tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-78972764654837650562024-03-12T19:44:08.008-07:00Naked EnergyPresenting the bare facts about all things energy in the NorthwestLibby Tuckerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13191303789967753374noreply@blogger.comBlogger88125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7897276465483765056.post-71636324467646044162009-09-19T08:09:00.000-07:002009-09-19T08:49:09.504-07:00SEH making solar silicon in Vancouver<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjub8U-h6G4oQSWmrCtkgMk6wdO1VuVxi5mdQkSUFZL63NU6tceCxYmE3E48YBpmJhAl1LSkxzUQHZpp3wC6yHvRuQD8xkoiUWIztNsKJ9GcwoNRAXXS24cDWlMvcY6Qjr_7hWsnOEIp4Z-/s1600-h/IMG_2004_2.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 278px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjub8U-h6G4oQSWmrCtkgMk6wdO1VuVxi5mdQkSUFZL63NU6tceCxYmE3E48YBpmJhAl1LSkxzUQHZpp3wC6yHvRuQD8xkoiUWIztNsKJ9GcwoNRAXXS24cDWlMvcY6Qjr_7hWsnOEIp4Z-/s320/IMG_2004_2.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5383204541052453954" /></a><br />Washington Governor Christine Gregoire <a href="http://www.columbian.com/article/20090919/NEWS02/709199967/-1/NEWS">visited SEH America's </a>Vancouver campus yesterday to talk about the expansion of the company's silicon wafer production facilities. The Japanese company's $55 million purchase in June of Hewlett-Packard's campus doubles its land in Washington and gives it five times more free space for expansion.<br /><br />It seems likely that a large portion of the expansion will be in solar silicon production. The company, which holds the largest global share of the semiconductor market, has already begun producing its silicon wafers for use in solar panel manufacturing, said executive vice president Tatsuo Ito at his visit with the governor. The conversion was "easy", he said.<br /><br />If SEH does dramatically expand its solar silicon production in coming years, it would help bring Washington back into the running as a major solar manufacturing state. As I reported earlier this week<a href="http://www.columbian.com/article/20090917/BIZ01/709179983/-1/BIZ"> in The Columbian</a>, Washington ranked No. 4 among the top 10 most favorable states for silicon-based solar panel manufacturing, according to a report by <a href="http://www.gtmresearch.com/">GTM Research</a>, yet it's the only state among them that doesn't have any major constructed or planned facilities.Libby Tuckerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13191303789967753374noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7897276465483765056.post-74553979374071382422009-05-29T10:53:00.001-07:002009-05-29T11:29:19.167-07:00Carrotmob funds efficiency in Portland<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi51OzonCru1x5U14Z3It8yZIpgNwVGwFp_2GJz9jclqKm_gbgGdd1l_mFMlVKTE6axasTnCTfL5gylclWmP24-V8CDOjVwmPDLts68CptPrCtb_aQnxvO70IY8JuAxQ-tpaerJxkfi38s2/s1600-h/20073282659_dangling+carrot.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi51OzonCru1x5U14Z3It8yZIpgNwVGwFp_2GJz9jclqKm_gbgGdd1l_mFMlVKTE6axasTnCTfL5gylclWmP24-V8CDOjVwmPDLts68CptPrCtb_aQnxvO70IY8JuAxQ-tpaerJxkfi38s2/s320/20073282659_dangling+carrot.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5341314504224709378" /></a><br /> Portland is starting its pilot <a href="http://www.portlandonline.com/osd/index.cfm?a=242544&c=50152">Clean Energy Fund</a> project soon to provide on-bill financing for energy efficiency retrofits in certain neighborhoods. But a new, slightly more chaotic version of financing sustainable upgrades will come to Portland in June -- Carrotmob. The movement, which started in San Francisco, is essentially a flash mob or "reverse boycott" that floods chosen businesses with a crowd of customers in support of their sustainability efforts. <a href="http://portland.carrotmob.org/">Carrotmob Portland</a> will have its first event June 21st, at Hotlips Pizza on Hawthorne. All the store's revenue that day will go toward energy efficiency upgrades at Hotlips. <br /><br />It's more of a social movement to draw attention to sustainable businesses than a doable funding mechanism for the city. But it seems like a model that could work for some businesses, with or without the flash mob. <a href="http://www.artichokemusic.com/community/index.php">Artichoke Music</a> on Hawthorne, for example, was able to raise enough money through some folk music shows for a full heating, ventilation and air-conditioning upgrade this year. I had the pleasure of attending their first air-conditioned show a few weeks ago. Not all businesses have such a devoted following, however.Libby Tuckerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13191303789967753374noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7897276465483765056.post-14976361669762660202009-05-29T10:07:00.000-07:002009-05-29T10:27:44.066-07:00Pacific Ethanol files for bankruptcy<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuX4_ArjvtliuengxnktKuzgfsK8UPj0Eobmqgmb6EP5ss2ewxXoYaiJmooq9g_mILQNk5G4GP9IejMLucOwKbUqkn-L7hRmWHkFsRtQWWVJI48Suz_-syxYOX1GdkQlQzzHW5IiDxaRGI/s1600-h/Columbia_10.07_main.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 237px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuX4_ArjvtliuengxnktKuzgfsK8UPj0Eobmqgmb6EP5ss2ewxXoYaiJmooq9g_mILQNk5G4GP9IejMLucOwKbUqkn-L7hRmWHkFsRtQWWVJI48Suz_-syxYOX1GdkQlQzzHW5IiDxaRGI/s320/Columbia_10.07_main.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5341296682060392402" /></a><br />Back in April, I <a href="http://nakedenergy.blogspot.com/2009/04/down-come-ethanol-giants.html">pointed out</a> that <a href="http://www.pacificethanol.net/">Pacific Ethanol </a>(PEIX), which owns a 40-million-gallon-a-year ethanol plant in Boardman, could follow the fate of Cascade Grain Products, the other giant ethanol producer to build in Oregon in response to the state renewable fuel standard. Pacific Ethanol had defaulted on its construction loans and had 30 days to renegotiate them. The company filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection last week, joining 10 other ethanol producers in bankruptcy according to <a href="http://www.marketwatch.com/story/pacific-ethanol-joins-others-in-bankruptcy-court">Marketwatch</a>.Libby Tuckerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13191303789967753374noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7897276465483765056.post-16493083893377778752009-05-13T17:34:00.000-07:002009-05-14T10:33:56.508-07:00Federal money for electric car charging stations<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwtaDqylka5q0bMHRTwadrkP80zrQTMNVnPuzkW7FgyfprVHpkT4wVxB2f5vCU6bSdI4mOvfAtITXsgdFlVmCdcTYSQALDTIudZtEJAdcNLWw7WubTJw3FzWlSxmdK48UUGTo0Dov-RLCo/s1600-h/EV+charge+jeff+and+gov.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 220px; height: 293px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwtaDqylka5q0bMHRTwadrkP80zrQTMNVnPuzkW7FgyfprVHpkT4wVxB2f5vCU6bSdI4mOvfAtITXsgdFlVmCdcTYSQALDTIudZtEJAdcNLWw7WubTJw3FzWlSxmdK48UUGTo0Dov-RLCo/s400/EV+charge+jeff+and+gov.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5335731028829448530" /></a><br /><a href="http://www.oregonlive.com/politics/index.ssf/2009/05/oregon_seeks_stimulus_cash_for.html">The Oregonian </a> reported yesterday that Oregon applied for $15 million in stimulus money for electric vehicle charging stations. The state already has some of the most advanced charging station infrastructure in the country with just a handful of charging stations installed. The grant is aimed at expanding the network to help ensure car owners have a place to charge when they use their proposed $5,000 state tax credit to buy the new <a href="http://gas2.org/2008/11/20/nissan-and-oregon-team-up-to-bring-electric-cars-to-the-masses/">plug-in hybrid Nissans</a> coming to Oregon in 2010. <br /><br /><a href="http://www.djcoregon.com/articleDetail.htm/2009/04/21/Oregon-seeks-grant-for-electric-transportation-Federal-stimulus-funding-would-help-cover-costs-for-c">The Daily Journal of Commerce </a> also had a similar article two weeks ago, announcing the state's request for charging station proposals. They reported the state is seeking $12.5 million in federal stimulus money, which the state would match to create a total funding pool of $25 million to build about 1,200 charging stations.<br /> <br /><a href="http://shorepower.com/">Shorepower Technologies</a>, which designed PGE's new charging station, installed last July at its Portland headquarters, seems like a good candidate for developing the Oregon charging network. I know that <a href= "http://www.coulombtech.com/">Coulomb Technologies</a>, which operates subscription-based charging networks in the Bay Area is also interested in bringing their service to Oregon.Libby Tuckerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13191303789967753374noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7897276465483765056.post-59413363009753313372009-04-30T09:23:00.000-07:002009-05-13T17:22:07.217-07:00Piling on Support to Equalize Biomass and Wind Subsidies<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3IDlzDiA7BRkNO_yg-pFqb268mYCEbbe-YGZgPWJ76pkJLaTAeGSdavpU-JJ0vhbzUF5FpTPCL_yyz_zo2uSAzN9IVPW9lgjYAHXtralNe64GYeDD2nKt9t_ZCER7mluidDBi-mnQQLuz/s1600-h/biomass.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 281px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3IDlzDiA7BRkNO_yg-pFqb268mYCEbbe-YGZgPWJ76pkJLaTAeGSdavpU-JJ0vhbzUF5FpTPCL_yyz_zo2uSAzN9IVPW9lgjYAHXtralNe64GYeDD2nKt9t_ZCER7mluidDBi-mnQQLuz/s320/biomass.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5330533195279989794" /></a><br />The biomass industry has become a rising star in Congress in its push to bring renewable energy tax credits for biomass in line with those provided for wind, Bob Cleaves, president of the <a href="http://www.usabiomass.org/">Biomass Power Association</a>, told attendees at the <a href="http://www.biomassconference.com/ema/DisplayPage.aspx?pageId=About_Us">International Biomass Conference </a>yesterday in Portland. The industry lobby in the past didn't have enough clout to win subsidies for biomass producers, he said.<br /><br />"All of a sudden, we have traction to get parity with wind energy," said Cleaves.<br /><br />The Association has adopted <a href= "http://wyden.senate.gov/">Ron Wyden's</a> catchy term for biomass - the "half-credit technology" - to illustrate that biomass receives only half of the 2.1 cents per kilowatt-hour credit that wind and other renewable projects receive for green electricity production. They're pushing for reform in the energy tax code to provide a subsidy per ton of CO2 reduced for each technology. Cleaves claims that biomass provides "the biggest bang for taxpayers' buck in carbon replacement" with four times the environmental benefits of wind. <br /><br />In <a href ="http://finance.senate.gov/hearings/testimony/2009test/042309gmtest.pdf">testimony</a> to the Senate finance committee last week, Tufts economist Gilbert Metcalf demonstrated how even renewable technologies that receive equal subsidies, geothermal and wind, are actually subsidized very differently when compared on a subsidy-per-ton of CO2 basis. Given that an average wind turbine produces energy about 27% of the year (its capacity factor) compared to geothermal's 73%, the subsidy ends up being $7.74/ton of avoided emissions for geothermal and $12.28/ ton of wind, according to Metcalf's calculations. In other words, taxpayers are paying wind producers 60 percent more to reduce CO2 emissions than they're paying geothermal producers.<br /><br />The Senate finance committee meeting last week on <a href= "http://finance.senate.gov/sitepages/hearing042309.htm">"technology neutral" </a>energy tax policy provides an interesting glimpse into the debate.Libby Tuckerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13191303789967753374noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7897276465483765056.post-1365621039765385222009-04-24T08:04:00.000-07:002009-04-24T08:59:34.992-07:00Smart grid opportunities for software developers<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjIgPy2r2iagaVde7Q44apvjQ88zpYRsC4sPBXpD0Cx0EWgXnUdq_SUBCHZTerOzUjxk1FJbQw5yfk_KQd6G9pU0YOxt12MInbdqJc5HAPw-qieL-Q2D4mI2XmOlPkyYmR9lArKw-d7Ntv/s1600-h/innotechplain.1.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 149px; height: 84px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjIgPy2r2iagaVde7Q44apvjQ88zpYRsC4sPBXpD0Cx0EWgXnUdq_SUBCHZTerOzUjxk1FJbQw5yfk_KQd6G9pU0YOxt12MInbdqJc5HAPw-qieL-Q2D4mI2XmOlPkyYmR9lArKw-d7Ntv/s400/innotechplain.1.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5328285000705617570" /></a><br />Smart grid technology may have many hurdles to overcome before it's widely adopted by consumers and utilities, but that just means the opportunities for making money (and losing it) in the space are huge for today's software developers and IT professionals, agreed panelists at yesterday's <a href= "http://www.innotechconference.com/pdx/Event/Clean_Technology.php">InnoTech</a> smart grid presentation in Portland. The panel steered away from hype, however, challenging the notion that the smart grid is the next Internet revolution because the benefits haven't yet been proven. <br /><br />Here are the list of top business opportunities and challenges for smart grid technology I pulled from the panel: <br /><br />- Software companies should work with utilities to use existing technologies, or a combination of technologies, to create new tools for managing the grid, said Patrick Mazza from <a href= "http://www.climatesolutions.org/">Climate Solutions</a>. This is also the best way for software companies to tap into the <a href="http://www.smartgridnews.com/artman/publish/news/SGN_Stimulus_Tool_Kit-541.html">smart grid stimulus funding</a>, since the U.S. Department of Energy will distribute most of it through utilities, he said. <br /><br />- Smart meters only scratch the surface of the smart grid, said Steve Jennings from <a href="http://www.bplglobal.net/eng/index.aspx">BPL Global</a>, who said the best approach is to develop a platform that addresses applications across the grid, from the power plant to the home. Interoperability is the key to developing technologies that work across the spectrum of the smart grid.<br /><br />- Smart grid developers have yet to find the killer app, the feature that fuels adoption. Jeff Hammarlund, who teaches the smart grid <a href= "http://www.eli.pdx.edu/smartgrid/">graduate seminar </a>at Portland State University, thinks that killer app will be smart appliances but utilities must adopt variable rate schedules based on time-of-day electricity use before any consumer application can be successful. <br /><br />- Steve Blaine from <a href="http://www.ch2m.com/corporate/">CH2M Hill</a> was the lone dissenter in the group, arguing that paying billions to upgrade the grid with digital communications may not have any real benefit for consumers. He thinks the real opportunity lies in energy storage. Why build a smart grid to manage renewable power production, for example, when all you need is the ability to store energy that's generated off-peak?Libby Tuckerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13191303789967753374noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7897276465483765056.post-16373212683822017952009-04-22T07:59:00.000-07:002009-04-22T08:57:36.446-07:00Cisco builds an EcoMap in San Francisco<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaUGrgmUGh05aOXg6l6ZVolCBaKFEPpgLpMRF5xKaxD5v3sP5fDKOzmGq2ii3StWJUXUNwUr-SvPiG6H287iuwLhJIhTukBEhyphenhyphenBUDVgQ7ugGxKzfg0EvDb_BieRFtcAsiABtp7qqh-ZOyA/s1600-h/3465122670_41f90af03c.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaUGrgmUGh05aOXg6l6ZVolCBaKFEPpgLpMRF5xKaxD5v3sP5fDKOzmGq2ii3StWJUXUNwUr-SvPiG6H287iuwLhJIhTukBEhyphenhyphenBUDVgQ7ugGxKzfg0EvDb_BieRFtcAsiABtp7qqh-ZOyA/s400/3465122670_41f90af03c.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5327538228765414626" /></a><br />Cisco announced today that it's building an interactive map of carbon emissions in San Francisco, similar to the <a href="http://sf.solarmap.org/">solar map</a> the city launched in 2007. <br /><br />Residents can already log on and see the solar energy potential of their roof. The new <a href="http://www.urbanecomap.org/">Urban EcoMap</a>, developed by the same contractor CH2M Hill, will use the Google maps interface to show the carbon footprint of any given zipcode, as well as carbon savings (or emissions) that result from the everyday choices residents make, from waste disposal to transportation to home energy use. The site will operate on an open platform to allow user-generated updates and integrate with social networking sites to allow collaboration and discussion.<br /><br />The city of San Francisco is partnering with Cisco to provide data from waste management, public transportation and other agencies. A resident could log on and map out their route to work, for example, to see the carbon savings that would result if they choose to walk or bike instead of drive or bus it. <br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKiFhDn8G0G6j3ozAekN38p1uL5VCGJRiEr5LKSWWF6xVkOMlUxyyUr23Z6mInSW-yHms1bMd9vMj_HOgTotgceRJlJ_OD8yUfYrXmOmumelSL3q9Ec6UYv_4PnkZBq2pxLll2yZ_4qJ1C/s1600-h/3465122624_9c851d5bdc_m.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 180px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKiFhDn8G0G6j3ozAekN38p1uL5VCGJRiEr5LKSWWF6xVkOMlUxyyUr23Z6mInSW-yHms1bMd9vMj_HOgTotgceRJlJ_OD8yUfYrXmOmumelSL3q9Ec6UYv_4PnkZBq2pxLll2yZ_4qJ1C/s400/3465122624_9c851d5bdc_m.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5327538999238865586" /></a><br />I've also heard that the map will use data from an <a href= "http://www.energysavers.gov/your_home/energy_audits/index.cfm/mytopic=11200">infrared thermography </a>fly-over of the city that determines heat loss from individual buildings to measure the potential for energy efficiency upgrades for any address. <br /><br />The idea is to raise awareness of how individual choices affect a neighborhood's carbon emissions and to provide an easy way for citizens to take actions that lower their carbon footprint. <br /><br />It's still unclear just how they're measuring carbon emissions and the carbon reductions that result from behavioral changes, however. There isn't really an adopted standard yet for measuring carbon emissions in the U.S., though the E.P.A. is working on <a href="http://www.epa.gov/climatechange/emissions/ghgrulemaking.html">rules for reporting</a> greenhouse gas emissions and building a national greenhouse gas registry. It seems that any calculation from the EcoMap would provide a ballpark range of emissions with the potential to show just how small a dent you actually make with one individual action.<br /><br />The map goes live to the public on May 21 when Cisco will unveil a similar map it's developing for Seoul, South Korea.Libby Tuckerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13191303789967753374noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7897276465483765056.post-90038546377279622682009-04-15T16:58:00.000-07:002009-04-15T17:21:34.801-07:00Designing Portland's Sustainability Center of Excellence<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4ea9J5pY9KtVT7C0Mbn77RltdUAhakaMoW5Svn-cSNK35fUdk8ZB2LnnTGIVjAGq_cX5dgwlPZSOF_X2OduSS7QAZLWCR-DDZuXc7uF8gWjiCdzswgJmQs269Wro3aIzlvi2U6g8kF8d-/s1600-h/0406_osc_charrette_8941web1.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 228px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4ea9J5pY9KtVT7C0Mbn77RltdUAhakaMoW5Svn-cSNK35fUdk8ZB2LnnTGIVjAGq_cX5dgwlPZSOF_X2OduSS7QAZLWCR-DDZuXc7uF8gWjiCdzswgJmQs269Wro3aIzlvi2U6g8kF8d-/s320/0406_osc_charrette_8941web1.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5325077584052680130" /></a><br />Several construction projects now underway in Portland will attempt to meet the <a href= “http://www.cascadiagbc.org/lbc”>Living Building Challenge</a>, which shoots past <a href= “http://www.usgbc.org/DisplayPage.aspx?CategoryID=19”>LEED</a> standards for sustainable design to achieve a building with net-zero energy and water use, among other goals. The problem is, even the best architects in <a href = http://www.popsci.com/environment/article/2008-02/americas-50-greenest-cities?page=1”>the greenest city</a> in America aren’t quite sure yet how they’ll get there. I wrote about some of the initial ideas Portland designers have for the city's Sustainability Center of Excellence today on the NYTimes Green Inc. blog: <br /><br /><blockquote>Some of Portland’s most celebrated thinkers in green design gathered last week with city and state officials at the <a href= http://www.gerdingedlen.com/>Gerding Edlen Development Co. </a>offices to dream up features for the city’s proposed <a href= “http://oregonsustainabilitycenter.wordpress.com/about/”>Sustainability Center of Excellence</a> - a state-of-the-art high rise that would function both as an emblem of hyper-green design, and a locus for green-building research and education in the region...<br /><br />One popular idea was the “aware chair,” which would recognize the distinct print of each users’ backside and automatically adjust the lighting, temperature and other features of an office environment to a collection pre-set preferences. Also discussed: electricity-generating revolving doors attached to a “macho-meter” that instantly displays the entrants’ push power (and presumably, his or her contribution to the building’s zero-energy profile.)</blockquote> See the full article <a href="http://greeninc.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/04/15/brainstorming-the-greenest-of-buildings/#comments">here</a>.Libby Tuckerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13191303789967753374noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7897276465483765056.post-28228025170418696842009-04-14T09:22:00.000-07:002009-04-14T10:06:52.720-07:00Sustainable Businesses Tackle Portland's Rose Quarter Plans<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXVWd6rCsRzXGt7myDNAnZQmMXuteMjrs6ikeuBw2IaOVy71PdzcnfVWVExOeRZB2hlo3wJzOcvZw9TpVXhPpjPYdTH40b8sCcpTJZRXeDtL4VjNE18r4-dKuFgcgVt5D83lX0QKb6tR4z/s1600-h/123741788775187900.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 278px; height: 235px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXVWd6rCsRzXGt7myDNAnZQmMXuteMjrs6ikeuBw2IaOVy71PdzcnfVWVExOeRZB2hlo3wJzOcvZw9TpVXhPpjPYdTH40b8sCcpTJZRXeDtL4VjNE18r4-dKuFgcgVt5D83lX0QKb6tR4z/s400/123741788775187900.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5324593868349766034" /></a><br />A new sustainable business trade association has formed in Portland with the intention to lobby city and state government on behalf of small green companies. <br /><br />The group of about 30 sustainable business leaders formerly known as <a href="http://www.pdxlounge.com/">PDX Lounge</a> met for the first time last week at the <a href="http://leftbankproject.com/">Leftbank</a> to set an agenda, which includes establishing a statewide trade association, building a support network for green businesses and perhaps embarking on a regional marketing strategy. They'll meet again today at Leftbank from 6 - 8 p.m. to discuss the <a href="http://www.portlandtribune.com/news/story.php?story_id=123956118581541000">Rose Quarter redevelopment plan</a> with members of City Council. <br /><br />"Our hot button issue right now is the new proposed soccer stadium and bright lights district," said said Sattie Clark, a co-owner of <a href="http://www.eleekinc.com/">Eleek</a> who's organizing the sustainable business association meetings. "A lot of people are disturbed by what is happening and the lack of public process. Certainly as sustainable businesses, we can organize the dissenters." <br /><br />Sustainable businesses are increasingly frustrated with the <a href="http://www.portlandalliance.com/">Portland Business Alliance</a>, which supports projects such as the Columbia River Crossing and the Rose Quarter expansion that have questionable green benefits, said Clark. Green businesses want an association that represents their values, she said. <br /><br />The city had previously committed to opening an interim sustainable business center at Leftbank while the proposed <a href="http://oregonsustainabilitycenter.wordpress.com/">Sustainability Center of Excellence</a> is completed, but the project was axed due to budgetary concerns.Libby Tuckerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13191303789967753374noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7897276465483765056.post-35880829230992519252009-04-13T08:54:00.000-07:002009-04-13T09:29:18.339-07:00Oregon could get fed backing for home energy scoresGov. Kulongoski was ahead of the curve when he proposed <a href="http://www.leg.state.or.us/09reg/measpdf/sb0001.dir/sb0079.intro.pdf">SB 79</a>, requiring a home energy performance rating for every house on the market. The <a href="http://www.latimes.com/classified/realestate/news/la-fi-harney12-2009apr12,0,594575.story">L.A. Times reported </a>this weekend that Housing and Urban Development Secretary <a href="http://www.hud.gov/about/secretary/donovanbio.cfm">Shaun Donovan</a> wants an energy score for homes on the market and corresponding mortgage incentives to make energy efficiency improvements. He made the same comparison Kulongoski did, that knowing the efficiency of your home should be as easy as knowing the gas mileage of your car. That's good news for Oregon. The state can require as many energy certificates as it wants, but without sufficient buy-in from mortgage lenders or other financing programs, the retrofits and energy savings won't happen.Libby Tuckerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13191303789967753374noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7897276465483765056.post-21625857297512093062009-04-09T09:17:00.000-07:002009-04-09T09:54:37.512-07:00Down come the ethanol giants<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg94M0A6ncIUSK_1ByITUYg_73XIoqzze_AdOwA-NRR5Tm6sTMcWrVi3WTsZi4TYqIBouwrjqfcTcfYLVQt6jEFl4fIxlZlsPzTLRGzynIcsZf_jWOqkryesx1nUsZ2lafoSpesl_fEkgpA/s1600-h/Oct2008aerial.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg94M0A6ncIUSK_1ByITUYg_73XIoqzze_AdOwA-NRR5Tm6sTMcWrVi3WTsZi4TYqIBouwrjqfcTcfYLVQt6jEFl4fIxlZlsPzTLRGzynIcsZf_jWOqkryesx1nUsZ2lafoSpesl_fEkgpA/s400/Oct2008aerial.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5322731808998364610" /></a><br />Nigel Jaquiss reports in WWeek on the implosion of Cascade Grain's new $200 million ethanol plant in Clatskanie and the political process that pushed millions of taxpayer dollars to be lost in the failed plant. The article, <a href="http://www.wweek.com/editorial/3522/12412/">"Corndoggle," </a>(ha!) points out that Oregon lawmakers essentially created a market for ethanol in the state with the renewable fuel standard then loaned money to <a href="http://www.cascadegrain.com/">Cascade Grain</a> for the plant's construction only to have it close after operating for just seven months. The company blames the spike in the price of corn for its demise, but Jaquiss sites unnamed sources that say the plant was shoddily built and its product was loaded with sulfates.<br /><br />It's interesting to point out that <a href="http://www.pacificethanol.net/">Pacific Ethanol</a> (Nasdaq GM:PEIX), which owns the other giant ethanol plant built in Boardman in response to the RFS, is also currently in default on their construction loans. They operated profitably in 2007 but reported a $146,000 loss in 2008 and now have until the end of April to renegotiate their loans, according to a March 31 <a href="http://www.pacificethanol.net/site/_documents/investors/PEIX.Forbearance_and_10K_3.31.09_FINAL.pdf">report to investors</a>. Its chairman and CEO have pumped $2 million into the company to keep it afloat and their <a href="http://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/778164/000101968709001147/peix_10k-123108.htm">annual report </a>is optimistic they can ride out the downturn as their competitors (see above) fall by the wayside.Libby Tuckerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13191303789967753374noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7897276465483765056.post-87841926820426727242009-04-07T16:29:00.000-07:002009-04-08T13:13:44.887-07:00Oregon's five hot areas in energyPeople often ask me what the hottest topics are in energy right now and what I'm covering. Here's a short list of what I think are the top five areas generating the most buzz in Oregon and a few reasons why. Oregon's focus isn't much different than the national focus, but Oregon has its own unique spin. I'm interested to know - what are your top 5??<br /><br />1. Smart Grid<br /><br />The state's leading energy consultants, high-tech companies and utilities are all looking for opportunities in this emerging sector. The <a href="http://cleantechnologyaliance.ning.com/">Clean Technology Alliance </a>recently held a brain-storming session for Portland companies interested in tapping the $4.5 billion federal stimulus allocation for smart grid. And Portland State University is scrambling to become the center for thought, innovation and collaboration in the space with a graduate-level <a href="http://www.eli.pdx.edu/smartgrid/sgfaculty.php">research seminar </a>and spring smart grid conference. <br /><br />2. Energy Efficiency<br /><br />Some $33.5 million will be available through the<a href="http://www.oregon.gov/ENERGY/Recovery/index.shtml"> Oregon Department of Energy </a> for energy efficiency retrofits and <a href="http://www.oregon.gov/OHCS/">Housing and Community Services </a>for low-income weatherization. <a href="http://www.leg.state.or.us/09reg/measpdf/sb0001.dir/sb0079.intro.pdf">Senate Bill 79 </a>would mandate minimum levels of efficiency and implement a rating system for all homes on the market in Oregon. And Portland will begin a pilot project for <a href="http://greeninc.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/01/06/cities-use-creative-targeted-lending-to-speed-energy-projects/">on-bill financing</a> of energy efficiency projects in select neighborhoods. <br /><br />3. Electric Vehicles <br /><br />Portland is apparently competing with San Francisco now for the title of EV King, <a href="http://gas2.org/2009/04/07/its-on-portland-and-san-francisco-battle-for-electric-car-domination/">writes</a> clean car blog Gas 2.0. Gov. Kulongoski is making a concerted effort to attract EV manufacturers to the state and the legislature is considering <a href="http://www.leg.state.or.us/09reg/measures/hb3200.dir/hb3253.intro.html">HB 3253 </a>that would provide a $5,000 tax credit toward the purchase of plug-in hybrids.<br /><br />4. Sustainable Communities<br /><br />The newly-founded Portland + Oregon Sustainability Institute is pushing the <a href="http://bie.berkeley.edu/ecoblocks">eco-block concept</a> of sustainable urban planning, a gray water recycling bill is in the legislature and the city is adopting a district energy plan in Portland's <a href="https://scholarsbank.uoregon.edu/xmlui/bitstream/handle/1794/5860/Portland_North_Pearl_District_Plan.pdf;jsessionid=2A413DE196B5817ECABE58CC02AA61EA?sequence=1">North Pearl District</a>.<br /><br />5. Cap and Trade<br /><br />Businesses and environmental advocates are watching <a href="http://www.leg.state.or.us/09reg/measpdf/sb0001.dir/sb0080.intro.pdf">SB 80 </a>closely. <a href="http://www.hcporegon.org/content/update-sens-walker-dingfelder-and-reps-cannon-bailey-read-propose-sb-80-amendments">RePower Oregon </a>recently announced a new proposal to drop the trade part of the cap and trade bill and establish a fund for offset projects instead. The state's growing sustainable business cluster is counting on the state to put a price on carbon to stay competitive and there's concern that legislators will drop the ball on this one. On the flip side, large emissions-heavy industries are pushing to kill the bill, arguing it would hurt the state's already damaged economy. (See my Green Inc. article on the economics of regional cap and trade <a href="http://greeninc.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/02/19/haggling-over-the-economy-and-regional-cap-and-trade/">here</a>.)Libby Tuckerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13191303789967753374noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7897276465483765056.post-87751368795710110462009-04-06T10:52:00.000-07:002009-04-06T11:31:24.059-07:00SE Portland Block Plans District Solar Heat<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj77obKiYwEB09CxTVkCtfrEorZn3bCZ9OxIqJDkdtQTF_wLR_sY1uqckZkod1oMFQitVmAhtg-iw2zmle_RlQi9QUGa4fSH1z59uB7TJs7LUoacXQ4bWAojWBO9jvw6kl5BPhfyU_ku6wj/s1600-h/IMG_0176.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj77obKiYwEB09CxTVkCtfrEorZn3bCZ9OxIqJDkdtQTF_wLR_sY1uqckZkod1oMFQitVmAhtg-iw2zmle_RlQi9QUGa4fSH1z59uB7TJs7LUoacXQ4bWAojWBO9jvw6kl5BPhfyU_ku6wj/s320/IMG_0176.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5321644067520275298" /></a><br />Neighbors on one entire block in Southeast Portland's <a href="http://www.sunnysideneighborhood.com/">Sunnyside neighborhood</a> are on board to install a district solar thermal system to heat their homes. <br /><br />Only a handful of the 14 houses on the block get enough sunlight to power a solar system. But those choice spots can get enough energy to heat the whole block, said John Sorenson, president of <a href="http://midtechenergy.com/">MidTech Energy </a>and a consultant on the project. So the neighbors, inspired by MidTech's <a href="http://sunnysideneighborhoodenergy.wikispaces.com/Welcome">Sunnyside district energy plan</a>, which has stalled due to lack of funding, decided to pool their resources and install their own solar thermal system. (They're also seeking funding from the city for upfront capital costs and will need city approval to install it.)<br /><br />They'll start with full energy efficiency retrofits in every house on the block to ensure the renewable power doesn't go to waste. Then the fences will come down and they'll dig up their backyards to install a series of interconnecting pipes. Solar panels on a central plant and on a few neighbors' roofs will then heat the water, which is pumped to heat exchange systems in every house on the block. <br /><br />Instead of rebuilding the fences, the neighbors also plan to install a bioswale down the center of the block for rainwater catchment and permaculture. Sorenson hopes the project will serve as a pilot for the Sunnyside district energy plan. <br /><br />See my past coverage in the Daily Journal of Commerce <a href="http://www.djcoregon.com/articleDetail.htm/2008/08/05/Students-pass-project-torch-to-neighbors-College-canvassers-leave-fate-of-district-energy-proposal-t">here</a> and <a href="http://www.portlandonline.com/osd/index.cfm?a=186300&c=44853">here</a>.Libby Tuckerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13191303789967753374noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7897276465483765056.post-69385284070396253452009-03-26T14:20:00.000-07:002009-03-26T14:37:05.739-07:00Oregon gets extra $33M for energy efficiencyOregon will receive an additional $33,501,500 for local energy efficiency improvements under federal stimulus bill block grants announced today by the U.S. Department of Energy. The grants come on top of the $80 million already headed to Oregon for weatherization and other energy projects. The <a href="http://www.eecbg.energy.gov/">Energy Efficiency and Conservation block grants </a> will provide $9,595,500 to the state Department of Energy. The rest of the total will be doled out to cities , counties and tribes, including $5.6 million to Portland, $1.5 million to Salem, $3.2 million to Clackamas County and $2.6 million to Washington County. <br /><br />In all, the feds will provide $3.2 billion for the national program, which will provide funding for residential and commercial energy efficiency retrofits as well as transportation projects. Money was allocated to states based on population and energy consumption. <br /><br />The full list of grant allocations in Oregon can be downloaded from the DOE <a href="http://www.eecbg.energy.gov/GrantAlloc.html">here</a>.Libby Tuckerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13191303789967753374noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7897276465483765056.post-66938277712166050632009-03-20T11:15:00.000-07:002009-03-20T12:03:14.737-07:00PGE considers small hydro projects<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2tAgrqx7fsgc3oOrYLWCa2u8O-Gs2zmXib8OsQU_xjPFdf6b6Lqt_r748GK9g5tBq_mAoDPJVmYnf3zkGvytXTo5N7gh7hNjbkrqrJExzUO0TMOTyO0_bzQ6FkYkbeyEMqhmF2etXLSl_/s1600-h/PH2008091903736.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 350px; height: 224px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2tAgrqx7fsgc3oOrYLWCa2u8O-Gs2zmXib8OsQU_xjPFdf6b6Lqt_r748GK9g5tBq_mAoDPJVmYnf3zkGvytXTo5N7gh7hNjbkrqrJExzUO0TMOTyO0_bzQ6FkYkbeyEMqhmF2etXLSl_/s400/PH2008091903736.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5315347374231603394" /></a><br />Portland General Electric is looking into installing turbines in streams, canals and rivers, to help fill its renewable portfolio. The utility was set to meet with Roger Bedard at the <a href="http://my.epri.com/portal/server.pt">Electric Power Research Institute</a> this morning to explore whether such small <a href="http://www.ucsusa.org/clean_energy/technology_and_impacts/energy_technologies/how-hydrokinetic-energy-works.html">hydrokinetic projects</a>, essentially underwater wind turbines, make economic sense, said John Esler, PGE's project manager for hydro licensing. <br /><br />The decision comes amid the <a href="http://www.ferc.gov/">Federal Energy Regulatory Commission's</a> call for utilities to boost the nation's hydro production by 90,000 megawatts in the next 10 or 15 years through upgrades to existing dams and hydrokinetic development. A <a href="http://www.klgates.com/newsstand/Detail.aspx?publication=5332">two-year extension </a>of the production tax credit under the economic recovery act is also good motivation to develop hydrokinetic projects. <br /><br />The problem is that hydrokinetic technology is about where wind energy was 20 years ago, said FERC chairman Jon Wellinghoff in a speech to the <a href="http://www.nwhydro.org/default.htm">Northwest Hydroelectric Association</a> on Wednesday. "It'll be a matter of economics," he said.Libby Tuckerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13191303789967753374noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7897276465483765056.post-6985176082890452302009-03-09T14:31:00.000-07:002009-03-09T14:56:51.189-07:00Thomas Friedman lectures Oregon governor on carbon pricing<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFfOGfahNbyePe1I_ItawdP6iFY5vfwx80j4qRCJAotOaCo8E1fX10moAWim9uEXPRrUF5WXd9LLMlMhVQirqxgT4nCynJvo0oLwUnn-h0gqkLDpo1DFPJOY1el5j3OlFOpGm0IaGJhI8s/s1600-h/hfc_sidebar.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 208px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFfOGfahNbyePe1I_ItawdP6iFY5vfwx80j4qRCJAotOaCo8E1fX10moAWim9uEXPRrUF5WXd9LLMlMhVQirqxgT4nCynJvo0oLwUnn-h0gqkLDpo1DFPJOY1el5j3OlFOpGm0IaGJhI8s/s400/hfc_sidebar.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5311308616089290258" /></a><br />New York Times columnist and author <a href="http://www.thomaslfriedman.com/">Thomas Friedman </a> spoke at noon today at Portland State University about the dual opportunities presented by the climate crisis and financial crisis while Oregon Gov. Ted Kulongoski listened from the front row. At times, Friedman addressed the governor directly (though not by name), calling on elected officials in general and governors in particular, to institute regulations that put a price on carbon dioxide emissions. The Oregon Legislature is in the midst of a controversial debate over a statewide cap and trade program, which was proposed by the governor but has faced criticism from some industry lobbyists who fear the program would undermine economic growth (see my <a href="http://greeninc.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/02/19/haggling-over-the-economy-and-regional-cap-and-trade/">Green Inc. post </a>from last month on the state's cap and trade efforts). <br /><br />Energy technology will be the next great industrial revolution, said Friedman, "but whatever you invent always has to compete against cheaper fuels." Placing a price on carbon, whether through a carbon tax or a cap and trade system, helps level the playing field for low-carbon technologies, he said, looking directly at the governor. "Without a price signal that makes dirty fuels more expensive, we won't get a clean, green revolution," said Friedman.<br /><br />He then admonished the crowd of some 1,300 students and members of the general public attending the free event to "change your leaders, not your light bulbs" if elected officials aren't producing the kinds of regulations the green revolution needs to reach mass adoption.Libby Tuckerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13191303789967753374noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7897276465483765056.post-1785493623806111882009-03-04T11:08:00.000-08:002009-03-04T11:44:17.118-08:00Carbon budget shapes Portland's new climate change goalsIn his state of the city speech last Friday, Portland Mayor Sam Adams announced the city's new goal to reduce carbon emissions 80 percent below 1990 levels by 2050. That's a huge undertaking, even for Portland, which managed to reduce emissions enough to equal 1990 levels in 2007, but is still short of its goal for 10 percent below 1990 levels by 2010. So the question is, how exactly is the city going to accomplish this?<br /><br />The Portland Bureau of Planning and Sustainability's formal plan isn't due out for public comment until June, but some of the details have trickled out. The city is basing its plan on a carbon budget for 2050 - basically trying to divvy up emissions allowances from every source - transportation, electricity, home heating, etc, so that it all equals 20 percent of 1990 emissions. <br /><br />That means fundamentally changing the way the city works, said BPS's deputy director Michael Armstrong. One goal for cutting transportation-related emissions, for example, is to make every destination necessary for daily life, from dentist offices and grocery stores to parks and schools, accessible within a 20-minute walk from home. So city policies such as zoning and parking fees will become much more aggressive to promote denser development. <br /><br />The city is also considering completely eliminating electricity from the carbon budget, meaning all of the city's electricity needs would be met with renewables. Doing the same for home heating is a bigger challenge, said Armstrong, but they're assessing the possibility for district energy development in some neighborhoods.Libby Tuckerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13191303789967753374noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7897276465483765056.post-29731921059102391672009-02-27T16:28:00.000-08:002009-02-27T16:51:44.104-08:00Portland mayor announces clean energy fundMayor Sam Adams today launched the Portland Clean Energy Fund to provide homeowners low-cost loans for energy efficiency upgrades. The fund has been under discussion for some time, as I reported in a <a href="http://greeninc.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/01/06/cities-use-creative-targeted-lending-to-speed-energy-projects/">Jan.6 NYTimes Green Inc. post</a>, but now it's official. The city will start with a pilot project, providing loans to 500 households. The monthly energy savings will appear on homeowners' utility bills and the associated cost savings will go toward repaying the loans. The program will be expanded to include the entire city by the end of the year, said Adams in his state of the city <a href="http://www.portlandonline.com/mayor/index.cfm?c=49278&a=233045">address to City Club</a>:<br /><br /><blockquote> "This creates jobs now and keeps money in Portland in the long run. It is a critical part of the City’s Climate Protection Strategy and a great example of how we can reduce carbon emissions while strengthening our local economy. And, it’s a program that adds to our city’s triple bottom line and is working to create long-term, living-wage jobs." </blockquote><br />The mayor also mentioned new initiatives to lower carbon dioxide emissions 80 percent by 2050; a $5,000 tax credit to businesses that install solar panels; and a plan to develop new commercial green building standards.<br /><br />(Audio of the speech is available <a href="http://www.pdxcityclub.org/forums-events/documents/2009.02.27CCcopy.mp3">here</a>)Libby Tuckerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13191303789967753374noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7897276465483765056.post-31479488032489170192009-02-17T16:15:00.000-08:002009-02-17T16:52:04.570-08:00UO reports $3.3 billion annual cost of climate change inaction<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNRpoMSecyYjA4gt4ZI5eNJEvjvlZSZW6-v2jrM4-0qW6HqrC7FgRui8v5dR39Vj1VKd-bxQgf6sLxVk6alMy2qBGT6rsCV7TE8rd4T2KllUDFTgUSXTqs9-hAlUo2AzzRsRxw1-ym565d/s1600-h/cli_finalheader.gif"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 54px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNRpoMSecyYjA4gt4ZI5eNJEvjvlZSZW6-v2jrM4-0qW6HqrC7FgRui8v5dR39Vj1VKd-bxQgf6sLxVk6alMy2qBGT6rsCV7TE8rd4T2KllUDFTgUSXTqs9-hAlUo2AzzRsRxw1-ym565d/s400/cli_finalheader.gif" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5303932291823388674" /></a><br />Taking a business-as-usual approach to climate change will cost Oregonians at least $3.3 billion a year, or $1,930 per household by 2020, according to a <a href="http://climlead.uoregon.edu/programs/climate_economics.html">report released today </a>by EcoNorthwest and the University of Oregon Climate Leadership Initiative's program on climate economics. The report is meant to complement <a href="http://www.statesmanjournal.com/assets/pdf/J0127232127.PDF">previous studies</a> that calculated the cost of implementing climate change mitigation, such as a proposed cap and trade system under <a href="http://www.leg.state.or.us/09reg/measpdf/sb0001.dir/sb0080.intro.pdf">Senate Bill 80 </a>. <br /><br />Potential costs were divided into seven categories, with public health taking the largest hit at $688 million in additional annual costs by 2020 due to increased ozone levels and rising average temperatures. Energy production will also suffer as a result of the forecasted effects of climate change with a potential reduction in summer runoffs leading to lower hydropower generation at a cost of $74 million a year. Higher temperatures will also require more energy for air conditioning, which could cost an extra $16 million per year and will make electrical transmission less efficient costing $29 million per year by 2020.<br /><br />Many potential effects are missing from the report, as the authors acknowledge, saying there wasn't yet enough data to accurately assess the costs. One example that springs to mind is the potential increased compliance costs for utilities that operate dams. With lower river flows, the dams will be much more likely to fall short of maintaining critical salmon habitat.Libby Tuckerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13191303789967753374noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7897276465483765056.post-31376811737008829232009-01-20T12:55:00.000-08:002009-01-20T14:03:19.488-08:00Obama promises alternative energy in inaugural speech<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMD_LP5mOwwSnFNB5QiCygWY69EwzjYPZdXaJJMkv_XlAKrsHa4j6B5jWImUdAHTbUxM4NLksrmAuUSCxSiwTHQKEEgvH0J84M7m43mQBcNgqrWiwEyZBpG45BeT_gKtxC3V6ZzKGw2Kt3/s1600-h/IMG_1594.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMD_LP5mOwwSnFNB5QiCygWY69EwzjYPZdXaJJMkv_XlAKrsHa4j6B5jWImUdAHTbUxM4NLksrmAuUSCxSiwTHQKEEgvH0J84M7m43mQBcNgqrWiwEyZBpG45BeT_gKtxC3V6ZzKGw2Kt3/s400/IMG_1594.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5293483175597757410" /></a><br />Many in Portland's environmental advocacy and clean energy communities gathered this morning at Living Room Theaters to watch Barack Obama's inaugural address. Stoel Rives' Ashley Henry and the Oregon Environmental Council's Andrea Durbin hosted the event, which packed the theaters to capacity. In one room, the crowd watched the big screen with rapt attention as the 44th President gave his speech, then erupted into cheers and applause at the first mention of energy.<blockquote>"Our health care is too costly; our schools fail too many; and each day brings further evidence that the ways we use energy strengthen our adversaries and threaten our planet."</blockquote>The president went on to say the country will meet the many challenges it faces and referenced his economic stimulus plan, promising to rebuild roads, bridges and electric grids. <blockquote>"We will harness the sun and the winds and the soil to fuel our cars and run our factories." </blockquote>And he spoke of rolling back "the spectre of a warming planet" and an end to consuming the world's resources "without regard to effect." <br />Energy use and climate change were only a small part of the address, but the President clearly felt they earned a mention among other pressing world issues such as peace, justice and prosperity. For the full text of the inaugural address and to compare it to previous addresses, The New York Times has a useful <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2009/01/17/washington/20090117_ADDRESSES.html">multimedia graphic</a>.Libby Tuckerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13191303789967753374noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7897276465483765056.post-59430578905401938842009-01-16T10:09:00.000-08:002009-01-16T10:28:26.602-08:00First step for clean tech: Fix the markets<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUJQDycuHLxArmEgYbFa9EsxdD9mYLPbCOvl7S6K3GGPAWPa4QsYRFez4IizC3aMJALomUFDCydruMNZ2KkuyvC7-5chrSneF1DcpVGXYicW4tqR3meb72SnM7iMtQtjfZQiPQZAN3Uufi/s1600-h/ban.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 53px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUJQDycuHLxArmEgYbFa9EsxdD9mYLPbCOvl7S6K3GGPAWPa4QsYRFez4IizC3aMJALomUFDCydruMNZ2KkuyvC7-5chrSneF1DcpVGXYicW4tqR3meb72SnM7iMtQtjfZQiPQZAN3Uufi/s320/ban.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5291959525746032674" /></a><br />Today on the <a href="http://greeninc.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/01/16/clean-tech-investors-shift-focus-from-start-ups-to-stand-ups/">NY Times' Green Inc. blog </a>I wrote about how clean tech investors have become more discerning in the companies they do deals with. VC is still flowing to certain select areas of the industry, such as electric vehicles and green IT. But it's important to note that commercial lending is still frozen. And as Ron Pernick of <a href="http://www.cleanedge.com/">Clean Edge </a>puts it: <blockquote>"If markets are broken it doesn't even matter what your project is." </blockquote>Investors are still lending because they see the long term prospects of the sector -- the world's demand for new energy sources isn't going away. But in the short term, investors are paying attention to how successful the incoming Obama administration will be in passing its <a href="http://greeninc.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/01/15/house-energy-stimulus-unveiled/">proposed stimulus package</a>.Libby Tuckerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13191303789967753374noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7897276465483765056.post-68110388529715361642009-01-13T15:17:00.000-08:002009-01-13T16:21:57.392-08:00More analysis needed on Crossing's CO2 emissions<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKLQTpV45bAxuoNlyWHAUIo6fKPKLfik3OFDTaVGuzMm66CGYR_cV9FRFWKnpeJB1dqMp6b1p4I4qNZfKliVO_LQW7SWtDtOzLiwilLjusgAB0M0LXfyldAmjMANSBG0QzA3LvAe10QBTY/s1600-h/IMG_0366.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKLQTpV45bAxuoNlyWHAUIo6fKPKLfik3OFDTaVGuzMm66CGYR_cV9FRFWKnpeJB1dqMp6b1p4I4qNZfKliVO_LQW7SWtDtOzLiwilLjusgAB0M0LXfyldAmjMANSBG0QzA3LvAe10QBTY/s200/IMG_0366.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5290936562740094562" /></a><br />An independent panel of experts has completed its review of the greenhouse gas emissions analysis on the Columbia River Crossing project and concluded it could use some more work.<br /><br />The draft environmental impact statement released last May "likely underestimate(s)" the greenhouse gas emissions reductions that would come with a new bridge compared to the no-build alternative, according to the panel's report released last week. The new bridge wouldn't include a lift and would have improved safety features meant to lower the risk of traffic accidents. But the draft analysis didn't account for emissions created by congestion on the bridge due to lift activity or accidents.<br /><br /><blockquote>We expect that the build scenarios, especially those that eliminate the bridge lifts and reduce crash-related congestion, will further reduce carbon emissions... </blockquote> <br />The panel also suggests seaparating the emissions analysis on the transit portion of the project from the highway portion. Adding transit to the bridge may not actually lower greenhouse gas emissions overall. Train or bus rapid transit operations, depending on how frequently they run, could end up greater than or equal to the emissions saved by getting people out of their cars and onto transit. More analysis is needed in the final EIS. <br /><br />The panel's full report is available on the <a href="http://www.columbiarivercrossing.org/">CRC's web site</a>.Libby Tuckerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13191303789967753374noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7897276465483765056.post-56095457469484940302008-12-22T09:39:00.000-08:002008-12-22T10:23:22.381-08:00Solar maps could help community energy planning<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghwQk6vsuxNofvIGnhcNcv-DH7husnJN4xQfZmKg84nQNydfQjxvak5PzzfbTi41nPByhyphenhyphenGKeVtr0XDQON9yjZNUC9cs8jbpwWMz4h3J2kHMJ1_oDI8iMgiR1b60K8iBk9Pw8NO79o3aHP/s1600-h/SF_SolarMap_Union.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 287px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghwQk6vsuxNofvIGnhcNcv-DH7husnJN4xQfZmKg84nQNydfQjxvak5PzzfbTi41nPByhyphenhyphenGKeVtr0XDQON9yjZNUC9cs8jbpwWMz4h3J2kHMJ1_oDI8iMgiR1b60K8iBk9Pw8NO79o3aHP/s320/SF_SolarMap_Union.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5282679588675825730" /></a><br />Time has an article today about engineering firm CH2M Hill's efforts to <a href ="http://www.time.com/time/health/article/0,8599,1867998,00.html?xid=rss-health">map renewable energy</a> potential in cities. They worked with the city of San Francisco and Google maps to create <a href="http://sf.solarmap.org/">a map </a>that shows solar installations and the potential for solar power in each neighborhood. A homeowner can zoom in to a satellite image of her roof to see exactly how much solar energy she could potentially harvest and what the savings would be in terms of carbon emissions. The site also tracks the number of solar installations and total ghg savings citywide. It's pretty fun to play with.<br /><br />Considering renewable energy development and efficiency projects in terms of microclimates at the neighborhood or even individual street level seems to be an idea taking hold in several communities across the country. The University of Nebraska has a <a href="http://www.unomaha.edu/energysavers/"> pilot project </a>to help a neighborhood lower its energy use by 25 percent, for example. <br /><br />And I've heard from one sustainable development planner in Portland that there's a regional effort underway in Portland and Seattle to create energy districts -- local improvement districts in Oregon legalese -- to help pay for neighborhood energy projects. All ratepayers in the district would pay the same set amount for utility bills, creating a pool of money to complete efficiency projects and incentive to encourage their neighbors to do the same. It seems like CH2M Hill's renewable energy maps would be useful in directing energy investments at the community level.Libby Tuckerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13191303789967753374noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7897276465483765056.post-11863812306658028842008-12-11T10:04:00.000-08:002008-12-11T11:43:20.342-08:00Blumenauer says auto industry bailout should replace entire federal fleet<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF050Uy1MYETo9hcWpBvVQ-93nd3YQTegRiC_7PaNyBnpo_AxDE6Us465YPpcggeR0aEvw3GcckhVICEjDlR6CXZWH5yGKVA374qL2L_MFYe9_OnVcy0z3E0K9pmI4RntCAlH8mUrU91wb/s1600-h/080428_GM.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF050Uy1MYETo9hcWpBvVQ-93nd3YQTegRiC_7PaNyBnpo_AxDE6Us465YPpcggeR0aEvw3GcckhVICEjDlR6CXZWH5yGKVA374qL2L_MFYe9_OnVcy0z3E0K9pmI4RntCAlH8mUrU91wb/s320/080428_GM.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5278619154151616626" /></a><br />Congressman Earl Blumenauer spoke last week at the Northwest Energy Coalition conference in Portland about a number of energy issues facing Congress in the coming months. <br /><br />After speaking at length about what an Obama economic recovery plan should look like, he expressed his disgust for a proposed $34 billion auto industry bailout. He acknowledged that passage was likely, however, and proposed his own ideas for how it should go down. (The House approved a <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2008/12/11/business/11auto.html?em">much smaller</a> $14B package yesterday)<br /><br />"We might just buy the flippin company [General Motors] and install a CEO who can run it and a board to oversee it," said Blumenauer. <br /><br />The feds should then insure that the money is used to invest in next-generation, clean technologies by placing an order with the Big Three to replace the entire federal fleet with plug-in hybrid electrics and cars that run on compressed natural gas or 100-percent biofuels, he said. <br /><br />"We get something in return for our bailout money and we get to our goal," for greener transportation options, said Blumenauer. <br /><br />Blumenauer also had some ideas about how to allocate money to states for energy efficiency projects, which I wrote about today on the <a href="http://greeninc.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/12/11/states-may-be-nudged-toward-decoupling-with-federal-efficiency-funds/">NYTimes Green Inc. blog</a>.Libby Tuckerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13191303789967753374noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7897276465483765056.post-46552413136234964722008-12-01T12:32:00.000-08:002008-12-01T13:02:20.949-08:00Oregon cuts dams even as hydro gains steam<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9HeOBa4tRrVRWj9z32Nq1DOhXQxCvO-4ch5tcmC_B0BpF5FzpUgnHwyo3kzI5vf32uHhXaTFIcZ3YJopICUUnCfdhq053q6_r7FRX36P7X7ty7_K28Q_eQuU8mRi184cDL6nhqwzAl7sO/s1600-h/image_preview.jpeg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 217px; height: 269px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9HeOBa4tRrVRWj9z32Nq1DOhXQxCvO-4ch5tcmC_B0BpF5FzpUgnHwyo3kzI5vf32uHhXaTFIcZ3YJopICUUnCfdhq053q6_r7FRX36P7X7ty7_K28Q_eQuU8mRi184cDL6nhqwzAl7sO/s400/image_preview.jpeg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5274929704214165218" /></a><br />The NYTimes' <a href="http://greeninc.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/12/01/rivers-looking-attractive-for-energy-again/">Green Inc. blog </a>has a posting today about the increased popularity of hydropower projects in U.S. rivers as a cleaner, sometimes cheaper, alternative to traditional energy resources. <br /><br />In Oregon, this may not be exactly true. Many existing hydro projects are being decommissioned, including those <a href="http://www.waterwatch.org/pressroom/press-clips/rogue-river-dams-to-come-down">on the Rogue River </a> and the Sandy River, to allow for upstream fish passage. And I don't know of any re-licensing projects here that are adding turbines to existing dams. <br /><br />But at least one tech company, <a href="http://www.symbioticsenergy.com/index.html">Symbiotics</a>, is still building hydro projects here. Or, more accurately, they're installing inflatable dams on top of irrigation dams to generate power where there was once just a concrete slab. And their work is going gangbusters. When I talked to COO Brent Smith a few months ago for the Relicensing Review he said he expects FERC to approve at least three more project licenses by the end of next year.Libby Tuckerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13191303789967753374noreply@blogger.com0