CCT EXTRA reports the following regarding important energy legislation as it winds its way through the legislative process:
Sanctuary amendment dropped from energy bill
By David Kibbe
Ottaway News Service
Massachusetts Senate leaders have drafted an energy bill that drops a House amendment to open Buzzards Bay and other ocean sanctuaries to what critics say would be unlimited renewable energy development. Inquirer & Mirror
Another filing Friday to override Cape Cod Commission
A formality in the process to undo a commission misstep Patriot Ledger
Showing posts with label Energy. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Energy. Show all posts
Friday, December 28, 2007
Friday, December 14, 2007
Where is Middleboro?
Every other Town seems to be addressing municipal energy consumption.
Where is Middleboro?
Is anyone asking?
Easton to take part in energy-saving program
By Susan Tolar, Enterprise correspondent
EASTON— In an effort to save money and cut energy consumption, the town will take part in a statewide pilot program to make water pumping stations more efficient. Enteprise
Where is Middleboro?
Is anyone asking?
Easton to take part in energy-saving program
By Susan Tolar, Enterprise correspondent
EASTON— In an effort to save money and cut energy consumption, the town will take part in a statewide pilot program to make water pumping stations more efficient. Enteprise
Sunday, December 9, 2007
Wind
The 12/6/07 Middleboro Gazette published a letter to the editor written by Kevin J. Cook that filled half the page promoting wind energy in Middleboro.
While I'm highly critical of the Cape Cod Commission and the legislature for their inaction in aggressively supporting coastal wind development, the feasibility of wind energy was not within my consideration when criticizing the Middleboro Board of Selectmen's inactions.
After reading Mr. Cook's letter, which itemizes solely coastal communities with prevailing winds, a little google searching provided the information listed below.
It appears from the DOE maps, that mountains and coastal zones are the appropriate locations for wind energy generation.
Should the G&E pursue a joint coastal venture with other communities more appropriately situated, it would appear a progressive solution.
As is pointed out in pingswept, reducing energy consumption should be the beginning, but falls sadly short, and is totally ignored by the Middleboro BOS.
This map indicates that Massachusetts has wind resources consistent with utility-scale production. Excellent-to-outstanding resource is located on the northern part of Cape Cod and good-to-excellent areas are found in the southern part of Cape Cod and along the shore of Martha's Vineyard and Nantucket. Particular ridge crest locations of the Berkshires in western Massachusetts also have excellent wind resource. DOE
The outcry against Cape Wind is a travesty. It comes down to an unpleasant choice of how we get the energy we need. We have to satisfy our rising energy needs somehow. If you’re opposed to using local energy sources to fulfill our energy needs, you have to be in favor of either reduction of our energy needs (which have been strictly increasing for all of recorded history) or getting the energy from somewhere else.
The first choice, reducing energy consumption, requires either widespread, voluntary efficiency gains among the populace, forced efficiency gains via government intervention, or the arrival of the hard times. I think it would be imprudent to plan on any of those events occurring. Our understanding of efficiency improvements falls vastly short of what we need. Even the NPR-listening Prius drivers among us are making decisions around the level of 20% improvements by 10% of the population, while the population continues to increase. We’re excited about skyscrapers with green roofs, which collect water for irrigation of the plants in the lobby, and building-integrated solar, which can supply maybe 1% of the heating and cooling requirements of the building. We’re not thinking about changes on the level of, “You don’t get to heat your house in the winter any more.” pingswept
The first choice, reducing energy consumption, requires either widespread, voluntary efficiency gains among the populace, forced efficiency gains via government intervention, or the arrival of the hard times. I think it would be imprudent to plan on any of those events occurring. Our understanding of efficiency improvements falls vastly short of what we need. Even the NPR-listening Prius drivers among us are making decisions around the level of 20% improvements by 10% of the population, while the population continues to increase. We’re excited about skyscrapers with green roofs, which collect water for irrigation of the plants in the lobby, and building-integrated solar, which can supply maybe 1% of the heating and cooling requirements of the building. We’re not thinking about changes on the level of, “You don’t get to heat your house in the winter any more.” pingswept
Saturday, December 8, 2007
Energy Resources
Several years ago, Cooper Hewitt in New York hosted a photovoltaics exhibition. PV are solar panels that generate electricity.
When asked about the cost of installation, the architect's first comment was that the household energy requirement had to be reduced to the lowest possible level.
He didn't mean to sit in the dark, pump water by hand from a well, or eliminate the amenities we're accustomed to.
His intent was to mandate personal responsibility to reduce energy consumption by employing the most energy efficient technology prior to considering photovoltaics.
Previous posts offer some basic tips, but an internet search provides an endless array of ideas and sources.
It is frequently striking that those who complain about high energy costs, haven't installed CFLs (compact fluorescent lights) or taken any action to reduce their consumption. Since lighting accounts for ~ 15% of household energy consumption, it's an inexpensive place to start. CFLs have declined drastically in price and a wider selection of sizes and uses are available. Or those who have windows that remain uncovered.
And the silence from the Middleboro Board of Selectmen continues to amaze.
Effective Energy Policy requires an integrated approach: 1. Municipal and Household energy reduction; 2. Employment of appropriate alternatives by municipalities and households; 3. Construction of Alternative Energy Sources, as just the beginning.
Understanding the surrounding issues and creating a dialogue is of utmost importance for our survival.
UAW supports major boost in fuel economy standards; compromise bill includes safeguards for U.S. auto manufacturing jobs
The UAW “strongly supports” new fuel economy provisions in energy legislation being considered by Congress, UAW President Ron Gettelfinger said today.
“The UAW strongly supports this historic bill, which contains aggressive but still achievable fuel economy requirements,” said Gettelfinger. “It will help consumers and the environment, and at the same time protect U.S. jobs.” UAW
Broad Energy Bill Passed by House
Car Mileage, Renewable Power Addressed
By Jonathan Weisman and Steven MufsonWashington Post Staff Writers Friday, December 7, 2007; Page A01
The House yesterday brushed aside a new White House veto threat and handily approved a comprehensive energy bill that would raise automobile fuel-efficiency standards for the first time in 32 years and require increased use of renewable energy sources to generate electricity.
The 235 to 181 vote sends the measure to the Senate today. There, Republicans hope to strip it of tax increases on the oil industry and the renewable-source requirement before a final version goes to President Bush. The White House objects to the bill on multiple fronts, including the prospect of tax boosts on oil companies, saying Bush would veto it. WP LATimes SFChronicle AP Reuters
Renewable Energy
Bissfield Michigan Home, Model of Sustainability, Earns LEEDS Platinum
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Blissfield, Michigan - Michigan’s first platinum-level Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) award has been given to “Burnside’s Inn,” a home designed by Riverbend Timber Framing, Blissfield, and built by Robert Burnside’s Fireside Home Construction, Dexter. ENN
Inaction on greener buildings puzzle experts
They said the technology already existed to dramatically cut electricity use for very little cost, and yet it was puzzling that governments, industries and home-owners weren't cashing in on the energy-saving ideas.
"The entire current emission reductions commitment under the Kyoto Protocol can be achieved in the building sector alone. And the costs of achieving these reductions are low, very low."
ENN Reuters
U.S. Emissions Reductions May Be Cheaper Than Thought
The report predicts that mitigation efforts will cost less than $50 per ton of greenhouse gas emissions, or an amount in the tens of billions of dollars overall. One reason for the lower cost, explains Stevenson, is because the United States currently wastes large amounts of energy, and simple changes could make the country vastly more efficient. ENN
Tanker Leaks Oil Off S.Korea Coast
By Jack Kim
SEOUL (Reuters) - A large oil tanker gushed thousands of tons of oil into the sea near one of South Korea's most scenic coastlines after being hit by a barge, South Korea's maritime ministry said on Friday.
The Hong Kong-registered Hebei Spirit was struck while at anchor off Daesan port in the Taean region on the country's west coast and the ministry said it had already leaked some 10,800 metric tons of crude oil. ENN USAToday Reuters Bloomberg AFP
Gash Found on Vessel's Cargo Tank after Delaware River Oil Spill
PHILADELPHIA − Divers found a six-foot gash on the tanker that leaked 30,000 gallons of crude oil into the Delaware River, creating a 20-mile-long slick that killed dozens of birds and threatened other wildlife, officials said Sunday. ENN
NewAmericanDreamHome
Greens Take Heart at Final Energy Bill By Kelpie Wilson
Meanwhile, Senate Republicans have literally declared war on the bill. Sen. Pete Domenici said, "If it comes over here, we have no alternative but to have war." In other words, a filibuster. And President Bush has warned he is likely to veto the bill if it does pass the Senate.
Senate Republicans have drawn the line on two provisions: the Renewable Electricity Standard and the $21 billion tax package that will fund the bill, especially the $13.5 billion in higher taxes on oil companies. Republican Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison, of Texas, was the one who put a hold on the bill back in October, preventing the appointment of a conference committee. She called the tax increase "discrimination against one industry." Hutchison received $2,029,825 in contributions from the oil and gas industries in 2006. TO
'The biggest environmental crime in history'
Bali Conference: Diplomats warned that climate change is security issue, not a green dilemma
NYT: Oil-Rich Nations Use More Energy, Cutting Exports
It's time to lobby for renewable energy
This Week In Congress
House Passes Energy Bill
Wednesday, November 21, 2007
Personal Energy Savings
From the numerous hits on my energy information posts and personal conversations, soaring energy costs and solutions are on everyone's mind. Savings are easily achievable without freezing in the cold and the first 50% for most are relatively inexpensive.
Replacing an appliance? Consider paying a premium for the most energy efficient. The pay back on energy savings might surprise you. Our front-loading washer PAID for itself in less than 2 years just in energy savings.
Several people have commented to me about not having the money for fancy technology. Consider what you can afford and look for creative ways of achieving it.
We added interior storm windows that are barely visible to thermo-pane windows . Cheaper than new high efficiency windows, plus it reduced sound transmission. But before you even go that far, are your windows covered with insulating drapes? Consider 'radiant barriers' -- hardly high tech. Driving at night reveals many who don't connect heat loss to their un-covered windows.
LIHEAP long ago abandoned reducing long-term energy consumption in an antiquated housing stock. Isn't it time to resurrect that direction?
And consider speaking out against the wealthy vested interests that don't want their water views spoiled by those dastardly wind turbines at your expense, like the Kennedys.
Other states and other communities are pro-active, involved and reducing consumption. Middleboro and the G&E are where? Your community is where? We can accomplish much individually, but also need to insist that our energy tax dollars are also spent more wisely.
Alternative Energy of Plymouth:
http://www.alternateenergycenter.com/
Northeast Sustainable Energy Association:
http://www.nesea.org/
Rocky Mountain Institute:
http://www.rmi.org/
Rocky Mountain Institute Turns 25: The Distributed Generation of Amory Lovins’ Brainpower
WorldChanging TeamAugust 15, 2007 10:59 AM
by Warren Karlenzig:
One of the world’s leading energy and environment think (and do) tanks celebrated its 25th anniversary in characteristic style this past week. With numerous references to the looming risks of global climate change, peak oil and energy disruption, combined with developing nation social-political and national security challenges, the event took on the air of urgent practicality.
Besides the Rocky Mountain Institute’s stellar staff and its fearless founder/leader, Amory Lovins, the Aspen-based event attracted a jaw-dropping line-up. On-stage were former President Clinton, past CIA director R. James Woolsey, former New York Governor George Pataki, Sustainable South Bronx’s Majora Carter, Wal-Mart Chairman Rob Walton, New York Times columnist Thomas Friedman, technology luminary Bill Joy, Patagonia founder Yvon Chouinard, and British Sky Broadcasting CEO James Murdoch.
WorldChanging TeamAugust 15, 2007 10:59 AM
by Warren Karlenzig:
One of the world’s leading energy and environment think (and do) tanks celebrated its 25th anniversary in characteristic style this past week. With numerous references to the looming risks of global climate change, peak oil and energy disruption, combined with developing nation social-political and national security challenges, the event took on the air of urgent practicality.
Besides the Rocky Mountain Institute’s stellar staff and its fearless founder/leader, Amory Lovins, the Aspen-based event attracted a jaw-dropping line-up. On-stage were former President Clinton, past CIA director R. James Woolsey, former New York Governor George Pataki, Sustainable South Bronx’s Majora Carter, Wal-Mart Chairman Rob Walton, New York Times columnist Thomas Friedman, technology luminary Bill Joy, Patagonia founder Yvon Chouinard, and British Sky Broadcasting CEO James Murdoch.
When Dennis Weaver passed away earlier in 2007, he left behind a legacy of environmental activisim.
Dennis Weaver, based on his conviction that a truly sustainable future requires a healthy environment and a prosperous economy, founded the Institute of Ecolonomics in 1993.
The mission of the Institute of Ecolonomics is to demonstrate that creating a symbiotic relationship between a strong economy and a healthy ecology is the only formula for a sustainable future.
The mission of the Institute of Ecolonomics is to demonstrate that creating a symbiotic relationship between a strong economy and a healthy ecology is the only formula for a sustainable future.
SAVE ENERGY & Money NOW!
Great for basics & available at your library:
Homemade Money: How to Save Energy and Dollars in Your Home
by H. Richard Heede, Richard Heede, Owen Bailey
The Rocky Mountain Institute, the nation's most prominent energy think-tank, estimates that there are $50 billion dollars of energy bills to be saved annually in America. This book helps homeowners and renters sort through the bewildering array of new and old technology and explains how to save money and the environment.
by H. Richard Heede, Richard Heede, Owen Bailey
The Rocky Mountain Institute, the nation's most prominent energy think-tank, estimates that there are $50 billion dollars of energy bills to be saved annually in America. This book helps homeowners and renters sort through the bewildering array of new and old technology and explains how to save money and the environment.
Tuesday, November 20, 2007
Kennedy: “Don’t you realize — that’s where I sail!"
More will be said as energy bills move forward and the urgency grows, but shallow vested interests need to be defined for what they are.
Instead of proclaiming opposition based on specious arguments, had these same wealthy Cape residents supported Cape Wind and others, this would have been a fait accomplit.
“Don’t you realize — that’s where I sail!” may, by now, be one of the most famous statements ever made regarding Cape Wind, the 130-turbine offshore wind project proposed for Nantucket Sound.
It was made to a constituent who asked Sen. Edward Kennedy at a Hyannis summer event why he opposed the clean-energy project, which would provide on average almost 80 percent of the electricity for Cape Cod, Martha’s Vineyard and Nantucket, make electricity more reliable in all of New England and help lower New Englanders’ electric bills.
It was made to a constituent who asked Sen. Edward Kennedy at a Hyannis summer event why he opposed the clean-energy project, which would provide on average almost 80 percent of the electricity for Cape Cod, Martha’s Vineyard and Nantucket, make electricity more reliable in all of New England and help lower New Englanders’ electric bills.
With polls showing 85 percent of Massachusetts residents, including over 60 percent of Cape and Islands residents, favoring Cape Wind, and a full-blown energy crisis upon us, wouldn’t it be nice if the Kennedys showed a little more respect for the public’s needs and wants and a little less sense of family entitlement? Cape Cod Today
Monday, November 19, 2007
Everyone's talking about energy & oil prices ......
Everyone's talking about energy and oil prices. Some are even doing something about it like the Town of Reading (article & link below).
Energy bill's turbine amendment stirs storm
And the Middleboro Board of Selectmen? Or the G&E? The sound you hear is silence. Why be pro-active or search for solutions when it's not their money? They can just pass the increases along, as the costs for other blunders, like the landfill, have been passed along.
Energy policy seems to be guided by hypocrisy, like Congressman Patrick Kennedy or the short-sighted opposition of wealthy vested interests who don't want their views spoiled.
~ 85 % of Americans live along the coasts. The aggressive implementation of ALL alternative energy sources specifically targeting those areas has significant implications in reducing dependence on imported oil, especially New England.
Previous posts include links for tidal wave action power generation that holds great promise.
Cape Wind estimated that production would provide 75% of the power needed on the Cape. Can we afford to cater to the wealthy because they don't want their view spoiled?
As the energy bill moves forward in the Commonwealth Senate, watch for the vested interests' rhetoric disquised as environmental concern intended to delay or stall ALL projects to the detriment of consumers.
It takes a town 23,000 residents of Reading want to reduce the greenhouse-gas emissions created where they live
SANTA CLAUS VISITS THE TOWN OF READING EVERY THANKSGIVING weekend. He ascends a stepladder in the classic New England town square and throws a ceremonial switch that sets oaks and maples aglow with energy-guzzling incandescent bulbs. But last year, officials proudly announced that two maples near Town Hall held strings of efficient light-emitting diodes, or LEDs, for the first time. The LEDs cost more upfront but consume just one-10th the electricity of incandescent bulbs, and they should last 20 holiday seasons.The change seemed to be a no-brainer. After all, the bedroom community 12 miles north of Boston is one of 36 municipalities in Massachusetts (45 total in New England) that have signed on with Cities for Climate Protection, a campaign to help communities tally greenhouse-gas emissions and devise ways to reduce them. With guidance from this campaign - forged by the nonprofit International Council for Local Environmental Initiatives, known as ICLEI - municipalities around the world are organizing to fill the void between personal action and national policy aimed at slowing global warming and climate change... CapeCodToday
Across the continent, on the southwestern edge of Cape Cod, researchers can dig three inches below the seabed in marshes and find diesel fuel that looks as if it was deposited just yesterday. It came from a 1969 barge accident that sent 175,000 gallons into the marshes near West Falmouth, Mass... InsideBayArea
Energy bill's turbine amendment stirs storm
The change, if adopted by the Senate next year, would remove a major hurdle to Boston developer Jay Cashman's controversial plan to build up to 120 wind turbines in Buzzards Bay.
WJAR political reporter Bill Rappleye asked, "how about a wind farm on Nantucket Shoals?," presumably a reference to Cape Wind, though he got the location wrong. Kennedy - "Ah, well, I mean, I think that, ah, certainly, I'm against the Cape Wind project if you're trying to get to that."Rappleye - "Why?"
Kennedy - "Why? Because I don't want to see a big, huge (spreading arms wide) Nantucket wind turbines in the middle of Horseshoe Shoal." (emphasis added, and throughout).
Kennedy - "Why? Because I don't want to see a big, huge (spreading arms wide) Nantucket wind turbines in the middle of Horseshoe Shoal." (emphasis added, and throughout).
Let's get rid of poisonous fossil fuel power plants and fossil politicians
Ambush at Eelgrass Pass
Trampled rights and muddied waters
By Peter Kenney
Trampled rights and muddied waters
By Peter Kenney
Sunday, November 11, 2007
$570,000 savings for utilities
$570,000 savings for utilities, but not in Middleboro.
The following article represents savings achieved in the Taunton School system.
What could Middleboro achieve? Have you heard anybody asking?
Regrettably the article contains few details, but why isn't Middleboro addressing the issue?
School district energy savings plan coming to fruition
By Gerry Tuoti, Staff Writer
GateHouse News Service
Wed Nov 07, 2007,
TAUNTON -
The school district’s energy program is conserving electricity and saving considerable money, district Energy Manager Matthew Stellar told the School Committee Tuesday.“We hope to achieve a savings of 25 percent over the current year,” he said. “We’re currently on pace for that.”Over the past seven months, the district has realized a $570,000 savings for utilities, Stellar said. The district spent $2.7 million on utilities, but would have had to spend $3.2 million without the energy program. TauntonGazette
The following article represents savings achieved in the Taunton School system.
What could Middleboro achieve? Have you heard anybody asking?
Regrettably the article contains few details, but why isn't Middleboro addressing the issue?
School district energy savings plan coming to fruition
By Gerry Tuoti, Staff Writer
GateHouse News Service
Wed Nov 07, 2007,
TAUNTON -
The school district’s energy program is conserving electricity and saving considerable money, district Energy Manager Matthew Stellar told the School Committee Tuesday.“We hope to achieve a savings of 25 percent over the current year,” he said. “We’re currently on pace for that.”Over the past seven months, the district has realized a $570,000 savings for utilities, Stellar said. The district spent $2.7 million on utilities, but would have had to spend $3.2 million without the energy program. TauntonGazette