Sustainable Energy Network: News Stories – September 29, 2008

Below are the News stories complied for the Sustainable Energy Network for the week of September 29th.

1.) Energy Czar Palin? GOP Vice Presidential Candidate Says She'd Be in Charge of McCain's Energy Policy:
Grist Magazine, September 17, 2008
<http://gristmill.grist.org/story/2008/9/17/13743/2973?source=muck>http:/...
and
<http://features.csmonitor.com/environment/2008/09/18/palin-says-she-woul...

At a rally in Ohio, GOP vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin told the crowd that she'd head up energy policy in a McCain administration. "John and I, we've discussed some new responsibilities that I'm going to have as vice president," Palin said. "First, I'll help to lead the mission of energy security." She cited her record of taking on "the big oil company interests" as a qualification for that work, as well as her experience lobbying for a natural gas pipeline. McCain also claimed that his running mate "knows more about energy than probably anyone else in the United States of America."

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2.) Renewable Sectors Facing Worker Shortages:
Energy Prospects, September 16, 2008
<http://www.energyprospects.com/cgi-bin/package_display.pl?packageID=2702...

Thanks largely to the requirements of new state renewable energy standards, demand for geothermal and wind power is growing faster than the industries can find enough skilled workers to fill the gap. Geothermal power plants are also having a hard time finding plant operators and operating staff with experience operating large, heavy equipment. Such a challenge delayed the start-up of the 55-MW Bottle Rock electric plant at the California Geysers Facility by three months. There's an immediate need for at least 300 wind technicians, and in the next five years, the wind industry will probably need 500 to 600 wind technicians, just in eastern Oregon, eastern Washington and in parts of Idaho.

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3.) Applied Materials Activates Largest Solar Deployment on a Corporate Campus in U.S.:
MarketWatch, September 19, 2008
<http://www.marketwatch.com/news/story/applied-materials-activates-larges...{E563327B-37B1-4182-B7B7-27538C0C0980}&dist=TQP_Mod_pressN

Applied Materials and SunPower Corporation today announced completion of two SunPower solar power systems totaling 2.1 megawatts at Applied Materials' corporate facilities in Sunnyvale, Calif. The systems represent the largest solar power deployment at a corporate facility in the United States. The system is expected to replace more than 2,700 tons of carbon dioxide emissions per year, which is equivalent to the annual carbon emissions from approximately 450 passenger cars.

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4.) Electric Co-Op to Invest in Biomass It Will Spend $1 Billion to Build a Pair of 100-Megawatt Plants in Georgia:
Florida Times Union, by Walter C. Jones, September 19, 2008
<http://www.istockanalyst.com/article/viewiStockNews+articleid_2635304.ht...

A $1 billion investment in two power plants will generate a new source of environmentally friendly electricity for the half of Georgia's residents supplied by electric membership cooperatives. Tucker, Ga.-based Oglethorpe Power Corp., the nation's largest cooperative-owned electric generator, announced Thursday it will build two 100-megawatt plants to be fueled by the waste from pine trees harvested for pulp and timber. Increased demand could prompt the utility to add a third by the planned 2015 start-up date.

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5.) Consumer Reports Says Energy Star Standards Lax:
GreenBiz.com, September 16, 2008
<http://www.greenbiz.com/news/2008/09/16/energy-star-standards-lax-consum...

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and Department of Energy must do a better job of updating and upholding Energy Star standards and testing protocols, and manufacturers' self-reported test results should include third-party verification. That's the conclusion of Consumer Reports, which in its October issue found fault with the 15-year old program recognizing products from 50 categories that are 10 percent to 25 percent more energy efficient. In response, the EPA expressed "disappointment" with the article, saying it "misleads consumers." For its "Save Energy, Save Money" issue, Consumer Reports tested several Energy Star products and found real-life use of several products sucks more energy that the standards set by the program. The publication concluded the lax standards allowed some manufacturers to benefit from the Energy Star label without providing the associated energy savings.

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6.) US Agriculture Squeezed by Demand, Climate:
Reuters, September 22, 2008
<http://www.planetark.com/dailynewsstory.cfm/newsid/50311/story.htm>http:...

US agriculture faces the daunting task of growing enough crops to meet the demands of both a hungry world and the booming new biofuels industry while reducing its impact on climate change. Agriculture accounts for more than 10 percent of global man-made greenhouse gas emissions through fertilizers, rice and livestock production, deforestation and other land use. US agriculture seems focused on the likelihood of carbon caps and carbon trade in the next US administration.

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7.) Utilities Shrink the Role of Coal on Global-Warming Worries:
World of Renewables, September 22, 2008
<http://www.worldofrenewables.com/index.php?do=viewarticle&artid=2411&tit...

The power industry is stepping up its shift away from coal-fired electricity amid global-warming concerns, as some utilities shut down generators early or terminate contracts to buy coal-based energy. Colorado regulators have approved Xcel Energy's plan to shutter two small coal plants over the next four years. The utility plans to build a solar thermal plant and add new wind energy and natural-gas-fired power. Georgia Power is among several utilities that plan to convert a coal plant to a biomass generator that burns wood chips. Minnesota Power is unwinding a contract to buy coal power from a North Dakota supplier and will instead build a wind farm in that state. By 2025, Minnesota utilities must get 25% of power from clean sources and are encouraged to cut their CO2 emissions 30%.

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8.) Firms Warned Over Low Carbon Plans:
Press Association, September 22, 2008
<http://ukpress.google.com/article/ALeqM5hdcQKVbxEAgUFGhti9dPOH9QGsXw>htt...

Failing to prepare for the shift to a low carbon economy could put a company's value seriously at risk in sectors such as car and aluminum production, according to a study. But the report from the Carbon Trust said there were also major opportunities to increase a business's value by as much as 80% by taking positive steps to tackle emissions and develop new technology. The study, based on research by McKinsey & Co, looked at six sectors - aluminum, automotive, oil and gas production and exploration, oil and gas refining, consumer electronics, building materials and beer - which together are worth some 7 trillion US dollars (£3.8 trillion) globally. The report said a company which prepares for a low-carbon future could stand to boost its value by up to 80% in some industries.

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9.) Three Quarters of Firms Embrace Emissions Reporting:
BusinessGreen, by James Murray, September 22, 2008
<http://www.businessgreen.com/business-green/news/2226609/three-quarters-...

The vast majority of the world's largest firms are now committed to cutting carbon emissions and are reporting their carbon footprint on an annual basis, but business leaders remain convinced that more guidance from government is required if they are to deliver deep cuts. That is the finding of the latest annual report from the Carbon Disclosure Project, an initiative backed by 385 institutional investors and designed to encourage firms to report on their carbon reduction strategies. The report also found evidence that a lack of clarity over the climate change regulations that will follow the Kyoto Agreement in 2012 was hampering action, with many firms citing regulatory uncertainty as a reason for delaying green investment decisions. The report also found that growing numbers of firms are beginning to identify emission reduction programs as providing commercial opportunities.

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10.) Portland Tops Sustainable Cities Ranking:
SustainableBusiness.com, September 22, 2008
<http://www.sustainablebusiness.com/index.cfm/go/news.display/id/16795>ht...

A ranking of sustainability released today shows that Portland, Oregon tops the list of big cities that are becoming "increasingly self-sufficient and prepared for the unexpected," while taking steps toward preserving and enhancing their quality of life. Based on 16 economic, environmental and green/clean tech categories, the SustainLane U.S. City Rankings factor in each city's ability to maintain healthy air, drinking water, parks and public transit systems, as well as a robust, sustainable local economy with green building, farmers markets, renewable energy and alternative fuels. Both the median and average scores have increased significantly across all cities surveyed since the rankings began in 2005, according to SustainLane.

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11.) World Consumption Exceeds Resources After Today:
Daily Green, by Dan Shapley, September 22, 2008
<http://www.thedailygreen.com/environmental-news/latest/ecological-debt-4...

On Sept. 23 -- two weeks earlier than last year -- the world will have consumed all the natural resources the Earth will provide for this 12-month calendar year. We're building up "ecological debt" from there on out. That's according to the calculations of the Global Footprint Network, which measures "how much nature we have, how much we use, and who uses what." Last year, we made it about a week into October on a year's worth of fresh water, energy, food, soil, forests and other natural resources. Whatever we use each of the remaining 99 days of 2008 is on the tab we opened sometime in the 1987, and which we've been adding to each year since.

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12.) Nuclear’s Power Play - Give Us Subsidies or Give Us Death:
MultiNational Monitor, by Tyson Slocum, Sept/Oct. 2008
<http://www.multinationalmonitor.org/mm2008/092008/slocum.html>http://www...

The projected cost of the currently proposed nuclear plants “is causing some sticker shock: $5 billion to $12 billion a plant, double to quadruple earlier rough estimates,† the Wall Street Journal reported in May 2008. New estimates from nuclear operators such as NRG Energy, Progress Energy, Exelon, Southern Co., and FPL Group “have blown by our highest estimate† of costs computed just eight months ago, the Journal quoted a Moody’s senior credit officer as saying. Moody’s Corporate Finance estimated in a May 2008 analysis that nuclear’s capital cost per kilowatt was 275 percent higher than wind and 150 percent higher than solar. The ratings and risk analysis firm projects solar’s capital costs getting slashed in half in the not-too-distant future, while those for nuclear only rising.

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13.) Senate OKs Extending Renewable Energy Tax Credits:
Reuters, September 23, 2008
<http://www.reuters.com/article/politicsNews/idUSTRE48MBMX20080923>http:/...

The U.S. Senate on Tuesday approved a package to extend $18 billion in tax credits for using renewable energy sources like wind, solar and geothermal and also provide incentives to cut energy consumption. The amendment to H.R. 6049, the Energy Improvement and Extension Act of 2008, to extend renewable energy tax credits passed by a vote of 93 to 2. Under the proposal, which will be part of a much bigger tax bill, the tax credit for producing electricity from wind would be extended for one year. The credit for other renewable sources, such as wave and ocean tide projects that generate power, would be extended for two years. The residential and business tax breaks for solar energy would be extended for eight years. The House of Representatives must still vote on continuing the renewable energy tax credits, and the White House said earlier on Tuesday it would support the measure.

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14.) EPA Powers Up Contaminated Sites into Renewable Energy:
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, September 24, 2008
<http://yosemite.epa.gov/opa/admpress.nsf/d0cf6618525a9efb85257359003fb69...

In a novel approach to return land to productive use, EPA has identified thousands of properties that could potentially host solar, wind or biomass energy production facilities. EPA pinpointed these energy assets using Google Earth and has listed each property’s attributes for energy redevelopment. EPA worked with the Department of Energy’s National Renewable Energy Laboratory to collect information on renewable energy availability across the country, and merged it with EPA’s data from several land cleanup programs. In addition, EPA applied screening criteria including distance from power lines, closeness to roads, and site acreage to identify sites that are good candidates for hosting renewable energy production facilities.

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15.) U.S. Clean Heat & Power Association Commends Senate Passage of CHP Investment Tax Credit:
U.S. Clean Heat & Power Association, September 24, 2008
<http://www.uschpa.org/>http://www.uschpa.org

The U.S. Senate vote to approve the "Energy Improvement and Extension Act" marked a historic milestone for combined heat and power (CHP) and waste energy recovery systems. The legislation, H.R. 6049, provides for a 10% investment tax credit for CHP and waste energy recovery systems.  The CHP ITC will cover the first 15 megawatts (MW) of a project up to 50MW. The U.S. House of Representatives passed a version of H.R. 6049 earlier this summer that also provides for the 10% investment tax credit for CHP. The 93-2 Senate vote to approve its expanded energy tax package marks the first time the clean heat and power industry has successfully secured passage of the CHP ITC in both houses of Congress.

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16.) Solar Stocks Enjoy Rally as Tax Breaks Renewed:
Reuters, September 24, 2008
<http://uk.reuters.com/article/environmentNews/idUKTRE48N4JH20080924>http...

Solar stocks rallied on Wednesday after the U.S. Senate voted to continue tax breaks worth $18 billion for renewable energy sources, including a generous eight-year extension for solar. The Senate's failure to extend the subsidies on eight occasions earlier this year put a major damper on solar stocks as investors fretted a lack of government support would cause U.S. solar demand to slump next year.

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17.) U.S. Representative Dingell Statement on Direct Loans for Automakers:
U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Energy & Commerce, September 24, 2008
<http://energycommerce.house.gov/Press_110/110nr354.shtml>http://energyco...

The House of Representatives will consider H.R. 2638, the Consolidated Security, Disaster Assistance, and Continuing Appropriations Act of 2009, also known as the Continuing Resolution or “CR†, which appropriates $25 billion for direct loans to automakers to re-tool their manufacturing facilities to produce the next generation of advanced technology vehicles. The $25 billion was authorized in last year’s Energy Security & Independence Act which became law in December of 2007. According to Rep. Dingell, "The loans to the automakers will cost about $7 billion and will be repaid to the taxpayer at a profit. The auto direct loan package is a good deal for auto workers and a good deal for taxpayers."

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18.) U.S. Senator Boxer Opening Statement at a Hearing on the Regulation of Greenhouse Gases Under the Clean Air Act:
U.S. Senate Committee on Environment & Public Works, September 23, 2008
<http://epw.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?FuseAction=Majority.PressReleases...

The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, or IPCC, has warned of the dangers that global warming poses for us all, such as droughts, extreme weather events, threats to water resources, more frequent and intense wildfires, threats to public health, and the extinction of up to 40% of the species on the planet. Time is not our friend. Unfortunately, after a long delay, the Bush Administration stopped progress on the rulemaking on regulating greenhouse gases in its tracks. We know this routine all too well. This disregard for the law, misleading the public, and stonewalling are unacceptable.

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19.) Issues in Designing a Cap-and-Trade Program for Carbon Dioxide Emissions:
Congressional Budget Office, September 18, 2008
<http://www.cbo.gov/ftpdocs/97xx/doc9727/09-18_ClimateChange_Testimony.sh...

The value of the allowances under the cap-and-trade proposal that went to the Senate floor in June would be roughly $112 billion once the cap took effect in 2012 and would increase as the cap became more stringent. Evidence suggests that the economic cost of a 15 percent cut in U.S. emissions (not counting any benefits from mitigating climate change) might be more than twice as large if policymakers gave the allowances away than if they sold the allowances and used the revenue to lower current taxes on labor or capital that discourage economic activity, such as income or payroll taxes.

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20.) United Nations Says "Green" Energy Should Create 20 Million Jobs by 2030:
Reuters, September 24, 2008
<http://www.reuters.com/article/newsOne/idUSTRE48N48O20080924>http://www....

Development of alternative energy should create more than 20 million jobs around the world in coming decades as governments adopt policies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, according to a U.N. report released on Wednesday. Some 2.3 million people already work in green energy jobs with half of them in biofuels, said the report "Green Jobs: Towards Decent Work in a Sustainable, Low-Carbon World," commissioned and funded by the U.N.'s Environment Program. It said some 12 million new jobs could be created by 2030 in biofuels-related agriculture and industry. Manufacturing, installing, and maintaining solar panels should add 6.3 million jobs by 2030 while wind power should add more than 2 million jobs. Even more jobs could be created in the building, recycling, clean vehicle manufacturing sectors.

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21.) State-Level Policies Work; Utilities and States Issue RFPs for Renewable Energy:
RenewableEnergyWorld.com, by Graham Jesmer, September 22, 2008
<http://www.renewableenergyworld.com/rea/news/story?id=53608>http://www.r...

In an effort to diversify their generation portfolios, electric utilities across the U.S. have issued requests for proposals (RFPs) for renewable energy projects. One of the main reasons that these have been issued is that utilities are pushing to meet state-level renewable portfolio standards (RPS), also known as renewable electricity standards. Between the late 1990's and 2007, 8,900 megawatts (MW) of new non-hydro renewable capacity was installed in RPS states, which is more than 50% of all new non-hydro renewable capacity, and RPS compliance was at 92% in 2006. In total, state RPS programs will require approximately 60,000 MW of new renewables by 2020.

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22.) SunPower Completes 2.3 MW Solar Installation for Toyota:
SolarBuzz.com, September 24, 2008
<http://www.solarbuzz.com/News/NewsNAPR1218.htm>http://www.solarbuzz.com/...

Toyota and SunPower Corporation have completed one of the largest single-roof solar power installations in North America. The 2.3-megawatt SunPower system will begin operation in early October at Toyota's North America Parts Center California (NAPCC) in Ontario, California. Toyota expects the solar installation will provide nearly 60 percent of the total electricity needs for the 760,000-square foot NAPCC. The system covers more than 242,000 square feet of the NAPCC's roof and includes 10,417 solar modules, enough to cover more than four football fields. It is expected to avoid about 6.4 million pounds of carbon dioxide emissions annually, which is the equivalent to the emissions from the energy use of approximately 255 homes in a year.

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23.) Rutgers University Breaks Ground on 1.4-MW Solar System:
RenewableEnergyWorld.com, September 24, 2008
<http://www.renewableenergyworld.com/rea/news/story?id=53659>http://www.r...

Officials from Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, joined commissioners from the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities (BPU) to break ground on the construction of a seven-acre solar energy facility, one of the largest systems on a single campus in the United States. The 1.4-megawatt (MW) solar energy facility at Rutgers will consist of more than 7,000 solar panels and will generate approximately 10 percent of the electrical demand of the school's Livingston Campus.

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24.) Desert Solar Projects Draw New Opposition:
New York Times, by Peter Maloney, September 23, 2008
<http://www.nytimes.com/2008/09/24/business/businessspecial2/24shrike.htm...

Solar power projects are running into mounting opposition — and not from hard-nosed, coal-fired naysayers, but from environmeentalists. The California desert is home to the Mojave ground squirrel, the desert tortoise and the burrowing owl, and to human residents who describe themselves as desert survivors and who are unhappy about the proliferation of solar projects planned for their home turf. The Alliance for Responsible Energy Policy, an environmental group in Joshua Tree, said: “Our position is that none of this is needed. We support renewable energy, and we support California’s renewable energy targets, but we think it can be done through rooftop solar.â€
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25.) Wind Farm Site Considered 10 Miles From Queens Shore:
New York Times, by Ken Belson, September 23, 2008
<http://www.nytimes.com/2008/09/24/nyregion/24wind.html?ref=science>http:...

A year after the Long Island Power Authority withdrew its proposal to build an $800 million offshore wind farm near Jones Beach, it said Tuesday that it would look into building a potentially larger wind farm 10 miles off the south shore of Queens. The authority will work with Con Edison, which has never before proposed a wind-power project, to study the economic feasibility over the next few months. If they decide it makes sense to build an offshore wind farm, the utilities would ask builders for proposals, the authority said. The project would take several years to plan, finance and complete.

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26.) New Ethanol Advertising Campaign Takes Off:
Renewable Fuels Association, September 22, 2008
<http://renewablefuelsassociation.cmail3.com/e/521959/ewsi1y/>http://rene...

Beginning this week, the Renewable Fuels Association launches two ads very clearly stating the benefits of today’s domestic renewable fuels industry.

Key ethanol statistics:

* Number of biorefineries: 171 in 25 states

* Annual Capacity: 10.25 billion gallons

* Estimated 2008 production: 9 billion gallons

* Estimated livestock feed production: 30 million metric tons

* Percent of gasoline blended w/ ethanol: 70 percent

* Impact on gasoline prices: $0.29-0.40 per gallon reduction, according to Iowa State University

* Impact on oil imports: 228 million fewer barrels of oil imported in 2007 as a result of ethanol production and use

* Economic impact: 238,000 new jobs and $47.6 billion added to GDP in 2007

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27.) New Push to Tap the Oceans for Electricity:
Red Orbit, September 24, 2008
<http://www.redorbit.com/news/business/1566055/new_push_to_tap_the_oceans...

The technical difficulties of making systems using ocean tides and waves to produce power work are proving formidable. Last year, a wave-power machine sank off the Oregon coast. Blades have broken off experimental tidal turbines in the turbulent East River in New York. Problems with offshore moorings have slowed the deployment of snakelike generating machines in the Atlantic off Portugal. Lately, spurred by rising costs for electricity and for the coal and other fossil fuels used to produce it, ocean power visionaires are making a new push to overcome the barriers blocking this type of renewable energy. Roughly 100 small companies around the world are working on converting the ocean's power to electricity.

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28.) Chrysler To Roll Out Electric Vehicle in 2010:
SustainableBusiness.com, September 23, 2008
<http://www.sustainablebusiness.com/index.cfm/go/news.display/id/16811>ht...

Chrysler LLC announced yesterday that it will begin selling an electric car in North America in 2010. The company said it has not decided yet which of the three vehicles currently in development will be rolled out first. At its world headquarters, Chrysler revealed its electric-drive prototypes--a Dodge EV sportcar, a Jeep EV Wrangler and a Chrysler EV minivan. Chrysler said its electric vehicles will utilize an electric motor to drive the wheels, an advanced lithium-ion battery system to power the electric-drive motor, and a controller that manages energy flow.

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29.) '30% Solution' Falls Short of Full Adoption by National Codes Organization in Minneapolis:
Alliance to Save Energy, September 23, 2008
<http://www.ase.org/content/news/detail/5071>http://www.ase.org/content/n...

Energy efficiency will substantially improve in the nation’s 2009 model energy code governing new home construction –“ the International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) –, but will not achieve the 30 percent improvement sought by the U.S. Department of Energy, the U.S. Conference of Mayors, the National Association of State Energy Officials, many governors and the broad-based Energy Efficient Codes Coalition (EECC). But after two decades of only modest energy efficiency gains, it’s clear that a growing number of building officials are embracing the need for much higher energy efficiency in our codes for new home construction, the EECC noted.

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30.) Natural Resources Defense Council Urges California's Governor to Sign Bill to Reduce Global Warming:
Natural Resources Defense Council, September 23, 2008
<http://www.nrdc.org/media/2008/080923c.asp>http://www.nrdc.org/media/200...

Senate Bill 375 by incoming Senate President Pro Tem Darrell Steinberg would provide incentives for cities to plan and build more efficient neighborhoods where people do not need to drive all the time, resulting in less global warming pollution. It would use a carrot approach, offering local governments transportation funding, to encourage more compact new development and transportation alternatives. The governor has until September 30th to sign or veto this year’s environmental legislation.

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31.) Western Region Moves Forward on Climate Pact, Leaves Major Decisions to States:
Union of Concerned Scientists, September 23, 2008
<http://www.ucsusa.org/news/press_release/western-region-moves-forward-01...

The Western Climate Initiative (WCI), a partnership among seven states and four Canadian provinces, today issued final recommendations for a regional, economy-wide cap-and-trade system that represents the most ambitious program of its kind. The WCI regime will cover the region's electricity, industrial and transportation sectors with the goal of reducing the heat-trapping emissions that cause global warming 15 percent below 2005 levels by 2020. The WCI recommendations provide a general outline for the regional cap-and-trade program and suggest minimum requirements for participation in the program. Each state and province will have the opportunity to tighten program requirements through legislation or administrative action over the next few years.

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32.) Berkeley Eyes Carbon Tax, Higher Rates:
San Francisco Chronicle, by Carolyn Jones, September 24, 2008
<http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2008/09/24/BA21133LE9.D...

Berkeley is considering a carbon tax and parking rate increases to pay for its ambitious plan to reduce the city's greenhouse gas emissions. The revenue proposals, as well as dozens of energy-saving goals for residents and businesses, are part of the Climate Action Plan the City Council is considering. The carbon tax and parking increases would offset losses to the general fund. The carbon tax, based on one used in Boulder, Colo., would be a small - probably less than $2 per month for residences - tax added onto utility bills. The parking increases would include higher meter rates and an expansion of the residential parking permit zones.

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33.) McCain and Obama Supporters Largely Agree on Approaches to Energy, Climate Change:
News Blaze, September 22, 2008
<http://newsblaze.com/story/2008092222030200001.pnw/topstory.html>http://...

A new WorldPublicOpinion.org poll finds the majority of supporters of John McCain and Barack Obama largely agree on how to deal with both the country's energy needs and the problem of climate change. Asked whether the government should require utilities to use more alternative energy sources, such as wind and solar, even if this increases costs in the short-run, seventy-five percent of Obama voters and sixty percent of McCain voters say that it should. Supporters in both camps strongly favor a greater emphasis on increasing energy efficiency: 71 percent of Obama and 55 percent of McCain supporters. Both Obama and McCain supporters favor the United States departing from its current position on the Kyoto Treaty.

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34.) U.S. House of Representatives Passes Continuing Resolution to Keep Government Funded:
Geothermal Energy Association, September 25, 2008
<http://appropriations.house.gov/>http://appropriations.house.gov

The House of Representatives late yesterday passed a Continuing Resolution to keep the federal government operating after the end of this month. It will keep the government funded and running through March 6, 2009 at whatever funding level they were at in FY 2008.  Only priority programs were singled out for increases in the CR. Highlights from the generic summary:

• Auto Efficiency Loans: $7.5 billion to support $225 billion in loans

• Home Energy Assistance (LIHEAP): $2.5 billion aboove 2008

• Offshore Drilling Ban: expires on September 30th,, the White House rejected any language to provide for a responsible expansion of drilling in the OCS. All other laws and regulations concerning offshore leasing and development remain in place.

• Weatherization: $250 million above 2008

For the geothermal program, while the House and Senate had approved substantial increases in the DOE geothermal program, the CR would continue the program funded at only a $20 million level and postpone any increase in program support until sometime next year when Congress reconvenes. The House approved $40 million and the Senate $30 million.

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35.) Renewable Energy Companies In US Aren't Always United:
Dow Jones Newsletters, by Yuliya Chernova, September 25, 2008
<http://news.alibaba.com/article/detail/europe/100007796-1-renewable-ener...

Renewable-energy companies have been lobbying hard to get tax credits extended beyond the end of this year, but the appearance of a united front is belied by the fact that some of the biggest players in the solar and wind industries are also the same companies that have large businesses serving oil and gas. That has reduced the effectiveness of the lobbying effort, according to some in the renewable industries. A key point of difference between pure-play renewable-energy companies and those with oil and gas interests is that the latter are against taxing oil and gas companies to pay for the extension of the tax credits, which are due to expire Dec. 31.

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36.) U.S. Department of Energy to Invest $35 Million in Concentrating Solar Power Projects:
EERE Network News, September 24, 2008
<http://apps1.eere.energy.gov/news/enn.cfm#id_11987>http://apps1.eere.ene...

DOE announced on September 19 that it will invest up to $35 million over the next 4 years in 15 concentrating solar power (CSP) projects which, combined with the project cost-sharing from the project participants, will result in up to $67.6 million being invested in these projects. CSP technologies concentrate the sun's heat for conversion into electricity, and the ability to store that thermal energy and draw on it after sunset will greatly increase the economic feasibility of CSP power plants. Of the 15 projects, 11 will involve the research and development of thermal energy storage technologies, 1 involves R&D for advanced heat transfer fluids, and 3 will be geared toward near-term demonstrations of thermal storage technologies. The projects are expected to further DOE's goal of reducing the cost of CSP electricity from today's 13-16 cents per kilowatt-hour (kWh) with no thermal storage to 8-11 cents per kWh with 6 hours of thermal storage by 2015, and to less than 7 cents per kWh with 12-17 hours of thermal storage by 2020.

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37.) Wind Coalition Excited About Kansas:
World of Renewables, September 25, 2008
<http://www.worldofrenewables.com/index.php?do=viewarticle&artid=2427&tit...

As the Kansas Energy Office hosts its seventh annual Renewable Energy Conference, members of The Wind Coalition are developing wind projects that will bring the state’s total of clean, renewable energy to 1,000MW by the year’s end. According to the Kansas Corporation Commission, Kansas could develop as much as 7,100 MW of wind energy by 2030 – a number five times what would be achieved under governor Kathleen Sebelius’ 20% objective by 2020. The Wind Coalition says by 2030, the estimated royalties would be about $20 million annually, and tax revenue would be approximately $19 million annually.

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38.) The State of U.S. Geothermal Production and Development:
RenewableEnergyWorld.com, by Leslie Blodgett, September 25, 2008
<http://www.renewableenergyworld.com/rea/news/story?id=53668>http://www.r...

With 2,957.94 megawatts (MW) of installed geothermal capacity, the United States remains the world leader with 30% of the online capacity total. A recent industry update showed an increase in the pace of geothermal production in the U.S. - in fact, a 20% increase in the number of new geothermal power projects under development in the U.S. as of January 2008. There are 103 projects underway in 13 states. When developed, these projects could potentially supply up to 3,979 MW of power, meeting the needs of roughly 4 million homes. When we that number is added to the 2,957 MW currently online, geothermal power could reach nearly 7,000 MW. At this pace of development, geothermal production could exceed 15,000 MW by 2025.

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39.) UTC Power System at New Mexico Greenhouse Is First Geothermal Plant Operating in State:
UTC Power, September 25, 2008
<http://www.utcpower.com/>http://www.utcpower.com

UTC Power today announced that the first two production units of its PureCycle geothermal power system installed in July and early August at the Burgett Greenhouse in Animas, New Mexico, are exceeding performance expectations. The power from the units is used to displace grid electricity required to support the 32 acres of greenhouse operations at the site. UTC Power’s geothermal system can operate at temperatures – from 200 to 300 degrees Fahrenheit – that were previously thought to be uneconomical for commercial power production.

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40.) AREVA & Duke Energy Develop Biomass Plants:
RenewableEnergyWorld.com, September 25, 2008
<http://www.renewableenergyworld.com/rea/news/story?id=53672>http://www.r...

AREVA and Duke Energy announced the formation of ADAGE, a joint venture that will be dedicated to the development of green biopower energy solutions for U.S. electricity customers. ADAGE will facilitate the development of biopower plants that will use wood waste to produce electricity. The U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) estimates the total installed capacity of wood biomass power generation to be 6,000 megawatts. EIA and several energy consulting firms predict that this figure may double over the next 10 years.

==================================
41.) Off Oregon's Coast, Wave Power Makes a Splash:
Oregonian, by Gail Kinsey Hill, September 21, 2008
<http://www.oregonlive.com/news/index.ssf/2008/09/off_oregons_coast_wave_...

In Oregon, Tillamook County officials have quietly obtained a permit from federal regulators to study six sites to turn wave energy into electricity. Developers are just beginning to study potential sites along the West and East coasts, and they're still maneuvering among competing technologies, whether buoy-style or cylinder-shaped. Little is known about the impact on marine life and associated industries or on seabeds and shorelines. Wave energy projects in Oregon could be generating 500 megawatts of electricity by 2025 or sooner, according to the Wave Energy Trust. That's about 3 percent of the electricity used by Oregonians today.

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42.) Study Confirms Plug-In Hybrid Electric Vehicles Excel on MPG and Emissions Reductions:
Market Wire, September 24, 2008
<http://biz.yahoo.com/iw/080924/0436897.html>http://biz.yahoo.com/iw/0809...

A year-long study by San Diego Gas & Electric has confirmed the viability of electricity as a clean and low-cost transportation fuel and the advantages that plug-in hybrid electric vehicles offer over standard hybrid electric vehicles for increased gas mileage and lower tailpipe emissions. When compared with the standard hybrid, the plug-in hybrid achieved a 60-percent increase in gas mileage, a 37-percent decrease in carbon dioxide (CO2) tailpipe emissions, and an 18-percent reduction in fuel costs. When compared with conventional gasoline-fueled vehicles that average 22 miles per gallon (MPG), the fuel cost savings jump to 57 percent.

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43.) Subway To Replace Lightbulbs in 22,000 Stores:
SustainableBusiness.com, September 25, 2008
<http://www.sustainablebusiness.com/index.cfm/go/news.display/id/16817>ht...

The Subway restaurant chain will reduce its greenhouse gases nationwide by an estimated 3 million pounds, simply by replacing one incandescent light bulb with a more efficient compact fluorescent bulb in each of 22,000 stores. By replacing just one bulb with a Philips, energy efficient, compact fluorescent light (CFL) bulb, each restaurant will reduce its annual energy consumption by 87.6 Kilowatt hours. Together, the 22,000 restaurants will save 1,927,200 Kilowatt hours--which is equivalent to removing more than 275 cars from the road for one year.

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44.) Gore Urges Civil Disobedience to Stop Coal Plants:
Reuters, September 25, 2008
<http://www.planetark.com/dailynewsstory.cfm/newsid/50351/story.htm>http:...

Nobel Peace Prize winner and environmental crusader Al Gore urged young people on Wednesday to engage in civil disobedience to stop the construction of coal plants without the ability to store carbon. "If you're a young person looking at the future of this planet and looking at what is being done right now, and not done, I believe we have reached the stage where it is time for civil disobedience to prevent the construction of new coal plants that do not have carbon capture and sequestration," Gore said. The government says about 28 coal plants are under construction in the United States. Another 20 projects have permits or are near the start of construction.

==================================
45.) Landmark U.S. Global Warming Plan for Power Plants Launches; First-of-its-Kind Effort to Reduce Pollution Offers Northeast Head-Start Toward Clean Energy Economy:
Natural Resources Defense Council, September 25, 2008
<http://www.nrdc.org/media/2008/080925.asp>http://www.nrdc.org/media/2008...

Northeastern states today kicked off the world’s first emissions trading market that will promote efficiency and cut pollution from power plants. The new approach will reduce carbon dioxide pollution to a level 10 percent below current emissions by 2019. Known as the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI), this is the first mandatory cap and trade energy system for global warming pollution ever implemented in the U.S., and the first time in the world this kind of system has put allowances up for sale, rather than distributing them for free. An analysis commissioned by the RGGI states concluded that the state climate accord would save typical residential customers over $100 per year on their energy bills.

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46.) Auction of Pollution Permits Marks Breakthrough in U.S. Global Warming Policy:
EnvironmentAmerica, September 25, 2008
<http://www.environmentamerica.org/news-releases/global-warming-solutions...

The Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI) is most noteworthy because it is the first program to auction the pollution permits, rather than give them to polluters for free based on their past emissions as has been done in other programs. All of the states participating in the program have committed to auctioning all or most of their pollution allowances. The states intend to use the revenues from the auction of pollution permits for measures that will lower the cost of the program, such as helping citizens and businesses save energy and promoting renewable energy. However, capping and auctioning emissions is but one of many measures that must be taken to further reduce global warming emissions and shift away from fossil fuel consumption. Other recommendations include enacting stronger energy efficiency standards for vehicles, buildings and equipment; policies to dramatically ramp up renewable energy; and investments in public transportation.

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47.) Ten States With a Plan:
New York Times (editorial), September 24, 2008
<http://www.nytimes.com/2008/09/25/opinion/25thu2.html?ref=opinion>http:/...

Thursday marks an important milestone — the formal start of the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative, an agreement among 10 Eastern states from Maryland to Maine to reduce carbon-dioxide emissions from more than 233 power plants. Each state will set its own limits on emissions; it will then sell, through an auction, emissions allowances to the utilities that can be traded on the open market. The idea is that putting a price on emissions will give the utilities an incentive to clean themselves up, with proceeds from the auctions channeled to energy efficiency and renewable energy programs in each state.

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48.) 85 Percent of July Trade Deficit Caused by Imported Oil:
National Ethanol Vehicle Coalition, September 19, 2008
<http://www.e85fuel.com/news/091908fyi.htm>http://www.e85fuel.com/news/09...

September 11, 2008: U.S. Department of Commerce, Bureau of Economic Analysis, reported that Americans spent $52.8 billion on imported petroleum in July, twice the amount from a year earlier, and representing 85 percent of the month’s $62.2 billion trade deficit. During the period January–July, 2008, the United States has imported petroleum pproducts valued at $276,905,841,000. Source: <http://www.bea.gov/newsreleases/international/trade/tradnewsrelease.htm>....

==================================
49.) Obama vs McCain on Renewables:
Renewable Energy Focus, September 19, 2008
<http://www.renewableenergyfocus.com/articles/general/news/080919_nef.htm...

According to a report released by New Energy Finance, Obama supports the current controversial 36 billion gallon Renewable Fuels Standards mandate for biofuels, whereas McCain strongly opposes having any RFS at all. McCain is also eager to ditch the current US$0.54 per gallon tariff on ethanol. When it comes to the federal Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS), Obama again is a keen supporter. McCain opposes a national RPS believing it should be left to the states to develop. The Republican candidate is of the opinion that a federal cap-and-trade program would be sufficient for promoting renewables nationally. Obama has repeatedly voted for both the much-debated production tax credit (PTC) and the investment tax credit (ITC) which are set to expire this year, and his campaign supports five more years for each. McCain, on the other hand, has voted against or abstained from key votes on the PTC/ITC.

==============================
50.) House Passes Critical Tax Relief for Families and Businesses:
U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Ways & Means, September 26, 2008
<http://waysandmeans.house.gov/>http://waysandmeans.house.gov

The House of Representatives today passed critical, bipartisan legislation to provide tax relief for millions of families and businesses and to encourage the production and use of renewable energy.  The legislation, H.R. 7060, the Renewable Energy and Job Creation Tax Act of 2008 would extend tax credits and deductions that expired last year or would expire at the end of this year without adding to the national debt.  The tax benefits in this bill are virtually identical to provisions included in legislation passed by the Senate earlier this week, including offsets, which have also been approved by the Senate.

==============================
51.) Tax Breaks in the House - Battle with Senate Awaits:
Associated Press, by Jim Abrams, September 25, 2008
<http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5iEeZHDYihRxri_aauxdnC9kCTONwD93E0N304...

The House on Thursday introduced a $57 billion measure to extend and expand tax breaks, putting it on a collision course with the Senate. The House, steered by fiscally conservative Democrats, says the tax relief should be paired as much as possible with new tax revenues so as not to worsen the federal deficit. The House bill has about $15 billion in tax incentives for investments in renewable energy resources such as wind, solar, geothermal and water power. It has tax breaks for carbon sequestration projects and has a new credit for purchasers of plug-in electric drive vehicles. The House bill is fully paid for, by limiting tax breaks given to the oil and gas industry and closing loopholes hedge fund managers and corporations use to lower taxes on overseas income. The Senate bill pays for about $17 billion in renewable energy incentives but offsets only about $25 billion out of $68 billion in tax extensions.

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52.) GE and Google Call for Clean Energy Policies:
Worldwatch Institute, by Ben Block, September 26, 2008
<http://www.worldwatch.org/node/5893>http://www.worldwatch.org/node/5893

The recently announced alliance between technology giants General Electric and Google may provide the lobbying arsenal necessary for the U.S. to overhaul an outdated electric grid widely considered as a barricade to a low-carbon future. The collaboration brings together two industry leaders with significant investments in U.S. renewable energy. Their focus on electricity infrastructure may stimulate improvements in transmission efficiency and utility access to clean energy sources. The companies' main request is for federal leadership on digital "smart" grids.

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53.) Controversial California Initiative Would Boost Renewable Power:
Associated Press, by Samantha Young, September 25, 2008
<http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/n/a/2008/09/25/politics/p16...

Proposition 7 would require California utilities to generate half their electricity from windmills, solar systems, geothermal resources and other renewable sources by 2025. Placed on the ballot by Arizona billionaire Peter Sperling, the measure has put Democrats, environmentalists and the renewable industry in the awkward position of fighting a measure that would advance their agendas. They say the initiative would shut out small renewable projects, drive up electricity prices and make it easier for utilities to shirk their obligations. Critics say the initiative would exclude all projects that produce less than 30 megawatts of electricity. That would include rooftop solar panels on stores, small hydroelectric dams, biomass plants that burn farm waste and other small projects that account for nearly two-thirds of California's renewable energy sources.

=================================
54.) Rising Solar Output Could Hit Producers' Margins:
Reuters, by Matt Daily and Nichola Groom, September 25 2008
<http://www.guardian.co.uk/business/feedarticle/7827049>http://www.guardi...

Solar companies' success in ramping up new production lines and factories could leave the fast-growing renewable energy market awash in solar panels next year, driving down prices and profit margins in the nascent industry. Estimates on global production of solar panels for 2009 vary widely, from a low of about 8 gigawatts to more than 20 gigawatts -- far higher than the 5 gigawatt output expected for 2008. The cost of solar energy has fallen sharply in recent years as technology has improved and production has increased. Most companies and analysts are expecting price declines of about 5 percent to 10 percent next year. But the energy systems are expected to remain dependent on government subsidies for the next three to five years to make them competitive against traditional forms of power generation.

=================================
55.) Small Wind Energy on the Rise in US:
Renewable Energy World, by Jeff Swicord (Voice of America), September 26, 2008
<http://www.renewableenergyworld.com/rea/news/story?id=53666>http://www.r...

According to the American Wind Energy Association (AWEA), interest in small wind technology is on the rise. The association says 10,000 turbines were sold in the U.S. last year and that number is expected to grow by 20 percent a year. Consumers can choose from hundreds of models on the market ranging from US $14,000 to $60,000. The industry says the average U.S. household uses about 1,000 kilowatt-hours (kWh) of electricity a month. These units can produce between 400 to 1,000 kWh per month depending on the available wind.

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56.) Georgia to Host Three 100 MW Biomass Plants Costing $1.5 Billion:
World of Renewables, September 26, 2008
<http://www.worldofrenewables.com/index.php?do=viewarticle&artid=2431&tit...

Oglethorpe Power Corporation, the nation’s largest power supply cooperative, has announced plans to build as many as three 100 megawatt (MW) biomass electric generating facilities in Georgia. The power plants will provide power to OPC’s 38 member cooperatives, which supply electricity to nearly half of Georgia’s population. Capital investment in the biomass plants will range from $400-500 million per facility, with each providing approximately 40 good-paying, full-time jobs.

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57.) Ethanol and Animal Feed:
Renewable Fuels Association, September 25, 2008
<http://renewablefuelsassociation.cmail1.com/e/526433/ewsi1y>http://renew...

According to a new analysis “Feeding the Future† by the Renewable Fuels Association, America’s ethanol producers delivered 23 million metric tons of livestock and poultry feed to the world last year, or nearly three times the amount of wheat, sorghum, barley and oats fed to U.S. livestock in the 2007/08 marketing year. Put another way, the amount of feed produced by the ethanol industry in 2007/08 is roughly equivalent to the combined total amount of feed consumed by cattle on feed last year in Texas, Kansas, Nebraska, and Colorado-the nation’s four largest feedlot states. To read RFA’s analysis, visit:
http://www.ethanolrfa.org/resource/reports/#EconomicImpacts

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58.) Natural Resources Defense Council Joins Aviation, Energy and Academic Leaders to Accelerate Development and Availability of Sustainable Biofuels:
Natural Resources Defense Council, September 25, 2008
<http://www.nrdc.org/media/2008/080925a.asp>http://www.nrdc.org/media/200...

The Natural Resources Defense Council has joined Boeing, some of the world’s leading airlines, and Honeywell’s UOP, a refining technology developer to establish a group that will accelerate the development and commercialization of sustainable new aviation fuels. The World Wildlife Fund will also join NRDC in the Sustainable Aviation Fuel Users Group to help commercial aviation become the first global transportation sector to voluntarily drive verifiable sustainability practices into its fuel supply chain. The group’s charter is to enable the commercial use of renewable fuel sources that can reduce greenhouse gas emissions, while lessening commercial aviation’s exposure to oil price volatility and dependence on fossil fuels.

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59.) Global Warming Pollution Increases 3 Percent:
Associated Press, by Seth Borenstein, September 26, 2008
<http://www.nysun.com/national/global-warming-pollution-increases-3-perce...

The world pumped up its pollution of the chief man-made global warming gas last year, setting a course that could push beyond leading scientists' projected worst-case scenario, international researchers said yesterday. It was large increases in China, India, and other developing countries that spurred the growth of carbon dioxide pollution to a record high of 9.34 billion tons of carbon. China's added emissions accounted for more than half of the worldwide increase. Emissions in America rose nearly 2% in 2007, after declining the previous year. America produced 1.75 billion tons of carbon. Denmark's emissions dropped 8%. Britain and Germany reduced carbon dioxide pollution by 3%, while France and Australia cut it by 2%.

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60.) Study Says Global Carbon Emissions Rising Rapidly:
Reuters, September 26, 2008
<http://www.planetark.org/dailynewsstory.cfm/newsid/50370/story.htm>http:...

The Global Carbon Project said in its report carbon dioxide emissions from mankind are growing about four times faster since 2000 than during the 1990s. China is indeed now the top emitter. The United States was the second largest emitter. India would soon overtake Russia to become the world's third largest CO2 emitter. CO2 concentrations could hit 450 ppm by 2030 instead of 2040 as currently predicted. They are just above 380 ppm at present. Atmospheric CO2 concentration rose to 383 parts per million in 2007, or 37 percent above the level at the start of the industrial revolution, and is the highest level during the past 650,000 years. The annual mean growth rate of atmospheric CO2 was 2.2 ppm per year in 2007, up from 1.8 ppm in 2006. The project is supported by the International Council for Science, the umbrella body for all national academies of science.