WASHINGTON, DC, November 28, 2008 (ENS) – In a letter to President-elect Barack Obama, the Western governors are urging swift action in adopting and implementing a national energy plan that would transform the country’s energy infrastructure and economy while reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

The group of 19 governors from both political parties are calling for near-zero greenhouse gas emissions from new coal-fired electricity generation in 10 years and from existing generation no later than 2030.

Utah Governor Jon M. Huntsman, Jr., chairman of the Western Governors’ Association, and Montana Governor Brian Schweitzer, vice chairman, discussed the association’s recommendations with John Podesta, co-chair of Obama transition team.

“The transformation we are talking about is broad based and will require new policies, incentives, market mechanisms and private-public partnerships to be in place by the end of next year,” said Huntsman, a Republican. “We plan to work with the new administration and Congress in addressing the multitude of energy challenges ahead.”

Turbines at Utah’s Spanish Fork wind farm,
dedicated in October 2008 (Photo courtesy
Office of Governor Huntsman)

The 19 Western governors represent many of the nation’s largest energy-producing states such as Texas, which is first in both oil and wind power production, and Wyoming, which ranks first among the states in coal production. They represent California, which leads the nation in electricity generation from non-hydroelectric renewable energy sources – a combination of geothermal power, wind power, fuel wood, landfill gas, and solar power.

The governors’ letter outlines policies and incentives that would help states and the country move more quickly to develop clean and renewable energy resources that include wind, solar, biomass, geothermal, hydro and fossil fuels with carbon capture and storage.

“Western states are the country’s energy breadbasket, but energy efficiency has also got to play a much bigger role,” said Schweitzer, a Democrat. “That includes everything from manufacturing more fuel-efficient vehicles to changing regulatory structures so they reward utilities for achieving reduced energy usage among their customers.”

In their letter, handed to the transition team late last week, the governors said a national energy policy must promote energy efficiency and reduce greenhouse gas emissions on a scale necessary to contribute to climate stabilization.

The Obama administration’s policy must maximize the economic development opportunities offered by clean energy; ensure energy costs are affordable and support a sustainable, growing economy, the governors said.

They urge the incoming administration to increase the proportion of energy supplies that come from domestic resources and friendly trading partners; and minimize adverse environmental impacts.

Within the first 100 days, the governors are calling on the Obama administration to:

* Establish an aggressive and achievable national greenhouse gas emissions reduction goal that will put the United States on a path to contribute to global climate stabilization.

* Propose a mandatory national system for reducing greenhouse gas emissions that makes maximum use of market-based mechanisms. Revenue raised should not be used as a means of sustaining or expanding general governmental operations.

* Pursue a national energy efficiency program to reduce existing and future energy demand and thereby reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

* Establish an oil import reduction goal that strengthens energy security and independence. Since nearly 90 percent of oil is used for transportation, an energy plan must bring more fuel-efficient and near-zero emission vehicles into the market; increase the supply of domestically produced, low-carbon fuels; minimize the economic and technological uncertainties inherent in deploying high efficiency vehicles and developing and using non-petroleum transportation fuels; and reduce vehicle miles traveled and increase mass movement of people and goods.

* Create a substantial, long-term national public investment on the scale of tens of billions of dollars annually, along with a similar investment from the private sector, to support the kind of basic and applied research and deployment of clean energy technology and infrastructure that will result in:
o Near-zero greenhouse gas emissions from new coal-fired electricity generation in 10 years and from existing generation no later than 2030.
o Dramatically increased energy from wind, solar, geothermal, hydro and biomass resources.
o Expansion and upgrade of the electricity transmission grid and storage capabilities
o Advanced vehicle and battery technologies and alternative transportation fuels.
o Next generation energy efficiency technologies and practices.

The governors also urge affordability for lower income energy consumers through energy efficiency and cost assistance programs.

They support workforce development and clean energy jobs, adaptation to climate change impacts, reduced consumer impacts – particularly for low-income consumers – and transition assistance to industries.

“While the first 100 days are critical, these actions only represent the first steps,” the governors say in their letter. “Within the next year, a comprehensive energy plan must be enacted that will set the direction of this nation for the next 50 years. This plan, though adjustable over time, must establish measurable goals, strategies, milestones and funding to ensure that we are moving towards affordable and environmentally responsible energy security and independence.”

“We must not repeat the mistakes of the past,” the governors declared in their letter. “We must have the collective political will and resolve to create and implement a long-term comprehensive energy policy despite short-term political and market fluctuations. The future of our nation depends upon it.”

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WASHINGTON, DC, June 27, 2008 (ENS) – The federal government is calling a halt to new applications for solar power developments on public land in six western states while the 125 applications now in the pipeline are evaluated.

The evaluation of both current and future applications will depend on the results of an environmental impact statement that will be the joint responsibility of the Bureau of Land Management, BLM, and the Department of Energy, DOE, the agencies announced earlier this month.

“Renewable energy resources, such as solar, wind, hydroelectric and geothermal, will continue to play a larger role in meeting the Nation’s future energy needs,” said Secretary of the Interior Dirk Kempthorne, who has jurisdiction over the BLM.

The states under analysis are – Arizona, California, Colorado, Nevada, New Mexico, and Utah.

The Alamosa Photovoltaic Plant generates
about 8.2 megawatts of power from
Colorado’s San Luis Valley. (Photo
courtesy NREL)

“Preparing a programmatic EIS [environmental impact statement] is a necessary first step in evaluating to what extent public lands with high solar energy potential may be able to help meet the Nation’s need for renewable energy,” said BLM Director Jim Caswell.

“Scoping is a crucial part of ensuring that any solar energy program would take into account environmental and socio-economic impacts while allowing the nation to realize tremendous benefits in terms of energy availability, reliability and security,” he said.

During work on the environmental impact statement, the BLM will focus attention on the 125 applications already received for rights-of-way for solar energy development.

The 125 existing applications are for land covering almost one million acres and with the potential to generate 70 billion watts of electricity, or enough to power 20 million average American homes.

The environmental impact statement will establish a process for accepting future applications, possibly through a competitive process, which is likely to attract companies with the experience and resources necessary to quickly deploy solar energy projects.

In developing the EIS, the agencies will evaluate alternative management strategies for mitigating potential impacts and facilitating solar energy development.

The measures adopted as a result are intended to provide consistency and certainty for solar energy development and will help expedite environmental analysis for site-specific projects in the future, the agencies said in a joint statement.

“We must use our own domestic energy resources as part of a balanced, rational and realistic national policy to secure a reliable supply of affordable energy for America’s families and businesses,” said Secretary Kempthorne. “Expanded solar energy development is part of the solution, placing more control over energy supply in the hands of America.”

The BLM will accept written comments related to the initial stage of the evaluation that are postmarked or delivered by July 15, 2008, and electronic comments that are received by the same date.

Public scoping meetings have been held across the affected states, and three meetings are taking place in July. All meetings begin at 6 pm.

* Tuesday, July 8, 2008, Tucson Arizona: Pima Community College, Downtown Campus, 1255 North Stone Ave. For more information, call: 520-206-7171

* Wednesday, July 9, 2008, San Luis Obispo California: Embassy Suites San Luis Obispo, 333 Madonna Road. For more information, call: 805-549-0800

* Thursday, July 10, 2008, El Centro California: County Administration Center, 940 West Main Street, Suite 211. For more information, call: 760-482-4220

More information on the EIS project is online at: solareis.anl.gov.

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ALBANY, New York, May 1, 2008 (ENS) – New York’s First Lady Michelle Paige Paterson Thursday unveiled the first installation of solar panels at the Governor’s Mansion, a step toward reducing the mansion’s energy consumption and pollution.

The first solar panels were installed over the pool house, and they will produce 3.5 kilowatts of energy. This fall, the second array of solar panels will be placed on a new carport, adding an additional 46.5 kilowatts to the mansion’s power supply.

First Lady Paterson is the wife of New York’s Governor David Paterson, the former Lt. Governor who ascended to the top position on March 17 in the wake of a prostitution scandal that forced the resignation of Governor Eliot Spitzer.

The new first lady said that she will continue the “Greening the Mansion” initiative to promote healthy buildings and environmental sustainability, while cutting the home’s electrical energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions by 50 percent.

“If our buildings are unhealthy, it increases the chances that we will be unhealthy and that our children will be unhealthy,” said the first lady. “Inefficient buildings are the largest contributors to global warming. In fact, nearly 40 percent of greenhouse emissions come from buildings. This level of pollution contributes to poor air quality and poor health.”

Begun by former First Lady Silda Wall Spitzer, the “Greening the Mansion” initiative is an ongoing project to reduce energy usage, transition the building to clean, renewable energy resources, and develop sustainable practices in maintaining the grounds and operations.

“Greening the Mansion” is intended to demonstrate ways people can change their homes to make them environmentally friendly.

Through simple steps such as upgrading to energy-efficient light bulbs, using natural fiber doormats to reduce the need for vacuuming and toxic floor cleaners, and installing energy-saving appliances, residents can reduce pollution and their energy bills.

“The Mansion should serve as an example of the many ways that New Yorkers can make their homes and businesses into greener, healthier places,” said the first lady.

At the solar panel unveilling event on Thursday, First Lady Paterson announced the submission of a governor’s program bill that would provide an economic incentive to residential developers and homeowners to install solar panels and other green features.

The Green Residential Program Bill would give all New Yorkers the green building incentives already available to businesses. The bill would help offset the typical five percent increase in construction costs when green building features are incorporated into residences.

Tracie Hall, executive director of the New York Upstate Chapter of the U.S. Green Building Council, said, “The greening of the Governor’s Mansion is yet another example of progressive, sustainable initiatives throughout New York State. We commend the leadership and vision being demonstrated in this beautiful, historic residence.”

Greening the Mansion efforts include phasing in the use of non-toxic cleaning products, organic pest control, mulching lawnmowers that recycle grass clippings in place, extensive recycling, and composting.

The mansion staff has begun to use hybrid electric vehicles. Electric lawn mowers and lawn maintenance equipment that can plug into the solar carport for power will be used to reduce gasoline emissions.

Last year the mansion began purchasing New York-grown, preferably organic, produce to the greatest extent possible. The mansion also purchases from a local food co-op, and joined a local Community Supported Agriculture group, which allows consumers to buy a share in a farm and receive fresh local organic produce when it is harvested.

“Like every home, the history of the Mansion reflects the tenor of the times,” said the first lady. “Decades from now, I hope that historians will look back on our time and determine that it was a turning point, when we made crucial choices to build greener, healthier buildings to reduce our energy consumption, address global warming, and improve the health of all. I hope that “Greening the Mansion” will have played a role in this effort.”

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ALBANY, New York, April 27, 2008 (ENS) – New York Governor David Paterson marked Earth Day by announcing that his administration will support the creation of New York state’s largest source of solar power by covering the roofs of Long Island malls, public and institutional buildings and parking lots with arrays of solar cells.

The move grows out of a recommendation of the Renewable Energy Task Force Paterson convened last year as Lt. Governor to identify and recommend ways of expanding the state’s use of renewable energy and alternative fuels.

Tuesday, on Earth Day, the Long Island Power Authority released a Request for Proposals calling for 50 megawatts of solar energy to be generated on Long Island.

LIPA president and chief executive Kevin Law said the solar energy would be produced by one or more developers of solar photovoltaic systems and would be purchased by LIPA and introduced onto the LIPA grid.

The plan is that the photovoltaic arrays will be installed at school buildings, on commercial and municipal rooftops, along parking lots, atop landfills, and at brownfield sites.

The project is intended to further stimulate the solar marketplace throughout the state, fostering the creation of more “green collar” jobs.

New York Governor David Paterson
(Photo courtesy Office
of the Governor)

“As our need for energy continues to grow on Long Island and throughout the state, it is imperative that we find new ways to develop more renewable energy resources that will reduce our dependence on fossil fuels,” said Governor Paterson.

The project is expected to provide enough power to sustain more than 6,500 households and reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 20,000 tons.

“The RFP issued today, which was one of the recommendations of my Renewable Energy Task Force, is just one of the actions we are taking to meet our energy needs while reducing the state’s carbon footprint,” the governor said.

The 50 megawatt solar project builds on the success of LIPA’s Solar Pioneer program, which now includes more than 1,200 participants and has resulted in more than $30 million in LIPA rebates.

“LIPA’s Solar Pioneer program for homeowners has helped transform a virtually non-existent residential market into a fast growing success story,” Gordian Raacke, executive director of the not-for-profit organization Renewable Energy Long Island said. “I hope that LIPA’s new large-scale solar initiative will do the same for commercial and institutional buildings on Long Island.”

“The roofs of our malls, institutional buildings and covered parking lots present a huge opportunity to turn Long Island’s abundant sunshine into clean and green electricity,” he said.

The new 50 megawatts of solar will count for nearly one percent of LIPA’s total annual demand and will be the single largest block of solar energy in New York State.

Environmentalists approve of the initiative. Ashok Gupta, senior energy economist for the Natural Resources Defense Council, said, “Governor Paterson and LIPA’s leadership on solar is to be commended.”

“Having 50 megawatts of solar in LIPA’s portfolio will not only help reduce the pollution that causes global warming but it will also provide critical peaking power which is otherwise very expensive and often dirtier than baseload generation,” Gupta said.

“This project will diversify Long Island’s energy portfolio, strengthen the local economy, transform the solar photovoltaic marketplace, and reduce our dependency on costly fossil fuels,” said LIPA chief Law.

A Proposers’ Conference will be held at LIPA’s offices in Uniondale, New York on May 12, where LIPA staff will provide an overview of key elements of the Request for Proposals and answer questions from interested parties. Further details of the conference will be posted on LIPA’s website [www.lipower.org].

The deadline for RFP responses is June 27, 2008. Recommendations for an award are expected to be made at the October 2008 meeting of LIPA’s Board of Trustees.

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