June 09, 2004

Until pure electric gets better, hybrid does seem to me to be the best
option.
See  http://www.fueleconomy.gov

-----Original Message-----
From: Amanda Tullos [mailto:atullos@...]
Sent: Friday, June 04, 2004 5:33 PM
To: hreg@yahoogroups.com
Subject: RE: [hreg] BioDiesel and other fuels...what are you using?

You might check into this place. I haven't talked with them; but I figure
Texas City isn't too far to go. Also, I think you can store Biodiesel on
your property (lasts up to 6 months) without need for a license.

Green Fuels, Inc.
(409) 948-1704
410 21st Street, South
Texas City, TX 77590
Public/limited times, call ahead for arrangements

I ended up getting a hybrid, so I never finished researching the biosdiesel
option. I do get a $2,000 tax deduction this year for owning a hybrid, which
I am very happy about!

Amanda Tullos
atullos@... <mailto:atullos@...>

-----Original Message-----
From: Karl M. Bernard [mailto:karl-bernard@...]
Sent: Friday, June 04, 2004 10:42 AM
To: HREG
Subject: [hreg] BioDiesel and other fuels...what are you using?

I've been doing some looking around at various practical ways to power cars
in the Houston Metro area and was wondering what people think about these
options. I would love to do mass transit, but there are currently no buses
or rail to the Pearland area (although one of the proposals for SH 288
expansion includes the possibility).

1) BioDiesel - looks interesting, appears to be easy to use with standard
diesel equipment, but is hard to find locally. Can be homebrewed, but
requires some very caustic chemicals.
2) CNG - it seems a lot of industry-types have put a lot of effort into
pushing this fuel. It is supposed to burn cleaner than gasoline, but I have
issue with it that it is still a petroleum fuel. I would think more highly
of it (and perhaps give it more consideration) if it were paired with other
technologies such as hybrid systems.
3) Hybrid (Gasoline/Electric) - I like this idea for mainstream automobiles
and think there should be more aggressive government (tax) incentives at all
levels (local through federal). I see this as a good way to leverage a lot
of existing technologies.
4) Straight Electric - this seems like a great idea, but the issue is
overcoming the distance hurdle and making them as amenable as internal
combustion powered cars. Then there's the availability and cost issue. I'd
love to have an electric for going to work, but it would need to travel at
least 50 miles a day, have all the safety features of my current car (ABS,
airbags, etc), and have a functional A/C.
5) Fuel Cell - cool sounding technology, but unless there's some way to get
hydrogen with next to zero energy input, we might as well use the hydrogen
cracking energy to power electric devices... I also don't like the
government putting so many eggs in the hydrogen basket, while there are
viable short-term alternatives to reduce consumption (hybrid, etc).

What have you used? What do you like? I'm driving my 1994 Civic and getting
30+ mpg, but would like my next car to do better - hopefully by a lot. But I
also want it to meet all my demands for safety and hopefully comfort as
well. Perhaps I want too much...

In general, I think there aren't enough incentives for the average user to
economize, and there are too many incentives to guzzle like crazy. This is
such a load of garbage...

-------excerpts from SUV Nirvana (from CBSNews.com)-------
http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2004/05/28/60minutes/main620223.shtml
----
"Everybody who buys an SUV gets a tax break?
----
"If they can say to the IRS that they are using that vehicle 50 percent of
the time for work purposes," Robinson confirms.
---
The tax break applies to vehicles over 6,000 pounds, which in the past meant
things like delivery trucks. But today, it includes luxury mega-SUVs such as
the Toyota Land Cruiser and Ford Excursion. What began as a $25,000 tax
break grew to $100,000 when Congress passed the president's economic
stimulus package last spring.
Web sites that give tax advice are running headlines like this: "Why it may
pay for your next business car to be a heavy SUV." And it's no surprise that
auto dealers are also alerting customers to the new loophole.
-----------------------------------------

SUV tax cut
Monday, May 19, 2003
http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/opinion/122382_suv19.html

Karl Bernard

Yahoo! Groups Links

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Reply | Messages in this Topic (4)

#2623

From: noyes livingston <noyesliv@...>
Date: Tue Jun 8, 2004 9:30 pm
Subject: Re: FW: Solar electric Power Systems Workshop

noyesliv@...

where is the course offered?  austin I assume.
I have about $1000 to do do something...
I have a 2000 sq ft home and want to start learning by
doing even if it is a small starter system..

noyes




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http://messenger.yahoo.com/

#2624

From: EERE Network News <tomgray@...> (by way of Tom Gray <tomgray@...>)
Date: Wed Jun 9, 2004 12:50 pm
Subject: EERE Network News -- 06/09/04

tomgraywind

A weekly newsletter from the U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE) Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE). The EERE Network News is also available on the Web at: www.eere.energy.gov/news/

June 09, 2004

News and Events

World Governments Commit to Increase Renewable Energy Use
New Reports Note Challenges and Opportunities for Renewables
World Leaders Trade Limos for Electric Vehicles at G8 Summit
Maryland and Hawaii Set New Renewable Energy Requirements
Maine Approves a 50-Megawatt Wind Power Plant
Navajo Utility Installs 63 Solar and Wind Power Systems

Energy Connections

Short-Term Energy Outlook Reflects Uncertain Oil Markets

News and Events

World Governments Commit to Increase Renewable Energy Use

The International Conference for Renewable Energies, or "renewables 2004" for short, ended last week with a declaration by 154 governments that renewable energy should supply an increasing portion of the world's energy needs. The conference, held in Bonn, Germany, was the largest ever meeting of government and private sector leaders on renewable energy, including more than 3,000 participants.

The conference produced an international action program that contains 165 individual commitments by governments, international agencies, and private groups to promote the use of renewable energy. DOE's Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE) contributed four commitments: advancing the technologies necessary to build integrated biorefineries that will produce power, heat, fuels, and products from biomass; reducing the cost of geothermal power to 5 cents per kilowatt-hour by 2010; reducing the cost of solar photovoltaic power to 6 cents per kilowatt-hour by 2020; and reducing the unsubsidized cost of onshore and offshore wind power in areas with good wind resources to 3 cents and 5 cents per kilowatt-hour, respectively, by 2012. The United States also committed to establishing a production tax credit of 1.8 cents per kilowatt-hour for certain renewable energy power plants.

In addition, the World Bank committed to increase its renewable energy and energy efficiency lending by at least 20 percent annually over the next five years; China pledged to increase its use of wind, solar, biomass, and small hydropower generation to 60,000 megawatts (about 10 percent of its generating capacity) by 2010; and Germany announced plans to increase its use of renewable energy to 20 percent of its energy supply by 2020. Germany will also provide 500 million Euros (about $616 million) in low-interest loans over the next five years for renewable energy projects in developing countries.

A document called "Policy Recommendations for Renewable Energy" also came out of the conference. See the conference summary from the Worldwatch Institute, as well as the renewables 2004 press release and conference outcomes.

New Reports Note Challenges and Opportunities for Renewables

Renewable energy is moving into the mainstream, according to a report issued in May by the Worldwatch Institute. The study notes that on a global scale, solar power generation has more than tripled in the past five years, and wind power has nearly quadrupled. The report concludes that five key policy elements help contribute to the growth in renewable energy: opening access to the power market, providing financial incentives, disseminating education and information, allowing public participation, and establishing clear industry standards and siting regulations. See the Worldwatch Institute press release.

Meanwhile, a report issued by the International Energy Agency (IEA) last week in Bonn claims that renewable energy still has a long way to go. The report notes that the fast-growing wind and solar energy sectors do not compensate for the slower growth in the "mature" renewable energy sources: hydropower, conventional biomass energy, and geothermal energy. See the IEA press release.

World Leaders Trade Limos for Electric Vehicles at G8 Summit

President Bush's new ride, for this week at least, is a GEM electric vehicle.
Credit: Stephen Morton

The leaders of the world's eight major industrial democracies are usually associated with black limousines and sport utility vehicles with tinted windows, but this week they'll be trading their usual luxury rides for something a bit more down-to-earth: GEM electric vehicles. As the "Group of Eight" tool around Sea Island, Georgia, for the annual G8 Summit, the GEM vehicles will prove more practical than the usual motorcade. Each GEM is wrapped in the colors of the respective leader's country and can travel at speeds of up to 25 miles per hour. But the leaders won't have to give up their motorcade entirely: they each get two GEMs, enough for a small electric-powered caravan. See the announcement from the Sea Island Summit Planning Organization, and for more information about the GEM vehicles, see the GEM Web site.

President Bush is hosting this year's G8 Summit, which brings together the leaders of Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Russia, the United Kingdom, and the United States. The European Union also attends the G8 Summit, represented by the President of the European Commission and the leader of the country holding the presidency of the European Council (currently, Ireland). This year's summit is focused largely on freedom, democratic reform, and prosperity in the Middle East. The summit will also tackle such issues as global peacekeeping, travel security, arms proliferation, global economic growth, expanded trade, ocean policies, global health issues, poverty, and famine. The White House also expects the G8 leaders to launch the "Methane to Markets Partnership," an effort to capture waste methane and use it as an energy source. The Summit started Tuesday and runs through tomorrow. See the Sea Island Summit 2004 Web site and Monday's White House press briefing.

Maryland and Hawaii Set New Renewable Energy Requirements

Maryland has become the newest state to enact a requirement for utilities to draw on renewable energy for a set percentage of their electricity supply. The new law commonly referred to as a "renewable portfolio standard" requires utilities in Maryland to draw on renewable energy for 7.5 percent of their electricity supplies by 2014. According to MaryPIRG, one of the organizations that advocated the legislation, Maryland is the fifteenth state to implement a renewable portfolio standard. Governor Ehrlich signed the law (SB 869/HB 1308) on May 26th, and also signed a law (HB 1269) expanding the state's "net metering" rules, which allow homeowners and educational institutions to spin their electric meters backwards when feeding power from a solar electric system into the power grid. The new rules allow net metering for wind turbines as well. See the press releases from MaryPIRG and Governor Ehrlich, or go directly to the Maryland General Assembly's complete information about the renewable portfolio standard and net metering laws.

Meanwhile, Hawaii has expanded the requirements of its renewable portfolio standard. The original requirement, set in 2001, required utilities to draw on renewable energy for 9 percent of their electricity sales by 2010; the new law, signed last week by Governor Linda Lingle, escalates that requirement to 15 percent by 2015 and to 20 percent by 2020. See the new law, SB 2474, and for background, see the state's description of its 2001 requirements.

Maine Approves a 50-Megawatt Wind Power Plant

The Maine Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) has approved the construction of the state's first wind power project, the Mars Hill Wind Power Project. The 50-megawatt project will consist of 30 wind turbines along a ridge and plateau at Mars Hill in northern Maine. See the Maine DEP press release.

The Maine project will be one of the largest wind facilities in the Northeast, second only to the 64.5-megawatt Waymart Wind Farm in Pennsylvania. But both those projects will be dwarfed if a proposed project in New York State is built: Zilkha Renewable Energy and Atlantic Renewable Energy Corporation aim to build a 300-megawatt wind power plant on Tug Hill in Lewis County. The project includes a 10.5-mile transmission line to connect the wind plant to the power grid. The partners are in the midst of gaining permits for the project. See the Flat Rock Wind Power Project Web site for a description of the project and the latest news on the permitting process.

While wind project developers continue to advance their plans in the Northeast, Invenergy, LLC is starting construction on a wind plant in the South. The 27-megawatt Buffalo Mountain Wind Energy Center in Anderson County, northwest of Knoxville, will feature 15 1.8-megawatt Vestas wind turbines. It will be the state's largest wind plant, located next to the only existing wind plant, a 1.98-megawatt facility owned by the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA). TVA will also buy the power from the new project, selling it through its Green Power Switch program. According to Michael Polsky, president of Invenergy, the company is moving forward with the project because it is confident that Congress will pass the wind energy production tax credit. The company expects the wind plant to begin commercial operation later this year. See the Invenergy press release (PDF 12 KB). Download Acrobat Reader.

Navajo Utility Installs 63 Solar and Wind Power Systems

The Navajo systems combine a solar panel and a small wind turbine mounted to a utility pole.
Credit: SunWize

The Navajo Tribal Utility Authority (NTUA) has installed 63 renewable energy systems at remote homes throughout the Navajo Nation. SunWize Technologies announced last month that it supplied 880-watt solar photovoltaic power stations for the systems, which also incorporate Southwest Windpower wind turbines and a battery bank. See the SunWize Technologies press release (PDF 99 KB). Download Acrobat Reader.

NTUA is an enterprise of the Navajo Nation, providing power to homes throughout the 25,000-square-mile Navajo reservation, which includes northeastern Arizona, northwestern New Mexico, and southeastern Utah. Despite its extensive power grid, the NTUA estimates that 18,000 homes in the Navajo Nation lack an electrical power connection. See the NTUA Web site.

Site News

DriveClean.ca.gov

Developed by the California Air Resources Board, DriveClean.ca.gov provides information about fuel-efficient and alternative fuel vehicles. Site features include a vehicle search tool, a database of state and federal incentives, and explanations of clean vehicle technologies.

Energy Connections

Short-Term Energy Outlook Reflects Uncertain Oil Markets

Gasoline prices are finally on their way down, according to DOE's Energy Information Administration (EIA), and the declines are expected to continue as long as disruptions in the crude oil and gasoline markets are avoided. The EIA's latest "Short-Term Energy Outlook," released yesterday, reflects the uncertainty in the oil and gasoline markets, noting that "it is difficult to know what will happen in the near term." Despite that uncertainty, the EIA projects an increase in oil supply that will cause crude oil prices to drop, averaging $36.20 per barrel in the third quarter of this year after averaging $40.30 per barrel in May. As a result, the retail price for regular gasoline is expected to average $1.82 for the second half of 2004 after averaging $1.91 this summer.

However, the EIA report places caveats on that projection, warning that "price spikes are still quite possible given the uncertainties surrounding Middle East instability, terrorism, Iraq, and the fact that, while more optimism for improvement is warranted, oil inventories worldwide are still low. In addition, currently low world oil surplus capacity levels provide an extremely limited cushion in the event of unexpected world oil market disruptions." See the EIA Short-Term Energy Outlook.

This newsletter is funded by DOE's Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE) and is also available on the EERE news page. You can subscribe to the EERE Network News using our simple online form, and you can also update your email address or unsubscribe online.

If you have questions or comments about this newsletter, please contact the editor.

You are currently subscribed as: tomgray@...

#2625

From: "Texas Solar Energy Society" <rainfall@...>
Date: Wed Jun 9, 2004 2:45 pm
Subject: Women's PV Installation Workshop

rainfall@...

A women's PV design & installation workshop is being held in Austin, June 30 - July 3. (If you heard about this workshop before, this is a change in dates.)

The workshop is being presented by Janet Hughes of Janet's Solar Electric, one of the instructors at the very popular, similar workshop held during the ASES conference in Austin.

For more information, please contact Janet at 512-275-0557 or visit www.janetssolarelectric.com

Kathryn Houser, Executive Director
Texas Solar Energy Society
PO Box 1447
Austin, TX 78767-1447
512-326-3391 OR 800-465-5049

#2626

From: Kim & Garth Travis <gartht@...>
Date: Wed Jun 9, 2004 3:15 pm
Subject: Re: Women's PV Installation Workshop

airdriel

I am always amazed at courses like this, why do women need a separate
class?  Could someone explain this to me?  Is there different material or
something?
Bright Blessings,
Kim [female]

At 09:45 AM 6/9/2004, you wrote:
>A women's PV design & installation workshop is being held in Austin, June
>30 - July 3.  (If you heard about this workshop before, this is a change
>in dates.)
>
>The workshop is being presented by Janet Hughes of Janet's Solar Electric,
>one of the instructors at the very popular, similar workshop held during
>the ASES conference in Austin.
>
>For more information, please contact Janet at 512-275-0557 or visit
><http://www.janetssolarelectric.com>www.janetssolarelectric.com
>
>Kathryn Houser, Executive Director
>Texas Solar Energy Society
>PO Box 1447
>Austin, TX  78767-1447
>512-326-3391 OR 800-465-5049
>
>Yahoo! Groups Sponsor
>ADVERTISEMENT
><http://rd.yahoo.com/SIG=129hs9cls/M=298184.5022502.6152625.3001176/D=groups/S=\
1705064177:HM/EXP=1086878746/A=2164330/R=0/SIG=11eamf8g4/*http://www.netflix.com\
/Default?mqso=60183350>
>click here
>
>[]
>
>
>
>----------
>Yahoo! Groups Links
>    * To visit your group on the web, go to:
>    *
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> <http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/>Yahoo! Terms of Service.

#2627

From: "Richard D. Kelley" <rdkelley@...>
Date: Wed Jun 9, 2004 3:49 pm
Subject: RE: Women's PV Installation Workshop

rdkelley@...

Thank very much for pointing this out.  Wouldn't we all be better off by
learning to work together for a change.  I think the days are long gone that
women feel inferior.



-----Original Message-----
From: Kim & Garth Travis [SMTP:gartht@...]
Sent: Wednesday, June 09, 2004 11:16 AM
To: hreg@yahoogroups.com
Subject: Re: [hreg] Women's PV Installation Workshop

I am always amazed at courses like this, why do women need a separate
class?  Could someone explain this to me?  Is there different material or
something?
Bright Blessings,
Kim [female]

At 09:45 AM 6/9/2004, you wrote:
>A women's PV design & installation workshop is being held in Austin, June
>30 - July 3.  (If you heard about this workshop before, this is a change
>in dates.)
>
>The workshop is being presented by Janet Hughes of Janet's Solar Electric,
>one of the instructors at the very popular, similar workshop held during
>the ASES conference in Austin.
>
>For more information, please contact Janet at 512-275-0557 or visit
><http://www.janetssolarelectric.com>www.janetssolarelectric.com
>
>Kathryn Houser, Executive Director
>Texas Solar Energy Society
>PO Box 1447
>Austin, TX  78767-1447
>512-326-3391 OR 800-465-5049
>
>Yahoo! Groups Sponsor
>ADVERTISEMENT
><http://rd.yahoo.com/SIG=129hs9cls/M=298184.5022502.6152625.3001176/D=groups/S=\
1705064177:HM/EXP=1086878746/A=2164330/R=0/SIG=11eamf8g4/*http://www.netflix.com\
/Default?mqso=60183350>
>click here
>
>[]
>
>
>
>----------
>Yahoo! Groups Links
>    * To visit your group on the web, go to:
>    *
> <http://groups.yahoo.com/group/hreg/>http://groups.yahoo.com/group/hreg/
>    *
>    * To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to:
>    *
>
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hoogroups.com
>
>    *
>    * Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to the
> <http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/>Yahoo! Terms of Service.





Yahoo! Groups Links

#2628

From: "Texas Solar Energy Society" <rainfall@...>
Date: Wed Jun 9, 2004 4:43 pm
Subject: Re: Women's PV Installation Workshop

rainfall@...

Why women only?  Many women have little or no electrical experience.  Due to
women's lack of training in technology, they may be weary of attending a
coed course with men who have grown up using power tools.  Providing a
supportive learning atmosphere, an all-women workshop may help overcome the
social, political and economic barriers that keep some women from entering
the PV field. Special attention is paid to "practicums" about using tools,
etc. prior to the installation days.  Instructors verify their experience
that in coed workshops, people tend to display socialized behavior patterns:
men want to help women "fix it" rather than giving space and women tend to
hang back and allow them.

----- Original Message -----
From: "Kim & Garth Travis" <gartht@...>
To: <hreg@yahoogroups.com>
Sent: Wednesday, June 09, 2004 10:15 AM
Subject: Re: [hreg] Women's PV Installation Workshop


> I am always amazed at courses like this, why do women need a separate
> class?  Could someone explain this to me?  Is there different material or
> something?
> Bright Blessings,
> Kim [female]
>
> At 09:45 AM 6/9/2004, you wrote:
> >A women's PV design & installation workshop is being held in Austin, June
> >30 - July 3.  (If you heard about this workshop before, this is a change
> >in dates.)
> >
> >The workshop is being presented by Janet Hughes of Janet's Solar
Electric,
> >one of the instructors at the very popular, similar workshop held during
> >the ASES conference in Austin.
> >
> >For more information, please contact Janet at 512-275-0557 or visit
> ><http://www.janetssolarelectric.com>www.janetssolarelectric.com
> >
> >Kathryn Houser, Executive Director
> >Texas Solar Energy Society
> >PO Box 1447
> >Austin, TX  78767-1447
> >512-326-3391 OR 800-465-5049
> >
> >Yahoo! Groups Sponsor
> >ADVERTISEMENT
>
><http://rd.yahoo.com/SIG=129hs9cls/M=298184.5022502.6152625.3001176/D=group
s/S=1705064177:HM/EXP=1086878746/A=2164330/R=0/SIG=11eamf8g4/*http://www.net
flix.com/Default?mqso=60183350>
> >click here
> >
> >[]
> >
> >
> >
> >----------
> >Yahoo! Groups Links
> >    * To visit your group on the web, go to:
> >    *
> > <http://groups.yahoo.com/group/hreg/>http://groups.yahoo.com/group/hreg/
> >    *
> >    * To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to:
> >    *
> >
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e@yahoogroups.com
> >
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> > <http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/>Yahoo! Terms of Service.
>
>
>
>
>
> Yahoo! Groups Links
>
>
>
>
>

#2629

From: "Andrew McCalla" <andrew@...>
Date: Wed Jun 9, 2004 5:01 pm
Subject: Women's PV Installation Workshop

andrew@...

Kim,

I'll be glad to give it a shot.  You needn't be amazed.

We have been hosting workshops with SEI on an annual basis since 1997,
one of which, four years ago, being a women's only version of the
mainstay pv design and installation course.

This gender-specific class was born not out the need to have different
material; indeed it covered all the same material as the coed workshop.
Instead it was created to respond to what was witnessed after decades of
hands-on renewable energy education classes, which Kathryn has so very
well explained in her previous email.

For the record, most every other workshop SEI conducts is coed,
satisfying Richard Kelley's hope for all learning to work together.

For more information:  www.solarenergy.org

Andrew McCalla
Meridian Energy Systems
2300 S. Lamar, Ste. 107
Austin, TX  78704
www.meridiansolar.com


Voice: (512) 448-0055
Fax:    (512) 448-0045

#2630

From: Kim & Garth Travis <gartht@...>
Date: Wed Jun 9, 2004 6:39 pm
Subject: Re: Women's PV Installation Workshop

airdriel

While I can understand that there are people who do not know one end of a
screwdriver from another, I have met a great number of men in this
category, not just women.  Why the sexual bias?  Why not offer the course
for the inexperienced tool user or as a super basic course that starts at
the beginning?  Are men that did not grow up using tools not to be included?

I personally have found that since courses have started being offered for
'women', that we are not as welcome in some of the regular classes, as we
used to be.  The one day seminars offered by Lowes and Home Depot are good
examples of this.  For those of us that are very experienced with tools
etc., this is frustrating.  I have no desire to be stuck in a beginners
class because I am female.

Bright Blessings,
Kim

At 11:43 AM 6/9/2004, you wrote:
>Why women only?  Many women have little or no electrical experience.  Due to
>women's lack of training in technology, they may be weary of attending a
>coed course with men who have grown up using power tools.  Providing a
>supportive learning atmosphere, an all-women workshop may help overcome the
>social, political and economic barriers that keep some women from entering
>the PV field. Special attention is paid to "practicums" about using tools,
>etc. prior to the installation days.  Instructors verify their experience
>that in coed workshops, people tend to display socialized behavior patterns:
>men want to help women "fix it" rather than giving space and women tend to
>hang back and allow them.
>
>----- Original Message -----
>From: "Kim & Garth Travis" <gartht@...>
>To: <hreg@yahoogroups.com>
>Sent: Wednesday, June 09, 2004 10:15 AM
>Subject: Re: [hreg] Women's PV Installation Workshop
>
>
> > I am always amazed at courses like this, why do women need a separate
> > class?  Could someone explain this to me?  Is there different material or
> > something?
> > Bright Blessings,
> > Kim [female]
> >
> > At 09:45 AM 6/9/2004, you wrote:
> > >A women's PV design & installation workshop is being held in Austin, June
> > >30 - July 3.  (If you heard about this workshop before, this is a change
> > >in dates.)
> > >
> > >The workshop is being presented by Janet Hughes of Janet's Solar
>Electric,
> > >one of the instructors at the very popular, similar workshop held during
> > >the ASES conference in Austin.
> > >
> > >For more information, please contact Janet at 512-275-0557 or visit
> > ><http://www.janetssolarelectric.com>www.janetssolarelectric.com
> > >
> > >Kathryn Houser, Executive Director
> > >Texas Solar Energy Society
> > >PO Box 1447
> > >Austin, TX  78767-1447
> > >512-326-3391 OR 800-465-5049
> > >
> > >Yahoo! Groups Sponsor
> > >ADVERTISEMENT
> >
> ><http://rd.yahoo.com/SIG=129hs9cls/M=298184.5022502.6152625.3001176/D=group
>s/S=1705064177:HM/EXP=1086878746/A=2164330/R=0/SIG=11eamf8g4/*http://www.net
>flix.com/Default?mqso=60183350>
> > >click here
> > >
> > >[]
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >----------
> > >Yahoo! Groups Links
> > >    * To visit your group on the web, go to:
> > >    *
> > > <http://groups.yahoo.com/group/hreg/>http://groups.yahoo.com/group/hreg/
> > >    *
> > >    * To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to:
> > >    *
> > >
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> >
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#2631

From: "Andrew McCalla" <andrew@...>
Date: Wed Jun 9, 2004 8:12 pm
Subject: Women's PV Installation Workshop

andrew@...

Kim,

There seems to be a market for an environment that, through exclusively
female participation, provides for an easier dissolution of inhibitions
surrounding certain technologies.

These environments are optional ones, so your desire to not be stuck
into one of someone else's choosing will be honored, regardless of your
gender.

Andrew McCalla
Meridian Energy Systems
2300 S. Lamar, Ste. 107
Austin, TX  78704
www.meridiansolar.com


Voice: (512) 448-0055
Fax:    (512) 448-0045

#2632

From: "Mike Ewert" <mewert@...>
Date: Fri Jun 11, 2004 2:25 pm
Subject: Membership committee

mkewert

Is anyone willing to be on an HREG membership committee? This would involve
a little mailing, e-mailing and advertising and it would really help us
build our base and spread our message.  Please let me know.

Mike
mewert@...

#2633

From: "Texas Solar Energy Society" <rainfall@...>
Date: Tue Jun 15, 2004 2:59 pm
Subject: Roundup Call for Speakers

rainfall@...

Have a passion and expertise in sustainability, green building, organic growing, renewable energy, alternative-fuel transportation, energy conservation?

You are invited to propose a talk at the

Renewable Energy Roundup & Green Living Fair

being held September 24 -2 6, 2004

on the beautiful, downtown Fredericksburg Market Square.

We host speakers in four large tents on the Roundup grounds, with new talks every 60 or 120 minutes. Visitors are eager to learn! Come share your enthusiasm with an audience who cares.

To apply to be a Roundup speaker, please go to the online application at: http://txses.org/roundup/speaker_reg.php

And please forward this announcement to other interested parties.

Thank you and hope to see you at The Roundup!

Kathryn Houser, Co-Organizer

Texas Solar Energy Society
PO Box 1447
Austin, TX 78767-1447
512-326-3391 OR 800-465-5049

#2634

From: "Ken Bossong" <tomgray@...> (by way of Tom Gray <tomgray@...>)
Date: Tue Jun 15, 2004 7:22 pm
Subject: NEWS RELEASE: Energy Groups Urge Support for McCain-Lieberman Climate Bill

tomgraywind

SUSTAINABLE ENERGY COALITION
1612 �K� Street, N.W.; Suite #202-A
Washington, DC 20006
(202) 293-2898 ext. 201

News Release

27 Sustainable Energy Groups Urge Senate to Enact McCain-Lieberman Climate
Stewardship Act

For Release: June 15, 2004

Contact:  Mark Wenzler, Director - Global Warming & Energy Programs,
National Environmental Trust
               202-887-8851 (office); 202-297-5037 (mobile)

WASHINGTON DC -- In a letter delivered to all members of the U.S. Senate,
27 member groups of the Sustainable Energy Coalition have urged their
support for the McCain-Lieberman Climate Stewardship Act (S.139).

The signers wrote that the Climate Stewardship Act "would bring U.S. levels
of global warming pollution to year 2000 levels by 2010 [and would] yield
real benefits for domestic energy efficiency and renewable power initiatives."

They added that "domestically produced renewable energy sources such as
biomass, geothermal, hydropower, solar and wind are well situated to supply
clean electricity that will help meet the Climate Stewardship Act�s
greenhouse gas emissions cap.  [Moreover], by encouraging more efficient
use of energy and the growth of renewable power, the Climate Stewardship
Act will help reduce our dependence on foreign sources of energy."

The full text of the letter and the list of signing organizations follows.

# # # # # #

The Sustainable Energy Coalition is a coalition of more than 90 national
and state business, consumer, environmental, and energy policy
organizations which collectively represent several thousand companies and
community organizations.  Founded in 1992, the Sustainable Energy Coalition
promotes the increased use of renewable energy and energy efficient
technologies.

=========================

SUSTAINABLE ENERGY COALITION
1612 �K� Street, N.W.; Suite #202-A
Washington, DC 20006
(202) 293-2898 ext. 201

June 14, 2004

Dear Senator:

We the undersigned business, consumer, religious, environmental and energy
policy organization members of the Sustainable Energy Coalition are writing
to encourage you to support the McCain-Lieberman Climate Stewardship Act
(S.139).

The Climate Stewardship Act would bring U.S. levels of global warming
pollution to year 2000 levels by 2010.  This is an achievable and realistic
first step for the U.S.  It would do so by capping only the most
intensive-polluting sectors of the economy � the industrial, commercial,
transportation, and utility sectors � which account for 80% of U.S.
greenhouse gas emissions.  The Act establishes a market-based emissions
trading program, similar to the successful acid-rain trading program, to
keep costs of reductions low and achievable, and allows the capped sectors
to get up to 15% of their reductions from outside sectors, including
international projects, or carbon sequestration projects from the
agricultural sector, for instance.

Even a modest cap on greenhouse gas emissions, such as contained in the
Climate Stewardship Act, will yield real benefits for domestic energy
efficiency and renewable power initiatives.  For instance, companies like
DuPont and BP have reaped hundreds of millions of dollars in energy savings
from cutting their carbon dioxide emissions.  In addition, domestically
produced renewable energy sources such as biomass, geothermal, hydropower,
solar and wind are well situated to supply clean electricity that will help
meet the Climate Stewardship Act�s greenhouse gas emissions cap.  Finally,
by encouraging more efficient use of energy and the growth of renewable
power, the Climate Stewardship Act will help reduce our dependence on
foreign sources of energy.

The Climate Stewardship Act benefits the environment, domestic clean energy
industries and U.S. energy security.  We urge your support for this
important legislation.

Sincerely,

Alliance for Affordable Energy
American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy
American Solar Energy Society
American Wind Energy Association
Biomass Coordinating Council
Bob Lawrence and Associates
Calpine Geothermal
Cascade Associates
Citizens for Pennsylvania�s Future
City & County of San Francisco
Colorado Energy Group
Environmental and Energy Study Institute
Geothermal Energy Association
Geothermal Resources Council
Global Green USA
International District Energy Association
National Environmental Trust
National Hydropower Association
Natural Resources Defense Council
New Community Project
New Uses Council
Potomac Resources, Inc.
Solar Energy Industries Association
Solena Group, Inc.
The Stella Group, Ltd.
Union of Concerned Scientists
U.S. Public Interest Research Group


The Sustainable Energy Coalition is a coalition of 93 business,
environmental, consumer, and energy policy organizations whose members
collectively represent several thousand companies, community organizations,
and municipal utilities.  Founded in 1992, the Sustainable Energy Coalition
works to promote increased use of renewable energy and energy efficient
technologies.

=======================

#2635

From: chasmauch@...
Date: Tue Jun 15, 2004 8:56 pm
Subject: Earth Day participation and 3rd place awards

charlesleemauch

Dear MIke and HREGers:

Last Friday 6/11/04 I received a check for $400 payable to HREG c/o Charles Mauch from KRBE. There was no transmittal letter but the check stub says that $250 is an Earth Day 2004 donation and $150 is for Earth Day 2004 - 3rd place.

Apparently KRBE is giving a $250 donation to all participants again this year, and in addition we won 3rd place. Congratulations and thanks to you and everyone else who manned the booth - it has paid off again!

I have had a problem once or twice in the past when trying to cash a check made out like that. Does HREG have a bank account that we could just deposit the check into or shall I try to deposit it in my personal account and then bring my check to the next meeting? Or what do you suggest?

Charlie Mauch
HREG representative to KRBE Earth Day Festival

#2636

From: "EERE Network News" <tomgray@...> (by way of Tom Gray <tomgray@...>)
Date: Wed Jun 16, 2004 1:30 pm
Subject: EERE Network News -- 06/16/04

tomgraywind

June 16, 2004

News and Events

Ford Announces Pricing for Escape Hybrid
California Proposes Cuts in Vehicle Greenhouse Gas Emissions
New Standards Boost Promise for Hydrogen Fueling Stations
Office Depot and Whole Foods Market Buy Green Power
New Energy Technologies to Yield Longer Run Times for Laptops
U.S. Research Groups Investigate Wave Energy Technologies

Site News

University Leaders for a Sustainable Future

Energy Connections

BP Releases "Statistical Review of World Energy 2004"

News and Events

Ford Announces Pricing for Escape Hybrid

The Ford Escape Hybrid will go on sale in late summer.
Credit: Ford Motor Company

Ford Motor Company announced Monday that its 2005 Escape Hybrid will be priced from $3,300 to $3,425 above a comparably equipped V6-powered Escape. The base price for the Escape Hybrid will be $26,380, plus destination and delivery charges of $590, for a total of $26,970. The four-wheel-drive version of the Escape Hybrid will cost $28,005, plus the destination and delivery charge. According to Ford, the Escape Hybrid will qualify for a "Clean Fuel Vehicles" federal tax deduction of $1,500 if purchased this year. See the Ford press release.

Ford claims the Escape Hybrid to be the world's cleanest and most fuel-efficient sport utility vehicle. It has the ability to run on electric power only at low speeds, and can also run using the gasoline engine only or using the combined power of the gasoline engine and the electric motor. See the Ford Escape Hybrid Web site.

The Ford Escape Hybrid appears to be arriving on the scene as the popularity of hybrid vehicles is growing. Last month, the Honda Civic Hybrid posted its third consecutive month of record sales, at 3,183 vehicles, and the Toyota Prius achieved its best-ever sales for May, at 3,962 vehicles. The hybrid system in the new Prius won the "International Engine of the Year 2004" award in May, as well as taking first place in three award categories. See the Honda press release and June 2nd and May 26th press releases from Toyota.

California Proposes Cuts in Vehicle Greenhouse Gas Emissions

The California Air Resources Board (CARB) released a draft staff report on Monday that examines potential regulations to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from motor vehicles in the state. In 2002, the state enacted a law that gives CARB until the end of this year to develop and adopt regulations that "achieve the maximum feasible and cost-effective reduction of greenhouse gas emissions" from passenger vehicles. The law did not set specific standards. The new CARB report proposes regulations that phase in reductions in greenhouse gas emissions from new cars and light trucks, starting with small reductions in 2009 and increasing to a nearly 30 percent reduction by 2014.

Several of the technologies examined in the CARB report address fuel economy: The report finds the technologies that could achieve significant reductions at favorable costs include improved engine technologies, turbocharging combined with smaller engines, and automated manual transmissions. But the report also notes ways to cut emissions of refrigerants from cars' air conditioning systems, including improved compressors, more leak-proof systems, and alternative refrigerants. According to CARB, nearly all the combinations of technologies examined for the report provided reductions in lifetime operating costs that exceed the added retail price of the vehicles caused by the new technology. See the CARB press release or go directly to the full report (PDF 1.1 MB). Download Acrobat Reader.

New Standards Boost Promise for Hydrogen Fueling Stations

Hydrogen fueling stations, such as this one in West Sacramento, may soon become a more common sight.
Credit: California Fuel Cell Partnership

The prospect for new hydrogen fueling stations is brightening, due in part to new standards and efforts to standardize fueling systems. In late May, the International Code Council (ICC) approved several new standards relating to hydrogen storage at fueling stations. The ICC International Fire Code now allows hydrogen to be stored in insulated containers underground or as a pressurized gas in tanks mounted in the station's overhead canopy, where any gas leaks would go up and away from the fueling station. It also allows stations to treat metal hydride storage systems the same as gaseous hydrogen systems. The National Hydrogen Association praised the new standards in a June 8th press release (PDF 94 KB). Download Acrobat Reader.

Meanwhile, the California Fuel Cell Partnership (CaFCP) has launched an incentive program to encourage makers of hydrogen fuel-dispensing nozzles to demonstrate that their systems meet industry standards. The CaFCP is offering to pay four manufacturers for half the cost of third-party testing of their fuel nozzles, up to $25,000 per manufacturer. See the CaFCP press release.

The growing emphasis on hydrogen fueling systems highlights the importance of President Bush's Hydrogen Fuel Initiative, which includes a significant effort to advance hydrogen storage technologies. Last week, Secretary of Energy Spencer Abraham toured Air Products and Chemicals, Inc., which is participating in two DOE-funded hydrogen energy research projects. See the DOE press release.

The emphasis on hydrogen fueling has also caused a business casualty: Shell Hydrogen and UTC Fuel Cells announced last week that they will dissolve their joint project, HydrogenSource LLC, which was developing fuel processors for vehicles. The companies say that over the past three years, the hydrogen industry has moved away from on-board fuel processing in favor of on-board hydrogen storage. See the announcement on the HydrogenSource Web site.

Office Depot and Whole Foods Market Buy Green Power

Office Depot, a leading seller of office supplies, announced last week that 12 of its California outlets are buying 12 million kilowatt hours per year of electricity from renewable energy, also called green power. Strategic Energy will produce the electricity from landfill gas. The agreement marks the first green power purchases for Office Depot. See the Office Depot press release.

Whole Foods Market is also expanding its green power purchases, as all 28 of its stores and facilities in the North Atlantic region are buying enough wind power to meet 10 percent of their electricity needs. Community Energy, Inc. (CEI) will supply an estimated 5.2 million kilowatt-hours of wind power each year to the Whole Foods facilities in Rhode Island, Massachusetts, Connecticut, New York, and New Jersey. The agreement follows a November 2003 announcement that 24 Whole Foods Market locations in the mid-Atlantic region would buy green power. According to CEI, the combined purchases rank among the top 10 non-governmental purchases of green power in the United States. See the CEI press release.

New Energy Technologies to Yield Longer Run Times for Laptops

If you're reading this newsletter on a laptop computer, you're part of a growing trend, and companies that work on energy-related devices are working on ways to let you spend more time on your laptop without having to find a power outlet. The market for laptop batteries is currently over a billion dollars a year and is expected to reach $1.8 billion by 2008, according to Business Communications Company, Inc. (BCC). The market research company anticipates a declining role for nickel-metal-hydride batteries and a rapidly growing market for lithium-ion batteries. But new technologies may upset that forecast: A company called Zinc Matrix Power, Inc. is working with Intel Corporation to develop a polymer-based rechargeable alkaline battery that could extend laptop run times to up to 10 hours. Micro fuel cells are also expected to enter the competition, and ABI Research predicts they will power 13.5 percent of the world's laptops by 2012. See the press releases from BCC, Zinc Matrix Power, and ABI.

U.S. Research Groups Investigate Wave Energy Technologies

A model of a wave energy system under development by Australia's Energetech.
Credit: Energetech Australia Pty Ltd

The Electricity Innovation Institute (E2I) and the Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI) announced Monday that they have identified sites in four states for possible demonstration plants to convert offshore wave energy from the ocean into electricity. E2I and EPRI have identified a number of potential sites in Oregon, Washington, Hawaii, and Maine. By September, the institutes will pick the best site for each state and produce a detailed study for that site.

E2I and EPRI are collaborating with DOE's National Renewable Energy Laboratory and with energy agencies and utilities from the four states to produce a conceptual system design for a pilot plant and future commercial-size facility in each state. This will include estimates of the construction costs and power-generating potential for each plant. The study will help determine whether wave energy will be economically practicable in the United States within the next decade and will make a case either for or against additional funding to develop this technology.

The wide variety of offshore wave energy conversion devices capture the kinetic energy produced by the bobbing or pitching motion of the ocean via floating platforms. The potential energy production is significant: the average wave off the Northwest coast carries about 25 kilowatts of energy per meter of wave crest. At 50 percent efficiency, a 50-meter-wide device would produce about 625 kilowatts of electricity. See the E2I press release.

The E2I and EPRI project also produced a report in May that provides a detailed assessment of 12 wave energy conversion technologies, using information provided by the device manufacturers. The report is among the most comprehensive summaries to date of this nascent energy technology. See all the wave energy reports on the E2I Web site.

Site News

University Leaders for a Sustainable Future

The mission of the Association of University Leaders for a Sustainable Future (ULSF) is to make sustainability a major focus of teaching, research, operations, and outreach at colleges and universities worldwide. ULSF pursues this mission through advocacy, education, research, assessment, membership support, and international partnerships to advance education for sustainability. The ULSF Web site links to resources for higher education such as campus assessment tools, curricula, and site operations plans.

Energy Connections

BP Releases "Statistical Review of World Energy 2004"

BP continued its 53-year tradition of compiling world energy statistics with the publication of its "Statistical Review of World Energy 2004" yesterday. This year's report shows that at current rates of production, the world's proved reserves of oil are sufficient to last for 40 years, although nearly 77 percent of those reserves are located in OPEC countries. The proved reserves of natural gas are sufficient to last for 67 years at current rates of production, with the largest reserves in the countries of the former Soviet Union. Proved reserves of coal are sufficient to last 192 years at current production rates, with most reserves in North America, the Asia Pacific region, and Europe and Eurasia.

World energy use increased 2.9 percent in 2003, with the strongest growth (6.3 percent) in the Asia Pacific region. Among fossil fuels, coal grew fastest in 2003, with an increase of 6.9 percent, largely due to a reported increase of more than 15 percent in China. Chinese oil demand has also doubled over the past ten years, leading BP's Chief Executive, the Lord Browne of Madingley, to conclude in his foreword that China "will be a major influence on the world energy scene from now on."

In contrast to the fossil fuel statistics, BP's statistics on renewable energy sources are relatively limited. The report does note that world geothermal capacity was just shy of 6,000 megawatts in 2000 and that wind power capacity has reached 40,000 megawatts worldwide, "signaling wind's emergence as a mainstream energy source." The report also notes that solar photovoltaic capacity has increased more than ten fold over the last decade. World consumption of large hydroelectric power held nearly steady in 2003, increasing by only 0.4 percent. See BP's "Statistical Review of World Energy 2004."

You are currently subscribed as: tomgray@...

#2637

From: "Mike Johnston" <enki@...>
Date: Thu Jun 17, 2004 9:14 pm
Subject: SHELL CHAIRMAN ADMITS GLOBAL WARMING FEARS!

mj_17870

"No one can be comfortable at the prospect of continuing to pump out the
amounts of carbon dioxide that we are pumping out at present," said Ron
Oxburgh, chairman of Shell oil, in an interview with The Guardian.  Global
warming makes him "really very worried for the planet," he said.

Oxburgh said his position on global warming is very similar to that of Tony
Blair's chief science adviser, David King, who has been outspoken on the
issue and has said that climate change poses a bigger threat to the world
than terrorism.

Oxburgh's comments differ dramatically from those of some other oil
executives, most notably Exxon's Lee Raymond, who said in June 2002, "We in
ExxonMobil do not believe that the science required to establish this
linkage between fossil fuels and warming has been demonstrated."

Guardian article:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk_news/story/0,3604,1240496,00.html
Interview:  http://Oxburgh.notlong.com
EMS.org climate change section: http://www.ems.org/climate/facts.html

#2638

From: "Steven Shepard" <sbtdesigns@...>
Date: Thu Jun 17, 2004 9:40 pm
Subject: Re: SHELL CHAIRMAN ADMITS GLOBAL WARMING FEARS!

sbtdesigns

As an amendment to this post, check out this months edition of National
Geographic.  Cover story is, The End of Cheap Oil.  As usual their graphics
and tables are easy to read and understand.  One of the best indictments of
our oil based economy I have ever seen.  The end is in sight folks.

Our new address is:
SBT Designs
25581 IH-10 West
San Antonio, Texas 78257
210-698-7109
FAX: 210-698-7147
www.sbtdesigns.com

----- Original Message -----
From: "Mike Johnston" <enki@...>
To: <H2OPower@...>
Sent: Thursday, June 17, 2004 4:14 PM
Subject: [hreg] SHELL CHAIRMAN ADMITS GLOBAL WARMING FEARS!


> "No one can be comfortable at the prospect of continuing to pump out the
> amounts of carbon dioxide that we are pumping out at present," said Ron
> Oxburgh, chairman of Shell oil, in an interview with The Guardian.  Global
> warming makes him "really very worried for the planet," he said.
>
> Oxburgh said his position on global warming is very similar to that of
Tony
> Blair's chief science adviser, David King, who has been outspoken on the
> issue and has said that climate change poses a bigger threat to the world
> than terrorism.
>
> Oxburgh's comments differ dramatically from those of some other oil
> executives, most notably Exxon's Lee Raymond, who said in June 2002, "We
in
> ExxonMobil do not believe that the science required to establish this
> linkage between fossil fuels and warming has been demonstrated."
>
> Guardian article:
> http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk_news/story/0,3604,1240496,00.html
> Interview:  http://Oxburgh.notlong.com
> EMS.org climate change section: http://www.ems.org/climate/facts.html
>
>
>
>
>
>
> Yahoo! Groups Links
>
>
>
>
>

#2639

From: "Mike Johnston" <enki@...>
Date: Fri Jun 18, 2004 4:30 am
Subject: A look at EXXON, global warming and the people who profit from it

mj_17870

HI,
    Check out this site. It seems well researched. You need the flash player to
use it.
http://www.exxonsecrets.org/
MJ

#2640

From: "Steven Shepard" <sbtdesigns@...>
Date: Fri Jun 18, 2004 11:16 pm
Subject: Press Release

sbtdesigns

San Antonio, Texas - SBT Designs announces that we are now a proud dealer
for Generac Guardian Emergency Home Standby Generators.  Guardian home
standby generators are one of the many logical choices SBT Designs offers
for home electric power generation.  Now in addition to renewable energy
power systems SBT Designs can offer emergency electric power from seven
kilowatts (7kW) all the way up to forty kilowatts (40KW) for the home or
office during electric utility brown outs, power drops and black outs.

Just because the utility goes down there is no reason to be without needed
electric power.  SBT Designs can help insure their customers have power
during any critical period like storms, floods, tornados, hurricanes, acts
of terrorism and frequent utility failures.

When you need emergency power for your home or office contact SBT Designs at
800-895-9808, on the Internet at sbtdesigns@... or
www.sbtdesigns.com

SBT Designs, sells and installs electronic automatic control, accent
lighting and renewable energy products and systems for residential and light
commercial structures.  Our products and services provide convenience,
safety and energy savings.

Our new address is:
SBT Designs
25581 IH-10 West
San Antonio, Texas 78257
210-698-7109
FAX: 210-698-7147
www.sbtdesigns.com

#2641

From: "EERE Network News" <tomgray@...> (by way of Tom Gray <tomgray@...>)
Date: Wed Jul 14, 2004 1:22 pm
Subject: EERE Network News -- 07/14/04

tomgraywind

July 14, 2004

News and Events

DaimlerChrysler and Ford Acquire Fuel-Cell Unit from Ballard
Political Conventions to Use Clean Power and Mass Transit
Massachusetts Offshore Wind Plant Clears Regulatory Hurdle
New 20-Megawatt Geothermal Plant Slated for Nevada
Marathon Ashland Sells Ethanol Fuel at 14 Fuel Terminals
Californians Burn Through Energy Efficiency Rebate Funds

Site News

DOE's Regional Offices Change Their Names and Web Addresses

Energy Connections

EIA: Gasoline and Oil Prices will Stay High Through 2005

News and Events

DaimlerChrysler and Ford Acquire Fuel-Cell Unit from Ballard

Ballard Power Systems announced last week that DaimlerChrysler AG and Ford Motor Company will acquire Ballard's vehicular fuel cell unit, Ballard AG (formerly XCELLSIS), and will be jointly responsible for the research, development, and manufacturing of the vehicular fuel cell systems, which include all the components other than the fuel cell itself. Ballard, meanwhile, will work on developing the next-generation electric drive system and the next two generations of vehicular fuel cells, for which it will receive up to $58 million in funding from DaimlerChrysler and Ford. The changes are intended to optimize the role of the three partners in developing vehicular fuel cells, while providing Ballard with improved financial and operational flexibility. See the Ballard press release (PDF 52 KB). Download Acrobat Reader.

Political Conventions to Use Clean Power and Mass Transit

This year's approaching political party conventions promise to employ clean energy sources and mass transit to minimize their environmental impact.

The Democratic National Convention, which runs from July 26th to the 29th in Boston, will focus on clean energy by buying enough renewable energy credits to match the electricity used during the convention. The convention will also draw on a 250-kilowatt fuel cell, fueled with natural gas, to help power its facilities, and the convention committee will buy enough greenhouse gas emission credits to offset other greenhouse emissions attributable to the convention, such as transportation. General Motors will also provide hybrid-electric pickup trucks and buses for use at the convention. See the press release from the 2004 Democratic National Convention.

Although the Republican National Convention is still more than a month away running from August 30th to September 2nd in New York City it has already announced plans to encourage its 50,000 participants to use mass transit. Along with providing its delegates with Metrocards, which will allow free access to the city's bus and subway systems, the convention will establish an express bus service of its own, called GOP Liberty Express, to whisk attendees between their hotel and the convention location, Madison Square Garden. See the press release from the 2004 Republican National Convention.

Massachusetts Offshore Wind Plant Clears Regulatory Hurdle

The proposed U.S. facilities will use GE's 3.6-megawatt wind turbine, shown here installed off the coast of Ireland.
Credit: Bob Thresher, NREL

Cape Wind Associates, LLC cleared a regulatory hurdle in early July, when it received a tentative decision for approval for its electric transmission lines from the Massachusetts Energy Facility Siting Board (EFSB). After reviewing the major issues surrounding the project over a 22-month review process, the EFSB approved the proposal to build two 18-mile transmission lines to connect the proposed wind plant in Nantucket Sound to the electrical grid. The lines would run 12.2 miles under the sound and then through an underground duct for 5.9 miles. Cape Wind intends to build a 420-megawatt wind project on Horseshoe Shoal, five miles off the coast of Cape Cod in Massachusetts. See the Cape Wind press release and the EFSB decision (PDF 392 KB). Download Acrobat Reader.

An effort to build an offshore wind plant south of Long Island also moved ahead in late June, when the Long Island Power Authority (LIPA) Board of Trustees approved the utility's energy plan. See the LIPA press release.

The offshore wind industry also suffered a setback last week, as Vestas Wind Systems A/S announced that it will remove, dismantle, and upgrade its 80 2-megawatt wind turbines installed at Horns Reef in the North Sea, about 9 miles off the coast of Denmark. The 160-megawatt project, installed in 2002, "has experienced a series of problems," says Vestas, "and it has been ascertained that all transformers and a number of generators had to be changed" because of the harsh environment. The U.S. offshore wind plants, by the way, plan to use turbines manufactured by GE Energy. See the Vestas press release (PDF 19 KB).

New 20-Megawatt Geothermal Plant Slated for Nevada

ORMAT Nevada's new geothermal power plant will look much like this existing plant, which the company acquired in May.
Credit: Joel Renner, INEEL

A subsidiary of ORMAT Technologies, Inc. is planning to build a 20-megawatt geothermal power plant near Steamboat, Nevada, about 10 miles south of Reno. The Galena Geothermal 1 plant will be developed by ORNI 7, LLC, a subsidiary of ORMAT Nevada, Inc., which is itself a subsidiary of ORMAT Technologies. The Sierra Pacific Power Company announced in late June that it signed an agreement with ORNI 7 for 20 megawatts of geothermal power, starting in 2006. See the Sierra Pacific press release.

ORMAT Nevada has been busy in the state over the past year. ORMAT announced in July 2003 that it was acquiring the existing Steamboat Geothermal Complex, and announced in May that it was acquiring the sole remaining plant in the area, the Steamboat Yankee geothermal project. In addition, a map of renewable energy power plants under contract in Nevada, prepared by the Nevada State Office of Energy, shows two 20.2-megawatt plants to be built near Desert Peak, Nevada by ORNI 3, LLC and ORNI 9, LLC, which are also subsidiaries of ORMAT Nevada.

While conventional geothermal power plants are charging ahead in Nevada, a project to commercialize an advanced geothermal technology is making progress in Australia. On Friday, Geodynamics Limited started drilling Habanero 2, the second well in its project to extract energy from hot dry rock. The first well, Habanero 1, successfully reached high-temperature rocks at depths of more than 14,000 feet, and was able to create an underground reservoir by injecting water into the rock at high pressures. Habanero 2 will drill to 15,000 feet to intercept that reservoir. Once the second well is complete, the company can extract energy from the underground rock by injecting water into one well and extracting it from the other. In May, the company announced it was using a supercomputer simulation to model the flow of water through the fractured rocks and to predict the amount of heat it will extract over time. See the Geodynamics press releases.

Marathon Ashland Sells Ethanol Fuel at 14 Fuel Terminals

The National Ethanol Vehicle Coalition (NEVC) announced last week that Marathon Ashland Petroleum, LLC is now supplying a blend of 85-percent ethanol and 15-percent gasoline, called E85, at 14 of its fuel terminals. The availability of E85 at two fuel terminals in Illinois, one in Indiana, two in Kentucky, three in Michigan, one in Minnesota, and five in Ohio will encourage filling stations that draw their fuel from those terminals to add E85 to their offerings. Marathon Ashland is the fifth-largest refiner of fuel in the United States. See the NEVC press release.

Ethanol production continues to grow in the United States. In April, the ethanol industry posted its seventh consecutive monthly production record by producing 218,000 barrels of ethanol per day, a 22 percent increase from April 2003. Currently, 78 ethanol plants have a combined capacity to produce more than 3.3 billion gallons of the fuel each year, and 10 plants now under construction will add another 400 million gallons of annual production capacity. See the press release from the Renewable Fuels Association.

Californians Burn Through Energy Efficiency Rebate Funds

California homeowners are quick to take advantage of energy-saving rebate offers, as the state's major utilities are discovering this year. Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) has already stopped accepting applications for this year's residential energy efficiency rebates. The utility offered rebates for 30 types of energy efficiency products this year, and has already received 60,000 rebate applications. PG&E expects to deplete its $10.25 million in funds by the time it works through its current backlog of several thousand rebate applications. See the PG&E press release.

The state's two other large utilities are not far behind. San Diego Gas and Electric (SDG&E) has closed its rebates for appliances and water heaters and will close most other rebates for single-family residences on August 13th. It has also closed a number of its rebates for multifamily residences. Southern California Edison (SCE) was down to 5 percent of its funding for multifamily residences back in late May, and as of Monday, had 38 percent of its funding for single-family residences. See the SDG&E and SCE residential rebate Web sites.

Site News

DOE's Regional Offices Change Their Names and Web Addresses

The six Regional Offices of DOE's Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE) have changed their names to better reflect the regions that they serve. The Regional Offices are the primary vehicle through which EERE develops state and local partnerships to promote the use of its technologies. Under the renaming, the Denver Regional Office is now the Central Regional Office, the Philadelphia Regional Office is now the Mid-Atlantic Regional Office, the Chicago Regional Office is now the Midwest Regional Office, the Boston Regional Office is now the Northeast Regional Office, the Atlanta Regional Office is now the Southeast Regional Office, and the Seattle Regional Office is now the Western Regional Office. As a result of these name changes, the Web site addresses for the EERE Regional Offices page and for each Regional Office have changed; if you own a Web site that links to any of these offices, please update your links. Each of the new links are www.eere.energy.gov/regions/ followed by the name of the region, for instance: www.eere.energy.gov/regions/mid-atlantic/. See the EERE Regional Offices Web page, which includes a map showing the states and U.S. territories served by the six Regional Offices.

Energy Connections

EIA: Gasoline and Oil Prices will Stay High Through 2005

Gasoline and crude oil prices have dropped from their spring peaks, but DOE's Energy Information Administration (EIA) doesn't see prices dropping further anytime soon. According to the EIA's "Short-Term Energy Outlook," released last week, a combination of low oil inventories and increasing demand is likely to crude oil prices near current levels through 2005. The EIA currently projects oil prices to average $37 per barrel in the third quarter of this year, about $1 per barrel higher than last month's projection. Summer gasoline prices are expected to average $1.89 per gallon, 2 cents lower than last month's projection, but the EIA expects gasoline prices to stay at $1.83 per gallon through 2005. See the EIA's Short-Term Energy Outlook.

You are currently subscribed as: tomgray@...

#2642

From: "Mike Ewert" <mewert@...>
Date: Mon Jul 19, 2004 1:39 pm
Subject: Meeting Announcement - this Sunday

mkewert

I hope you can all make it!

In case you are not able to open the Power Point attachment, here is the
pertinent information:

Houston Renewable Energy Group
Meeting July 25, 2004   2-4 pm   Room 225
Texas Southern University School of Technology
Cleburne @ Ennis, Houston, TX

Special Guest Speaker
John Wilson
Director of The Galveston-Houston Association for Smog Prevention (GHASP)
will talk about Air Pollution in Houston.

Mike Ewert, HREG president, will also present a status of Renewable Energy
Systems in Houston

#2643

From: EERE Network News <tomgray@...> (by way of Tom Gray <tomgray@...>)
Date: Wed Jul 21, 2004 1:15 pm
Subject: EERE Network News -- 07/21/04

tomgraywind

July 21, 2004

News and Events

DOE and USDA Award $25 Million for Biomass Initiative
Federal Teams Honored for Energy Achievements
DOE Awards $4.2 Million for Solid-Oxide Fuel Cell Research
California Utilities Seek Renewable Energy to Meet New Standard
Large Wind Power Plants Proposed for Wisconsin and Nevada
Arizona Fleets Report Unexpectedly Low Mileages for Hybrid Vehicles

Site News

Savings by Design

Energy Connections

IEA: World Oil Demand Expected to Grow Slower in 2005

News and Events

DOE and USDA Award $25 Million for Biomass Initiative

DOE and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced last week the selection of 22 projects that will advance their joint Biomass Research and Development Initiative. DOE will award more than $12 million to nine projects, and the USDA will award more than $13 million to 13 projects, for a total of nearly $25.5 million in government awards. Nearly all of the DOE-funded projects relate to gasification technologies, although one project is aimed at producing new chemical products from biomass. The USDA-funded projects address a variety of technologies, including studies of feedstock supplies and treatment options; testing a new technology for ethanol production; using liquid fuels derived from biomass to power a fuel cell; developing a small-scale, biomass-fired gas turbine; and producing high-purity hydrogen from farm animal wastes. Including the cost sharing of the private-sector partners, the total value of the projects is nearly $38 million. See the DOE press release, and for the complete details about the awards, see the 47-page compilation of project proposals (PDF 194 KB). Download Acrobat Reader.

Federal Teams Honored for Energy Achievements

Fifteen teams and three individuals at U.S. federal agencies were honored last week at the 2004 Presidential Energy and Environmental Awards ceremony in Washington, D.C. The ceremony commended the winners of the Presidential Awards for Leadership in Federal Energy Management, now in its fifth year of honoring exemplary energy efficiency efforts, as well as the winners of the 10th annual Closing the Circle Awards, which recognizes outstanding environmental stewardship. See the DOE press release.

The six federal teams honored for their renewable energy and energy efficiency efforts include DOE's Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, the Environmental Protection Agency's Green Power Purchase Program, the Air Force Renewable Energy Team, and energy management teams from the Marine Corps, the New England Region of the General Services Administration, and the Department of Health and Human Services. Together, the six teams helped save 1.8 trillion Btu per year, or enough energy to supply about 17,000 homes. Details on the six teams' accomplishments are available on the DOE Federal Energy Management Program Web site.

This building at the Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge won a Closing the Circle Award.
Credit: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

Although the Closing the Circle Awards go toward a wider array of environmental actions by federal employees, this year's awards included two green building efforts. One awardee, the Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge in Virginia, combined a well-insulated building envelope, daylighting, solar power, energy-efficient lighting, and geothermal heat pumps in its new educational and administrative center. The other awardee, the U.S. Army's Yuma Proving Ground, built an energy-efficient model home using structural insulated panels, high-performance windows, an energy recovery ventilator, solar water heating, solar power, and energy-efficient lighting and appliances. The home was a project of DOE's Building America Program. See the nominations for the Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge and the Yuma Proving Ground on the Office of the Federal Environmental Executive Web site, and see the Building America Program's description of the Yuma Proving Ground home.

DOE Awards $4.2 Million for Solid-Oxide Fuel Cell Research

DOE announced Monday its award of $4.2 million for 11 new projects that will "address the last barriers to commercially viable solid-oxide fuel cell systems," according to Secretary of Energy Spencer Abraham. Solid-oxide fuel cells are a promising option for applications that require a large amount of power, such as industrial plants or utility generating stations. They operate at high temperatures and at high efficiency and can be powered with a variety of fuels. Nine of the 11 new projects are aimed at developing materials for the fuel-cell components that will better survive the high temperatures and corrosive conditions within the fuel cells. In addition, one project will evaluate new and existing fuel-injector designs, and another will evaluate means of avoiding carbon deposition on the fuel-cell catalyst. See the DOE press release.

California Utilities Seek Renewable Energy to Meet New Standard

Two of California's largest utilities San Diego Gas and Electric Company (SDG&E) and Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG recently announced their plans to add more renewable energy to their electricity supplies in order to meet the state's new requirements for renewable energy.

SDG&E intends to meet California's requirement for 20 percent renewable energy seven years early: by 2010 instead of 2017. The utility seeks to buy power from any eligible new renewable energy facility (the state requirement allows a wide variety of technologies) or to acquire the new facilities, if they are located within its service area and draw on either wind power, solar photovoltaic power, or geothermal power. However, SDG&E is only interested in acquiring geothermal power plants if they are located in the Imperial Valley. Proposals are due by August 12th. SDG&E has also updated its long-term energy resource plan; the latest version shows that energy efficiency and renewable energy will meet all of the utility's growing energy needs through 2011. See the July 1st and July 12th press releases from SDG&E, as well as the full Request for Offers.

PG&E issued a Request for Offers last week, with the goal of entering into power purchase contracts by the end of the year. Unlike SDG&E,
PG&E does not appear interested in acquiring renewable energy facilities. The utility seeks to procure about 1 percent of its retail sales volume, or about 711 million kilowatt-hours per year, from renewable energy sources. Bids are due by August 23rd. See the PG&E press release and the full Request for Offers.

But why is there no news from the state's other large utility, Southern California Edison? Because the utility hit its goal last year, a full 14 years early. See the article from the September 2nd, 2003, edition of this newsletter.

Large Wind Power Plants Proposed for Wisconsin and Nevada

Wind energy companies are continuing to plan for the future, as large wind power plants are under development in Wisconsin and Nevada.

In Wisconsin, Invenergy Wind LLC is planning to build a 60-megawatt wind power plant near Brownsville, about 60 miles northwest of Milwaukee. Wisconsin Public Power Inc. (WPPI) and Madison Gas and Electric (MGE) have teamed up to buy all the power from the new facility for the first 20 years of operation. Called the Forward Energy Center, the new wind plant is expected to begin operating in August 2005. See the press releases from WPPI and MGE.

In Nevada, Navitas Energy has submitted a proposal to the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Winnemucca Field Office to build an 80-megawatt wind power plant in the Dry Hills, about 22 miles northeast of Winnemucca in the north-central part of the state. Called the Getchell Wind Farm, the facility will consist of 40 wind turbines, each two megawatts in capacity. Although the BLM is just starting the environmental review process for the proposed wind plant, Navitas intends to begin construction in late spring of 2005, with commercial operation starting six to nine months later. See the press release from the BLM Winnemucca Field Office.

Nevada aims to boost renewable energy development in the state by providing investors with "additional reasonable guarantees that they will receive a fair return on their investments," according to Governor Kenny Guinn. New regulatory and legislative proposals would give the Nevada Public Utilities Commission (PUC) the authority to create a "Temporary Renewable Energy Development" trust to receive renewable energy payments from the utilities' customers and make scheduled payments to renewable developers for energy delivered to utilities. The proposals aim to alleviate investors' concerns about the financial status of the state's two investor-owned utilities. The proposals were filed with the PUC in early July, and Governor Guinn will work with the state legislature to make the needed statutory changes. See the governor's press release.

Arizona Fleets Report Unexpectedly Low Mileages for Hybrid Vehicles

The Honda Insight remains the most fuel-efficient vehicle available in the United States.
Credit: Ken Kelly, NREL

DOE's Idaho National Engineering and Environmental Laboratory (INEEL) announced in late June that it completed one million miles of hybrid electric vehicle testing in fleets located in Arizona. Eighteen hybrid vehicles, including all four models currently available in the United States, were used for a variety of purposes in several fleets, and the cumulative mileages for the four vehicles are: 38 miles per gallon (mpg) for the Honda Civic, 46 mpg for the Honda Insight, 41.1 mpg for the 2002 and 2003 Toyota Prius, and 44.6 mpg for the 2004 Toyota Prius. Except for one of the six Insights, the vehicles all used a continuously variable transmission, for which the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) lists the combined city and highway mileages as follows: 48 mpg for the Civic, 56 mpg for the Insight, and 55 mpg for the 2004 Prius. In other words, the fleet tests yielded mileages that were about 20 percent lower than the EPA mileages. See the INEEL press release and the DOE/EPA Fuel Economy Guide's comparison of new hybrid vehicles.

Why the difference? As noted by Toyota in a recent press release, the EPA tests are conducted at average speeds of no greater than 48 miles per hour, without air conditioning, and at moderate temperatures. In contrast, the fleet tests in Arizona likely included higher highway speeds, with air conditioning, and at high temperatures, which can limit the effectiveness of the hybrids' battery packs. In fact, month-by-month results from the Arizona fleet tests show better results during the cooler winter months. See the detailed test results from INEEL, and for information on mileage tests, see the Toyota press release and the Frequently Asked Questions page on the Fuel Economy Guide Web site.

It's not just hybrid vehicle owners who report lower mileages than the EPA figures: A recent petition of the EPA by environmental advocacy group Bluewater Network claimed "drivers today continue to complain that they are not achieving the fuel economy displayed on the window sticker when they purchased their vehicle." In response, the EPA requested comments in late March on a proposal to revise its fuel economy tests. See the EPA press release, the Bluewater Network petition (PDF 54 KB) and the EPA request for comments (PDF 66 KB). Download Acrobat Reader.

Site News

Savings by Design

California's Savings by Design program encourages the design and construction of high-performance commercial buildings. The program offers design assistance and owner and design team incentives for commercial buildings located in the service areas of the Pacific Gas and Electric Company, the San Diego Gas and Electric Company, Southern California Edison, and the Southern California Gas Company.

Energy Connections

IEA: World Oil Demand Expected to Grow Slower in 2005

The world's demand for oil is expected to increase by 1.8 million barrels per day in 2005, a 28 percent slower pace than the increase of 2.5 million barrels per day projected for 2004, according to the International Energy Agency (IEA). The IEA's latest "Oil Market Report," released last week, projects that developing countries will be largely responsible for the increase in demand. To meet that demand, the IEA anticipates increased oil production in the countries of the former Soviet Union, as well as Angola, Brazil, and the nations in OPEC, the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries. See the IEA's "Oil Market Report."

You are currently subscribed as: tomgray@...

#2644

From: "Jim & Janet" <jhd1@...>
Date: Wed Jul 21, 2004 1:35 pm
Subject: Re: EERE Network News -- 07/21/04

txsolarguy

Hi Tom, please take me off of your mail list for receving the EERE Newsletter. I already get it at another email address.

Thanks,

Jim Duncan

jhd1@...

----- Original Message -----

From: EERE Network News (by way of Tom Gray <tomgray@...>)

To: tomgray@...

Sent: Wednesday, July 21, 2004 8:15 AM

Subject: [hreg] EERE Network News -- 07/21/04

#2645

From: Info at NWSEED <tomgray@...> (by way of Tom Gray <tomgray@...>)
Date: Wed Jul 21, 2004 5:36 pm
Subject: Independent Energy Quarterly - Summer

tomgraywind

For text browsers, please link to the Independent Energy Quarterly @
http://www.nwseed.org/publications/newsletter/v2_i2_04.asp

    <http://www.nwseed.org/publications/newsletter/v2_i2_04.asp>
       STRENGTHENING THE RURAL ECONOMY | WWW.NWSEED.ORG
<http://www.nwseed.org/>
Summer 2004 : Version 2, Issue 2

   Celebrating Energy Independence & Cooperatives
As we announced in January, 2004 is Northwest SEED's Year of Energy
Independence. In this edition we mark the summer season of the year with
our Co-op Edition of the IEQ. Regional communities are working together
to make investments in energy independence  through "the power of
cooperation," in ways that all Americans can celebrate.

Independent Energy Quarterly
<http://www.nwseed.org/publications/newsletter/default.asp>  is
published by Northwest Sustainable Energy for Economic Development
(Northwest SEED) on a quarterly basis and available in electronic
format.

Visit the Independent Energy Quarterly Newsletter
On-line <http://www.nwseed.org/publications/newsletter/v2_i2_04.asp>  or
in PDF Format
<http://www.nwseed.org/publications/newsletter/v2_i2_04.pdf.pdf>  (Need
Acrobat Reader? <http://www.adobe.com/products/acrobat/readstep2.html> )

   Liberty & Wind Power For All
Rethinking Wind Power and Energy Use in Montana

The Liberty County Commissioners didn't just stumble across the idea of
putting up a small wind turbine. It swept them off their feet. Wind in
the Hi-Line region of Montana is a constant presence and has long been a
nemesis to many. Turning wind power into a community asset has changed
this rural community in more ways than one. And Liberty County's
relationship with renewable energy is just getting started...

click to continue
<http://www.nwseed.org/publications/newsletter/v2_i2_04.asp#one>

Northwest Co-ops and the Power of Cooperation
by Doug Boleyn, Northwest SEED Board Member

Throughout history, groups of dispersed individuals such as farmers,
ranchers, and artisans have formed cooperative groups to strengthen
either their purchasing power or marketing power for their products - or
both - to be viable in the marketplace and ensure their livelihood.

The Northwest Solar Cooperative, operated by Cascade Solar Consulting,
and Our Wind Co-op, organized by Northwest SEED and its partners, are
forging ahead with a new type of cooperative. These cooperatives link
together individuals and small renewable energy systems to produce
clean, renewable energy "by and for the people" of the Northwest, and
are defining the phrase "the power of cooperation."

click to continue
<http://www.nwseed.org/publications/newsletter/v2_i2_04.asp#two>

For Washington's Low-Income Families,
a Breath of Fresh Air
by Sarah Peterson

With the growing wind energy industry poised to provide significant
amounts of new, low-cost, sustainable energy for the Northwest, an A
W.I.S.H <http://www.awish.net/>  partnership including NWSEED is
undertaking a new initiative to bring clean renewable energy to
households in need while also increasing the effectiveness of low income
energy assistance programs.

click to continue
<http://www.nwseed.org/publications/newsletter/v2_i2_04.asp#three>

   Our Wind Co-op: A Closer Look at the Numbers
In this section we take a look at the past year of energy production
from the first 5 turbines installed in the small turbine cooperative
organized and assisted by Northwest SEED.

review new maps, graphs, photos and more...
<http://www.nwseed.org/publications/newsletter/v2_i2_04.asp#four>


Northwest SEED News and Updates
Seattle City Light and BEF Fund Our Wind Co-op

In January 2004 Northwest SEED staff met with representatives of Seattle
City Light and Bonneville Environmental Foundation (BEF) to celebrate
the recent collaboration between the three organizations. SCL's Green
Power program purchased Green Tags from the Bonneville Environmental
Foundation to help NWSEED install several of Our Wind Co-op's Washington
small wind turbines. SCL's purchase of the BEF Green Tags provided
$20,000 for NWSEED to support this effort.

click to continue
<http://www.nwseed.org/publications/newsletter/v2_i2_04.asp#five>

2003 Year in Review Now Available


    <http://www.nwseed.org/publications/YIR2003.pdf>  NWSEED's most
recent publication is our first Year in Review, released and published
in early April of 2004. In addition to a recap of the organization's
main program area accomplishments, the publication reviews fund support
for 2003 and recognizes our many foundation supporters, partners,
donors, and in-kind contributors.

Click Here to Read It <http://www.nwseed.org/publications/YIR2003.pdf>

An E-Newsletter from Northwest Sustainable Energy for Economic
Development (SEED)
Northwest SEED is a 501 (c) (3) non profit. Donations are tax-exempt.

To Unsubscribe Click Here
<http://www.nwseed.org/publications/newsletter/default.asp>
For text browsers, please link to the Independent Energy Quarterly @
http://www.nwseed.org/publications/newsletter/v2_i2_04.asp
<http://www.nwseed.org/publications/newsletter/v2_i2_04.asp>

#2646

From: "Mike Ewert" <mewert@...>
Date: Fri Jul 23, 2004 12:56 pm
Subject: RE: Meeting Announcement - this Sunday

mkewert

Reminder

-----Original Message-----
From: Mike Ewert [mailto:mewert@...]
Sent: Monday, July 19, 2004 8:39 AM
To: HREG
Cc: John Wilson
Subject: [hreg] Meeting Announcement - this Sunday

I hope you can all make it!

Here is the
pertinent information:

Houston Renewable Energy Group
Meeting July 25, 2004   2-4 pm   Room 225
Texas Southern University School of Technology
Cleburne @ Ennis, Houston, TX

Special Guest Speaker
John Wilson
Director of The Galveston-Houston Association for Smog Prevention (GHASP)
will talk about Air Pollution in Houston.

Mike Ewert, HREG president, will also present a status of Renewable Energy
Systems in Houston

Yahoo! Groups Links

#2647

From: "Steven Shepard" <sbtdesigns@...>
Date: Fri Jul 23, 2004 2:32 pm
Subject: Re: Independent Energy Quarterly - Summer

sbtdesigns

I'll be in Houston most of this weekend for a wedding.  Let me know if any
of you guys would like to meet for coffee to cuss and discuss renewable
energy.  Mobile number 210-872-4615.

Cheers!
Steve Shepard

Our new address is:
SBT Designs
25581 IH-10 West
San Antonio, Texas 78257
210-698-7109
FAX: 210-698-7147
www.sbtdesigns.com

----- Original Message -----
From: <tomgray@...>
To: <tomgray@...>
Sent: Wednesday, July 21, 2004 12:36 PM
Subject: [hreg] Independent Energy Quarterly - Summer


> For text browsers, please link to the Independent Energy Quarterly @
> http://www.nwseed.org/publications/newsletter/v2_i2_04.asp
>
>    <http://www.nwseed.org/publications/newsletter/v2_i2_04.asp>
>       STRENGTHENING THE RURAL ECONOMY | WWW.NWSEED.ORG
> <http://www.nwseed.org/>
> Summer 2004 : Version 2, Issue 2
>
>   Celebrating Energy Independence & Cooperatives
> As we announced in January, 2004 is Northwest SEED's Year of Energy
> Independence. In this edition we mark the summer season of the year with
> our Co-op Edition of the IEQ. Regional communities are working together
> to make investments in energy independence  through "the power of
> cooperation," in ways that all Americans can celebrate.
>
> Independent Energy Quarterly
> <http://www.nwseed.org/publications/newsletter/default.asp>  is
> published by Northwest Sustainable Energy for Economic Development
> (Northwest SEED) on a quarterly basis and available in electronic
> format.
>
> Visit the Independent Energy Quarterly Newsletter
> On-line <http://www.nwseed.org/publications/newsletter/v2_i2_04.asp>  or
> in PDF Format
> <http://www.nwseed.org/publications/newsletter/v2_i2_04.pdf.pdf>  (Need
> Acrobat Reader? <http://www.adobe.com/products/acrobat/readstep2.html> )
>
>   Liberty & Wind Power For All
> Rethinking Wind Power and Energy Use in Montana
>
> The Liberty County Commissioners didn't just stumble across the idea of
> putting up a small wind turbine. It swept them off their feet. Wind in
> the Hi-Line region of Montana is a constant presence and has long been a
> nemesis to many. Turning wind power into a community asset has changed
> this rural community in more ways than one. And Liberty County's
> relationship with renewable energy is just getting started...
>
> click to continue
> <http://www.nwseed.org/publications/newsletter/v2_i2_04.asp#one>
>
> Northwest Co-ops and the Power of Cooperation
> by Doug Boleyn, Northwest SEED Board Member
>
> Throughout history, groups of dispersed individuals such as farmers,
> ranchers, and artisans have formed cooperative groups to strengthen
> either their purchasing power or marketing power for their products - or
> both - to be viable in the marketplace and ensure their livelihood.
>
> The Northwest Solar Cooperative, operated by Cascade Solar Consulting,
> and Our Wind Co-op, organized by Northwest SEED and its partners, are
> forging ahead with a new type of cooperative. These cooperatives link
> together individuals and small renewable energy systems to produce
> clean, renewable energy "by and for the people" of the Northwest, and
> are defining the phrase "the power of cooperation."
>
> click to continue
> <http://www.nwseed.org/publications/newsletter/v2_i2_04.asp#two>
>
> For Washington's Low-Income Families,
> a Breath of Fresh Air
> by Sarah Peterson
>
> With the growing wind energy industry poised to provide significant
> amounts of new, low-cost, sustainable energy for the Northwest, an A
> W.I.S.H <http://www.awish.net/>  partnership including NWSEED is
> undertaking a new initiative to bring clean renewable energy to
> households in need while also increasing the effectiveness of low income
> energy assistance programs.
>
> click to continue
> <http://www.nwseed.org/publications/newsletter/v2_i2_04.asp#three>
>
>   Our Wind Co-op: A Closer Look at the Numbers
> In this section we take a look at the past year of energy production
> from the first 5 turbines installed in the small turbine cooperative
> organized and assisted by Northwest SEED.
>
> review new maps, graphs, photos and more...
> <http://www.nwseed.org/publications/newsletter/v2_i2_04.asp#four>
>
>
> Northwest SEED News and Updates
> Seattle City Light and BEF Fund Our Wind Co-op
>
> In January 2004 Northwest SEED staff met with representatives of Seattle
> City Light and Bonneville Environmental Foundation (BEF) to celebrate
> the recent collaboration between the three organizations. SCL's Green
> Power program purchased Green Tags from the Bonneville Environmental
> Foundation to help NWSEED install several of Our Wind Co-op's Washington
> small wind turbines. SCL's purchase of the BEF Green Tags provided
> $20,000 for NWSEED to support this effort.
>
> click to continue
> <http://www.nwseed.org/publications/newsletter/v2_i2_04.asp#five>
>
> 2003 Year in Review Now Available
>
>
>    <http://www.nwseed.org/publications/YIR2003.pdf> NWSEED's most
> recent publication is our first Year in Review, released and published
> in early April of 2004. In addition to a recap of the organization's
> main program area accomplishments, the publication reviews fund support
> for 2003 and recognizes our many foundation supporters, partners,
> donors, and in-kind contributors.
>
> Click Here to Read It <http://www.nwseed.org/publications/YIR2003.pdf>
>
> An E-Newsletter from Northwest Sustainable Energy for Economic
> Development (SEED)
> Northwest SEED is a 501 (c) (3) non profit. Donations are tax-exempt.
>
> To Unsubscribe Click Here
> <http://www.nwseed.org/publications/newsletter/default.asp>
> For text browsers, please link to the Independent Energy Quarterly @
> http://www.nwseed.org/publications/newsletter/v2_i2_04.asp
> <http://www.nwseed.org/publications/newsletter/v2_i2_04.asp>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> Yahoo! Groups Links
>
>
>
>
>

#2648

From: "Jim & Janet" <jhd1@...>
Date: Sat Jul 24, 2004 2:30 am
Subject: Re: Mayfest Ham Operation and Upcoming Fredericksburg Operation

txsolarguy

2004 was NTREG's second year at Mayfest in Fort Worth. For 4 days, April 29 thru May 2, we had wind and PV on display to an estimated 200,000 people. And this year , Greg Hall brought his short-wave radio equipment along and broadcast for most of the event.

Below are the details of the Fort Worth event and the plan for the Renewable Energy Roundup in September down in Fredericksburg.

On his attached cover letter, Greg invites any other ham radio operators who would be interested in helping operate the station for the 3 days. So if you are an experienced radio operator and plan on being at the Roundup, get in touch with Greg and plan to lend a hand that weekend.

Jim Duncan

Original Message -----

From: GREGORY E HALL

To: jhd1@...

Sent: Friday, July 23, 2004 6:26 PM

Subject: Mayfest Ham Operation and Upcoming Fredericksburg Operation

Attached are the documents I sent to each ham who sent us an verification card. One is a cover letter, one is what is called a QSL certificate or verification of the contact. The ones that went out were on certificate paper with a sunburst and a border in the middle so it looks a lot nicer than the raw document. I also sent everyone a copy of the Summer 2004 issue of Reflector. So far we�ve sent out 60 packages to stations in 21 states and two provinces of Canada. I have another 25 or so to send out still.

And by the way if I didn�t do it already thanks so much for providing the power for K5M at Mayfest. It was great operating during the event.

In Fredericksburg we will operate special event station K5S totally off of solar power in conjunction with TSES. We will start early on 9/23/2004 and operate through mid-day on 9/26/2004. We made over 300 contacts in Ft Worth at Mayfest and with a ham radio contest called the Texas QSO party going on that [Roundup] weekend we should contact bunches of Texas stations. I expect to make between 750-1000 during the Roundup, hopefully with all 50 states, and many more countries. We�ll be doing lots of mail outs on this one.

Greg

#2649

From: "Mike Ewert" <mewert@...>
Date: Sat Jul 24, 2004 1:55 pm
Subject: FW: 2005 Houston Environmental Directory

mkewert

Attached is information about a new environmental directory planned for
Houston similar to one in Austin.  Please take a look and form an opinion
about how much HREG should be involved.  I think we should at least have a
small ad since their focus for 2005 will be on energy.  We may even want to
do more.
www.environmentaldirectory.info/.
We will discuss this at our meeting tomorrow.

-----Original Message-----
From: Clean Water Action [mailto:houstoncwa@...]
Sent: Friday, July 23, 2004 9:02 PM
To: mewert@...
Subject: 2005 Houston Environmental Directory

Mike, I have attached a description w/ sponsorship rates.
Bill Blome
Houston Environmental Directory Coordinator
Clean Water Action
(c)832.289.1760
(w)713.529.9426

#2650

From: "EERE Network News" <tomgray@...> (by way of Tom Gray <tomgray@...>)
Date: Wed Jul 28, 2004 1:16 pm
Subject: EERE Network News -- 07/28/04

tomgraywind

July 28, 2004

News and Events

DOE Breaks Ground on New Energy Research Building
Water Treatment Plant Meets Daytime Needs with Solar Power
Proposed Wisconsin Wind Project Grows; Iowa Plant Dedicated
Wisconsin Task Force Recommends Efficiency and Renewables
State Requirements and Green Power Markets: Both Yield More Renewables
DOE Awards $1.13 Million to Weatherize Homes in Arizona

Site News

Energy Education Offered at Oakland Community College

Energy Connections

At Mid-Point, 2004 Ranks as Third-Hottest Year on Record

News and Events

DOE Breaks Ground on New Energy Research Building

An architect's rendering of the future Science and Technology Facility.
Credit: NREL

DOE broke ground yesterday on a new research facility at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) in Golden, Colorado. The 71,000-square-foot Science and Technology Facility (S&TF) will include a 10,000-square-foot laboratory dedicated to thin-film photovoltaic devices, which promise lower-cost solar power. The facility will also enable NREL to expand its research capabilities in hydrogen, solid-state lighting, superconductivity, electrochromic windows, and nanotechnologies. Construction is expected to begin in fall, and the building should be complete in 2006.

"This new facility will extend DOE's and NREL's research capabilities and hasten the day when we reach our goal of providing the kind of clean, affordable energy solutions that can be used by all Americans," said David Garman, DOE's acting Under Secretary of Energy. See the NREL press release.

The new S&TF building is also designed to use about 40 percent less energy than similar laboratory buildings. Daylighting will be combined with automated controls to minimize the use of electric lights, and the design also includes energy-efficient climate control features. In addition, energy will be recovered from the air vented from laboratories. The building is designed to achieve a gold rating from the Green Building Council's Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) rating system. See the building's description on the NREL Web site.

Water Treatment Plant Meets Daytime Needs with Solar Power

The South Feather Water and Power Agency in Oroville, California, about 70 miles north of Sacramento, is now able to meet all of its power needs for plant operations during the day using solar power. Sun Power & Geothermal Energy commissioned a new 566-kilowatt solar power system at the water treatment plant last week. Thanks to surplus power generation on sunny days, which will allow the agency to feed power back into the local power grid, the agency expects to have a zero net electricity bill. That's a significant drop from last year, when the agency's electric bill exceeded $160,000. See the Sun Power &

Geothermal Energy press release.

While large solar systems are becoming more common, smaller systems mounted on homes and schools remain popular. Last week, Prevalent Power secured contracts to install a total of 180 kilowatts of solar power on six schools in California. The company obtained most of the funding for the projects from the California Energy Commission's Solar Schools rebate incentive program. Meanwhile, on the East Coast, PECO Energy announced a grant of $232,100 to the Philadelphia Housing Authority to install 1.11-kilowatt solar power systems on 22 homes in affordable housing developments. And Western Massachusetts Electric Company has finished building its first "zero energy home," which includes a 2.6-kilowatt solar power system. The utility worked with Steven Winter Associates, Inc. to design the home, built as part of DOE's Building America Zero Energy Home program. See the press releases from Prevalent Power (PDF 75 KB), PECO Energy, and Steven Winter Associates (PDF 166 KB). Download Acrobat Reader.

Proposed Wisconsin Wind Project Grows; Iowa Plant Dedicated

The Forward Energy Center, a wind energy project proposed for Brownsville, Wisconsin, has more than doubled in size, thanks to a new power purchase agreement between the developer, Invenergy Wind LLC, and Wisconsin Public Service Corporation. The utility has agreed to buy 70 megawatts of wind power from the project, boosting its total size to 130 megawatts. As covered in this newsletter last week, two other utilities had previously teamed up to buy 60 megawatts of power from the proposed project. See the Wisconsin Public Service press release and last week's article.

Meanwhile, in northwest Iowa, the 44-megawatt Flying Cloud Wind Power Plant was dedicated last week. The project is owned by PPM Energy, was developed by Clipper Windpower, Inc., and is operated by GE Energy. The project developers brought the plant online in December 2003, before the wind energy production tax credits expired. See the PPM Energy press release and the Clipper Windpower project description.

Wisconsin Task Force Recommends Efficiency and Renewables

Wisconsin's Task Force on Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency unanimously approved recommendations last week for the state to draw on renewable energy for 10 percent of its electricity supply by 2015. The task force, created last September by Executive Order of Governor Jim Doyle, further recommended that the state government lead the charge by buying 20 percent of its electricity from renewable energy sources by 2010. To help meet those goals, the task force recommended providing incentives for rural energy projects, including wind generators and anaerobic digesters, which convert manure into methane for use as an energy source.

The task force also addressed energy efficiency, recommending that the state update and improve its building energy codes, and calling for improvement in Wisconsin's Focus on Energy efficiency programs by increasing the role of the Public Utilities Commission in setting energy efficiency targets and funding levels. See the task force recommendations.

Governor Doyle welcomed the recommendations, noting that they will provide "needed balance in the state's energy policy." The task force plans to issue a final report in September, at which time the governor will develop a plan to implement the recommendations through regulatory, administrative, and legislative changes. See the governor's press release.

State Requirements and Green Power Markets: Both Yield More Renewables

Two policy approaches are currently proving popular for developing renewable energy supplies in the United States: green power markets, which use a free-market approach to allow consumers and businesses to buy renewable energy; and state renewable energy requirements and goals, which set specific amounts of renewable energy per year, usually imposed upon utilities within each state. According to recent reports, as of the end of 2003, the two policy options have resulted in about 3,650 megawatts of new renewable energy capacity.

In a June memo titled "Estimate of New Renewable Energy Capacity Serving U.S. Green Power Markets (2003)," analysts at DOE's National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) report that nearly 1,650 megawatts of new renewable energy capacity was supplying green power customers at the end of 2003, with another 390 megawatts either under construction or formally announced. According to the NREL memo, wind power provided nearly 94 percent of that new capacity. Competitive power markets and renewable energy credits produced about twice as much new capacity as voluntary "green pricing" programs offered by utilities. See the memo, posted on the newly redesigned Green Power Network Web site.

The King Mountain Wind Ranch in Texas is one result of that state's renewable energy mandate.
Credit: Cielo Wind Power

State renewable energy requirements and goals have been slightly more successful than green power programs, resulting in 2,004 megawatts of new renewable energy capacity as of the end of 2003, according to a new analysis by DOE's Energy Information Administration (EIA). Fifteen states now have some form of renewable energy requirement or goal, according to the EIA. Nine have renewable portfolio standards (RPS), which require renewable energy to supply a percentage of the state's electricity, and four states have mandates that specify how much new capacity should be built. Since most RPS requirements are just beginning to take effect, they have resulted in only 321 megawatts of new renewable capacity, but the EIA credits state mandates with 2,335 megawatts of new capacity, about half of which is in Texas. Similar to the green power markets, 93 percent of the new capacity was provided by wind power. See the EIA report.

DOE Awards $1.13 Million to Weatherize Homes in Arizona

Secretary of Energy Spencer Abraham announced yesterday the award of $1.13 million to improve the energy efficiency of the homes of low-income families in Arizona. Such families spend an average of 14 percent of their income on energy, compared with 3.5 percent for the average U.S. family. Weatherization reduces an average home's energy costs by $218 a year. The Arizona funds were awarded on July 1st as part of $94.8 million awarded to 20 states. See the DOE press release.

DOE's Weatherization Assistance Program performs energy audits to identify the most cost-effective measures for each home, which typically include adding insulation, reducing air infiltration, servicing the heating and cooling systems, and providing health and safety diagnostic services. For every dollar spent, weatherization returns $1.40 in energy savings over the life of the measures. The program is delivered through the states and 970 local agencies, and gives priority to low-income households with elderly members, people with disabilities, and children. See the Weatherization Assistance Program Web site.

Site News

Energy Education Offered at Oakland Community College

Oakland Community College's Environmental Systems Technology program provides alternative energy classes that focus on harnessing energy from renewable sources. The program offers coursework in renewable energy systems, energy management, automated building systems, and digital controls.

Energy Connections

At Mid-Point, 2004 Ranks as Third-Hottest Year on Record

After a string of record-breaking global temperatures in recent years, 2004 is so far shaping up to be hot, but not record-breaking, according to preliminary data from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). The average global temperature for January to June is 0.97 degrees Fahrenheit above the long-term average, currently placing 2004 in third place compared to the January to June averages for other years (the first half of 1998 and 2002 were hotter). If the average global temperature holds steady through the end of the year, 2004 will be the fourth-warmest year on record. See the summary and graph of global climate trends from NOAA's National Climatic Data Center.

As reported in this newsletter in January, the years 2002 and 2003 tied as the second-warmest on record, at 1.01 degrees Fahrenheit above the long-term average. The hottest year on record was 1998, at 1.13 degrees Fahrenheit above the long-term average. See the article from the January 21st edition of this newsletter.

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#2651

From: myth@...
Date: Thu Jul 29, 2004 3:31 pm
Subject: Golden Days: Stories for a Hopeful Future

bjherod

Hello,

I wanted to notify HREG about this unique storytelling and community event.
  It will present stories of a hopeful future and will give time to
organziations such as HREG that are improving the quality of life in the
Houston area.  Likewise, if someone from the group would like to man a
table and bring some promotional material, that would be great as well.
I've included a press release about the event as well, if you'd like to
forward it on to anyone else who might be interested.  If you have any
questions, feel free to contact me.

Thanks,

Brian Herod
713-480-6303
myth@...

Storytellers are creating stories of a hopeful future.  In Golden Days:
Stories for a Hopeful Future, local storytellers will present stories that
inspire, excite, and give hope for the future.  This event features the
storytelling talents of Brent Babino, Alice Evergreen,  Brian Herod, and
Sheila Phillips.  Held at the Taft Street Coffee House (2115 Taft St), this
Aug. 7th event also brings together Houston organizations that are taking
steps to restore and protect our natural world.  Organizations such as
Blackwood Land Institute teaches Houston-area middle school students the
principles of permaculture.   Participating organizations include:
Body Choir Houston
Blackwood Land Institute
Central City Co-op
The Harvest � a Waldorf School
Houston Storytellers Guild
PROUT Houston
Ten Thousand Villages
Texans for Alternatives to Pesticides
Urban Harvest
Waldorf Education for Houston
Women Innovating for Social Change
and many others.

This event gives audience an opportunity to meet with representatives of
these organizations to discover more about how these groups are changing
Houston for the better.  Afterward, participants will hear stories of
restoration and recovery.  Families are welcome for the first hour and
grown-ups and children who can listen like grownups for the second hour.

People interested in purchasing tickets for this event can call
713-480-6303 or email myth@... or go online at
www.thegloaming.net/golden.html.  Ticket prices are $10 for adults, $5 for
children younger than 13, and $7 per person for groups of 5 or more.

6-7pm Meet with Houston area organizations that are changing Houston for
the better
7-8 pm Stories for the whole family
8-9 pm Stories for grown-ups and children who can listen like grown ups.