Energizer Newsletter
July 30, 2008
Volume 1, Issue 11
The Live Wire EmPowered E3 (Extension’s Energy Exchange)
by Leigh Fortson
Extension Regional Communications Coordinator and REA (Renewable Energy Advocate)
Extension
Extension’s Growing Role in Renewables
Golden Plains Area Director, Dennis Kaan, is a member of the recently formed Extension Renewable Energy Workgroup. People from Colorado, Oklahoma, Kansas, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Wyoming are part of a collaborative High Plains team focused on extension collaboration in Community and Economic Development.
The energy work group proposes to evaluate current capacity within Extension related to renewable energy and energy conservation education, recommend appropriate policy and capacity-building initiatives, and collaborate on sharing of existing resources and development of new resources. They will focus on community and economic development opportunities for extension programming as it relates to energy issues.
In an effort to better understand applied research, extension programs, toolkits and training activities related to renewable energy and energy conservation, the group developed a survey for any Extension Agent/Educator, Specialist or Administrator involved in aspects of renewable energy education. This activity is being undertaken with the encouragement of the extension deans/directors in each of our states to collaborate regionally on community and economic development programming.
If you neglected to fill out the survey, please request one from Dennis at: Dennis.Kaan@ColoState.EDU.
After it’s filled out, please email an electronic copy of it by August 15 to Sheryl Burbach (sburbach2@unl.edu).
They plan to follow this survey with distance learning workshops to highlight extension resources and energy issues targeting extension staff and public officials.
For more information, please contact: Rick Koelsch , 402/472-2966, rkoelsch1@unl.edu.
Finding Alternative Fuel
If you or your clients own vehicles that run on fuels other than good ol’ petro, you can now find a fueling station that sells what you’re after—a great idea if you’re about to take a road trip. The DOE’s Alternative Fuels and Advanced Vehicles Data Center can take you there. To find your station online, go to: eere.energy.gov/afdc/stations/find_station.php. For more on alternative fuels and vehicles, go to eere.energy.gov/afdc/.
In The Interest of Agriculture
The Agriculture Marketing Resource Center is a web site designed for producers nationwide who are interested in value-added agriculture—which includes expanding business to include renewable energy opportunities.
Go to http://www.agmrc.org/ and browse commodities and products, investigate market and industry trends, study business creation and operation, explore the renewable energy industry and locate value-added resources. This is a wonderful resource not only for farmers and ranchers, but for anyone wondering how ag can contribute to the clean energy industry.
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Sustainable agriculture and organic farming practices are booming industries. The National Sustainable Agriculture Information Service can guide farmers and backyard growers with the latest in sustainable agriculture and organic farming news; events and funding opportunities; in-depth publications on production practices, alternative crop and livestock enterprises; innovative marketing; organic certification; and highlights of local, regional, USDA and other federal sustainable ag activities. To learn more, go to: attra.ncat.org/energy.php
Another useful tool from these folks is a chart that links producers to websites that can help them create more energy efficient farm buildings, use solar rays to heat greenhouses and pump water, and more. Consider putting this chart on your Extension web page.
Legislative Updates
According to 25x25, all 50 members of the National Governor’s Association have signed off on a letter to Congressional leadership calling for a five-year extension of renewable energy tax credits. In their letter to Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV), Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY), House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) and House Minority Leader John Boehner (R-OH), the governors said the tax provisions would encourage the development of renewable energy sources and promote energy efficiency. But since a letter advocating the credits was sent to Congress' tax writing committees last February, "efforts to advance them have fallen short. Extending these credits is critical and action must be taken as soon as possible."
The letter went on to say, "Renewable energy plays an important role in our nation's energy security, and governors have pioneered a wide array of innovative energy policies in their states," the letter says. "To supplement state efforts, governors support the development of federal tax incentives, including clean renewable energy bonds, to promote clean, secure, and affordable energy to fuel America's future."
There is speculation that a decision will be made by the end of August.
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25x25 also reports that a House subcommittee heard testimony calling for an expansion of feedstock eligible to help meet the Renewable Fuels Standard set in the 2007 Energy Security and Independence Act. The act substantially increases the RFS, which is set at 9 billion gallons this year, 10.5 billion gallons in 2009, and gradually increases to 36 billion gallons in 2022, tied to specific targets for greenhouse gas reductions. Of that 2022 standard, 21 billion gallons must come from advanced biofuels.
If the expansion is accepted, thinning materials and woody residues from federal forests, some woody feedstocks from private forests, and a wide array of feedstocks from municipal solid waste would be eligible for the 2007 standards. Stay tuned.
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Last month, representatives and associates from Solar Energy International (SEI) gave a congressional briefing in Washington, DC on the benefits of straw bale construction. This was the first of such hearings to ever occur.
The briefing was hosted by the Environmental and Energy Study Institute (EESI) and highlighted how straw bale construction can help address record energy prices and unemployment, inadequate supply of affordable housing, the threat of climate change, and pressing needs in transportation and infrastructure funding. The modern building industry places heavy demands on the energy and transportation sectors. Straw is a locally-sourced, widely available, and renewable resource that builders, architects, engineers, and home owners are turning into affordable, safe, durable, and energy-efficient buildings in many climates.
If you get calls on straw bale construction, please advise your clients to call SEI at 970-963-8855.
Fueling School with the Sun
The Colorado Rocky Mountain School near Carbondale now boasts Western Colorado’s largest Photovoltaic set-up. They’ve mounted 756 solar panels that will generate about 200,000 kilowatts of power each year. This effort was a result of collaboration between the Aspen Ski Company, the Community Office for Resource Efficiency, local energy consultants and a positive vote from Carbondale residents.
More and more, these types of collaborations are providing the muscle necessary to fulfill the dream of going green. Extension agents and specialists can learn from these collaborations and as our role evolves, we could be among the partners who make these ambitious projects come to fruition.
We’re Not Just Blowing Hot Air
America now generates more electricity from wind than Germany. This is good news given that our European neighbors have officially been in the business of wind way longer than we have. That said, just because we produce more wind doesn’t mean we have the ability to use it all yet. Currently, wind only provides one percent of the electricity Americans use. In Germany, they use about 20% of what they generate. The DOE suggests that wind could fuel 20 percent of US electricity by 2030. So, keep on planting those wind turbines!
GEO Update (www.colorado.gov/energy)
The GEO announced that the 2008-09 contracts for the Energy $aving Partners (E$P) program have been awarded. The contracts totaling $15,205,818 will allow partner agencies to provide free energy efficiency services to just over 9,000 income qualified households throughout Colorado. GEO anticipates that this work will result in:
- 671,584 therms of gas saved
- 3,345,225 KWh of electricity saved
- 5961 metric tons of CO2 offset.
The 9,000 households served through the E$P program will see their utility bills go down by approximately $1,039,815 the first year. In addition, over $6 million will be invested in the local economy, supporting the development of 60 new jobs in Colorado. GEO continues to identify new partners for the E$P program, and will serve at least another 15,000 households with added services to be rolled out this year.
Funding for this program is provided by the U.S. Department of Energy Weatherization Assistance Program, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Low-Income Energy Assistance Program and through the State of Colorado HB08-1387 Severance Tax Funds, sponsored by Representative Buescher and Senator Veiga.
For more information about the E$P program, visit GEO's website.
Upcoming Events
Exciting news for Coloradoans: CSU is co-sponsoring The Green Frontier Fest during the Democratic National Convention on August 24th. The Green Frontier Fest will showcase everything from major renewable energy technologies to everyday products and services, aiming to create an engaging, educational, and empowering view of greener living.
Everyone is invited to participate in interactive and educational exhibits, a farmers market of local and organic produce, children’s area, eco-carnival games, music and entertainment and special presentations by guest speakers, among other activities. Go to www.greenfrontierfest.com/map.htm and find out when and where these activities are occurring.
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Colorado State University, with support from the Governor’s Energy Office, is now offering a Green Homes Certificate Program. The program will consist of thirteen sessions on sustainable residential buildings with meetings on Mondays from 5:30 to 9:00 P.M. (plus one Saturday site visit).
The program runs from September 15 through December 15, 2008, and takes place at the CSU campus in Fort Collins. Visit the CSU website for more information or call 970-491-3260.
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The University of Nevada at Las Vegas is hosting a Renewable Energy Symposium, presented by the Office of Strategic Energy Programs and co-sponsored by the Division of Research and Graduate Studies.
The event is free and will focus on renewable energy production in Nevada, the US Southwest, and renewable research projects nationwide. This is a great opportunity for anyone working on renewable projects to collaborate with others in this field and exchange information.
Plan on attending this event on Wednesday, August 20th from 8:30 am until 6:00 pm. For more information and to register, click here or call (702) 895-5883
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Solar Energy International’s summer workshops still having openings. If you'd like to learn about straw bale construction, solar hot water, biodiesel, or implementing projects in the developing world, check out the workshops below.
Renewable Energy for the Developing World Carbondale, CO • August 25 - 29
Straw Bale Design & Natural Plaster
Paonia, CO • September 15 – 19
CSU Energy Website
To learn more about wind, solar, geothermal, and biofuels, visit our energy website at: www.ext.colostate.edu/energy.
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Go to hes.lbl.gov/hes/db/zip.shtml and you can do an online calculation of your own energy use and carbon footprint. It’s easy to use. Tell your communities about it.
Send me anything that’s newsworthy that you’re doing in the world of clean energy and renewables. We need to keep our colleagues up to date on what’s going on in Extension and the value of our role!
Leigh Fortson
Extension Regional Communications Coordinator and REA (Renewable Energy Advocate)
Colorado State University Extension
2764 Compasss Drive, Suite 232
Grand Junction, CO 81506-8746
(970) 241-3346, FAX (970) 241-3643
leigh.Fortson@ColoState.EDU
Updated Monday, August 29, 2011