energy development. I’m going to keep fighting to make sure we reach that potential and rebuild Montana’s economy with energy jobs.”
The bill states that the Geothermal Technologies Program of DOE focuses on direct use of geothermal energy in the low-temperature geothermal energy subprogram and that the Building Technologies Program focuses on energy demand and energy efficiency, including geothermal heat pumps. It states that geothermal heat pumps and direct use of geothermal energy, especially in large-scale applications, can make a significant contribution to the use of renewable energy but are underrepresented.
The bill seeks to improve the components, processes, and systems used for geothermal heat pumps and the direct use of geothermal energy and to increase the energy efficiency, lower the cost, increase the use, and improve and demonstrate the applicability of geothermal heat pumps and the direct use of geothermal energy.
See http://www.opencongress.org/bill/111-s3619/show and http://www.votesmart.org/speech_detail.php?sc_id=580415.
Senate Redirects $1.5b of Loan Guarantee Funding To Education and Health Care
As an emergency measure, a $26 billion state aid bill passed by the Senate in a 61 to 39 vote. The bill also impacts $1.5 billion of funds set aside for renewable energy loan guarantees which were redirected to help state education and health programs facing imminent job cuts. The renewable funds, as well as others redirected from programs such as the Park Service and the Department of Defense, were used to offset the costs of the emergency bill. Reducing its deficit impact was critical to obtaining the vote needed in the Senate for passage.
Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid said that the Department of Energy was slow in getting the funds out to the loan guarantee programs where they will eventually meet their mark. "They have been, in my opinion, very, very slow in putting that money out," Reid said. "DOE has huge amounts of money they have not spent. ... There is no way with the way things have been working they are going to miss that billion and a half," he said.
Reid told press he cleared the offset with House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) and had spoken with DOE before the vote. He added that the loan guarantee program funding would be replaced: "That money is just temporarily gone... We are going to take care of that," he said.
"This loan guarantee program is critical for many new geothermal and other renewable projects," said Karl Gawell, GEA's Executive Director. "We agree with Senator Reid that DOE has been moving forward with loan guarantees at a snail's pace, but hope the funds for the program are quickly restored. Helping teachers and health care shouldn't have to undercut producing clean energy and creating new jobs. We need all of the above for the economy and country to move forward."
See http://www.eenews.net/pm/.
Energy/Oil Spill Bill Sees Further Delay
Senate Democrats have again postponed a vote on an energy bill, which has become mostly an oil spill bill. The plans now are to return to the issue in September after the August congressional recess.
When they return, Democrats are likely to make some changes to the bill, though how many is unclear, as they attempt to formulate legislation that will win the necessary 60 votes needed for passage. Meanwhile many different energy interest groups continue working to affect its direction. Some of the key struggles over the recess
include efforts by energy majors pushing for the Senate to reconsider removing caps on liability for companies that cause oil spills, environmental groups urging support for a cap on carbon-dioxide emissions, and renewable groups working for a renewable electricity standard and tax credit extensions.
In the view of some Washington observers, the odds of any significant energy bill passing this year seem long, but the Senate Leadership has been leaving open the door to finding a way to 60 votes.
See http://www.nytimes.com/gwire/2010/08/05/05greenwire-fallout-begins-after-senates-failure-to-act-on-54000.html and http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703748904575411170816612944.html.
GEA Las Vegas Utilities Workshop Attracts Geothermal Newcomers
Over 130 hundred representatives from various organizations braved the oppressive Nevada heat to attend the Geothermal Energy Associations (GEA) Geothermal Energy and Utilities, Co-ops and Public Power Workshop on July 22, 2010. The day-long workshop saw attendees and presenters coming from a variety of backgrounds within the geothermal energy industry in order to expound on and learn about the opportunities and obstacles facing the geothermal industry.
The workshop featured 10 different panels addressing a multitude of timely topics from investor and municipally owned utilities to other pertinent subjects such as transmission issues and analytical approaches to geothermal risk assessment. Karl Gawell, GEA Executive Director highlighted the dramatic growth of the industry; panelists on the Federal and State Support for Utilities and Renewables panel highlighted incentives for the development of geothermal energy. Dan Schochet of Ram Power spoke to the transmission developments that are needed to meet the growing need for clean geothermal energy in both Nevada and the greater West. Perhaps just as striking as the multitude of panel topics was the variety of organizations represented at the workshop. Newly developing sectors of the geothermal industry such as hydrocarbon and geothermal co-production companies were represented. State and government officials were represented and provided presentations on how their organizations support geothermal energy. Representatives from developers, law firms, and equipment suppliers also participated in the workshop.
The utility panels highlighted the growing importance of geothermal energy in the region. Dan Chase, Contract Negotiator, Renewable & Alternative Power, Southern California Edison noted that 17% of customers’ needs are met with renewable energy, of which 57% is provided by geothermal energy.
While the variety of organizations present at the workshop was significant its most impressive achievement was the number of newcomers in attendance. “It was gratifying to look at the attendance list for this workshop and see companies and organizations that we haven’t seen at our events before. That speaks not only to the importance of the workshops focused topic but also the increased recognition of geothermal energy as a viable source of clean renewable energy in Nevada and the region,” said GEA Research Associate Dan Jennejohn.
Wednesday, July 14, 2010
Congress Returns; Is Energy or Climate Bill on the Agenda?
President Obama has been calling on the Congress to pass legislation that will "put a price on carbon." And as a result, key Senators including John Kerry (D-MA) and Jeff Bingaman (D-NM) have been working late hours trying to put together a legislative climate deal that can garner the necessary bi-partisan support.
In particular, a proposal to impose climate restrictions only on the electric utility sector is being viewed as a possible path to a compromise. Senator Jeff Bingaman, Chair of the Senate Energy Committee, is reported to be working on such a bill and talking with potential Republicans about whether they can support such a measure. Most observers believe it could be another week or two before we know with any certainty whether a bi-partisan agreement on energy/climate is possible.
The President has also been pushing for an expansion of the manufacturing credit for green/renewable technologies. "Now, my attitude, and Harry’s attitude, is that if an American company wants to create jobs and grow, we should be there to help them do it,” he recently said in remarks at the University of Reno, Las Vegas. “So that’s why I’m urging Congress to invest $5 billion more in these kinds of clean energy manufacturing tax credits, more than doubling the amount that we made available last year. And this investment would generate nearly 40,000 jobs and $12 billion or more in private sector investment, which could trigger an additional 90,000 jobs," President Obama stated.
Most consider it likely that any energy/climate measure acted on in the Senate would involve measures involving the jurisdiction of several committees, particularly the tax law writing Senate Finance Committee. In addition to the manufacturing credit, most renewable groups have been strongly urging Congress to extend the tax credit cash-grant provisions of the 2009 stimulus bill, which allowed for a cash payment in lieu of a tax credit for renewable power facilities placed in construction quickly. That provision expires at the end of this year.
Today, news that three key Republicans have agreed to support the final version of the financial reform bill has encouraged some that there may still be bi-partisan openings possible despite the fact that elections are nearing. Votes to close debate and pass the measure from Senators Olympia Snowe and Susan Collins of Maine and Scott Brown of Massachusetts will help Senate Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) break that roadblock for the wall street regulatory measure.
Meanwhile, the clock continues to work against the Senate leadership as well. As each day passes the congressional agenda gets more complicated by the need to complete action on all of the annual appropriations bills and any other pending measures hoping to make it to the President's desk before adjournment.
Monday, June 28, 2010
National News - Geothermal Energy Weekly June 25
Members of the Senate Democratic caucus met on June 24 to discuss possible provisions for comprehensive clean energy legislation Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) plans to bring up next month. Lawmakers such as Jeff Bingaman (D-N.M.), John Kerry (D-Mass.), and Joe Lieberman (I-Conn.) presented plans they have been touting, and Democratic chiefs of staff are to be briefed Friday on the various climate proposals.
At this point it seems any of the components could be included in a final piece. “There were a number of discussions today as to how we can arrive at what’s best for the country, and of course pricing carbon is part of our discussion,” Reid told reporters.
Reid said that whatever form clean energy legislation will take, the Democratic Caucus agrees:
• it must deal with the catastrophe in the Gulf;
• it must create millions of jobs;
• it must cut pollution; and
• it must strengthen our economic security, our national security and our energy independence
Despite the uncertainty as to what the legislation will include, the caucus was in general agreement to pass something this year. “We’re going to write a bill that sets reasonable goals over a reasonable timeframe that will benefit both our environment and our economy. We’re going to write a bill that can pass the Senate,” Reid said. “My caucus is ready to get to work, but we need the cooperation of brave Republicans and it is our hope they join us in putting good policy over bad politics.”
See http://democrats.senate.gov/newsroom/record.cfm?id=325919& and http://thehill.com/blogs/e2-wire/677-e2-wire/105539-democratic-senate-offices-delve-into-climate-details-following-caucus-meeting.
GEA Workshop to Address Utilities, Co-ops and Public Power
On July 22, the Geothermal Energy Association (GEA) will explore the future of utility-scale geothermal power at an industry conference held in Las Vegas. With geothermal production expanding to 15 states, many new utilities, coops and public utility districts are considering geothermal for the first time. This session brings together utilities, coops, and PUDs familiar with geothermal to discuss how they have achieved success with geothermal developers and companies. Sessions will focus on approaches and challenges for utility-scale projects in the U.S., federal and state support for utilities and renewables, risk management, transmission issues, and more.
According to GEA’s recent Update on Geothermal Power Production and Development, Nevada is already a leader in geothermal power production with 86 geothermal projects in development that together represent a potential of up to 3686.4 MW.
“The growth of the geothermal industry in Nevada has been a sparkling example of how developers can harness this resource at a large scale and make it an extremely attractive option for utilities,” said GEA Executive Director Karl Gawell. “As the only baseload source of renewable power, geothermal is the perfect option for utilities interested in green power.”
With the abundant geothermal resource that Nevada boasts, the state has the opportunity to build an even more extensive geothermal power portfolio. Strong state and national renewable electricity standards continue to push forward these developments and Nevada could, with forward-thinking leadership, be the first in the nation powered 100% by renewable energy.
“Eleven of the projects under development in Nevada were ARRA funded. With incentives like those, as well as extending the geothermal tax-grants and efforts to ensure transmission networks and policies support new geothermal development, we can keep pushing this state and this nation to build the green economy we need,” said Gawell.