August 11, 2009
The New York Times Green Inc. blog reports on a record set in Ireland on Friday, July 31, when output from the country’s turbines peaked at 999 megawatts, which is enough to supply over 650,000 homes. The story says the record-breaking power reached customers across Ireland, ranging from large industries to households. At certain times during the day, the wind-produced power met 39 percent of Ireland’s demand for electricity. To read more, go here.
August 11, 2009
UPDATE: The state Legislature Monday overrode former Gov. Sarah Palin’s veto of $28.6 million in federal energy stimulus funding. The money will fund work to better weatherize homes, provide rebates and other financial incentives for businesses and homeowners to install more energy efficiency equipment. It will also fund research on and education about energy efficiency and renewable energy. The money is expected to provide jobs and allow residents and businesses to cut their energy bills and energy consumption. The 45 to 14 vote was the minimum number of votes needed to override the governor’s veto. It received widespread coverage, including in the New York Times Green Inc. blog and Anchorage Daily News. REAP would like to thank legislators and others for all their hard work on this important issue.
August 21, 2009
1:30 pm to 4:30 pm
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Contact: Christine Glunz
August 7, 2009 202-456-3469
Obama Administration Officials to Hold Ocean Policy Task Force Public Meeting in Anchorage August 21, 2009
ANCHORAGE, AK – Obama Administration officials will hold their first Ocean Policy Task Force Public Meeting in Anchorage, Alaska on August 21, 2009. The Interagency Ocean Policy Task Force, led by White House Council on Environmental Quality Chair Nancy Sutley, consists of senior-level officials from Administration agencies, departments, and offices.
The Task Force is charged with developing a recommendation for a national policy that ensures protection, maintenance, and restoration of oceans, our coasts and the Great Lakes. It will also recommend a framework for improved stewardship, and effective coastal and marine spatial planning. The public is encouraged to attend and an opportunity for public comment will be provided.
Who: White House Council on Environmental Quality Chair Nancy Sutley
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Administrator Dr. Jane Lubchenco
Deputy Secretary of the Department of Interior David Hayes
Coast Guard Commandant Admiral Thad Allen
Deputy Assistant to the President on Energy and Climate Change Heather Zichal
What: Ocean Policy Task Force Public Meeting
When: Friday, August 21, 1:30 – 4:30 p.m.
Where: The Dena’ina Civic & Convention Center
555 W 5th Ave
Anchorage, AK
Note: Public comment can also be submitted online at: http://www.whitehouse.gov/administration/eop/ceq/initiatives/oceans/
August 7, 2009
To see their installation on YouTube, click on the picture
Alaskan Wind Industries installed the first Skystream 3.7 Wind Turbine in Homer Alaska this year. This wind turbine is sitting 42ft high on Diamond Ridge facing the city. Each wind turbine is named by the homeowner or business for maintenance and for identification with manufacture. This wind turbine is named “Lucy in the sky with diamonds”. This couple has lived in Homer Alaska since the early 1950’s and was a recipient to the Exxon settlement to help them with the new clean energy. Deborah and Michael Limacher love the idea of clean energy and their motto is: “once the turbine is paid off, you have free and independent clean energy!!” These Business Owners of Heavenly Ridge will be receiving a 25% business grant for this project from the USDA as well as a 30% Tax Rebate from the Federal Government.
August 7, 2009
The state legislature has called a special session for this coming Monday, August 10th, to override former Governor Sarah Palin’s veto of $28.6 million in federal stimulus funds for renewable energy and energy efficiency. Governor Sean Parnell has said he’ll request the funds from the federal government if it takes place. Alaska was the only state to refuse the money.
So what could the money be used for?
The Alaska Housing Finance Corporation in March created a planned list of uses for the $28.6 million. The money would go to programs administered by the Alaska Housing Finance Corporation and the Alaska Energy Authority. The list included programs to:
- develop statewide greenbuilding standards
- provide rebates to residents who set up renewable energy systems
- pay for energy efficiency education workshops
- fund weatherization upgrades of homes
- provide matching funds for energy audits of commercial facilities in the state.
- provide rebates, incentives or payments for commerical, industrial and institutional facilities installing energy efficent equipment.
- fund research and development on renewable energy systems for communities to provide both electricity and heat.
Let your legislator know how you feel about this important issue. Every constituent’s voice is important. For legislative contact information click HERE
August 12, 2009
6:00 pm to 8:00 pm
Carol Heyman, Manager Commercial & Community Relations for Chugach Electric Association, Inc., will be speaking on Smart Power and engaging the public in a dialogue on Energy Efficiency, as well as hearing ideas on how Chugach and other utilities should communicate about the possible gas crisis this winter.
A bit about Carol: An Anchorage resident since 1971, Carol develops and maintains communications with Chugach’s largest commercial customers. Working with Chugach engineering and operations staff to assist commercial customers with construction, lighting and energy projects has been the core of her business activity with Chugach Electric. Carol has helped develop Chugach’s web based load management and billing program for large commercial customers. For the past 10 years Carol has coordinated lighting workshops and audits for Chugach. Over the past year her main focus has been helping to develop and establish Smart Power, Chugach’s collaborative energy efficiency program.
Carol stays active in many organizations and serves as a link between Chugach and the Community. She and her husband, Duane, as co-chairs, completed the $19 million capital campaign for the new addition to the Anchorage Museum.
Other activities include the following:
Alaska District Export Council, appointee of the US Secretary of Commerce
Alaska Regional Hospital, Board of Trustees
UAA Small Business Development Center Statewide Advisory Board
Active member, Building Owners & Managers Association (BOMA), Anchorage Chamber of Commerce – Camp $tart-Up Committee (ATHENA Society), American Hospital Association, Anchorage Project Access Development Committee
August 4, 2009
WASHINGTON – With the goal of expanding development of renewable energy projects throughout the United States and creating new jobs, the U.S. Department of Energy and the U.S. Department of the Treasury today announced they are now accepting applications for a program that will make direct payments in lieu of tax credits to companies that create and place in service renewable energy facilities. The two Departments estimate distributing at least $3 billion in financial support to approximately 5,000 bio-mass, solar, wind, and other types of renewable energy production facilities. The funding for this effort is made available through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.
Said Secretary Chu: “This program will play a major role in encouraging private sector capital to invest in clean energy development, creating new jobs that can’t be outsourced. It is an investment that will continue to help our economy grow and ensure advancement in clean and renewable energy development.”
“As we move quickly to get our economy back on track and to repair the financial system, we must make investments that lay the foundation for a stronger economic future,” said Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner. “Too many renewable energy projects have stalled due to a lack of financing. The Recovery Act program will lead to investment in our long-term energy needs, move us towards energy independence, increase jobs at energy-specific businesses, and protect our environment.”
The Recovery Act authorized Treasury to make direct payments to companies that create and place in service renewable energy facilities beginning January 1, 2009. Previously, these companies could file for a tax credit to cover a portion of the renewable energy project’s cost; under the new program, applicants would agree to forgo future tax credits in favor of an immediate reimbursement of a portion of the property expense. The Energy Department will assist Treasury in implementing this program by reviewing the technical merits of the applications.
In previous years, the tax credit has been widely used. The rate of new renewable energy installations has fallen since the economic downturn began, as projects had a more difficult time obtaining financing. The Departments of the Treasury and Energy expect a fast acceleration of businesses applying for the direct cash payment in lieu of the tax credit, allowing for an immediate stimulus in local economies.
Earlier this year, Energy and Treasury held a stakeholder outreach conference call to assist companies in applying for the program. They also made available in advance the program’s terms and conditions, guidance, and a sample application so that companies could prepare applications in advance of the launch of the web-based application, aimed at expediting the distribution of program funds to eligible businesses.
Companies interested in applying for the program can visit the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Application Submission page for more information.
Media contact(s):
Energy Public Affairs, (202) 586-49400
Treasury Public Affairs (202) 622-296
August 7, 2009
2:00 pm to 4:00 pm
Meeting at 2pm at the Challenger Learning Center to discuss the STATEWIDE ENERGY PLAN including HB 218 Creating Dept of Energy/AEA Board and HB 219 Renewable Energy Grant Requirements.
To participate by teleconference, call 463-5073 in Juneau and (888) 295-4546 outside Juneau.
August 8, 2009
10:00 am to 5:00 pm
Held from 10am to 5pm at the Alaska Botanical Garden, 4601 Campbell Airstrip Rd. ONE DAY ONLY.
New this year – all types of plastic pots will be accepted for recycling, including HDPE, PP, PS, etc. Please clean, pre-sort, & stack pots prior to bringing them to ABG. Bring a pot, take a pot – recyclers welcome to “harvest” pots for re-use.
August 15, 2009
10:00 am to 4:00 pm
Held from 10am to 4pm in various locations around the state. The Alaska Center for Appropriate Technology is sponsoring the Alaska Solar Tour in conjunction with the American Solar Energy Society. The Alaska Solar Tour will feature home and business sites in our community that showcase installations of Solar thermal, PV (Photovoltaic), green building features, and other renewable and sustainable technologies.
Find out how your neighbors are trimming their energy bills, generating their own electricity, and improving the future of our planet by living sustainably today. This is a free self directed tour. No registration is required. View the map of host sites at Alaska Solar Tour and get a carload of friends to visit a few of your neighbors open house sites. For more information, go to ACAT.
