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Article filed under Energy | Written by John Farrell | No Comments | Updated on Jul 26, 2007

Small Wind Could Grow If Incentives Put On Par With Solar

The content that follows was originally published on the Institute for Local Self-Reliance website at http://www.ilsr.org/small-wind-could-grow-if-incentives-put-par-solar/

The American Wind Energy Association (AWEA) recently released the results from their Small Wind Turbine Global Market Study, reporting that high up —front costs are preventing small wind systems from reaching their growth potential. The small wind industry has been experiencing annual growth in the range of 14-25% since 1985. AWEA says that Increased federal incentives could double the growth rate. Continue reading

Article filed under Energy | Written by John Farrell | No Comments | Updated on Jul 24, 2007

New Connecting to the Grid Guide Released

The content that follows was originally published on the Institute for Local Self-Reliance website at http://www.ilsr.org/new-connecting-grid-guide-released/

The Interstate Renewable Energy Council (IREC) has issued the 5th edition of its Connecting to the Grid guide. The report and survey addresses new and lingering interconnection issues relevant to all distributed generation (DG) technologies. Continue reading

Article filed under Energy | Written by John Farrell | 1 Comment | Updated on Jul 18, 2007

Nebraska Ethanol Plant Taps Cow Power Next Door

The content that follows was originally published on the Institute for Local Self-Reliance website at http://www.ilsr.org/nebraska-ethanol-plant-taps-cow-power-next-door/

In Nebraska, cows are helping to produce ethanol. A 28,000-cow feedlot in Mead, Nebraska, is powering the neighboring Genesis Ethanol Plant, owned by E3 Biofuels LLC. The cows are providing 300,000 tons of manure per year, which is turned into methane via anaerobic digestion and accounts for 100% of the thermal energy needed to distill 25 million gallons of ethanol each year.

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Article filed under Energy | Written by John Farrell | No Comments | Updated on Jul 18, 2007

West Hollywood Mandates Green Building Standards on Private Development

The content that follows was originally published on the Institute for Local Self-Reliance website at http://www.ilsr.org/west-hollywood-mandates-green-building-standards-private-development/

On July 16, 2007, the West Hollywood City Council voted unanimously to pass the Green Building Requirements and Incentives for Private Development Ordinance that applies a suite of energy conservation and renewable energy requirements to both residential and commercial development. Some provisions apply to new building projects while others apply to remodeling projects at existing buildings.

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Article filed under Energy | Written by David Morris | No Comments | Updated on Jul 15, 2007

Give Ethanol a Chance: The Case for Corn-Based Fuel

The content that follows was originally published on the Institute for Local Self-Reliance website at http://www.ilsr.org/give-ethanol-chance-case-cornbased-fuel/

Working Assets is my long-distance phone company. I love it dearly for its combination of business efficiency, social responsibility and progressive politics.

Each month, my phone bill carries alerts that urge me to take action on a specific issue or two. Recent Citizen Actions suggest the gravity of the issues chosen: "Save Our Constitution," "Impeach Dick Cheney," "Close Guantanamo."

This month Working Assets urged me to "Say No to Ethanol."

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Article, Resource filed under Energy | Written by David Morris | No Comments | Updated on Jul 11, 2007

David Morris on WCCO – Hiccup In The System Could Mean $3.50 A Gallon

The content that follows was originally published on the Institute for Local Self-Reliance website at http://www.ilsr.org/david-morris-wcco-hiccup-system-could-mean-350-gallon/

David Morris appeared on WCCO in a story about the rapidly increasing gas prices.  Story aired on July 11, 2007. Continue reading

Article, ILSR Press Room filed under Energy | Written by John Farrell | No Comments | Updated on Jul 10, 2007

Column: Emissions Cap is Key in Addressing Climate Issue

The content that follows was originally published on the Institute for Local Self-Reliance website at http://www.ilsr.org/column-emissions-cap-key-addressing-climate-issue/

This column by David Morris and Peter Barnes argues for a three pronged strategy on climate protection. First, a comprehensive emission cap. Second, a carbon auction for suppliers of carbon fuels. And lastly, a universal and equal distribution of revenues from that sale. Three keys to an effective and equitable strategy to reduce global warming.

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Article filed under Energy | Written by John Farrell | No Comments | Updated on Jul 6, 2007

Illinois Takes A Step Toward Carbon Neutral Buildings by 2030

The content that follows was originally published on the Institute for Local Self-Reliance website at http://www.ilsr.org/illinois-takes-step-toward-carbon-neutral-buildings-2030/

On June 28, 2007, the Illinois Senate and House approved a joint resolution that adopts a policy that calls for carbon-neutral state buildings by 2030. They are the first state to address this particular green building initiative, a derivative of the Architecture 2030 Challenge, through a legislature. New Mexico’s Governor Bill Richardson adopted a similar but weaker policy by executive order in January of 2006.

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Article filed under Energy | Written by John Farrell | No Comments | Updated on Jul 2, 2007

Washington and Montana Laws Attempt to “Clean Up” Coal Power

The content that follows was originally published on the Institute for Local Self-Reliance website at http://www.ilsr.org/washington-and-montana-laws-attempt-clean-coal-power/

Laws recently passed by the states of Washington and Montana are creating greenhouse gas emissions standards for new power plants. The two states are relying on different approaches but each has C02 reduction from future coal plants as the primary goal.

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Article filed under Energy | Written by John Farrell | No Comments | Updated on Jul 2, 2007

Community Choice Plan Adopted in San Francisco

The content that follows was originally published on the Institute for Local Self-Reliance website at http://www.ilsr.org/community-choice-plan-adopted-san-francisco/

San Francisco’s Mayor has approved a local power plan that could achieve a 51 percent renewable energy portfolio by 2017. The Community Choice Aggregation (CCA) plan creates an innovative new financial structure using municipal revenue bonds (“H Bonds”) to make San Francisco energy independent and finance construction of a 360 megawatt solar power network and make investments in energy conservation efforts.

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