Electric car possibility sparks interest of Juneau utility 

July 5, 2010

By Alan Bailey of the Petroleum News: Juneau residents might soon see emission-free electric automobiles whirring along the eight miles of highway that connect the state capital’s downtown area to the Mendenhall Valley where many Juneau residents live. At least, that’s the vision of Juneau electric utility Alaska Electric Light & Power. With a small, isolated road infrastructure and all electricity coming from hydropower, Juneau is particularly well-suited for electric vehicle use, Tim McLeod, chief executive of the electric company, said at the recent Business of Clean Energy in Alaska Conference. In fact, a 20- to 30-mile range would probably be adequate for most battery-powered cars used in and around the capital, he said. Read more

Gustavus uses hydro to go diesel-free 

July 5, 2010

By Pat Forgey of the Juneau Empire: Gustavus no longer looks to Juneau, Sitka and Ketchikan and envies their cheap and plentiful hydroelectric power. Instead, other Southeast Alaska communities are looking towards Gustavus and wondering whether they can do what the Icy Strait city did: Overcome decades-long hurdles, and replace its diesel generators with cheap, clean and plentiful hydroelectric power. The community recently held a public celebration of its new Falls Creek Hydroelectric Project, which last year began providing all of Gustavus’ power.

In 2008, Gustavus Electric burned 132,000 gallons of diesel. Gustavus’ diesel generators cost 74 cents per kilowatt-hour to produce power during the peak of fuel prices, with a more recent price of 39 cents per kwh. Falls Creek will bring that cost to under 20 cents. While Gustavus now has surplus power, it didn’t come either cheaply or easily. The total cost of the project was $8.2 million, Levitt said. Read more

China Fears Consumer Impact on Global Warming 

July 5, 2010

By Keith Bradsher of the New York Times: Premier Wen Jiabao has promised to use an “iron hand” this summer to make his nation more energy efficient. The central government has ordered cities to close inefficient factories by September, like the vast Guangzhou Steel mill here, where most of the 6,000 workers will be laid off or pushed into early retirement.

Already, in the last three years, China has shut down more than a thousand older coal-fired power plants that used technology of the sort still common in the United States. China has also surpassed the rest of the world as the biggest investor in wind turbines and other clean energy technology. And it has dictated tough new energy standards for lighting and gas mileage for cars. But even as Beijing imposes the world’s most rigorous national energy campaign, the effort is being overwhelmed by the billionfold demands of Chinese consumers. Read more

ALASKA WASTE BIODIESEL PROGRAM AND COMPOSTING PROGRAM 

*July 15
ALASKA WASTE BIODIESEL PROGRAM AND COMPOSTING PROGRAM will be discussed at the Anchorage Economic Development Corporation at 510 L Street, Suite 603 from Noon to 1pm. A representative from Alaska Waste will discuss the company’s new biodiesel generation project as well as the early successes of its in-vessel composting program. There’s a new name in town — Alaska Green Waste Solutions. That’s the name of the new company created this past January by Alaska Waste’s parent company, JL Properties, to develop Alaska Waste’s ventures in biodiesel manufacturing and commercial composting. Alaska Green Waste Solutions unveiled its newest green initiative last month with the commissioning of its biodiesel plant at 6301 Rosewood Street in Anchorage.

Operation Free energy event in Anchorage 

Operation Free event in downtown Anchorage
Tuesday, July 6, 2010 at 11:00AM

Operation Free is a coalition of military veterans and national security organizations that have been traveling the country education people on the connection between our energy policy, climate change, and national security. Our next big event is next Tuesday July 6th at 11 am at the Dena’ina Convention Center 600 W. 7th Ave Anchorage. The event is free and will feature Lt General Castellaw speaking about the moves the U.S. military is making towards clean renewable energy and why this is vital for our national security. Please share this information with your friends and family. You can RSVP at our site here and read more about Operation Free

Dena’ina Center
600 West Seventh Avenue
Anchorage, AK 99501

ENERGY INNOVATION: ALASKA’S PATH ON A SUSTAINABLE FUTURE 

*July 7
FAIRBANKS – JESSIE PETERSON, local issues and energy coordinator for the Northern Alaska Environmental Center, will discuss ENERGY INNOVATION: ALASKA’S PATH ON A SUSTAINABLE FUTURE at 7pm in the Schaible Auditorium. Alaska is at an energy crossroads. We have the option of either staying with the past, relying heavily on fossil fuels, or being innovative leaders who are ready to transition to a sustainable energy future. FREE For more information, contact (907) 474-7021, (866) 404-7021 toll free, (907) 474-5297 fax or email summer@uaf.edu.

FIRE ISLAND WIND PROJECT UPDATE 

**July 8
FIRE ISLAND WIND PROJECT will be presented by Brian Kovol of Restoration Science & Engineering from Noon to 1pm at the Anchorage Economic Development Corporation, 510 L Street, Suite 603. He will present the latest on this renewable energy project. Light refreshments will be provided.

FAIRBANKS – GREEN BUILDING WORKSHOP 

FAIRBANKS – GREEN BUILDING WORKSHOP will be held at 9am to 4pm at the Georgeson Botanical Garden Pavilion instructed by ROB ROY. This three-day cordwood masonry workshop is divided into equal parts classroom work (cordwood theory via lectures and slideshows) and hands-on experience. Witness master builders at work and assist Rob and Jaki in the construction of a cordwood masonry garden shed, built on location at the Georgeson Botanical Garden on the UAF campus. Learn this useful and eco-friendly skill while offering a lasting contribution to UAF. Register here or at UAOnline. NRM F040. Cost: $300. For more information, call (907)474-7021. To register, go to http://www.uaf.edu/summer/registration/.

Lean & Green Workshop – BP Energy Center 

Lean & Green Workshop July 8, 8:30AM – 2:30 PM BP Energy Center

Learn the proven techniques used by industrial, commercial and public entities to save costs, improve customer value, and empower employees. At the end of the day you will have the tools to go back to your shop and do at least five things right now that will cut costs while reducing environmental impacts. Plus, we will show you how to easily combine these ‘Lean & Green’ techniques into a sustainability plan for your firm. For more event info, click here.