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4/30/2008
Can The Optimum Carbon Tax Possibly Be Zero? by Jim Manzi
| The Energy and Environment blog at TNR has a post up replying to Will Wilkinson’s post arguing that we don’t know how to set the price on a theoretical carbon tax. The gist of the reply is the sensible-sounding observation that “There's essentially no disagreement at all that there's some externality associated with carbon emissions, so the optimal carbon tax is certainly not zero.” I believe that this is not so obvious, however, when you think it through, for at least three reasons. (Click to read entire article) |
Schumer raps PSC for handling of RG&E takeover
| Sen. Charles Schumer today called the state Public Service Commission “stone headed” because of conditions it is trying to impose on Iberdrola SA, the big Spanish utility that’s seeking to buy the parent of Rochester Gas and Electric. Iberdrola agreed 10 months ago to purchase Energy East Corp. for $4.5 billion, and has received go-aheads from other states where Energy East does business. But negotiations between Iberdrola and New York regulators have been moving slowly for several months. Iberdrola’s chairman, Ignacio Sanchez Galan, suggested recently that his company might abandon the deal because of the PSC’s demands. Schumer, D-N.Y., said he’s particularly irked by two conditions the PSC staff has set: that Iberdrola sell off the wind energy assets it already owns in New York; and that it sell RG&E’s Russell Station power plant in Greece. Noting that Iberdrola is the world’s largest wind power utility, Schumer said it makes no sense to discourage the company from pursuing that form of energy in New York. And the prospect of a new owner of Russell Station “raises many questions, including what impact it could have on customer electric rates,” Schumer said in a conference call with journalists. The PSC isn’t expected to make a decision on the Iberdrola-Energy East deal until sometime this summer, and Iberdrola officials recently said they don’t expect to make their own decision about whether to proceed until at least June. If the deal goes through, Energy East stockholders would receive $28 a share for their holdings. |
Millennium pipeline fuels economy
| Until about a month ago, Sullivan's Diner on Old Ithaca Road in Horseheads regularly opened at 6 a.m. Nowadays, owners Peter and Marta Krajnik have the coffee on and grill hot for anyone who pokes their head in the door at 4:30 a.m. The reason for the earlier start covers 35 acres behind the eatery. That stretch of land has been transformed into a base camp for the local leg of the $500 million Millennium Pipeline project, a natural gas line running across the southern part of New York state. In the pre-dawn darkness, it's hard to take in the magnitude of the operation. But once the sun comes up, the scene at The Center, an industrial park along state Route 14, is eye-opening. Bulldozers and other pieces of heavy earth-moving equipment sit side-by-side, looking like a storage lot outside a vehicle-manufacturing plant. (Click to read entire article) |
4/29/2008
Politicians call for widespread reform of government, but not the ones who can make it law
| Senate Minority Leader Malcolm Smith, Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli, and Attorney General Andrew Cuomo spoke at today’s Reform Day event at the Sign of the Tree restaurant at the state plaza.The three spoke passionately about the need for reform, to restore trust in government, and said that they were personally in support of many of the issues that reform advocates want. Smith said he was in support of public financing of campaigns (he’s the sponsor of a Senate bill to create a public financing system) and said he’s in support of redistricting reform, but that his conference isn’t quite there yet. What’s more, he doesn’t have the votes to make it happen right now. But Smith did issue a warning to Senate Majority Joseph Bruno, that his time is over, “reform is on the way”. Something to keep an eye on during the elections, where this will certainly be campaign issue. It will also be interesting to see what happens if there’s a switch in the majority. It’s certainly hard to give up the power to redistrict, the millions more in pork, the multiple staffers, and campaign fundraising advantages once you’re the one getting them. DiNapoli said he’s in support of public fundraising, and joked, “I’d like to be the guinea pig for public campaign finance…I would love by the end of session for your bill to be enacted, it would make my life a lot easier,” referencing that he’s getting ribbed about the fact that he hasn’t started fundraising yet. Cuomo said he’s in support of reform in government, including an independent Ethics Commission, an independent redistricting commission, change to the operating rules of the legislature recommended by the Brennan Center, and campaign finance reform. But since he isn’t a legislator, Cuomo can’t enact any of these things himself. (In case you are wondering what Cuomo is doing in the picture above, he’s telling the story of a man who falls off a cliff, clings to a branch and asks for help from above. The voice asks him if he has faith, the man replies “yes” and God says, “if you have faith, let of the branch.” The man then replies, “is there anyone else up there.” All this to say that “there isn’t anyone else up there” and that advocates needed to persevere for reform. Cuomo is thus clinging to the proverbial branch) Paterson didn’t speak at this year’s reform day. Below is a video of his speech at last year’s reform day, when he, as Lieutenant Governor, wasn’t in the position to do anything about reform besides speak his mind. |
Cuomo On Member Item Fraud
| Attorney General Andrew Cuomo is taking on more fraud and waste in government. This time, he is going after member item fraud. AG Andrew Cuomo just told an approving crowd of good government advocates that his office has rejected 1,026 legislative requests for member items as part of an ongoing review of pork-barrel spending in Albany. Of the 6,500 member item grants passed last year, Cuomo's office reviewed 3,785 worth $122 million (information on some 2,700 additional items has not yet been presented, which the AG interpreted as a good sign that the stricter reforms implemented by his office are having a preventative effect). Not long after taking office in the wake of ongoing member item scandals (an epidemic that has now moved down the Thruway to the City Council), Cuomo, who pledged to be Sheriff of State Street during the '06 campaign, instituted a requirement that member item recipients sign a contract on which they pledge - among other things - not to have a conflict of interest with the lawmaker who directed the cash their way. To lie on this contract would be perjury, Cuomo noted, which would make prosecution for member item fraud by his office considerably easier. Liz also has video of Cuomo speaking on this topic. This is a very good thing Cuomo is doing. Making the recipient sign a contract brings accountability to the process and holds the lawmaker accountable as well to ensure that these member items are not fraud and to make sure that there is not a conflict of interest |
Fraud Is Everywhere
| Here's AG Andrew Cuomo explaining how the new certification process for legislative member items set up by his office last January prevents fraud of the type that has been highlighted in Albany in recent years (see here, here and here - for starters) and is now popping up in the City Council, too. I asked the AG if he thinks there's widespread fraud in the member item process. He responded: There's fraud everywhere, you're hard pressed to find a government program or a private sector program that doesn't have some level of fraud. I think we brought review and scrutiny to the program that hasn't existed, and I think people are now looking at those certifications and they're thinking twice before they sign them. As they should. I use the analogy of signing your tax returns. Before you sign your tax returns, you make sure the tax return is right" |
Bush blames Congress for high gas prices by Klaus Marre
| President Bush on Tuesday blamed Congress for repeatedly blocking his attempts to address high gas prices and challenged Democratic leaders to deliver solutions. The president, at the onset of a news conference at the White House, noted that gas prices have increased $1.40 per gallon since Democrats won the majority in Congress. High gas and food prices are a daily reminder to Americans that the economy is ailing. “One of the main reasons for high gas prices is that global oil production is not keeping up with growing demand,” Bush said. “Members of Congress have been vocal about foreign governments increasing their oil production, yet Congress has been just as vocal in opposition to efforts to expand our production here at home.” The president pointed to his efforts to open up drilling in Alaska’s Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR), an initiative that would “likely mean lower gas prices.” In an election year, it will be crucial for each party to avoid being blame for the troubled economy. Bush is seeking to paint Congress as the obstacle to improvements, just as Democrats have pointed a finger at the White House for blocking their proposals. The president noted that Congress has also stood in the way of his plans to build more refineries and increase the use of “clean, safe nuclear power.” “Instead, many of the same people in Congress who complain about high energy costs support legislation that would make energy even more expensive for our consumers and small businesses,” Bush stated. “Congress is considering bills to raise taxes on domestic energy production, impose new and costly mandates on producers, and demand dramatic emissions cuts that would shut down coal plants and increase reliance on expensive natural gas. That would drive up prices even further.” The president also said Democrats in Congress are not doing enough to address high food prices, calling the farm bill now being considered “bloated,” and arguing it would subsidize “multimillionaire farmers” instead of helping ordinary Americans. |
4/28/2008
EST's Carbon Challenge: traditional versus energy-saving bulbs
We love blind(ing) tests, especially when they really dispel urban myths. The Energy Saving Trust did just that in its lightbulb challenge, which tested the difference between traditional and energy-efficient lightbulbs on the public. Although we've been told numerous times -- latest by The Observer's Lucy Siegle in her column yesterday -- that energy-saving lightbulbs now can outshine old-fashioned incandescent ones on cosiness, some of us still believe the eco bulbs have that unattractive blue-ish tint. Well, the Evergy Saving Trust decided to copy the 'Pepsi Challenge' and do a Carbon Challenge of its own, to see if people really can see the difference between the oldies and the new compact fluorescent bulbs. For the test, The Energy Saving Trust set up the two identical booths at Bluewater Shopping Centre with a mini-lounge in each. One was lit with a traditional lightbulb and one was lit with an Energy Saving Recommended eco bulb. Although 70 per cent of the 761 shoppers that were asked to step inside the booths thought they could spot the difference, 53 per cent got it wrong or admitted they couldn't see any difference. A whopping 64 per cent of the guinea pigs said they preferred the light in booth A, which was in fact the energy-saving lightbulb. Well that shows us. It's good to know that next time we need to change a lightbulb, we really can get one that'll save us money and energy -- and give us a soft, glowing light, too. |
Sustainable Energy Fair growing, organizers say
| CANTON — Thirteen was a lucky number for the annual North Country Sustainable Energy Fair and Home Tours, which continued its growth as a regional event. With 60 exhibitors and 54 workshops, this year's fair is the largest so far, said Patricia M. Greene, who organized the event for Community Energy Services, a nonprofit corporation founded in 2001 to promote energy efficiency and renewable energy systems in the north country. "We're in the midst of a kind of paradigm shift about the way we think," she said, pointing to the sharp climb in fuel prices and headlines about the growing threat of global warming. (Click to read entire article) |
The Biofuels Disaster Must End
| Big-government, command-and-control technocrats believe that when central-planning fails, the solution is a better plan and smarter planners. They never step back and look at whether planning makes sense in the first place. This was true of the Soviet Union, with tragic five-year plan after five-year plan. It was true of Communist China, with Mao’s revolutionary upheavals. And today, here in the United States, it is true of government energy policy. The 1970s and early 1980s saw all manner of failed energy policies — from Nixon’s Project Independence price controls, to Ford’s CAFE mandates, to Carter’s Synthetic Fuels Corporation and windfall profits tax, to Bush and Clinton’s publicly financed push for electric cars. The latest example is the 36 billion gallon biofuel mandate enacted into U.S. law last year. (Click to read entire article) |
Zoning board to decide extending Reunion’s wind test tower permit
| RICHMONDVILLE — Renewal of the one-year permit for a temporary Reunion Power wind measuring tower on Warnerville Hill will be up to the village Zoning Board of Appeals, town codes officer Gene DeMarco said. Schoharie Valley Watch, a group opposing industrial wind turbines in the area, also called last week for the existing permit to be revoked, alleging it doesn’t meet zoning law criteria. The current permit expires Thursday, according to DeMarco, and he said he has no plans to revoke it based on the citizens group’s contentions. “I reviewed it and stand by my decision to give the initial permit,” he said. DeMarco does agree with Schoharie Valley Watch that an extension of the permit is now up to the ZBA to decide. (Click to read entire article) |
4/26/2008
The Real Politics of Fuel Economy
| Politics involves the art of turning necessity into virtue, of transforming the inevitable into noble action, all the while concealing darker and more troubling truths. Consider last week's announcement by the Bush administration that it will push car companies to accelerate implementation of new federal fuel efficiency standards approved by Congress last year. Under what might be called the administration's "Urge Program," car companies now are being asked to increase the average maximum feasible fuel efficiency of all new cars and trucks sold in the United States by 25 percent by 2015. That works out to an improvement of 4.5 percent annually during the targeted 2011-2015 model-year cycle. Put another way, that means light trucks -- vans, minivans, pickups, sport-utility vehicles -- must average 28.6 miles per gallon by 2015, up from a mandated average of 22.5 mpg today. It means cars must get 35.7 mpg, up from a current standard of 27.5 mpg. (Click to read entire article) |
DEC to head turbine study
| The state Department of Environmental Conservation has declared itself the lead agency for a state environmental quality review of the proposed Galloo Island Wind Project — a ruling that may set a precedent of state review of future turbine projects. The ruling by DEC Commissioner Alexander B. "Pete" Grannis on Friday afternoon is the first time the state has stepped in to perform a SEQR for a wind project. In the only other case where the commissioner made the lead agency determination, the Steuben County Industrial Development Agency was awarded lead agency status. Upstate NY Power Corp. has proposed to construct 77 turbines on the island. The company has submitted plans for temporary residential, food service and health care structures to support about 250 workers during the project's construction. Town officials were upset by the decision. "This just adds to the overall turmoil of the whole project," Hounsfield Supervisor Jean H. Derouin said. "I anticipated this. It just shows the outside pressure being put on local people." The ruling comes after the state Department of Transportation, Department of Health and Office of General Services all sent letters to the commissioner supporting the town Planning Board as lead agency. DEC spokesman Stephen W. Litwhiler said the regional office, in Watertown, will be the "folks on the ground giving feedback," despite the commissioner's decision to perform the review from the department's Albany office. Mr. Litwhiler said he spoke with Judy Drabicki, DEC Region 6 director. "She did say she was happy with the decision," he said. The commissioner listed three primary criteria for this decision: The turbines, transmission line and infrastructure all will affect the largely undeveloped island, he wrote. Also noted is the potential archaeological significance on the island from Native America and European settlers. "I conclude that potential impacts associated with this project are primarily of regional and even statewide significance and, thus, that DEC would be most appropriately designated as lead agency under this criterion," the commissioner's decision read. Mr. Grannis noted that the sewage and water infrastructure built for the island's temporary workers during construction will need DEC approval. "DEC will have jurisdiction ... for all work under the water, including docking slip construction," the ruling states. "Likely impacts to the numerous and extensive wetlands on the island, from construction of the various components of the project including turbine sites, water and wastewater systems, housing, and all roadways, would require approvals from DEC." DEC has more in-house staff and experts to serve as the lead agency, according to the commissioner. Hounsfield officials take issue with that argument. "This decision shows the DEC thinks we're not smart enough or we don't have backbone to do it right," Mr. Derouin said. "This just gives the DEC staff in Albany the chance to walk around in the different agencies to say, 'Look at what we've accomplished.'" This does not set a precedent for DEC to declare itself lead agency for future wind turbine projects, Mr. Litwhiler said. That may not be true, said Dennis G. Whelpley, the town's attorney. "If you follow the law and their reasoning, the DEC can be lead agency on every project," he said. "They are basing their jurisdictional analysis on speculation, and they're not supposed to do that." The attorney said that filing an Article 78 lawsuit to try to have the decision reversed is an option, but he had not talked with town officials Friday night to determine whether they want to pursue legal action. "It's always about bats and birds, but what about the people?" Mr. Derouin said. The Hounsfield Town Council has said that emergency services will be provided by the town, making the project a town issue. The DEC ruling flipped the argument, saying Hounsfield will need mutual aid to respond, making it a regional concern. With that argument, DEC could become the lead agency for any project that needs mutual aid, Mr. Whelpley said. "If the Salmon Run Mall wants to build an addition, that would be DEC," he said. Mr. Litwhiler said DEC now will determine whether the project has a significant environmental impact. "We're anticipating a positive declaration," he said. |
4/25/2008
Undoing America's Ethanol Mistake
| The Nobel Prize-winning economist Milton Friedman once said, "One of the great mistakes is to judge policies and programs by their intentions rather than their results." When Congress passed legislation to greatly expand America's commitment to biofuels, it intended to create energy independence and protect the environment. But the results have been quite different. America remains equally dependent on foreign sources of energy, and new evidence suggests that ethanol is causing great harm to the environment. (Click to read entire article) |
Forests And Farms Have Significant Role As Alternative Energy Sources Are Developed
| Clare Wood Energy Project, the Clare T.D. said that bioenergy would be central in the fight against climate change. The aim of today's event was to identify the opportunities open to those in the wood industry, particularly in bioenergy production. Minister Killeen said, 'We have an ambitious targets for bioenergy, such as the generation of 12% of our renewable heat by 2020 and I am confident that the work being done here today will play a role in delivering on that national target. Furthermore, our considerable forestry and agriculture sectors afford us the opportunity to create an indigenous energy source, which will not only reduce our dependency on fossil fuels, but which will mean a cheaper, cleaner energy supply for Ireland.' He continued, 'Last January, the Government announced that businesses can receive grants from Sustainable Energy Ireland for the installation of biomass fuelled and anaerobic digestion Combined Heat and Power (CHP) Units, allowing savings of up to 25% of the annual energy costs in these locations. Not only this, but at a guaranteed support price of €120 per megawatt hour of electricity produced from biomass CHP, the conditions for the growth of this sector are optimal.' Apart from animal products, biomass CHP typically uses wood residues from the forest industry or straw from cereal production. 'The potential opportunities for our farmers and foresters are numerous', said Minister Killeen. 'I am delighted to be here today at what I regard as an excellent example of local organisations and people coming together to deliver a worthwhile service for not only the people of Clare but the country as a whole and I extend a sincere word of thanks to Rural Resources Development, Clare Wood Energy Project and Teagasc for working to bring this event to fruition', he concluded. |
Iberdrola again threatens to call off merger By LARRY RULISON
| ALBANY Officials with Iberdrola SA reiterated Thursday the Spanish company is ready to walk away from its $4.5 billion acquisition of Energy East Corp. if state regulators continue to require the sale of wind-farm assets in New York state. The issue appears to be the most divisive between Iberdrola and staff at the Public Service Commission, the state agency with final regulatory say over the deal. Pedro Azagra, Iberdrola's corporate development director, said in an interview Thursday that the company is ready to scrap the merger if the conditions aren't right. "We do deals that make sense," he said. "We do deals that are good for the shareholders. If we can't achieve those goals, we don't do the deals." Energy East, based in Maine, has more than 1 million customers in upstate New York through its New York State Electric & Gas and Rochester Gas & Electric subsidiaries. The merger has received all of the shareholder and governmental approvals it needs to be completed -- except for approval from the PSC's five voting commissioners. Although staff at the PSC, which gives recommendations and guidance to the commissioners, do not have the final say on the merger, they have been arguing the case in a legal process overseen by an administrative law judge. Iberdrola has agreed to several concessions in the case, including the sale of Energy East's fossil-fuel power plants in New York state and rate reductions for consumers. The company has offered to provide upstate customers $50 million in rate relief right after the deal closes. But it has not budged on the PSC staff demand to get out of the wind-generation business in New York state. Through a separate company called Iberdrola Renewables, the utility has a 50 percent stake in the Maple Ridge Wind Farm in Lewis County, the largest wind farm in the state. And it has 10 others in development in New York state. The PSC staff argues that if Iberdrola were to maintain ownership of Maple Ridge and develop other wind farms, it would have too much sway in the state's wholesale power market, a key component of its deregulated energy industry. Iberdrola says it would be impossible to influence wholesale pricing with wind farms, especially since wind is an "intermittent and unpredictable" power source. The company is the largest wind developer in the world and the second-largest in the United States. As part of its offer of concessions to the PSC staff, Iberdrola is offering to promise $100 million in wind-farm investments in New York state over the next three years. Azagra, the Iberdrola executive, said that investment could go a long way in helping the state reach its renewable energy goals. The state wants to get 25 percent of its energy from renewable sources like hydro power and wind by 2013. The state is currently at 19 percent renewable power, and most of the gains will have to come with wind power. Like his predecessors, Gov. David Paterson is a huge supporter of the goal. "We don't want to do $100 million in New York, we want to do more than that," Azagra said. "How many have committed to investments in New York, in writing? No one. We want to do as much as we can in New York. We want to do as much renewables as we can. We're credible, and we can deliver." Although several state agencies support the Iberdrola-Energy East merger -- with certain conditions -- the governor's office is taking a more arm's length approach. "The governor recognizes the potential this plan has for New York ratepayers," said Paterson spokesman Michael Whyland. "However, it is up to the PSC to evaluate the deal and ensure it results in real savings. It's important to respect this process." Rulison can be reached at 454-5504 or by e-mail at lrulison@timesunion.com. |
4/24/2008
Tonko files papers for Congressional run
| Finally, former Assemblyman Paul Tonko got into the race for Congress Thursday in the candidate-laden 21st District, a seat being vacated by Rep. Michael McNulty, D-Green Island. Tonko has filed his intention to seek the office with the Federal Elections Commission and signed up to be interviewed Saturday by the screening committee of the Albany County Democratic Committee, according to sources. He joins seven other Democrats whose hats are in the ring. Last July 1, Tonko, 58, an Amsterdam Democrat, become president and CEO of the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority after resigning from the state Assembly. He had represented the 105th Assembly District, including all of Montgomery and part of Schenectady counties, from April 1983 to June 2007. His interest in seeking the federal office has been rumored for months and speculation was he had to work out a deal to hold onto his job while running for Congress. On Thursday, he didn't return a call, so it was not clear whether he would have to step down to run for the seat that McNulty held for 20 years. Tonko served as chairman of the Assembly Committee on Energy, and gained a national reputation as an expert on energy and utility issues, according to his official biography. He is a graduate of Clarkson University with a degree in mechanical and industrial engineering. |
Solar Energy; Not Just Electricity
| A common inaccuracy that I frequently encounter - through work, in the media, and in government - is based on an implied assumption that energy, and energy displacement, and therefore solar energy, revolves solely around electricity. This perception is pervasive in several countries around the world. Articles, position papers, lobbying briefs and individuals reference the fact that close to 40% of carbon emitted into the atmosphere in the United States originates from the operations of buildings (correct) because of the use of fossil-fuel powered electricity generation sources (not correct). What is missing here is the heating component. It is a statistical fact that in heating climates, buildings usually use significantly more energy for heating purposes than for electricity. In other words, the 40% of CO2 emissions that originate from the building sector represents the sum of two types of energy usage — electricity and thermal — not just electricity. (Click to read entire article) |
Green Ink: Playing Hardball with OPEC
| Like clockwork: A rebounding dollar and increased oil stocks checked crude oil’s rise, reports AP. Still, it’s high enough for Iraq: Oil prices are more than double Iraqi budget projections, meaning a $70 billion windfall this year, reports AP in the WSJ. And too high for Congress. Democrats are now threatening to stop arms sales to OPEC countries unless and until they find spare oil production capacity in order to relive high prices, reports the WSJ (sub reqd.). A quicker way might be to actually use the Strategic Petroleum Reserve, especially if there are continued short-term supply disruptions from the U.K., argues Platt’s Barrel. Either way, something’s got to give: Oil analysts Wood MacKenzie expect natural gas prices will converge with crude in 3 to 4 years—and crude’s not likely to collapse, in Energy Current. The House has approved principles for a cap-and-trade climate bill, with goals a little stricter than the Senate darling, such as full auctions of emissions permits and more ambitious targets. But there’s still plenty of wiggle-room, notes Hill Heat, as both chambers grope towards a definitive climate package. Japan and the European Union are trying to find a common climate stance as well ahead of the G-8 summit, but can’t agree on levels of emissions cuts, reports the FT, though the idea of “sectoral” approaches to curbing emissions gains ground. China is again asking for developed-world technology to help the world’s biggest emitter fight climate change, reports AP, opening the door to a quid pro quo for more flexibility later. China is a perfect case study of why UN-style carbon credit projects may not really be helping, explains Common Tragedies. Chinese wind farms and hydroelectric plants would probably have been built anyway, given the country’s renewables push, but rich Western countries get credit for their clean-energy, meaning fewer emissions are curbed elsewhere. Roger Cohen in the NYT makes a pitch for Brazilian sugarcane biofuels, and warns not to throw out the baby with the bathwater when it comes to biofuels: “The real scam lies in developed world protectionism and skewed subsidies, not the biofuel idea.” And Brazil may have a new biofuel star, as malaria researchers stumble on another sugar-derived fuel, reports AFP. Now, how to move it around? The Guardian reports that political uncertainty over biofuels has paralyzed biofuel tanker production. |
Michigan can grow biofuels the right way
| The recent outpouring of bad news about biofuels is impossible to ignore. The supposed fall from grace of this fuel that was supposed to wean America off foreign oil, slow global warming and restore our agricultural economy has been breathtakingly fast. From Time magazine's "Clean Energy Scam" cover story last month to scientific articles saying that growing fuel will actually increase global warming pollution, the imminent death of biofuel -- before it was fully born -- is being predicted everywhere. Yet what has been lost in the debate is what many of us working in this area have known for years: Biofuels are not inherently "good" or "bad." It all depends on how and what fuels are grown. Done wrong, biofuels are disastrous for our economy and environment. Done right, biofuels not only can fulfill their promise for agriculture, climate change and oil dependence, but they also can bolster our flagging auto industry. And therein lies an opportunity for Michigan. (Click to read entire article) |
4/23/2008
CleanSkies.tv
| Former Corporation Commissioner Denise Bode, who now heads the Clean Skies Foundation in Washington, announced on the group's website that its new Internet-based television-style news show will debut today, Earth Day. Bode, who resigned a year ago to become CEO of the foundation, is now based in Washington. The foundation was formed by Chesapeake Energy and its chairman, Aubrey McClendon, who also serves as chairman of the foundation. Bode and broadcaster Ron Black now host "Energy Matters," a series of brief reports, on radio station KTOK in Oklahoma City, and other stations. One of those involved in the pioneering Internet news show is former KOCO-TV news anchor Tyler Suiters, who announced a week ago he had resigned to join Clean Skies TV in Washington. Suiters made his on-air debut this afternoon with a field report from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in Cambridge during primary anchor Susan McGinnis's segment. Bode writes that the site will air energy news updates every hour and provide programming throughout the day at http://www.cleanskies.tv/. (This morning's programming included a panel discussion about the presidential candidates and their positions on energy with panelists from The Associated Press, The Hill and Reuters.) Bode's announcement, and and more about the new programming, can be found at http://www.cleanskies.org/. |
Bath utility proposal tabled
| The village board Monday stepped back from its resolution to abolish the 76-year-old Public Utility Commission, which oversees the daily operations of Bath Electric Gas and Water Systems. A 45-minute public hearing attended by nearly 200 village residents revealed strong local support for the Commission, and village trustees at its conclusion voted unanimously to table a resolution formalizing the Commission’s dissolution. Former Mayor Larry Bates summarized opposition to dissolving the Commission, noting village board and Commission members have frequently clashed in the past. “There’s absolutely nothing new ... about village trustees and Commission members being at loggerheads over something,” Bates said. In dissolving the Commission, he warned the board, “You’re getting ready to throw out the baby with the bath water.” (Click to read entire article) |
Corporate Social Responsibility and Energy: Lessons from Enron
| “If there is one thing I have been impressed with over the last decades, it is that when the environmental community defines a number one priority, something happens. Not always something good—but something.”1 Dr. Kenneth L. Lay Chairman, Enron Corporation, June 1997 INTRODUCTION Capitalism took the fall for Enron. Yet it is largely forgotten that this company had been a favorite of the environmental Left and an advocate/practitioner of the trendy notion of corporate social responsibility (CSR). Nonetheless, when the company collapsed in December 2001, Enron and its once-iconic chairman Ken Lay suddenly became Exhibit A against the teachings of Adam Smith, Ayn Rand, Milton Friedman, and other proponents of self-interest and voluntary exchange. “The ideal of the unregulated market is flawed,” proclaimed business ethicist Marjorie Kelly in her Enron interpretation, “and it’s time we said goodbye to the invisible hand.”2 Princeton economist Paul Krugman predicted in the New York Times that the demise of Enron—an event that was bigger than 9-11 in his view—would sour society against free-market capitalism.3 Robert Kuttner took the argument a step further in BusinessWeek: (Click to read entire essay) |
Transport energy now 'No. 1 issue' facing U.S.
| Energy, specifically transportation energy, is now "the No. 1 issue" facing the United States and its economy, the World Congress of the 103-year-old SAE International heard last week. John Mizrock, principal deputy assistant secretary to the U.S. Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energytold a panel discussion in Detroit, the U.S. will shortly be spending "more than the rest of the world combined in developing alternative fuels." The U.S. doesn't have much choice: "I think it is safe to say the U.S. economy is completely dependent on transportation," Mizrock told some of the more than 30,000 automotive engineers and industry executives attending the event. The U.S. owns 25 per cent of the world's 900 million cars and light trucks (up from 70 million in 1960) and consumes 25 per cent of the world's oil, despite having only five per cent of the world's population. And it isn't one of the eight countries which controls the global oil economy. (Click to read entire article) |
U.S. Earth Day goes political and corporate
| Google went green and so did dozens of comic strips while President George W. Bush planted a tree on Tuesday to mark Earth Day, an environmental event that has become increasingly political and corporate. Thirty-eight years after Earth Day began as a series of grass-roots "teach-ins" about environmental conservation and pollution, April 22 has become an occasion to focus attention on human-generated climate change and the policies around it -- a topic not on the public mind in 1970. The method for getting the message across has certainly evolved. Google.com's online search site featured a lush logo with letters made of moss-covered boulders, a tree sprouting from the "L" and a waterfall flowing beneath it. Clicking on the image led to a list of Earth Day-related sites. (Click to read entire article) |
Earth Day Cartoon
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4/22/2008
DEC Joins Six Public and Private Organizations on North America’s Largest Climate Initiative
| To celebrate Earth Day 2008, New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Commissioner Pete Grannis announced today that DEC and six public and private organizations have signed on to a pioneering effort to track emissions that lead to climate change. The “Founding Reporters” participating in The Climate Registry’s nationwide initiative now include DEC, the cities of Syracuse and Rochester, New York State Environmental Facilities Corporation, New York Power Authority, and private businesses Ecology and Environment, Inc. and RiverWright Energy, LLC. “I am proud that private and public organizations are continuing New York State’s leadership in the fight against climate change,” Grannis said, “Participants in The Climate Registry have agreed to inventory greenhouse gas emissions, have the inventories verified by a third party and report the information publicly. These are critical steps in making the right decisions to achieve real reductions in greenhouse gas emissions.” The Climate Registry, North America’s largest climate initiative, is a not-for-profit organization that has established a common system for state and tribally recognized greenhouse gas emissions records. On April 2, 2008, the Registry released its General Reporting Protocol, which defines the methods that will be used to calculate, verify, and publicly report greenhouse gas emissions. (Click to read entire announcement) |
Commissioner Glynn Announces Environmental Initiatives
| On the eve of this year’s Earth Day commemoration, New York State Department of Transportation Commissioner Astrid Glynn today announced a series of environmental initiatives, including a charge to the newly created Climate Change/Energy Efficiency Team to develop transportation policy strategies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions produced by the department and the state’s transportation sector. “Our environment is influenced by the transportation choices we make,” Commissioner Glynn said. “The transportation system we envision will protect and enhance the environment, while reducing our carbon footprint, conserving natural resources and improving the economy and quality of life for all New Yorkers.” Commissioner Glynn, who is scheduled to address Albany-area employees about the department’s environmental initiatives tomorrow, also announced expansion of the department’s use of “living snow fences” to control blowing and drifting snow along highways, the posting of information about trees on the department Web site, continuation of the department’s Clean Air New York initiative and the development of informational posters about department research programs that benefit the environmental. “By making environmental protection a consideration in everything we do, the New York State Department of Transportation is striving to help its employees and all of our transportation partners become better stewards of the environment,” Commissioner Glynn said. The Climate Change/Energy Efficiency Team was initiated in September 2007 to establish new policies that will lead to a reduction in the air pollutants responsible for global warming. Five work groups have been established to make recommendations for action. In the process, the department has committed to: (Click to read entire announcement) |
Iberdrola's bid for Energy East on hold
| MADRID, Spain — Iberdrola SA said Monday it expects to decide in June whether to buy Energy East Corp., which means the long-running takeover proposal would be a year old when it's finally resolved. The Spanish utility and Energy East, the parent of Rochester Gas and Electric, announced their $4.5 billion deal in June 2007, acknowledging that many approvals were needed for the transaction to go through. While shareholders and several New England states where Energy East does business have approved the takeover, the issue has slowed to a near-halt before the New York Public Service Commission. Iberdrola said Monday that it doesn't expect the PSC to set out its final conditions for the transaction until June. Iberdrola Chairman Ignacio Sanchez Galan said last week that the PSC's conditions could cause Iberdrola to rethink the deal. The Spanish company has tried "repeatedly" to negotiate with the PSC, Jose Luis del Valle, strategy director of Iberdrola, said in Madrid on Monday. "We expect a ruling in June," said del Valle. "If the conditions are reasonable, we will close the purchase in the same month." New York is testing how badly Iberdrola, owner of wind power turbines on three continents, wants to grow in the world's largest energy market. The PSC staff insists that Iberdrola must sell its existing wind farm in the state, on top of five plants Iberdrola agreed to sell in March. Separately Monday, Iberdrola said first-quarter operating profit jumped 66 percent. |
4/21/2008
Mother Jones' Energy Issue: The Nuclear Option, Fossil Fools, Poop Power and More
 The blaring headline on the front cover of the May/June issue really says it all: "It's behind the war, the recession, the ice caps: if we don't confront our energy crisis, we're screwed." As far as "green" issues of major/independent news publications go - and we've certainly seen our fair share over the last few months (Vanity Fair, Time, NYT and The New Republic to name a few) - MoJo's effort stands out as one of the best. |
PSC to take up and vote on Iberdrola acquition of Energy East
| PSC LISTS AGENDA FOR WEDNESDAY, APRIL 23, 2008 PLEASE NOTE: MEETING WILL BE BROADCAST ON THE INTERNET - VIDEOCASTING TO COMMISSION’S NEW YORK CITY OFFICES ALSO AVAILABLE - Albany, NY – 4/18/08 – The Public Service Commission announced today the agenda for its regular meeting starting at 10:30 A.M., Wednesday, April 23, 2008, in the 19th Floor Board Room of its offices located at Three Empire State Plaza, Albany, New York. Individuals in New York City wishing to view the Commission's meeting may do so in the Board Room on the 4th floor of the Commission's offices at 90 Church Street, New York City. The videocasting will be for viewing and listening purposes only. Pursuant to procedures established by the building management, anyone planning to observe the meeting in the New York City Board Room must notify Jan Goorsky at 212-417-2378, 48 hours in advance of the meeting, and must be prepared to show valid photo identification upon arrival at 90 Church Street. In addition to the video broadcasting of the meeting in the Commission’s New York City offices, the meeting will be broadcast live on the Internet. The Internet broadcast can be viewed through NewYorkAdmin by accessing http://www.NewYorkAdmin.com from a computer capable of using RealPlayer. RealPlayer can be downloaded from the NewYorkAdmin Web site. The Commission has no financial interest in the Web site, its management, maintenance or administration. 07-M-0906 IBERDROLA, S.A., ENERGY EAST CORPORATION, RGS ENERGY GROUP, INC., GREENE ACQUISITION CAPITAL, INC., NEW YORK STATE ELECTRIC & GAS CORPORATION and ROCHESTER GAS & ELECTRIC CORPORATION – Joint Pet. for Approval of the Acquisition of Energy East Corporation by Iberdrola. (Click to read entire announcement) |
New York has regulatory labyrinth
| It's no secret that New York has a reputation for being a formidable foe in the regulatory ring. And while oversight is a necessary function of government, too much can be cumbersome. The latest example is playing out in the acquisition of Energy East by Spanish energy conglomerate Iberdrola. Despite securing all necessary approvals in New Hampshire, Connecticut and Maine, New York continues to impose additional conditions. As a result, Iberdrola's chairman said last week at its annual shareholder meeting that the company may end up reconsidering the purchase. That would be unfortunate, considering what seem like numerous benefits the wind ener |