Sustainable Energy News Summaries – August 31, 2008

Below please find summaries of sustainable energy news stories from the past week.  The news stories address developments in renewable energy and energy efficiency particularly as they present solutions to climate change, rising energy costs, expanding energy imports, and nuclear power.  You may find some of these stories of use to you in your own work.

 This compilation was prepared by the SUN DAY Campaign which publishes a longer, daily compliation of such stories.  The news stories summarized below do not necessarily reflect the views of either the SUN DAY Campaign or the Sustainable Energy Network.

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1.) Anti-Regulation Aide to Cheney Is Up for Energy Post:
Washington Post, by Juliet Eilperin, August 19, 2008
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/08/18/AR200808...

F. Chase Hutto III, a senior aide to Vice President Cheney, is the leading contender to become a top official at the Energy Department, according to several current and former administration officials, a promotion that would put one of the administration's most ardent opponents of environmental regulation in charge of forming department policies on climate change. The move to elevate the domestic policy adviser to the post of assistant secretary for policy and international affairs signals the administration's determination to resist new environmental protections, environmentalists said.

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2.) California Takes 5th Place in Race To Develop Renewable Energy, Groups Call for Renewable Portfolio Standard Increase:
EnvironmentCalifornia, August 21, 2008
http://www.environmentcalifornia.org/newsroom/energy/energy-program-news...

According to the newest data, California is falling behind other states in terms of building new renewable energy projects such as wind farms and solar power plants.  Data released today by Environment California Research & Policy Center shows California in fifth place behind Texas, Iowa, Minnesota and Colorado in terms of new large-scale renewable energy projects developed in states with Renewable Portfolio Standards (RPS).  Environmental groups gathered today with top policy makers to call for removing barriers to renewable energy development and increasing the state's RPS goal to at least 33% by 2020.

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3.) Vermont Study Recommends Medium-Sized Power Projects:
Vermont Press Bureau, by Louis Porter, August 21, 2008
http://www.rutlandherald.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080821/NEWS03/...

Vermont should consider building a series of medium-sized power generation projects rather than one major facility, and renewable energy projects will likely play a large role in the state's future energy mix, according to a new study by the four largest electrical utilities. But what kind of plant might that be? It could be a plant fired with wood or other biomass. It could also be wind turbine projects, or increased "cow power" methane digesters, according to the report. "Development of renewable technologies such as solar, wind, and wood could contribute to the state's energy goals with fewer environmental costs, but would be more expensive to develop" for the amount of power produced, according to the report.

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4.) Arizona Public Service Co. Offers Loans for Customers to Install Solar Panels:
Arizona Republic, by Ryan Randazzo, August 22, 2008
http://www.azcentral.com/arizonarepublic/news/articles/2008/08/22/200808...

Arizona Public Service Co. is introducing a new loan program that would allow customers to install solar panels on their houses at virtually no up-front charge. The GEOSmart loan program will allow APS customers to get loans for as much as $50,000 with interest rates as low as 7.99 percent through the Sacramento-based non-profit Electric and Gas Industries Association. GE Money, a subsidiary of General Electric Capital Corp., will finance the loans, which do not require a home lien.

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5.) Georgia Power Seeks Approval for Coal Plant Conversion to Biomass:
RenewableEnergyWorld.com, August 25, 2008
http://www.renewableenergyworld.com/rea/news/story?id=53400

Georgia Power has asked the Georgia Public Service Commission (PSC) for approval to convert coal-fueled Plant Mitchell to renewable wood biomass. Upon conversion, Plant Mitchell would be capable of producing 96 megawatts of renewable energy. The plant would have lower emissions, and would be one of the largest wood biomass plants in the United States. It would also have lower fuel and operating costs when compared to continued operation using coal, thereby making the plant more cost-effective for customers. If the conversion is approved by the Georgia PSC, wood fuel for Plant Mitchell would come from suppliers operating within an approximately 100-mile radius of the plant.

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6.) First Mass US Crossing for Hydrogen Cars Completed:
Reuters, August 26, 2008
http://www.planetark.com/dailynewsstory.cfm/newsid/49953/story.htm

Hydrogen fuel cell cars from nine automakers completed a 13-day cross-country trip this weekend, in the first such mass US crossing for vehicles powered by a zero-emission technology still in its infancy. The industry- and taxpayer-sponsored tour stopped in 31 cities in 18 states. There are about 60 hydrogen stations in the United States, and only two are open to the public without prior arrangement.

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7.) Cogeneration Can Slash Carbon and Costs:
Policy Innovations, by Roy Morrison, Pentti Aalto, August 14, 2008
http://www.policyinnovations.org/ideas/innovations/data/000069

Cogeneration of electricity and heat is one of the most promising means of using existing technologies for sustainable ends, but it is also one of the most neglected and least understood. Using cogeneration in combination with heat-pump technology and plug-in vehicles as part of a renewable electric grid, we could say goodbye to gasoline and to coal electricity generation and have a real chance in 10 to 20 years for an 80 percent reduction in carbon dioxide emissions.

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8.) 12 States Sue EPA Over Refinery Carbon Emissions:
Reuters, August 26, 2008
http://www.planetark.com/dailynewsstory.cfm/newsid/49947/story.htm

New York and 11 other states are suing federal environmental regulators over greenhouse gas emissions from oil refineries, the New York attorney general's office said on Monday. The suit, led by New York Attorney General Andrew Cuomo, charges that the Environmental Protection Agency violated the federal Clean Air Act by refusing to issue standards, known as new source performance standards, for controlling global warming pollution emissions from oil refineries.

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9.) Coalition Launches Clean Energy NOW Campaign:
RenewableEnergyWorld.com, August 26, 2008
http://www.renewableenergyworld.com/rea/news/story?id=53419

More than 175 companies and organizations from across the political spectrum have started the Clean Energy NOW campaign, which is calling for Congressional action to extend the federal investment and production tax credits for renewable energy and energy efficiency when the legislators return for the September session. The tax credits are currently set to expire at the end of this year. The Clean Energy NOW has also a letter sent to the leadership of the U.S. Senate and the U.S. House of Representatives.

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10.) Wind, Solar Projects Race to Finish Before Tax Credit Expires:
USA Today, by Paul Davidson, August 25, 2008
http://www.usatoday.com/money/industries/energy/2008-08-25-alternative-e...

A congressional stand-off that has blocked extension of federal tax credits for renewable energy projects is setting off a boom in the wind and solar industries. Developers and customers are racing to install systems by year's end to qualify for the credits, which can cut the cost of a large commercial system by 30%. 8,000 megawatts of wind energy — the equivalent of 16 average coal-fired plants — are under construction, with developers scrambling to finish most by year's end. Solar panel installations in California are up 74% this year, at least partly due to the tax-break impasse. But the boom could be short-lived. Uncertainty about renewal of the credits is causing projects scheduled for 2009 and beyond to be delayed or scrapped.

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11.) Wind Credit Blown Off Course:
EnergyBiz Insider, by Ken Silverstein (Editor-in-Chief)< August 26, 2008
http://www.energycentral.com/membership/sample_wind.htm

The U.S. Senate has failed to advance the production tax credit given to wind power -- all at a time when the nation is trying to wean itself from fossil fuels. U.S. wind power capacity is now over 16,800 megawatts -- or enough to serve the equivalent of 4.5 million average households -- and wind has been the second largest source of new electrical capacity in the nation, behind natural gas, for the past three years. Last year, the sector grew by more than 45 percent and attracted $9 billion in capital -- the third year in a row of such record-breaking growth. That, in turn, created about 17,000 construction-related jobs and another 1,600 full-time operational positions.

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12.) Groups Announce Formation of Illinois Renewable Energy Alliance:
News-Gazette, by Tim Mitchell, August 22, 2008
http://www.news-gazette.com/business/2008/08/22/groups_announce_formatio...

A group of more than 120 organizations, schools, local governments and businesses are banding together to increase public and private use of renewable energy sources in Illinois. Leaders of the movement announced the formation of the 25x'25 Illinois Renewable Energy Alliance on Thursday during the University of Illinois Agronomy Day at the South Farms. Alliance Director Blake Roderick, who also is executive director of the Farm Bureaus in Pike and Scott counties, said the coalition was organized to promote the goal of producing 25 percent of all energy used in Illinois by the year 2025.

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13.) Raser To Start Construction on Geothermal Project In New Mexico:
RenewableEnergyWorld.com, August 26, 2008
http://www.renewableenergyworld.com/rea/news/story?id=53420

Raser Technologies and New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson have announced that phase one of construction is set to begin on the first commercial geothermal power project in New Mexico. The power plant will be one of the first in the country to use new low temperature geothermal power generation equipment in a modular power plant design by Raser Technologies.

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14.) California Climate Land-Use Bill Passes Assembly, Next Step is the State Senate - Legislation Will Cut Drive Time and Support State Global Warming Reduction Goals:
Natural Resources Defense Council, August 25, 2008
http://www.nrdc.org/media/2008/080825.asp

Today, California’s state assembly reaffirmed its commitment to fighting global warming by passing Senate Bill 375, a major land-use bill, by a 48-23 margin. Senate Bill 375, by State Senator Darrell Steinberg aims to reduce global warming pollution through better land-use planning by providing local governments incentives to build more compact neighborhoods and promote more transportation alternatives.  The bill is sponsored by the California League of Conservation Voters and the Natural Resources Defense Council.

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15.) Federal Government Jeopardizes Billions in Loan Repayment by Authorizing Risky Coal-Fired Energy Projects - Consumers Could See Significant Rate Increases:
Sierra Club, August 26, 2008
http://action.sierraclub.org/site/MessageViewer?em_id=68162.0

The Sierra Club today voiced its concern that consumers could be faced with higher electric bills if the federal government continues to approve unsound investments in new coal-fired power plants across the nation. Already burdened with $36 billion in unpaid loans, the U.S. Department of Agriculture is now allowing rural utilities to take on billions of dollars in additional debt to build new coal-fired power plants, at enormous financial risk to taxpayers.

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16.) Democrats' Green Platform Plank:
Environment News Service, August 25, 2008
http://www.ens-newswire.com/ens/aug2008/2008-08-25-02.asp

The Democratic Party adopted a new platform that incorporates the energy plan put forward by Senator Barack Obama. The plan would implement an economy-wide cap-and-trade program to reduce greenhouse gas emissions 80 percent by 2050. It would ensure 10 percent of U.S. electricity comes from renewable sources by 2012, and 25 percent by 2025. It would enact a windfall profits tax on oil companies to provide a $1,000 emergency energy rebate to American families, and would help create five million new jobs by strategically investing $150 billion over the next 10 years to catalyze private efforts to build a clean energy future.

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17.) USDA Awards $35 Million for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Projects - Funding Will Help 639 Small Businesses and Farmers Save Energy, Improve Operations:
U.S. Department of Agriculture, August 27, 2008
http://www.usda.gov/wps/portal/!ut/p/_s.7_0_A/7_0_1OB?contentidonly=true...

Agriculture Secretary Ed Schafer today announced that 639 individuals and businesses in 43 states and the Virgin Islands have been selected to receive $35 million in grants and loan guarantees for renewable energy systems or to improve energy efficiency in farm and business operations. The grants and loan guarantees are being awarded through USDA Rural Development's Section 9006 Renewable Energy Systems and Energy Efficiency Improvements program. The program provides financial assistance to agricultural producers and rural small businesses to support renewable energy projects across a wide range of technologies encompassing biomass (including anaerobic digesters), geothermal, hydrogen, solar and wind energy. It also provides support for energy efficiency improvements.

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18.) Wind Energy Bumps Into Power Grid’s Limits:
New York Times, by Matthew L. Wald, August 26, 2008
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/08/27/business/27grid.html?ref=todayspaper

Expansive dreams about renewable energy are bumping up against the reality of a power grid that cannot handle the new demands. The dirty secret of clean energy is that while generating it is getting easier, moving it to market is not. The power grid is balkanized, with about 200,000 miles of power lines divided among 500 owners. The basic problem is that many transmission lines, and the connections between them, are simply too small for the amount of power companies would like to squeeze through them. The difficulty is most acute for long-distance transmission, but shows up at times even over distances of a few hundred miles.

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19.) Hawaii's Conversion of Coal Plant to Biomass Marks a New Trend:
EERE Network News, August 27, 2008
http://www.eere.energy.gov/news/enn.cfm

The conversion from coal to biomass power is a growing trend in the United States. Back in 2006, Public Service of New Hampshire finished converting one of its coal-fired power plants into a 50-MW biomass power plant, the Northern Wood Power Project, which is fueled with wood chips. Earlier this year, DTE Energy Services, Inc. agreed to buy the 50-MW E.J. Stoneman Power Plant in Cassville, Wisconsin, with plans to convert it to burn wood waste in 2009. And on August 22, Georgia Power, a subsidiary of Southern Company, asked the state's public service commission for approval to convert the coal-fired Plant Mitchell to run on wood fuel. If approved, the retrofit will begin in 2011 and the biomass plant will start operating in mid-2012.

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20.) What Are Biofuels and How Much Do We Use?
Energy Information Administration, August 27, 2008
http://tonto.eia.doe.gov/energy_in_brief/biofuels_use.cfm

In 2007, the United States consumed 6.8 billion gallons of ethanol and 491 million gallons of biodiesel. By comparison, 2007 consumption of motor gasoline and diesel (not inclusive of biofuels) was 139 billion gallons and 39 billion gallons, respectively. the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 increased the mandatory levels of renewable fuel blending credits to a total of 36 billion gallons by 2022, including 16 million gallons of cellulosic biofuels. Ethanol usage is predicted to increase to nearly 24 billion gallons in 2030, which would represent approximately 16% of total gasoline consumption by volume in 2030. Thirty-one percent of corn production in 2008 is projected to be used for ethanol, and this percentage is expected to rise to 36 percent by 20308. Biodiesel consumption is predicted to increase to 1.2 billion gallons by 2030, or approximately 1.5% of total diesel consumption. Consumption of renewable diesel, made from cellulosic materials, is expected to substantially exceed biodiesel consumption by 2030.

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21.) Green Building Standards Under Construction:
Worldwatch Institute, by Ben Block, August 27, 2008
http://www.worldwatch.org/node/5871

The world's leading certification system for sustainable architecture - the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, commonly known as LEED - is set to undergo its most sweeping changes in 2009. The proposed revisions encourage designs that would reduce a building's impact on global climate change. The number of LEED-certified buildings worldwide has nearly quadrupled since 2005. More than 2,400 commercial and residential buildings worldwide are LEED certified, and nearly 14,000 are under way.

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22.) Presidential Candidate Obama Calls for 'Clean Energy' Nation:
Politico, by Mike Allen, August 4, 2008
http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0808/12280.html

Sen. Barack Obama (D-IL) called reducing the nation’s energy consumption “the great test of our time” and proposed billions of dollars in subsidies for business and consumers to encourage a “clean energy “ future. “We can do this,” he vowed, promising to spend $150 billion over 10 years on the effort. The three main components of Obama’s plan are:

— Get 1 million 150 mile-per-gallon plug-in hybrids on U.S. roads within six years.
— Require that 10 percent of U.S. energy comes from renewable sources by the end of his first term – more than double the current level.
—Reduce U.S. demand for electricity 15 percent by 2020.

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23.) Wind, Solar and ‘Clean Coal’ Blow Into Denver:
Roll Call, by Anna Palmer, August 27, 2008
http://www.rollcall.com/issues/54_22/vested/27630-1.html

The American Wind Energy Association has officially blown into the political arena. As the Democratic National Convention party scene kicked off Monday, the wind association took the city by storm. The association was able to draw Democratic political heavyweights such as former Senate Majority Leader Tom Daschle (S.D.) to its soiree. Flags noting the power of wind lined the perimeter of the massive 19th-century building. It’s a far cry from the very minimal figure cut by the association in 2004 and heralds alternative energy’s emergence as a major convention player — supplanting the traditional quadrennial heavyweight, the auto industry. The solar industry has also radically increased its coverage of the convention. In Denver, the association is a silver- level donor at the Democratic convention.

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24.) Elected Officials Say Wind Will Win:
Greeley Tribune, August 27, 2008
http://www.greeleytribune.com/article/20080827/BUSINESS/108279995/-1/rss02

Renewable energy took the stage Tuesday at the DNC as House Speaker Nancy Pelosi spoke about renewable fuel energy and responsible drilling. She called wind, solar and biofuels the solution to oil import dependence, and said the new green economy would provide thousands of jobs to people.  Gov. Bill Ritter spoke at a separate conference about the Denmark-based wind turbine manufacturing company Vestas. U.S. Rep. Mark Udall said "Green is the new red, white and blue," adding that people are realizing wind is the future of energy. Rep. Ed Perlmutter said that renewable energy is a no-brainer because it is good for the environment, jobs and national security.

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25.) U.S. Representative Dingell to Take On Global Warming:
CongressNow, by Geof Koss, August 28, 2008
http://www.rollcall.com/issues/54_23/news/27688-1.html

Michigan Rep. John Dingell (D) is busy looking ahead to what he calls the greatest challenge of his 53 years in Congress — tackling global warming. The climate bill he’s writing would likely seek to reduce U.S. greenhouse gas emissions by 60 percent to 80 percent by 2050, which would require deep reductions across virtually the entire U.S. economy. The cuts would come from a previously untested national cap-and-trade program, under which the government would set annual emission levels of greenhouse gases and issue pollution permits that could be traded or sold by companies to meet the limits. The cap would be tightened over time. Many economists believe the plan will come with a big price tag — costs that are expected to be passed on to ordinary Americans in the form of higher energy bills. Dingell has been candid about the economic costs throughout the 110th Congress.

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26.) Utilities Are Rewriting the Rules of Solar Electricity, and the San Francisco Bay Area Solar Industry Is Trying to Make Sure Private Players Aren’t Shut Out of the Game:
World of Renewables, August 28, 2008
http://www.worldofrenewables.com/index.php?do=viewarticle&artid=2287&tit...

Southern California Edison earlier this year introduced its plan to lease unused commercial and some residential rooftops in its service territory and blanket them with 250 megawatts of solar panels to feed into the power grid. PG&E would like to follow suit. The California Public Utilities Commission, which regulates investor-owned utilities, is trying to decide how much solar utilities should be allowed to own within their service territory. But the solar industry, while supporting increased solar adoption inside a utility’s service area and even supporting utility ownership, says the California Public Utilities Commission needs to foster competition and let players other than utilities compete for those rooftops, develop solar projects and sell the electricity they generate to the utility, too.

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27.) US Geothermal Development Up 20% in 2008:
RenewableEnergyWorld.com, August 22, 2008
http://www.renewableenergyworld.com/rea/news/infocus/story?id=53397

The Geothermal Energy Association (GEA) has released its U.S. Geothermal Production and Development Update for August 2008. This report shows continued growth in the number of new geothermal power projects under development in the United States, a 20% increase since January of this year. The report identified 103 projects underway in Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Hawaii, Idaho, New Mexico, Nevada, Oregon, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming. When developed, these projects could provide nearly 4,000 megawatts (MW) of new electric power, enough electricity to meet the needs of roughly 4 million homes.

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28.) 6,000 Virginia Homes Will Soon Be Powered by Landfill Gas:
Newport News Daily Press, by Patrick Lynch, August 27, 2008
http://www.dailypress.com/news/local/middlepeninsula/dp-local_landfill_0...

The landfill gas that now burns off into the atmosphere at the Middle Peninsula Landfill could be powering about 6,000 homes in eight months. Landfill operator Waste Management broke ground Tuesday on a project to build a power plant that will harness landfill gases, primarily methane, and burn them to drive electricity-producing generators. Waste Management will sell the electricity to Dominion Virginia Power. The project, which should be completed in six to eight months, is part of a nationwide effort by Waste Management to build 60 landfill gas-to-energy plants in the next five years and power 2 million homes by 2020.

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29.) Roundtable Reveals International Biofuel Standard:
Worldwatch Institute, by Ben Block, August 25, 2008
http://www.worldwatch.org/node/5870

Biofuels are among the most vilified of environmental technologies. Ethanol refineries are not always clean. The labor on biofuel farms is not always fair. The diversion of feedstocks from food to fuel may be driving up global commodity prices. And the forests, fields, and peat bogs cleared to make room for biofuel crops may release more carbon into the atmosphere than they would save from vehicles not burning fossil fuels. The Roundtable on Sustainable Biofuels (RSB) has gathered environmentalists, industry leaders, and university researchers to develop the first international standard for biofuel production. Is initial draft can be found at: http://cgse.epfl.ch/Jahia/site/cgse/op/edit/lang/en/pid/70341

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30.) Minnesota Gasoline Sales Decline 10% in July, While E85 Sales Increase by 16%:
Grainnet, August 26, 2008
http://www.grainnet.com/article.php?ID=62238

Retail sales of gasoline in Minnesota in July 2008 showed a ten percent decline compared to sales in July 2007. According to figures for the Minnesota Department of Commerce, motorists bought 211,982,582 gallons of gasoline in July, compared to 233,081,981 gallons last July. As gasoline sales declined, the amount of ethanol-based E85 sold during the same period increased by 16 percent. Monthly sales of cleaner-burning E85 are averaging roughly 2 - 2.5 million gallons a month.

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31.) Ohio Dam Plans Move Ahead Full Speed:
Journal-News, by Richard Wilson, August 26, 2008
http://www.journal-news.com/search/content/oh/story/news/local/2008/08/2...

Environmental surveys recently conducted at the Meldahl Dam, where the city of Hamilton, Ohio plans to build a three-turbine hydroelectric power plant, show no federally-protected Indiana bats or river mussels at the proposed building site. The facility will be the third hydroelectric plant providing power to Hamilton and is expected to open in 2013. Once online, an estimated 65 to 70 percent of the city's power will be derived from renewable energy.

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32.) Maryland Commission Releases Visionary Plan to Curb Global Warming and Promote Clean Energy - Environment Maryland Applauds Report, Urges Legislature to Turn Plan into Legislation in 2009:
Environment America, August 27, 2008
http://www.environmentamerica.org/news-releases/global-warming-solutions...

Gov. Martin O’Malley’s special Maryland Commission on Climate Change released its final report today, recommending ambitious but achievable cuts in the state’s global warming pollution. The official “Maryland Climate Action Plan” puts Maryland on track to lead the nation in clean, efficient energy, meanwhile spurring economic growth well into the future. The report demonstrates the feasibility of aggressive reductions in greenhouse gas emissions, including reductions of at least 25 percent below 2006 levels by 2020. These targets match what scientists say is necessary to avoid the worst effects of global warming. Most notably, the report found that implementing strong efficiency standards and investing in clean energy will actually save Maryland money

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33.) Xcel to Disclose Global Warming Risks:
New York Times, by Nicholas Confessore, August 27, 2008
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/08/28/business/28energy.html?hp

One of the country’s largest builders of coal-fired power plants will give investors detailed warnings about the risks that global warming poses to its business under a deal with New York’s attorney general. The agreement Wednesday between the attorney general, Andrew M. Cuomo, and the company, Xcel Energy of Minneapolis, is the first of its kind in the country. It could open a broad new front in efforts by environmental groups to pressure the energy industry into reducing emissions of the greenhouse gases that contribute to global warming.

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34.) Study Links California Hospitalizations to Hotter Weather - Thousands Needed Emergency Care During 2006 Heat Wave:
Natural Resources Defense Council, August 26, 2008
http://www.nrdc.org/media/2008/080826.asp

Rising temperatures have already impacted the health of thousands of Californians, according to a paper in the journal "Environmental Health Perspectives," written by scientists at the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC). “The 2006 California Heat Wave: Impacts on Hospitalizations and Emergency Department Visits,” describes the enormous health impacts of California’s severe heat wave in 2006. According to a separate analysis by NRDC, these impacts were estimated to have cost California $133 million in health-related costs. More intense, more frequent and longer duration heat waves are projected for California in the coming decades due to global warming.

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35.) Report Says Areva Faces 50 Percent Cost Rise for Finnish Nuclear Reactor:
AFP, August 27, 2008
http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20080828/bs_afp/nuclearenergyfrancefinlandar...

French nuclear group Areva is facing a 50 percent rise to the cost of building the world's first next-generation pressurised water reactor in Finland. The cost of constructing the plant at Olkiluoto has risen from three billion to 4.5 billion euros (6.7 billion dollars). Construction delays have already forced Areva to push back the target date for the reactor to enter service to 2011 from 2009.

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36.) Presidential Candidate Obama's Convention Speech on Energy:
Current.com, August 28, 2008
http://current.com/items/89247581_obama_convention_speech_on_energy

"Washington's been talking about our oil addiction for the last thirty years, and John McCain has been there for twenty-six of them. In that time, he's said no to higher fuel-efficiency standards for cars, no to investments in renewable energy, no to renewable fuels. And today, we import triple the amount of oil as the day that Senator McCain took office. Now is the time to end this addiction, and to understand that drilling is a stop-gap measure, not a long-term solution. Not even close. As President, I will tap our natural gas reserves, invest in clean coal technology, and find ways to safely harness nuclear power. I'll help our auto companies re-tool, so that the fuel-efficient cars of the future are built right here in America. I'll make it easier for the American people to afford these new cars. And I'll invest 150 billion dollars over the next decade in affordable, renewable sources of energy wind power and solar power and the next generation of biofuels; an investment that will lead to new industries and five million new jobs that pay well and cant ever be outsourced."

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37.) Alaska Governor Palin Addresses Energy Development and Climate Change:
Newsmax, August 29, 2008
http://www.newsmax.com/headlines/sarah_palin_vp/2008/08/29/126139.html

Speaking of energy, how much oil and gas does America really have?

We have billions and billions of barrels of oil and trillions of feet of natural gas. We have so much potential from tapping our resources here in Alaska. And we can do this with minimum environmental impact. We have a very pro-development president in President Bush, and yet he failed to push for opening up parts of Alaska to drilling through Congress — and a Republican-controlled Congress, I might add. I thought when we hit $100 a barrel for oil it would have been a psychological barrier that would have caused Congress to reconsider, but they didn't. Now we are approaching $200 a barrel. It's nonsense not to tap a safe domestic source of oil. I think Americans need to hold Congress accountable on this one.

What is your take on global warming and how is it affecting our country?

A changing environment will affect Alaska more than any other state, because of our location. I'm not one though who would attribute it to being man-made.

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38.) Alaska Governor Wants to Tap Oil Resources; Says Alternative Energy Is Not Imminent:
Charleston Post & Courier, by George Spaulding, August 16, 2008
http://www.charleston.net/news/2008/aug/16/alaska_gov_wants_tap_oil_reso...

According to Alaska Governor Sarah Palin, "We in Alaska have enough oil to make a difference. This state can provide enough oil to meet U.S. demand for seven years and enough natural gas to meet demand for eight years." She also emphasized that of the 20 million acres in ANWR, the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, drilling for the known reserves would require only 2,000 acres, "just a sliver." In addition to ANWR, the governor also said that different "alternative-energy solutions are far from imminent and would require more than 10 years to develop."

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39.) U.S. Department of Energy Announces Up to $7 Million for Technology Commercialization Acceleration:
U.S. Department of Energy, August 29, 2008
http://www.energy.gov/news/6493.htm

DOE Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy John Mizroch today announced the availability of up to $7 million to accelerate the movement of clean energy technologies from DOE’s world-class national laboratories to the marketplace. The funding will help post-research technologies move toward commercial viability by providing pre-venture capital funding for activities such as prototype development, demonstration projects and market research.

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40.) Australia, Iceland and the U.S. Launch International Partnership to Promote Advanced Geothermal Technologies:
U.S. Department of Energy, August 28, 2008
http://www.energy.gov/news/6492.htm
The U.S. Department of Energy’s Acting Assistant Secretary for Policy and International Affairs Katharine Fredriksen, Australia’s Ambassador to Iceland Sharyn Minahan, and Iceland’s Minister of Industry Energy and Tourism Ossur Skarphedinsson today signed the charter of the International Partnership for Geothermal Technology, signaling the commitment of the three countries to aggressively foster and promote cutting edge geothermal technologies to promote energy security and address global climate change.  Iceland, Australia and the U.S. bring high levels of expertise, leading the world in harnessing geothermal energy and producing electricity. This framework brings international collaboration on policy and the technical aspects of enhanced geothermal systems such as deep drilling and geothermal energy conversion.

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41.) Comprehensive, Bipartisan Energy Legislation Gains Traction - “Gang of 10” Expands to “Gang of 16”:
Office of U.S. Senator Salazar, August 26, 2008
http://salazar.senate.gov/news/releases/080826enleg.htm

The effort to pass bipartisan, comprehensive energy legislation gained steam today with the announcement that the “Gang of 10” is expanding by six Senators, including Senator Salazar. This new “Gang of 16” includes eight Republican and eight Democratic Senators who have voiced support for the comprehensive New Energy Reform Act of 2008, or ‘New ERA,’ an energy proposal to reduce gas prices, lessen our nation’s dependence on foreign oil, and strengthen America’s economy. To read more about the proposal, see: http://salazar.senate.gov/images/pdf/080731newerapacket.pdf

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42.) Poll Shows Energy Cost Acceptable for Renewable Sources - 69 Percent Willing to Pay More:
Review-Journal, by Keith Rogers, August 26, 2008
http://www.lvrj.com/news/27425199.html

In six Western states, a majority of likely voters are willing to pay higher prices for energy from clean renewable resources such as wind and solar rather than continue to rely on oil, natural gas and coal for power, an independent regional poll commissioned jointly by the Review-Journal, the Denver Post and the Salt Lake Tribune, and conducted by Mason-Dixon Polling & Research Inc. In all, 64 percent of the 2,400 respondents said they would be willing to pay more for clean energy, and 28 percent said they would be reluctant to do so. Eight percent weren't sure. In Nevada, 69 percent said they would be willing, while 25 percent said they would not be, with 6 percent unsure.

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43.) U.S. Wind Turbine Market To Reach $60B - Report:
SustainableBusiness.com, August 29, 2008
http://www.sustainablebusiness.com/index.cfm/go/news.display/id/16655

The U.S. Market for wind turbine components and systems will increase from $11.2 billion in 2008 to $60.9 billion in 2013, according to a new report. "Wind Turbines: The U.S. Market" from BCC Research, says the compound annual growth rate (CAGR) fort the market between 2008 and 2013 is expected to be 40.0%. The report analyzes the market by state and includes the top ten spenders on wind turbine technology: Texas, California, Iowa, Minnesota, Washington, Oregon, Colorado, New York, Kansas and Illinois. Texas has the largest statewide expenditure, exceeding $2.4 billion in 2007 and an estimated $3.0 billion in 2008. This should grow at a CAGR of 38.0% to reach $15.2 billion in 2013.

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44.) Geothermal Company Set to Open First Plants:
Reuters, August 29, 2008
http://www.planetark.com/dailynewsstory.cfm/newsid/50015/story.htm

Five years after going public, geothermal company Raser Technologies Inc is on the verge of a major milestone: earning real revenue. Later this year, the renewable energy producer will open its first power plant in the Utah desert near the tiny town of Minersville. The plant will use hot water from deep underground to produce power for about 9,000 homes in Anaheim, California, the hometown of Disneyland. Seven more plants will come online next year, and Raser expects to see positive cash flow at the beginning of 2009. Raser says its technology is unique because it can build a plant where underground water temperatures are relatively low, or below the 212 degrees Fahrenheit needed to boil water.

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45.) US $2.3B Biomass Energy Contract Approved for Austin Energy:
RenewableEnergyWorld.com, August 29, 2008
http://www.renewableenergyworld.com/rea/news/story?id=53456

The Austin City Council on Thursday gave Austin Energy, its city-owned electric utility, approval to enter into a US $2.3 billion contract to purchase all power produced over a 20-year period by a proposed 100-megawatt (MW) wood-waste-fueled biomass power plant. The power purchase agreement (PPA) will move Austin closer to its goal that by 2020, 30% of the power generated from Austin Energy will come from renewable resources. The facility, which will be one of be the largest of its type in the U.S., will burn wood waste from logging and mill activity as well as urban wood waste from clearing, tree trimming and pallets.

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46.) Monthly Ethanol Results:
AgWeb.com, August 27, 2008
http://www.agweb.com/Blogs/BlogPost.aspx?src=Allendale%E2%80%99sResearch...

The Energy Information Administration has released its most recent ethanol production and end stocks data (for the month of June).
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