Results: Calendar of Events
December 18, 2009
By Kim Marquis of the Juneau Empire: Sealaska corporate executives are banking on the sometimes-truth, “If you build it, they will come,” by making a commitment to biomass as an energy source. The company this month announced it will convert its Juneau headquarters from oil to a wood-fired boiler system. A stream of wood pellets will come from British Columbia until a regional provider can do it. Sealaska’s four-story building is too small to support the distribution system alone, so additional commercial building operators will have to follow Sealaska’s example and convert to biomass heat for the economics to work out. Read more
December 18, 2009
By Kim Marquis of the Juneau Empire: An 18-month-old biomass plant in Craig is saving the city money on its heating bills, but the transition hasn’t been without complications, according to City Manager Jon Bolling. The plant in the small town on Prince of Wales Island is the only one operating in Southeast Alaska. It burns wood chips from a nearby sawmill to heat water that is piped through three municipal buildings previously heated with oil or propane. Read more
December 18, 2009
From USA TODAY: WASHINGTON — The White House complex and the federal government are going green — and not just with Christmas trees and holly. As President Obama meets with world leaders at the United Nations climate conference in Copenhagen today, the government he runs at home is quietly engaged in an unprecedented effort to reduce its carbon footprint, increase energy efficiency, conserve water, cut waste and more.In the complex that includes the White House, that means more efficient heating and cooling systems as well as organic paint, low-flow toilets and lights that turn off by themselves. Even the 800 Christmas ornaments adorning the 18-foot tree in the White House Blue Room were recycled from previous administrations in a nod to the environment and the bad economy. Read more
December 18, 2009
Next spring, Mat–Su College will offer three courses focused on renewable energy. The classes are aimed at those interested in pursuing a career in renewable energy and are part of a new Occupational Endorsement Certificate Program in Renewable Energy. For more information, contact Dan Mielke at 745-9715 or DMielke@matsu.alaska.edu, or Kristin Owens at 745-9324 or KOwens@matsu.alaska.edu
The University of Alaska is also offering a distance-delivered class on sustainable energy in Spring 2010. Offered through the Bristol Bay Campus, ENVI 293 Intro to Sustainable Energy is a 3-credit class available to a wide population via distance delivery (internet and phone). It covers the basics of both energy efficiency and renewable energy. For more information about the class, contact instructor Tom Marsik at tmarsik@alaska.edu or go to http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=207983748859. For information about financial aid or to register, call the Bristol Bay Campus at 800-478-5109.
ENVI293_Syllabus(.doc)
ENVI293_TentativeSchedule(.doc)
December 16, 2009
From the Wall Street Journal: WASHINGTON — The White House will announce plans Wednesday to provide another $5 billion in tax credits for manufacturers of wind, solar, electric vehicle and other renewable energy products, hoping to leverage at least $15 billion in private investment and create “tens of thousands” of jobs.
The expansion would increase three-fold the $2.3 billion available in the Section 48C Advanced Energy Manufacturing Tax Credit program, part of the $787 billion stimulus package enacted in February. That program has been over-subscribed. The additional money could go to applicants turned down when the money ran out. Read more
December 15, 2009
From the Website of the Environmental Data Interactive Exchange: Ireland’s Energy minister, Eamon Ryan, has welcomed the news which was revealed in the Energy in Ireland 1990-2008 report yesterday (December 14). Ireland’s use of renewable energy grow by 21% in 2008 according to the report. Mr Ryan said: “Having exceeded 12% electricity from renewable sources, we are well on our way to reaching our interim targets next year. Read more
December 15, 2009
From the Washington Post: Toyota, the world’s biggest seller of gasoline-electric hybrid cars, intends to begin retail sales of a plug-in version of its Prius hybrid by 2011 as environmental concerns increase demand for fuel-efficient vehicles. The company aims to sell “several tens of thousands” of plug-ins a year globally, Executive Vice President Takeshi Uchiyamada told reporters in Tokyo. Toyota will begin leasing the cars to governments and businesses, and aims to sign agreements covering 600 through the first half of 2010. Read more
December 15, 2009
Washington, DC – U.S. Energy Secretary Steven Chu announced today that the Department of Energy will provide up to $30 billion in loan guarantees, depending on the applications and market conditions, for renewable energy projects. Another $750 million will support several billion dollars more in loan guarantees for projects that increase the reliability, efficiency and security of the nation’s transmission system. The two new loan guarantee solicitations announced today are being funded partly through the Recovery Act and partly through 2009 appropriations.
“These investments will be used to create jobs, spur the development of innovative clean energy technologies, and help ensure a smart, strong and secure grid that will deliver renewable power more effectively and reliably,” said Secretary Chu. “This administration has set a goal of doubling renewable electricity generation over the next three years. To achieve that goal, we need to accelerate renewable project development by ensuring access to capital for advanced technology projects. We also need a grid that can move clean energy from the places it can be produced to the places where it can be used and that can integrate variable sources of power, like wind and solar.” Read more
LEED-EB: A TOOL FOR ACHIEVING FACILITY ENERGY SAVINGS:
A FREE webcast, will be held at 9am (Alaska Time). The 75-minute webcast will address: *How to use the LEED-EB (existing building): *Operations and Maintenance rating system as an instrument for developing a sustainable facility management plan; *How to use ENERGY STAR to benchmark your facility’s energy use; *How to forecast achievable cost savings; and *How to measure, benchmark and improve. For more information or to register, go to www.facilitiesnet.com/webinar/leed_1109. Space is limited.
December 14, 2009
From the Guardian newspaper: The Obama administration tried to sweeten a climate change deal for developing countries today with the promise of a $350m fund for the development of new clean energy technologies. The fund will be used to encourage the development of renewable energy projects such as wind and solar power and more energy efficient appliances in the developing world.
In an appearance at the climate change summit in Copenhagen, the energy secretary Steven Chu likened the initiative to the breakthrough of seed technology which helped lift countries in Asia out of poverty. “We need a gamechanger like the green revolution was for agriculture,” he said. Read more
