Energizer Newsletter
July 27, 2009
Volume 2, Issue 9
Extension Clean Energy Outreach
by Leigh Fortson
Extension Regional Communications Coordinator and REA (Renewable Energy Advocate)
Energy Website Update
The Clean Energy Strategic Initiative Team (CESIT) has been compiling information and hot links to enhance the clean and renewable energy website. If you get calls inquiring about any of the alternative energy resources, be sure to either go to the website yourself for answers, or direct the caller there. This is the first step of the team to position CSU Extension as a viable information broker in the new energy economy.
To explore what they’ve done, go to: www.ext.colostate.edu/energy/index.html
Washington State Extension Accepts National Role in Energy Management
The WSU Extension Energy Program – based out of Olympia, Wash. – has been selected to manage and operate the U.S. Department of Energy’s Recovery Act Clearinghouse. The Clearinghouse provides the public with information on the USDOE’s efforts to implement President Obama’s American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. Customers can call a toll-free hotline, visit a website or submit questions online.
“As recovery funding makes its way into our local communities and creates jobs, it is critical that taxpayers have the ability to see where their money is going and how it is boosting the economy,” said Sen. Patty Murray. “The WSU Extension Energy Program has the resources and personnel to help taxpayers get the information they need.”
In addition, the WSU Extension Energy Program provides information center technical assistance to a variety of energy programs, including other offices within the Department of Energy.
The program’s staff – customer service representatives, energy specialists, engineers, software developers, and research librarians – are trained to field questions from across the country.
“Our staff members provide energy technical assistance and resources to the nation – and we have done so for nearly 20 years,” said Jake Fey, Director of the WSU Extension Energy Program. “And, we are thrilled to play a pivotal new role in supporting such an unprecedented energy effort in the United States.”
The new Clearinghouse expands DOE’s existing Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE) Information Center – already managed and operated by the WSU Extension Energy Program. Both the EERE Information Center and Recovery Act Clearinghouse are committed to providing the public with information that can help them reduce energy use, increase energy efficiency, and move the country toward a clean energy future.
“[EERE] receives about 20,000 inquiries per year from consumers and homeowners, businesses, utilities, K-12 schools, universities, laboratories, state and local governments, tribes, federal agencies, federal facilities, and trade and professional organizations,“ said Fey. “Our ongoing EERE Information Center work is just one area where our organization is making a real difference in the energy arena.”
Other program areas for the WSU Extension Energy Program include applied building science, commercial and industrial engineering, climate and rural energy development, resource conservation management, energy efficiency software development, renewable energy and other clearinghouses.
Over 5,000 DOE Recovery Act Clearinghouse inquiries have already been answered, said Link.
If you have questions on energy efficiency, renewable energy, electric and hybrid vehicles, smart grid, advanced research, science, environmental management, fossil energy and the DOE loan guarantee program, please call the Clearinghouse
| Website and online inquiry form: | recoveryclearinghouse.energy.gov/ |
| Email: | RecoveryClearinghouse@hq.doe.gov |
| Number: | 1-888-DOE-RCVY (1-888-363-7289) |
The WSU Extension Energy Program is a self-supported department within WSU. It receives project funding from federal government agencies, federal power marketing agencies, public and private utilities, the private sector and several other sources. It houses approximately 70 employees in Olympia, Spokane and other satellite offices, and its customers include industrial plant managers, private consultants, commercial businesses, government agencies, national laboratories and utilities.
Nearly $20 Million to Colorado for Clean Energy Projects
From Denver Business Journal
Colorado will receive $19.6 million in federal stimulus funds as its first infusion from a U.S. Department of Energy program to boost energy efficiency and renewable energy projects in the states, officials said Monday.
The money will come through DOE's State Energy Program. The program is one of several channels through which the DOE is sending funds authorized under the Federal American Recovery and Reinvestment Act to the states.
Colorado officials have said they expect to receive nearly $50 million in three years through the State Energy Program for a wide range of initiatives, such as financing projects and giving rebate and incentive information to homeowners and building owners.
NREL: Moving Right Along
From www.renewableenergyworld.com
Thank sunlight, algae and green plants for the air we breathe, the food we eat and, in the not-too-distant future, the fuels that power our trips by plane, rail and automobile.
In a process that is as complex as it is elegant, as breathtaking as it is breath-making, sunlight excites electrons in plant cells setting off a chain reaction that rips apart water to release oxygen and then changes carbon dioxide to sugars to produce fuel.
Now, a couple of scientists at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory have found a simpler, faster and far less costly way to measure manganese — the metal that helps plants split water. It's a breakthrough that could support the development of photosynthetic systems for producing biofuels.
The finding is likely to make a loud noise in alternative energy because the efficiency of biofuels production depends on the efficiency of photosynthesis.
Up to now it has taken a half day and equipment worth as much as $200,000 to measure manganese in the water-splitting process of photosynthesis.
The NREL process takes a half hour and uses equipment that costs less than $10,000. And that opens up the process to any professional or undergraduate lab in the world.
Learn more about NREL's work in biological sciences.
* * *
Unique Research Tool Aims to Reduce PV Cost
NREL has installed its first Atmospheric Processing Platform to prototype lower-cost thin-film solar cells from inks and other solutions.
Thin-film technologies are spurring innovative new solar applications, such as modules that double as roof shingles, and semi-transparent modules that can be integrated into building walls or roofs. It has the potential to dramatically increase the generation of clean electricity.
But to become commercially successful, thin-film manufacturing costs must be significantly reduced. The uniquely configured platform enables NREL scientists to work directly with industry partners to test novel designs and manufacturing methods using precise digital printing technologies under controlled conditions.
It allows collaborative research teams to isolate important steps in the thin-film manufacturing process and look for ways to refine or accelerate those steps with the intent of reducing the cost of the finished solar cell.
To read more go to: www.renewableenergyworld.com/rea/news/article/2009/07/unique-research-tool-aims-to-reduce-pv-cost?cmpid=WNL-Friday-July17-2009
From 25x25
Reports Increase in Funding for Farm/Rural Projects
The vote from the Senate Committee on Appropriations last week to boost funding for farm energy programs underscores the path to a renewable energy future that creates more clean energy, reduces our dependence on fossil fuels, provides new income for rural Americans and improves our environment.
The committee voted to increase funding for the Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) for fiscal year 2010, which begins Oct. 1 of this year, from $60 million to $128 million. That’s short of the $150 million recommended by 25x’25, but still represents an increase of 113 percent over FY 2009 funding levels. REAP helps farmers, ranchers and rural small businesses build their own clean energy projects. The program provides grant and loan guarantee assistance for a broad range of clean energy technologies including biomass, manure digesters, wind and solar power, and energy efficiency.
To read more, go to: blog.25x25.org/?p=845
US Pays Cash Rather than Giving Tax Credits
The announcement this week that the Treasury and Energy Departments are making $3 billion in stimulus funds available for renewable energy projects exemplifies the kinds of policies that need to be pursued to assure a new energy future. The program will provide direct payments in lieu of tax credits in support of an estimated 5,000 biomass, solar, wind, and other types of renewable energy production facilities that will reduce our dependence on fossil fuels, boost our economy and improve our environment.
The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act authorizes the Treasury Department to make direct payments to companies that create and place in service renewable energy facilities after January 1 of this year. Previously, companies could file for a tax credit to cover a portion of the renewable energy project’s cost. Under the new program, applicants agree to forgo tax credits down the line in favor of an immediate reimbursement of a portion of the property expense. This direct payment program allows for an immediate stimulus in local economies.
The program carries through on a recommendation from 25x’25 and other renewable energy advocates calling for direct payments in lieu of tax credits. In previous years, the tax credit has been widely used as a successful incentive for encouraging the development of renewable energy. In fact, in 2006, approximately $550 million in tax credits were provided to 450 businesses. However, the onset of the economic downturns dried up credit and the rate of new renewable energy installations fell as projects had a harder time obtaining financing. In making the renewable energy funding as an alternative to the tax credits, the DOE and Treasury expect a fast acceleration of businesses applying for the energy funds in lieu of a tax credit.
To read the entire article, go to: blog.25x25.org/?p=838
DOE to Educate Local Governments about Solar
The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) announced a funding opportunity for up to $10.5 million to increase the ability of local governments to accelerate solar energy adoption and workforce development. 
Funding for the five-year awards is subject to annual appropriations.
Through this new funding opportunity, DOE will provide local governments across the U.S. with useful, timely information on increasing solar energy use.
Through the Solar America Cities program, a partnership effort with 25 large U.S. cities, DOE has developed guides, case studies, and tool kits to assist local governments in promoting solar energy. Under this new effort, DOE will partner with outreach organizations to get these tools into the hands of local government officials and stakeholders.
To read more go to: apps1.eere.energy.gov/news/progress_alerts.cfm/pa_id=198
New Colorado Solar Farm Slated for 2010
From the Alamosa Valley Courier
SunPower Corporation was the successful bidder in last year’s Xcel Energy request for proposal (RFP). The Colorado Public Utilities Commission approved the new 200-acre project which will be installed across from the existing solar farm in Mosca to be built in 2010.
Some commercial roof-top solar energy projects SunPower has executed have included Macy’s, Target and WalMart.
The Mosca SunPower project will use 60 percent of the 320 acres of the purchase option. “We will build around any existing structures including irrigation ditches,” SunPower’s Paul McMillan said emphasizing how the solar panels are installed around existing vegetation without disturbing the ground cover.
“This project will create 50 local jobs during the construction phase” and several sustained positions after the installation, according to McMillan. It will also increase property taxes and sales revenue, he said.
The farm will produce 17 megawatts of power and 48,000 megawatt hours by 2011.
McMillan noted that Colorado stands to be a leader in the solar energy arena because only 30 states have Renewable Portfolio Standards (RPS).
McMillan talked about the global picture of energy consumption. “There is a global cost $1 trillion for electrical energy; the global power demand will double by 2030; oil will continue to be consumed at twice the rate of new supply discoveries.
“The United States electric power grid is dominated by coal.” He said nuclear and natural gas are also in the picture, as well as, “other renewables.”
“Solar use is less than a tenth of a percent today,” McMillan explained.
Farmers Union Supports House Vote on Clean Energy and Security
From the Berthoud Recorder
The Rocky Mountain Farmers Union (RMFU) sent a letter of support to members of the congressional delegation from Colorado and New Mexico who voted to pass the amended Clean Energy and Security bill last week.
"This was a tough vote," RMFU President and Mead farmer Kent Peppler said. "When the bill came out of committee, Farmers Union opposed it because it was so unfair to the family farmers and ranchers who have taken their stewardship of the land and water seriously for generations."
"We are actively fighting for renewable energy," Peppler said. "We support sustainable agriculture through conservation efforts, and we are doing what we can to balance America's food needs against degradation of the environment. The amended bill takes agriculture's positive role into account."
RMFU supported the amended bill, which contained a handful of changes that recognized agriculture's role in the mitigation of climate change. Peppler said, "We wanted the bill to recognize the efforts of 'early adopters' who are part of our carbon credits program. We have a science-based program of carbon sequestration in place, and we asked that the agricultural and forestry programs of the Clean Energy Act be administered by the USDA to continue those good efforts.”
"Agriculture has changed a lot since the Depression. Using renewable energy will reduce our production costs, and clean energy gives us new crops to harvest wind, sun, and biofuels for new profits," Peppler said.
Peppler singled out Betsy Markey (Dist 4, Colo.), Martin Heinrich (Dist.1, N.M.), and Ben Luján (Dist. 3, N.M.) for special praise. "With the alarmism and misinformation circulating in our rural communities, even after the bill was modified, it took real character to vote Yes."
Renewable Energy Investors Are Cautiously Optimistic
In just five months, the U.S. government has gone from being a casual supporter of renewable energy to the one of world's biggest investors in the space. Now the private sector is trying to figure out what role it will play in this new era of government involvement.
Public policies in the form of incentives and procurement targets have historically provided the necessary base-level demand for clean energy. Acting on those signals, the private sector has brought clean energy close to the mainstream.
According to a report released by New Energy Finance (NEF) last month, renewables brought in more investment than fossil energy technologies in 2008 and represented 40% of global power capacity additions, making the industry a real player on the global stage.
But with the private sector in disarray, investments in clean energy have fallen considerably in 2009. Meanwhile, concerns over climate change continue to rise. In order to keep momentum strong, governments are stepping up and increasingly acting as investors — and the U.S. is leading the trend.
President Obama's $67 billion stimulus package for renewable energy and energy efficiency made America one of the world's biggest backers of clean energy. Billions of dollars have been set aside for a grant program, loan guarantees and R&D. But will the government be nimble enough to deploy the funds efficiently?
If funds are spent too quickly or too slowly, it could further damage the health of the clean energy industry, said investors and business professionals at last week's Renewable Energy Finance Forum in New York City.
“We've had little experience with spending this kind of money in this short amount of time,” said Dan Reicher, Director of Climate Change and Energy Initiatives at Google.org in an interview at the conference. “It's critical that we strike the right balance between speed of spending and effectiveness of spending.”
As a former private-equity investor and Department of Energy official himself, Reicher knows about the pitfalls of such large government involvement. This is not the first time the U.S. has tried to invest in energy in such a big way.
In 1980, President Jimmy Carter created the Synfuels Corporation, a government investment bank responsible for deploying up to $88 billion to help develop new fuels from coal, oil shale and tar sands. By most estimates, the agency was a disaster — it was only able to issue one twentieth of the direct loans and loan guarantees that were promised within five years. By 1987, the program was abolished and labeled the bane of capitalism.
Many of today's criticisms about the role of the U.S. in the renewable energy sector echo those of the late 1980's after the Synfuels Corporation was shut down — mainly that the government shouldn't interfere with the free market. But supporters of increased government involvement worry that the real problem lies in how slowly agencies act to roll out the program and issue loan guarantees.
“The act of a loan guarantee is to take risk — to absorb risk. And the whole characteristic of government is to avoid any risk,” said Michael Eckhart, President of the American Council on Renewable Energy, speaking to the crowd.
One of the reasons that the SynFuels Corporation failed, Eckhart said, was because the government took the lead without enough cooperation from private companies.
“Wall Street hung back and let Washington do its thing. Don't hang back...and work more actively with government to create mechanisms with which they can do this job. Because left alone, I believe they will never sign [a loan guarantee] — not for years,” he said.
There are other examples of slow action. This past March, the Department of Energy issued its first loan guarantee to the solar company Solyndra under a program created in 2005. This four-year wait has fueled concerns that loan-guarantees within the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act will not be issued fast enough to get the industry back on track.
Spending the money too quickly could have negative consequences as well. When investing tens of billions of dollars in one area within a couple of years, there are bound to be abuses.
“I worry about front page stories in the newspapers about how large amounts of stimulus money for energy have been wasted,” said Google's Reicher.
Too many reports about misallocation of funds could hurt the industry's credibility and further set back progress, he said.
The U.S. government is walking a very fine line. On one hand, it needs to deploy funds as quickly as possible to projects with long-lasting value. On the other hand, it needs to do it with unprecedented transparency and accountability while actively engaging firms in the private sector.
[Editor's note: For more on transparency and the ARRA, check out RenewableEnergyWorld.com's recent REInsider, Clean Energy Stimulus Funding Aims for Clear Accountability & Transparency]
Guidelines for the grant and loan guarantee programs are expected sometime in July. After that, companies will have more clarity on how the process will work. Meanwhile, the U.S. renewable energy industry is in limbo.
CSU’s School of Global Environmental Sustainability Fellowships
The School of Global Environmental Sustainability (SOGES) is inviting applications for 1-2 Resident Fellows for Spring 2010 to engage in creative research and problem solving consistent with the mission of SOGES. These positions provide unique opportunities for faculty to accelerate progress in research designed to meet global environmental challenges, and to engage in the academic life of the School and its affiliates. The School will not expect all time would be spent at the School, but we will expect a substantial level of involvement with SOGES activities and events.
SOGES is seeking candidates from a broad range of disciplines including the biological and physical sciences, the social sciences and engineering fields related to sustainability. It targets CSU Faculty whose contributions to sustainability and communication of environmental stewardship will be significantly enhanced by receiving a Fellowship. Individuals engaged in interdisciplinary research are particularly encouraged to apply.
The process is open to all CSU Faculty. Although exceptional early career candidates may be considered, academic scientists with fewer than five years of experience since earning a Ph.D. and with more than a year until tenure review are encouraged to apply for future competitions.
Candidates will be reviewed on a range of criteria with an emphasis on credibility, scientific record and the ability to take a leadership role in sustainability research and communication. Applicants must provide examples, based on their activities to date, that demonstrates capability and promise in actively applying and communicating their expertise for the benefit of the environment and society.
Applicants must show evidence of:
- An academic position in good standing (either tenured or tenure track)
- An active role in research and teaching in higher education
- Interest in generating connections across all colleges and disciplines
- The ability and desire to help position CSU to address the multiple challenges to global sustainability through broad-based research, curricular, and outreach initiatives.
Applicants should submit a current CV and a 2-page single spaced letter of intent detailing the research, writing and supporting activities or events they plan to conduct during their stay. The letter should include specific project objectives and clearly articulate their project's relationship to the SOGES mission.
SOGES's commitment to the selected candidate would be a buyout of 1 class or one month of summer session.
Applications should be submitted online to Kerri Minatre, kerri.minatre@colostate.edu, by 5 p.m. on Aug. 1. For PDF version soges.colostate.edu/Research/research.html
Upcoming Events
GEO Colorado Carbon Fund Advisory Committee
July 28, 2009
The Governor's Energy Office (GEO) will be holding the first meeting of the Colorado Carbon Fund Advisory Committee on Tuesday, July 28 in Denver. The Advisory Committee members are appointed by GEO Director Tom Plant and will be responsible for financial decisions related to funding offset projects and community re-investment projects.
Meetings are open to the public and a webinar/teleconference will be available for participants who cannot attend in person.
For more information or to RSVP, email susan.innis@state.co.us
American Renewable Energy Day, or AREday
August 20 - 22
Aspen, Colorado
An event which promotes public understanding and involvement in the local, regional and national efforts to reduce green house gas emissions and promote renewable energy
www.areday.net
Colorado Renewable Energy Conference: Clean Energy: Pathways to a Low-Carbon Footprint
August 28-30
Colorado School of Mines, Golden, Colorado
With Sessions On:
Policy, Transportation, PV, Wind, Storage, Bio-fuels, Population, Homes, RE/EE Analysis & Tools
Click Here to Register On-Line via PayPal ...
10th Annual Sustainable Living Fair (SEI)
September 19 - 20 Fort Collins, CO
A hands-on, family oriented event designed to educate people of all ages and backgrounds about modern living practices, renewable energy solutions, environmental & social responsibility in their daily lives, green building, local economies and much more.
www.SustainableLivingFair.org
Colorado's Annual New Energy Economy Conference: Powering the Future
October 20, 2009
The Sheraton Denver Downtown Hotel
1550 Court Place, Denver, Colorado 80202
A one-day conference sponsored by the Colorado Public Utilities Commission; the Governor's Energy Office, the Office of Consumer Counsel and Energy Outreach Colorado. Registration for attendees and exhibitors will be available in August 2009.
Colorado's New Energy Economy: Powering the Future
For information on the following workshops, go to the Solar Energy International website www.solarenergy.org.
Wood-to-Energy and Biomass Utilization Short Course Winter
8/10 - 8/14 & 8/17/2009
Park, Colorado
Earthworks Expo
8/22-8/23/2009
Denver, Colorado
10th Annual Sustainable Living Fair
9/19 - 9/20/2009
Fort Collins, Colorado
Denver Tour of Solar Homes
10/03/2009
Denver, Colorado
Alternative Energy Expo
10/23 - 10/24/2009
Delta, Colorado
Colorado ENERGY STAR Summit
12/09/2009
Denver, Colorado
CSU Energy Website
To learn more about wind, solar, geothermal, and biofuels, visit our energy website at: www.ext.colostate.edu/energy.
Furthermore
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