Every time I check the feeds lately, it seems like there’s news about individual US states ramping up their renewable energy efforts. Colorado might have a leg up to begin with, since the National Renewable Energy Laboratory is located there. They’ve also got the advantage (thought they’re not the only state) of a newly-inaugurated governor who made energy issues a centerpiece of his campaign (and Tom Gray can feel free to tell me I was wrong again…). So, I wasn’t too surprised to come across several pieces of interesting news from the Centennial State. First, from Renewable Energy Access, news that utility company Xcel Energy is using a solar energy purchase agreement to meet its renewable obligations:

The contract, the first of its kind in Colorado under the new renewable energy standards, will provide for the development of an 8-megawatt (MW) solar photovoltaic electric generation facility in Alamosa. Xcel Energy will purchase the electricity generated by the plant to help it meet the solar requirements of the renewable energy standards adopted by Colorado voters in 2004.

The agreement calls for the facility to be in operation by Dec. 31, 2007 in order for Xcel Energy to start generating solar renewable energy credits as soon as possible. It will also ensure that the developer, SunE Alamosa1, LLC, can take advantage of a 30 percent federal investment tax credit available for non-utility solar facilities placed into service before Jan. 1, 2008, which will benefit Colorado ratepayers.

I wouldn’t be at all surprised if this becomes a model for utilities across the country. They can meet their obligations under state renewable portfolio standards while avoiding the large investment necessary to create generation facilities. And they’ve likely agreed to a stable rate with SunE Alamosa that could end up saving the company, and ratepayers, a ton of money in the long term.

Solar power’s just the beginning, though. In Boulder, startup firm Solix Biofuels Inc. is partnering with Colorado State University to commercialize technology for turning algae into biodiesel. From the Cherry Creek News:

“We’re facing two global challenges: depletion of our petroleum reserves and a buildup of greenhouse gases,” said Bryan Willson, director of Colorado State’s Engines and Energy Conversion Laboratory, which is helping Colorado State achieve its goal to lead the nation in developing and commercializing environmentally sustainable solutions to global problems. “This process harnesses photosynthesis to turn carbon dioxide and energy captured from the sun into an economical petroleum substitute.”

“Algae are the fastest growing organisms on the planet, and can produce 100 times more oil per acre than conventional soil-tilled crops that are now being grown for biofuel use,” said Solix founder Jim Sears.

Along with biofuels created from biomass, development of this technology seems very promising, and very preferable to using food crops. Not only does it avoid setting up a conflict in the marketplace between buyers of food and buyers of fuel, but it also requires a lot less land, and CO2 emissions from existing power plants can feed the process.

Finally, according to the same article, the state’s Department of Energy is discovering that Colorado is rich in another renewable energy source: geothermal energy:

The Colorado Geological Survey has identified several areas of the state where geothermal energy may be abundant. These locations include areas near Mt. Princeton outside of Buena Vista, the San Juan mountains near Ouray and Rico, and areas of the San Luis Valley near Trinidad.

“Geothermal energy presents an opportunity to expand renewable resources in Colorado that is often overlooked. This opportunity fits perfectly with Governor Ritter’s promise to add a full mix of renewable energies for our state,” said Tom Plant, OEMC director, while delivering the conference opening address. “Our hope is to have geothermal energy take a seat at Colorado’s renewable energy table alongside solar and wind power.”

All of these are promising developments. More importantly, I think, they show an approach to renewable development that needs to be emulated: exploration of a diversity of sources. If I worry about anything with the new enthusiasm for renewables, it’s the temptation to put all of our eggs in one basket — just think of all the attention ethanol got last year. Colorado may prove itself a model, not just for developing renewables, but for showing others how to start the process.

Categories: renewable, energy, solar, geothermal, biodiesel, algae, innovation, colorado

Whether in government, business, science, technology or media, transparency is one of the key factors in demonstrating authenticity, establishing trust, and proving there’s truth to claims of responsibility and sustainability. A transparent system makes previously hidden processes visible to all, allowing citizens to see how decisions have been made, how resources have been obtained, and how conclusions have been reached that effect their lives. With new technologies and networked movement building, citizens are now more capable than ever of forcing transparency where opaque systems lead to human rights abuses and corruption. The increasing use of open source as an approach to solving problems and disseminating information collaboratively means that we — the public — hold more power in determining our future. We write frequently about transparency in many contexts, as it forms an important part of the groundwork for a just, equitable, sustainable and democratic future. FarmSubsidy.org Worldchanging Interview: Thomas Homer-Dixon CFLs in Tian’anmen Square: Why China Needs to Become Transparently Green Blood Diamonds, Transparency and the Emerging Power of Global Citizen Action High-Tech Trash: An Interview with Elizabeth Grossman On Earth Day This is What Democracy Codes Like Earth Witness Digital Witness Web 2.0 and the New Corporate Watchdogging… (more)

(Posted by WorldChanging Team in Transparency and Human Rights at 9:59 AM)

Well, Rebecca beat me to this, but I think it’s a great concept: The PB&J Campaign. Most of us consider a peanut butter and jelly sandwich a memory from our childhood, but the campaign (which looks to be completely independent) wants to promote this comfort food as the way to “Make a difference one lunch at a time.” According to their site,

A PB&J will slow global warming. Next time you have one you’ll reduce your carbon footprint by saving the equivalent of 2.5 pounds of carbon dioxide emissions over an average animal-based lunch like a hamburger, a tuna sandwich, grilled cheese, or chicken nuggets. That’s about forty percent of what you’d save driving around for the day in a hybrid instead of a standard sedan. If you were going to have a ham sandwich or a hamburger, you save the equivalent almost three and a half pounds of greenhouse gas emissions.

A PB&J also saves about 962 gallons of water over the hamburger. To put this in perspective, two PB&Js a month instead of hamburgers will save about as much water as switching to a low-flow showerhead.

Have a PB&J and save 12 to 50 square feet of land from deforestation, over-grazing, and pesticide and fertilizer pollution.

Ultimately (and you’ve probably already figured this out), the campaign is promoting meatless meals, but I think this is one of the most innovative and non-threatening ways to do it. If we take the approach of telling people “You should stop eating meat because of it’s heavy environmental impact,” we’re likely going to get an unprintable response. But focusing on a single meal, and a single solution (though the campaign has other options if you just really don’t want to do PB&J), especially one with which we’re all familiar, should be a lot more effective. Sure, large-scale vegetarianism/veganism is ideal; it’s likely not going to happen any time soon, though. A couple of lunches a week, though — that’s achievable, and could make an impact.

Along these lines, another GO writer, Patrick Donnelly, has a post up today on making your own “fast food.” His suggestions are not only greener, but probably much more tasty than a drive-up window burger… So what are you having for lunch?

UPDATE: Bernard Brown, founder of the PB&J project, has started a blog on the site. In his first post, he addresses the question of funding… The short version: he and some friends are the sole sources of funding.

Categories: peanutbutter, jelly, food, climate, meat, meatless, campaign, activism

Global carbon dioxide emissions continue to rise, with the world producing 16% percent more CO2 in 2003 (the year of the most recent comprehensive data) than in 1990, according to the Little Green Data Book 2007, just published by the World Bank. More… Emissions of greenhouse gases (GHG) in Europe decreased between 2004 and 2005, according to preliminary data from a forthcoming report by the European Environment Agency (EEA). More… The UK Department of Health (DH) has released an update to its 2002 report that assessed the effects of climate change on human health. More… Citi, the financial services company, announced that it will direct $50 billion over the next 10 years to address global climate change through investments, financings and related activities to support the commercialization and growth of alternative energy and clean technology among the clients and markets it serves, as well as within its own businesses and operations. More… General Motors announced that it will join the United States Climate Action Partnership (USCAP), becoming the first automaker to support the non-partisan group’s call for action to address climate change through advanced technology and on an economy-wide, market-driven basis. More… The California Air Resources Board has posted a… (more)

(Posted by Mike Millikin in Transportation at 9:53 AM)

If you’re non-mechanical like I am, you can probably name two parts of a car that directly impact fuel efficiency: the accelerator pedal, and the tires. Those of you who understand an automobile’s inner workings can probably rattle off a few more. But few from either group would probably include the windshield. Yet Pittsburgh-based chemical, coatings and glass company PPG claims that it’s Sungate windshield technology does just that:

Recent PPG testing showed use of Sungate windshields, which reflect about 50 percent of the sun’s IR energy to help keep vehicles cooler, could reduce air conditioning use up to approximately 20 percent. The windshield reduces transmission of ultraviolet and IR solar energy, which helps reduce interior heat buildup, shorten cool-down time and reduce heat gain while driving.

“The Sungate IR-reflective windshield reduces the initial workload on a vehicle’s air conditioning system, which represents the biggest use of power for climate control in a vehicle,” said Mukesh Rustagi, global product market manager, PPG automotive OEM glass. “Because the air conditioner doesn’t have to work as hard, fuel efficiency increases and emissions are reduced, and consumers experience a cooler vehicle upon entry.”

Rustagi said the recent volatility in gasoline prices has made consumers more aware of vehicles’ fuel efficiency, as reflected in the sales shift from larger SUVs to smaller, more fuel-efficient vehicles. “A Sungate windshield helps vehicles’ fuel efficiency, which is great for the environment, for consumers’ pocketbooks and for automakers trying to satisfy consumers’ preferences,” he said.

According to PPG’s website, they’ve delivered over a million of these windshields to equipment manufacturers around the world (including GM), and that the Sungate performs 400 times better than conventional tinted windows. I had difficulty finding much else besides the company’s press release, but a paper at NREL’s website notes its work with PPG and other companies to develop just this kind of technology.

A four percent increase in efficiency certainly helps, and I find it interesting to see how engineers are looking beyond the engine and its performance for efficiency gains. Additionally, it’s easy to believe PPG’s claim that this is a technology that adds little extra cost to a vehicle while delivering improved mileage. So, I suppose my only question left: do they make these for hybrids…?

Thanks to good buddy and resident skeptic Bobby B. for the news. Full disclosure: Bob’s a PPG employee… Via Motor Age Online

Categories: car, automobile, winshield, efficiency, ppg, us

New Tower Creates All Its Own Energy
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Learning to Love (and Value) Ecosystem Services

(more)

(Posted by David Zaks in News and Views at 8:54 PM)

Huh? Jeff really must be working too hard… right? Well, I probably am, but the question is legitimate, according to Southern forest sustainability organization the Dogwood Alliance. While many of us greenies are focused on the environmental impact of roses, chocolate and even adult products on Valentine’s Day, Dogwood raised questions about the amount of packaging used for health and beauty products. According to their blog,

Proctor & Gamble, Unilever and Revlon are three of the biggest health and beauty companies using excessive packaging originating from Southern forests—forests with more types of plants and animals to love than almost anywhere in the world. Excessive packaging of beauty products is just plain ugly, and destructive too.

Dogwood Alliance called on Proctor & Gamble, Unilever and Revlon to reduce the amount of paper in packaging, increase post-consumer recycled fiber used in packaging, and ensure that their paper products are not coming from endangered forests.

The message is simple – forests shouldn’t be chopped down, chipped up, made into packaging and tossed in the landfill. There are simple solutions that can transform the packaging industry.

Of course, it’s not just activists asking for less packaging on products; retail giant Wal-Mart focused on packaging for some of its earliest sustainability initiatives. This seems like a hard one to argue against — do you think any company would try a variation on the standard line and say consumers demand more packaging?

If you’re interested in joining the Dogwood Alliance’s campaign, they’ve created an action page where you can express your thoughts to the beauty products makers listed above. Give ’em hell… in a Valentine’s Day kind of way, of course…;-)

Categories: activism, beauty, products, packaging, paper, waste, forests, dogwoodalliance

by Worldchanging NYC local blogger, Mark Castera: Even if you’ve read the Mayor’s amazing Sustainability Plan for New York City, you may have missed the section about creating greener jobs and manufacturing zones. That’s because there is no plan to create greener jobs and manufacturing zones. You’ll find sections about housing, trees, parks, global warming and reducing traffic, but nothing about the growing green economy. It’s really a shame. Sure, the city needs more affordable housing, and luxury condos are good for our tax base. But people also need places to work for decent pay. The truth is that the city’s manufacturing jobs pay an average of $41,000 annually, which is about $10,000 more than comparable jobs in retail or restaurants ( see this entry on Wikipedia). There are still over 118,600 manufacturing jobs in the city, but that number shrinks every year, as our manufacturing districts disappear under a rising sea of hipster lofts and glass towers. And even where these two land uses co-exist, housing usually wins out in the end — a result of skyrocketing rents and complaints from new residents who don’t like the noise and pollution of industry. But there’s hope for a revitalized manufacturing… (more)

(Posted by WorldChanging Team in Urban Design and Planning at 1:05 PM)

Generally not, but that could change if research being conducted by the University of Michigan and the US Department of Agriculture is successful. The task: developing flooring (and other products) from cow poop…. really!

[Researchers] say that fiber from processed and sterilized cow manure could take the place of sawdust in making fiberboard, which is used to make everything from furniture to flooring to store shelves. And the resulting product smells just fine.

The researchers hope it could be part of the solution to the nation’s 1.5-trillion- to 2-trillion pound annual farm waste disposal problem.

Yep, the poop is piling up, and ranchers who once sold it to farmers for fertilizer now find they’ve got more of the smelly stuff than they can sell. Many have turned to methane digesters as a “win-win” solution for waste disposal and energy production, and now researchers are looking at ways to make use of the solid residue that’s left after methane and liquids are extracted. While some of the “digester solids” are used for animal bedding and potting soil, some labs are testing out a fibreboard product that seems to hold up as well, or even better, than its counterpart made from sawdust.

Obviously, there will be an image problem from the outset, and a representative of the Composite Panel Association believes the concept won’t fly. Of course, if the resulting product is marketed as “Poopboard,” he’s probably right. But it’s hard for me to see this as anything more than a marketing issue: if the material is sturdy and attractive, would the manufacturer need to proclaim “Made from Cow Manure?”

Via davidnode at Hugg

Categories: cows, poop, fibreboard, methanedigester, flooring, research, michigan, us

by Worldchanging NYC local blogger, Joshua Wiese: New York City’s biggest water quality problem can be described with a three letter acronym: CSO. It stands for Combined Sewage Overflows. Combined overflows provide the much needed relief to our sewers when the city’s treatment facilities become overwhelmed by a combined overload of wastewater from buildings and stormwater runoff from the streets: they divert this flow directly into our rivers, canals and bays instead. Sewer overflows basically prevent raw sewage and polluted stormwater runoff from backing up into our homes, schools, offices, streets, and anywhere else a drain connects to the sewer — but at a steep cost for the health of the waters in and around the city. According to Riverkeeper, New York City dumps “more than 27 billion gallons of raw sewage and polluted stormwater discharge” via sewer overflows into our surrounding waterways every year. So it’s not surprising that the focus of PlaNYC’s 10 initiatives devoted to restoring the health and quality of New York City’s waterbodies (with the goal of making 90 percent of the waters safe for recreation by the year 2030) is primarily on sewage and stormwater management. In the name of full disclosure, I’ve spent… (more)

(Posted by WorldChanging Team in Urban Design and Planning at 1:03 PM)