First Show: May 11th

Renewable Now has its world premier on May 11th.  Our first show profiles Julian Dash and EDC's ability to help finance renewable energy projects (we first talk about RI's program, then look at state's in New England and around the country).

The show will be on the new, expanded, global Arpin Broadcast Network...ABN 2.  It will stream live, then be available on demand, and will be shown in many other places as we grow and add affiliates...including ABN affiliates already in place overseas.  We expect a min of 1000 viewers per day.

Depending on the success of the show, which right now is scheduled for new shows twice a month, we may start broadcasting new shows weekly.  We believe these 8 initial shows, already produced, will launch us very quickly into a very big, hungry worldwide audience.

Our the guests, the experts, are fantastic, knowledgeable, enlightening, helping educate and inspire consumers and businesses to invest heavily in green.  One day you will meet them all at a global town meeting which we will broadcast live.

For the next 10 days, we will promote our first show.   Today we are adding a Facebook and Twitter page.  We'd like to hear from you.  Welcome to Renewable Now.

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State Legislature should not cut mass transit

From a commentary on BizTimes.com by Tom Rave, Executive director, The Gateway To Milwaukee:

Dear Wisconsin Joint Finance Committee Members:

An aerotropolis is a newer urban development that typically attracts industries that are located around the airport and along transportation corridors, such as:
Time-sensitive manufacturing, e-commerce fulfillment, telecommunications and logistics.
Hotels, retail outlets, entertainment complexes and exhibition centers.
Offices for business people who travel frequently: by air or engage in global commerce.

An aerotropolis provides efficient accessibilities for people, and has an integrated infrastructure plan.

In Milwaukee's case, an aerotropolis will prov1ide an efficient multimodal- air, boats, trains and motor vehicles - transportation hub centered around General Mitchell International Airport and The Port of Milwaukee that will efficiently serve southeastern Wisconsin plus extended territories in northern Illinois, central and eastern Wisconsin.

Earlier this week, a number of people involved with Milwaukee Gateway Aerotropolis Corporation, which is led by The Gateway To Milwaukee, attended the Airport Cities World Conference in Memphis, Tenn. Over 630 people from 40 countries across six continents attended this conference. It was easy to see that this is all about economic competition among metropolises and ultimately about having good jobs for an area to be economically successful.

Virtually every presentation of aerotropolis efforts around the world and in the U.S. included the important necessity of having a mass transit system to efficiently move people for a variety of reasons and especially for work. Without such a system, an aerotropolis would be much less effective and more challenged to attract businesses to locate there. It is the way people will live in the future as urban areas continue to grow.

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Mass Counties' air quality getting poor grades again

A not very promising story from a MA paper yesterday:

Counties' air quality getting poor grades again

BOSTON - The grades are in for air quality in Bristol and Norfolk counties, and neither are bringing home a good report card this year, although Bristol County is making progress.

The American Lung Association released its annual air quality report - "State of the Air 2011" - at a Statehouse news conference Wednesday.

Bristol County received a grade of "D" in the ozone category, up from an "F" in 2010. Norfolk County's grade remained an "F" for the second year in a row.

But then, no Massachusetts county received better than a "D" for ozone, and most were graded "F."

Letter grades were based on the average number of days counties had unhealthy or hazardous air quality from April through September. According to the report, Bristol and Norfolk counties recorded a total of 29 high ozone days from 2007 to 2009. Speakers on Wednesday, however, said Bristol County stood out as a good example of how Massachusetts is reducing particulate matter with its 'A' grade in the 24-hour particle pollution category. Bristol had no high particle pollution days from 2007 to 2009.

You might want to check the annual report from the American Lung Association on air quality in your area.

From the business side, poor air quality means we need to spend a lot more money cleaning it up and, in the meantime, our health care system will be burdened with related diseases and sicknesses, keeping people out of work and out of production.  A poor environment is financial quick sand.  We need to get better.

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Wind turbine set for Port of Cleveland

From a story by John Funk on Cleveland.com:

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Greater Cleveland took a giant step into what it hopes will be its manufacturing future this morning as longshoremen at the Port of Cleveland began unloading a European-made wind turbine.

Working hand-in-hand with the Great Lakes Energy Development Task Force, Lincoln Electric ordered the 2.5 megawatt (2½ million watts) from Kenersys, of Munster, Germany, last October. It arrived here through the St. Lawrence Seaway.

The energy task force has worked for six years to attract a turbine maker to Northeast Ohio to manufacture the giant machines for Ohio wind projects as well as others across the Great Lakes.

Kenersys is considering building a manufacturing facility in Northeast Ohio. The task force hopes to put even larger turbines in Lake Erie.

Lincoln manufactures precise, robotic welding equipment needed to weld turbine tower sections together.

The company plans to have the Kenersys turbine installed at its Euclid headquarters by late May. It will be the largest turbine in Ohio.

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New Map shows size of forrests in US

This from Eco Geek yesterday:  This new map shows "the height, coverage and carbon storage levels of forests in the U.S."   Here's the link:  http://www.ecogeek.org/component/content/article/3490.

Here's some text:  "A new map created by the Woods Hole Research Center shows the height, coverage and carbon storage levels of forests in the U.S.  The map was put together by using NASA satellite images from 2000-2001 as well as ground-level surveys by the USGS and USDA Forest Service.
The dataset for the map includes the forest measurements amount of carbon stored in vegetation as of 2000.  The scientists involved in the project will use the map as a baseline to monitor changes in forest cover and the carbon cycle.  This will allow them to make predictions about climate change and wildfire risks, help species conservation and even regulate the timber industry.
This is the first map to provide canopy height and carbon storage information at this level of detail.  You can check out the full high-resolution map and dataset here."

Notice NASA technology back at work inventing new, commercial uses of their innovations.  From the business side of green perspective, notice this imaging will allow us to reduce the risk of wildfires, elements of conservation and regulation, meaning re vegetation, too, of the timber industry.  All of which should increase the profitability of forests as one of our great natural resources.

Nice job, NASA and Woods Hole Research Center.  We will invite you on as a future guests of Renewable Now.

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Finding Talent for Today’s Green Jobs

Good article today about the green economy opening doors for job seekers.  Here's the link:

http://www.environmentalleader.com/2011/04/27/finding-talent-for-todays-green-jobs/

Here's some of the story: 

Given companies’ continued interest in implementing sustainable practices, the opportunities for “green” jobs are greater than ever before. And though some may think these jobs require a new skillset, at their core they appeal to those with excellent math and science skills, specifically engineers. To be clear, environmental engineers certainly have specialized training, but many of today’s “green” positions are really just retooling of traditional engineering jobs, whether it’s an electrical engineer redesigning a smart grid or a mechanical engineer working on fuel-cell technology.
Some of the more popular “green” jobs today are:

If you get a chance, read the rest.  Some very nice jobs listed.  Also, if you are looking for a job or hiring on the green side, feel free to drop us a note and we will publish the information.

Good luck.  Let's keep this side of the economy growing.

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Walker road plan driving him crazy

From a commentary by Steve Hiniker, executive director of 1000 Friends of Wisconsin, in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel:

Gov. Scott Walker's proposed budget has more than enough pain to go around. Schools get hit with more than $800 million in cuts over the next two years. Recycling programs are not funded. Health care for seniors and the poor are slashed. Local road aids are cut. Some transit systems may not survive the proposed reductions. State revenue sharing is going down, putting more pressure at the local level to cover the costs of cuts to state aids - and without raising property taxes.

It's called austerity.

Unless you happen to be a road builder.

Then this budget is called a bonanza.

While other programs are cut, highway expansion projects totaling more than $400 million get the green light. Highway expansion raids the general fund of more than $140 million, crushing any arguments that "highway users pay for the costs of roads." In fact, the general fund and property taxes will pay about half of roadway costs in the future. So-called user fees are soon to be eclipsed by decidedly nonuser fees.

When you look at the increase in highway spending, it is also important to pay attention to where the money goes. Local road aids are cut, meaning that even though there is more money going for major highway expansion, there is less money for local units of government to fix those bone-jarring potholes that crop up every spring. Maintenance dollars for highways are down as well.

Walker has said that the highway expansion is needed for our economic recovery. The governor is putting a lot of faith - and capital - in having superhighways be the cornerstone of the state's economic recovery. After all, he could have put the money in building better communities with better schools as a basis of economic development.

All of this seems bizarre when you consider that we are driving less than ever. We are in the fifth year of a steady decline in miles driven by each Wisconsin resident. The numbers of miles driven will likely decline even more as the cost of gas continues to climb above $4 a gallon. In fact, it is because we are driving less that the governor is proposing to raid the general fund for highways.

As people drive fewer miles with more fuel-efficient vehicles, they use less gas and the amount collected in gas taxes decreases. So in order to expand highways, non-transportation fund dollars need to be raised. This is why Walker is pushing transit aids out of the transportation fund and is raiding everything from general fund dollars to the environmental fund to pay for bigger roads.

But if people are driving less, why expand highways?

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Global oil facts - statistics

At the end of 2009, there were 1333.1 billion barrels of proved oil reserves (this number doesn't include Canadian oil sands) according to the BP's Statistical Review of World Energy.Russia is currently the world's largest oil producer. In 2009, Russia produced in average 9.93 million barrels of oil per day for a total of 494.2 million tons, which is around 12% of world's total oil

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GE Healthcare seeks OK for wind turbines

From an article by Laurel Walker in the Milwaukee journal Sentinel:

Waukesha - GE Healthcare is seeking city permission to install 10 wind turbines up to 155 feet tall on its 662-acre Waukesha campus on county Highway T north of I-94.

The project, if approved, would be built next year or later, said Annette Busateri, public relations manager. It is part of the company's 2015 goal of reducing electrical usage by 15% and improving building energy efficiency by at least 10%, she said.

The Waukesha Plan Commission is scheduled to consider a conditional use permit for the project at its 6 p.m. meeting Wednesday. The city has no wind turbines, planner Michael Hoeft said.

City planner Jennifer Andrews said the company has lined up letters indicating state and federal agencies likely have no objections.

"They seem to have all their ducks in a row," she said.

Although the proposed turbines are about a mile from the runways of Waukesha County's airport, Crites Field, their height would be below the limit set by the county's zoning ordinance that protects airspace around the airport from encroaching structures.

The plan calls for turbines on towers ranging from 135 to 155 feet tall. Three would be behind the former headquarters building, now an assembly building for medical imaging equipment that's the farthest north of three buildings. The other seven would be between the two other buildings farther south.

Waukesha County Parks and Land Use Director Dale Shaver said there are no commercial wind turbines in the county. Not only would this project be the first, but they would be near a high-traffic, very visible interchange.

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Samsung solar-powered, transparent TV

Here's the link for this story:   http://www.ecogeek.org/efficiency/3456.

The body of the story is:  At the CeBIT electronics show in Germany, Samsung unveiled their latest television prototype and it's the coolest one yet.  The 46-inch, 1920 x 1080 resolution LCD TV is fully solar-powered and transparent!

The prototype was designed to use only a tiny amount of energy and it gets all it needs from solar panels running off ambient light in the room -- no need for back-up power sources.  The screen is also transparent, so while you're seeing images on the screen, you're also seeing whatever is behind it.  This means that it could be used in storefronts, as digital window blinds or even in car windshields.

In addtion to your favorite TV shows, it can also project photos or any other data and features ten-finger touchscreen technology

Take a look.  This TV looks amazing.  I can't wait to see it.

What would be the projected savings in energy used, and money saved, if the world switched to solar-powered TVs?  It is amazing what is possible.

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Drive Smart Wisconsin teaches fuel-efficient practices

From an article by Tom Content in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel:

Rising gasoline prices will pack a punch to pocketbooks this year, leaving consumers less inclined to buy big-ticket items, economists say.

But a Milwaukee group wants to help consumers keep from overspending on fuel.

Consider:

• A report by the Energy Information Administration said that, on average, a typical American household driving about 20,000 miles a year will see gas prices surge about $825 this year, based on the recent run-up in fuel prices to near record levels.

• A similar consumer hit is forecast for Canadian consumers in a recent economic forecast from CIBC World Markets, which found that the run-up in prices means that a greater share of household income is being spent on filling gas tanks than at any time except 2008. That will have consequences for sales of everything from big-ticket items like cars to every day items such as groceries, CIBC economists say.

"The rise in food and gasoline prices since the start of the year has effectively offset most of the benefit to (U.S.) consumers from the recent tax stimulus," said CIBC economist Peter Buchanan in a recent report.

That's where Drive Smart America, a business with a passion for getting great gas mileage, comes in.

Drive Smart America has trained drivers at Veolia Water Services, the Milwaukee Department of Public Works and other local fleets on smart-driving techniques that result in less wasted fuel. The business is led by Bradlee Fons of Pewaukee but includes experienced hybrid drivers who have been able to top the gas mileage charts.

Fons routinely gets more than 80 mpg in his Honda Insight hybrid - and has hit 100 in summer driving. On a recent drive in a minivan to see his son in La Crosse, Fons managed 33 mpg in a vehicle rated to get 24 on the highway.

The initiative is part passion, part business. The 6-year old Milwaukee Hybrid Group is changing its name to Drive Smart Wisconsin and hopes to stage more events like a tire pressure checkup held last year in Waukesha County. Fully inflated tires can be an important factor in improved gas mileage.

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First guest blogger: Mark Learn

I had this sent to me this morning from a follower and, now, first guest blogger, Mark Learn:

Peter,

 

I did looked at your blog and I am impressed. I would be happy to contribute to it in whatever way you would find helpful.

 

I came across this attached article regarding EESTOR today. It relays some comments from Bill Joy who is a partner in Kleiner Perkins. He was speaking

at MIT last week and provided some excellent background on EESTOR.

 

http://www.theeestory.com/articles/314

 

This is a link to a site that provides great information on new technology and developments that are beneficial to the environment. You may be aware of it already:

 

http://www.ecogeek.org/

 

Regards,

Mark

 

Mark, thank you and welcome to Renewable Now.

 

Read this articles...they are great, and add ecogeek.org to your list of sites and links. 

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Easter Weekend Edition

Happy Easter, everyone.

If you live in our close to RI, you probably heard about the R.I Supreme Court allowing Toray Plastics and Polytop Corp to appeal the Deepwater Wind approval to build a off-shore wind farm in the State.

When Renewable Now, our show, looks at the "business side of green", which we do each episode, the calculations get pretty complex and complicated.  Certainly, this case is a good example.

How do these two, unrelated companies get standing in this case?  In essence, the Court found that because they are heavy users of electricity, and the contract between Deepwater and National Grid is expensive, at least in terms of the per-kw-rate agreed to, the companies are entitled to legal standing and can contest the contract.

Interestingly, Toray (I don't know much about Polytop) is well respected, domestically and internationally, for their environmental management.  In fact, we are reaching out to the president of Toray in hopes of having him on a future show. Is it a paradox that a company who has invested heavily in waste reduction and renewable energy might stand in the way of a major, clean wind farm?  Should the State's financial evaluation of the project extend to the increased costs, in this case, of alternative energy?

Clearly, the court answered yes to the second question.  We'll see how the case turns out.  When it is decided, we'll invite members of the PUC, companies, including Deepwater and National Grid, to offer their comments and opinions.

In the meantime, as we argue the economics, there is, sadly, a delay to getting this project built. Maybe, in retrospect, it will end up a good thing if we get the pricing right, and don't burden the few remaining manufactures we have left in the state.

Feel free to comment if you know anything about the companies involved, the case or anything you can add to the pending project.  Also, for those outside the state and country, please share your feedback on wind farms that have been built and operated in your area.

And, thanks to Alex Rello who commented on my blog about the SEED awards.  She was very positive about their growing influence with small and emerging companies.  Please take another look at that blog and her comments.

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National energy policy needed to reduce reliance on fossil fuels

From an editorial in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel:

This Earth Day falls a year and a day after one of the worst environmental disasters to hit the United States. The explosion of BP's Deepwater Horizon oil rig took the lives of 11 rig workers and released 206 million gallons of oil into the Gulf of Mexico.

What have we done with the lessons learned in that year? Not so much.

Still missing: a comprehensive energy policy that would significantly reduce the consumption of fossil fuels and place more reliance on alternative or renewable fuels.

There has been some improvement. Cleanup efforts continue, but most of the mess has been removed or has disappeared through evaporation or microbes. The disaster was extensive, but the damage turned out not to be quite as devastating as some expected (although not all of the victims have received full compensation and some effects will certainly linger).

Beaches are open again. Commercial and recreational fishing is back in action. Deep water drilling is probably safer than it was before the explosion; the federal government's inspection program is tougher and more independent.

But critics say this all could happen again - that, in fact, another disaster is inevitable. That's the risk of drilling in ocean waters. The feds recently approved the 10th deepwater drilling permit since the disaster.

Some of that is necessary in the short term. But in the long term, relying on fossil fuels is unsustainable.

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Earth Day, 2011

Enjoy our 42nd Earth Day.  For coffee lovers, it will be a good day:

Celebrate Earth Day with free coffee

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Coffee is the drink du jour as we salute the planet this year. Here are other freebies in honor of the annual green event.

By Karen Datko on Thu, Apr 21, 2011 6:25 PM

Friday (April 22) is the 42st annual Earth Day, so let's drink to that -- with free coffee at Starbucks or Caribou (or both) in a reusable cup.

• Bing: Earth Day 2011 -- A Billion Acts of Green

Free coffee is one of several free things you can get as we collectively pay homage to our planet and rededicate ourselves to protecting her health. Remember that not all stores participate in national deals, so you might want to call ahead first.

Here are details:

Bring a reusable tumbler or mug to Starbucks and get a free hot or iced brewed coffee or tea. Those without a mug can get a 20% discount on a Starbucks model. "What if you can't bring in a mug and don't want to buy a new one? That's okay too," Starbucks said on its website. "Just request your coffee or tea in one of our 'for-here' cups and we'll pick up the tab." 

Starbucks also shared this eco fact:

Although reusable serveware and tumbler use still only accounts for a small percentage of total beverages served, those of you who did bring in reusable mugs still made a significant impact. In 2010, people brought their own tumblers into our stores more than 32 million times, keeping nearly 1.45 million pounds of paper out of landfills.

That's a promising start. Another reason to bring your own mug: You get a 10-cent discount on Starbucks drinks any day of the week.

• Calculator: Is your budget in balance?

Arpin offers great organic coffee mugs. Sign up to follow Renewable Now and we'll send you one.

If everyday you are not using a reusable mug, then you are contributing mightily to our waste.  It is past time to change.

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How coal stacks up against wind

Madison Peak Oil Group listserve subscribers are debating coal vs. wind. To join the debate, drop an email to madisonpeakoil-subscribe@yahoogroups.com.

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Staples Helps Microsoft Go 100% Recycled

Great article today on Staples moving Microsoft into 100% recycled paper.  Here it is:

"Microsoft is switching to 100 percent post-consumer recycled printing paper at its headquarters and other offices, the company has announced.
Washington-based Grays Harbor Paper will begin supplying Microsoft with the paper at all its Puget Sound facilities, including its Redmond, Wash., headquarters, beginning this Friday. The initiative will expand to all of Microsoft’s U.S. operations over about three months.
The 100 percent recycled paper will replace Microsoft’s current printing stock, made with 30 percent recycled materials. Office supply provider Staples Advantage will fulfil the orders, starting with about 1,340 cartons a month for the Puget Sound facilities, expanding by approximately 426 cartons per month when all of Microsoft’s U.S. operations are included.
The IT giant expects the switch to save about 2,500 million BTUs of energy a year, the equivalent of 750 million pounds of carbon dioxide, and to preserve about 8,000 trees annually. Grays Harbor also expects that it will reduce solid waste by eight garbage truck-loads, and wastewater by the equivalent of five Olympic-sized swimming pools."

This is a fantastic development.  Up till now, most companies, including ours, have been limited to 30% recycled paper because of the breakdown of the paper, in certain applications, beyond 30% recycled content.  We will move quickly to see if we can switch as well (coincidentally, we use Staples on a national level as well).

I will report back on if we can switch and how well the fully recycled paper performs.

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Honeywell and UW-M reduce campus utility costs and carbon dioxide emissions

From a news release issued by Honeywell:

MINNEAPOLIS, April 19, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Honeywell (NYSE:HON - News) today announced it has completed the company's first energy-efficient building upgrades at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee (UWM), which will save the school an estimated $620,000 in annual energy costs. The work is part of a multi-phase, $21.7-million energy conservation and infrastructure renewal program that will improve comfort and efficiency in university facilities while cutting utility costs and greenhouse gas emissions.

All the improvements UWM has asked Honeywell to make are expected to reduce energy and operating expenses by $30.8 million over the next two decades. They will also trim electricity use by more than 10 million kilowatt-hours annually — enough energy to power nearly 940 homes. And they will decrease annual carbon dioxide emissions by an anticipated 31 million pounds as well. According to figures from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, this is equivalent to removing more than 2,700 cars from the road.

Honeywell is completing the work under three 20-year performance contracts with the university. These contracts allow school officials to pay for the upgrades using the savings they generate, which Honeywell guarantees. As a result, the program won't increase school budgets or require additional taxpayer dollars.

"Through our Energy Matters program, we demonstrate how progressive partnerships lead to environmental improvements and cost savings that benefit everyone," said UWM Interim Chancellor Michael R. Lovell. "By working with external partners like Honeywell, we're making it possible for faculty, staff and students to better understand sustainability and make meaningful reductions in the amount of energy, water and other resources UWM requires to operate each day."

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SEED Winners

If you have any doubt about the growing domain of going green and the global green economy, read this article by clicking on this link:  http://www.ttkn.com/science-environment/seed-initiative-celebrates-entrepreneurs-accelerating-transition-to-a-green-economy-10404.html.

Have you heard of SEED or their awards program?  I had not, but I am very impressed by the awards they just handed out in South Africa.  Arpin would love to be so honored on a global scale.

Here's an excerpt from the article: 

"The Symposium focused on policies needed to accelerate the transition to a Green Economy and on the environmental and social contribution of community-level entrepreneurs in developing countries.

The SEED Awards recognize inspiring social and environmental entrepreneurs whose businesses can help meet sustainable development challenges, boost local economies and alleviate poverty. By helping entrepreneurs to scale-up their activities, SEED aims to refocus policies towards promoting Green Economic initiatives such as renewable energy, sustainable agriculture, water and waste management, eco-friendly tourism and green construction and transport"

Bottom line:  The green economy is an engine of growth.  It is a part of the world's future commerce.  We embrace this new economy and are realizing gains in revenues and profits as a result.  Are you?

Our next 8 shows on Renewable Now will highlight companies and organizations finanical success on similar investments in green energy, technology and commerce.  Watch to get inspired.

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Earth Day Economics: A Green and Prosperous Future

From an article in the Shepherd Express by Doug Booth, a retired Marquette University economics professor, a founder of the Driftless Area Land Conservancy, and author of The Coming Good Boom: Creating Prosperity for All and Saving the Environment Through Compact Living:

The astounding success of the first Earth Day on April 22, 1970, under the tutelage of a true Wisconsin hero, Sen. Gaylord Nelson, marked the coming of age of the environmental movement in this country. Environmental victories in the 1970s included the passage of such landmark legislation as the Clean Air, Clean Water and Endangered Species acts. Earth Day ushered in a new environmental era, and today the quality of our lives is much improved for it.

Unfortunately, our work remains unfinished.

Our single greatest environmental threat today is global warming brought to us by the burning of fossil fuels to power our cars, heat our homes, grow our food and fabricate and operate all our wonderful consumer gadgets. Scientists tell us that greenhouse gases from fossil fuels act like a "tea cozy" around the Earth, bringing forth dangerous environmental harms reported in the news on a daily basis—a shrinking polar ice cap, rising sea levels, more powerful storms, droughts and wildfires.

Reducing Fossil Fuel Consumption
Bringing global warming to a halt can be accomplished with a simple act—freeing ourselves from the environmental tyranny of fossil fuels. Some will say this is easier said than done, but doing so will bring on what I call a "good boom" that will lift all our boats. The "good boom" will be an economic expansion created through compact urban living, clean energy, more grassland and less corn, green cuisine, letting forests grow old and more. It will also help us address global warming. . . .

Wind and Solar Are the Future's Power Sources
Necessary to moving beyond fossil fuels is a switch to truly clean sources of renewable energy. Notwithstanding Gov. Scott Walker's attempt to bring wind energy to a screeching halt with onerous regulations, both wind and sun are the primary energy sources of the future. For example, California lawmakers recently approved a rule requiring utilities to derive one-third of their power from renewable energy sources within 10 years. As we do more of anything in our economy, its cost inevitably falls. This is happening already for both wind and solar energy. The Great Plains is on track to becoming the Saudi Arabia of wind energy, and throughout the Midwest industrial belt, old factories are quickly being refitted to produce wind generators and solar panels. Despite the naysayers, the wind and solar energy revolution is under way, bringing forth an abundance of new jobs—windsmiths, solar panel installers, weatherization specialists, solar engineers, wind and solar equipment fabricators and, here in Milwaukee, urban farmers.

To be sure, the fossil fuel industry will resist going quietly and will defend to the death its right to pollute the atmosphere without cost. Eventually, the industry will lose this battle and will pay the public piper through some form of a tax on greenhouse gas emissions.

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The Environment Council of RI announces remarkable conservation projects, 2010

As I reported last month, Arpin Group was lucky enough to win, as part of the Chafee environmental awards, one of the leadership honors designations.  We are honored.  Here's the annoucement from the Environmental Council of RI: 

Kids First: “Rhode Island Farm Produce to School Lunch Program”, Pawtucket

The “RI Farm Produce to School Lunch Program” began in 1999 with the goal of improving children’s nutrition and wellness and providing Rhode Island Farmers with a steady income

 

Realizing that strong local support was essential to obtaining the school districts approval to serve local produce, Kids First developed a successful and innovative program to educate virtually everyone in the chain of approval by creating teams of food professionals: nutritionists, dietitians, chefs, food service experts, to provide “on site” education to all those involved in integrating locally grown products into school lunch programs. Farm visits have been an important part of the educational experience. Thousands of students and school community members participated in the Kids First initial educational programs.

Training was followed by introduction of produce into schools. In addition to classroom presentations, guest chefs provided demonstrations of tasty recipes followed by sampling to student in cafeterias. Occasionally PTA groups are invited to attend. Sampling is very popular and helps establish almost immediate approval of previous unknown vegetables.

Today all 36 Rhode Island school districts are involved in the program. During 2010 more than 200,000 pounds of locally grown foods were served in RI School.

The program is a win – win for farmers and students. Schools: students can include fresh fruit or vegetables daily. Farmers: schools have become an important and reliable market for 26 farmers. Community awareness of the importance of fresh produce has been raised and children are requesting more local produce in family meals. Increasing demand for local produce insures predictable farm revenue and sustainable farming practices thus preserving farmland.

Recipients: Sen. John Chafee Conservation Leadership Honors (3)

The Arpin Group, West Warwick

Recharging station for electric powered vehicles.

Arpin Group is a locally owned moving company with national and international moving and storage operations.

Environmental protection and sustainability are important to Arpin and consistent with its operations, its goals and values. In its search for new technology to reduce emissions and cut costs, Arpin became intrigued by the concept of vehicles powered by electricity rather than gasoline. The Arpin Renewable Energy division is exploring methods of reducing carbon footprint and energy consumption and is now interested in the possibility of incorporating electric cars and trucks into their moving and storage business.

Not an organization to wait for something to happen, Arpin was the first RI firm to accept the National “Project Get Ready Challenge” a program to prepare RI for the introduction and expansion of electric powered vehicles. Arpin purchased a state of the arts electric charging station capable of charging both 110volt and 240 volt power systems. They installed it in the conveniently located Cardi Furniture parking lot close to I-95. The recharging station is open to the public 24 hours/day.

Wood-Pawcatuck Watershed Association: Charlestown. Richmond

Dam Removal, Lower Shannock Falls

The first dam removal on the Pawcatuck River. The removal will allow passage for migratory herring species; a significant benefit to commercial fishermen and sea food lovers. In the planning phase many additional benefits were developed. The dam locale was the site a fierce fight between the Narragansetts and the Pequots. Tribe representatives were consulted. Their interest in preserving the site will be acted upon. With the new free flow of the river, improved water quality is reviving interest in recreational fishing; improved launching sites draws paddlers. The revitalization of Historic Shamrock Village is notable while the town of Richmond is also developing a public park and river access on the site of a former textile mill associated with the dam.

Shalom Housing, Warwick

Green Retrofit Program

This 1980’s building has 101 apartments that house seniors and the disabled. It was recently totally upgraded to

meet all current standards for efficient energy and water use. Energy Star appliances were installed and the boiler was replaced. The renovation was completed with the installation of a 37 meter wind turbine capable providing power for all of the numerous common areas. It will offset 92,802 pounds of CO2, 279 pounds of nitrous oxide, and 742 pounds of sulfur dioxide.

The Sen. John Chafee Community Conservation Leadership recognitions will b conducted at the the Providence Marriott, Thursday May 12, 5:30 Reception, Dinner 6:30. For tickets contact ECRI. 401 621 8048

Our congratulations to all winners.  We are in great company.  Please attend, if you can.  We would love to see you there.

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Part 2: Investments in LEED's buildings

Yesterday we talked about major corporate investments in green, with an emphasis on the renewable side.  Here's some new projects on the building side:

1.  Environmental Design (LEED) certification.
Owens Corning’s global headquarters in Toledo, Ohio, have achieved Gold certification under LEED for existing buildings (LEED-EB). The building, designed by Cesar Pelli and built in 1996, won silver under LEED-EB in 2007.
The company manufactures insulation, roofing and other building materials, much of it energy efficient.

2. The Kent Denver School, a prep school for grades 6-12 in Englewood, Colo., has achieved what it says is the first LEED Platinum free-standing dining facility in the world. The majority of the facility’s waste is fully composted or recycled, and the dining hall uses about half the energy and water of a typical building, according to food service company Sodexo, which worked on the project with Kent Denver.
The hall will also serve up fruits from the school’s 100-tree orchard, vegetables from its outdoor garden and herbs from its living herb wall.

3. Iowa-based Frontier Natural Products Co-op has won LEED Silver status for a 7,200 square foot renovation at its manufacturing facility. The renovation included a re-finished concrete floor, energy-efficient envelope lighting and more efficient heating, venting and air conditioning (HVAC), consisting of water-source heat pumps and commercial roof-top units.
The company said the measures will conserve more than 77,000 kWh compared to a similar, conventional building.
Flush and flow fixtures in restrooms achieve 35 percent water efficiency compared to conventional fixtures, Frontier said. Bio-swales, detention basins and an on-site wetland will capture and filter more than 90 percent of the site’s average annual rainfall.

4. Finally, Bayer is aiming for Gold-level LEED for commercial interiors (LEED-CI) certification for a $17 million renovation project (pictured) at its U.S. headquarters in Pittsburgh. The planned improvements focus on two buildings that house 825 of the 1,500 employees at Bayer’s suburban Robinson Township campus.
The buildings will feature open-area work spaces using Bayer MaterialScience’s Makrolon MAK clearn polycarbonate, which allows natural light to filter throughout the workplace. LED fixture lenses and architectural panels will also use polycarbonate, which Bayer invented.

Great projects.  Congratulations to all.  Arpin is anxious to move up on the leader board with you as we remodel our headquarters and install our solar array.

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Weekend Update

Here's some some recent corporate investments, with and without government grants, subsidies, that we will start to watch as to their level of production and return on investment:

1. Ikea has started operating a 290 kW solar energy system at its Burbank, Calif., store. The 35,000 square foot array has about 1,260 panels and is expected to produce 421,300 kWh of electricity a year. That should help IKEA reduce carbon dioxide by at least 334 tons – equaling the emissions of 58 cars a year.


2.  Google will invest $168 million in equity in the Ivanpah Solar Electric Generating System (pictured), a gargantuan 370 MW project being planned for southeast California. Developer BrightSource Energy said it has also finalized $1.6 billion in loans guaranteed by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) for the project, which is due online in 2013.


3.  Another massive solar plant, the 250 MW California Valley Solar Ranch, has just received a $1.187 billion conditional loan guarantee commitment from the U.S. Department of Energy. The plant in San Luis Obispo County is expected to power about 100,000 homes and will be one of the largest photovoltaic power plants in the world when complete.

SunPower Corporation is leading the development, and NRG Energy will assume ownership after completion, which is due in 2013.

4.  Oceanic Time Warner Cable has completed an 856 kW solar canopy system at its Mililani Tech Park facility in Hawaii, in a partnership with Chevron Energy Solutions and Tioga Energy. Tioga will own and operate the installation under a 20-year power purchase agreement, and will sell the electricity back to Oceanic Time Warner at rates below those of the local utility.

Four more tomorrow.  Please send us information on your business or home investment in renewable energy.   At Arpin, we will have our 230,000 kw solar system up on our warehouse and pumping out clean energy by this summer.

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Al Dahlberg, Project Get Ready

As a follow up to yesterday's blog, I wanted to post two more items from Al's email update:  1. Planet Forward PBS Special:
For those who missed last week's Planet Forward PBS Special, Project Get Ready RI was featured as one of seven Energy Innovation finalists.
For the clip, go to: http://planetforward.org/productions/al-dahlberg/

2. Sierra Club Electric Vehicles Campaign:

The Sierra Club has launched a new national Electric Vehicles campaign at www.sierraclub.org/ev working to promote EVs as an important way to reduce emissions and our dependence on oil.  Sierra Club is asking businesses, public interest groups, and municipalities throughout the country to sign the attached petition as a way to demonstrate to policymakers, the media, and the general public that there is broad support for EVs and the local, state, and federal plans and programs needed to make them a success. It's not meant to advocate for any specific policy or bill, but rather to demonstrate widespread support for the issue.  The deadline for signing is April 29.   If interested, review the attached petition and contactgina.coplon-newfield@sierraclub.org.

I have the petition and will send it to you if you'd like to read it and sign it.  Please comment on the blog or send us an email.

Also, here is some Earth Day stuff going on, much of which you can benefit from financially by participating:

Earth day promotions are flooding our inbox. Here are some that caught our attention.

• Electronics manufacturer LG is backing the “Great American Cleanup”. Last year the country recycled 7.2 million pounds of consumer electronics during the campaign, LG is hoping to top that figure this year.

• Healthcare giant Kaiser Permanente and charity thrift store chain Goodwill Southern California will be collecting electronic waste at Kaiser locations from Bakersfield, Calif., to San Diego, Calif.

• Electronics retailer Radioshack is offering customers the chance to win an eco-friendly car. Customers will be entered into the draw for an electric Nissan LEAF when they trade in and recycle used electronic devices at the store in return for money off a new product.

• Beginning mid-April, cosmetics company Avon will sell the fundraising aluminum “Hello Green Tomorrow” water bottle. Avon will contribute all proceeds from the sale of the bottle to The Nature Conservancy for continuing efforts in the Atlantic Rainforest in South America and to World Wildlife Fund for their reforestation projects in Indonesia.

• And Office Depot will be accepting used writing equipment for vouchers off new merchandise. The used pencils, pens and markers will be sent to TerraCycle which will turn them into new office supplies.

At Arpin, we have run many e-waste events,  all of which has generated profits and kept electronics out of the landfill.  Let us know if you need more information on what qualifies as e-waste.

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Rising Diesel Prices Fuel Higher Electric Rates

For immediate release
April 15, 2011

More information
RENEW Wisconsin
Michael Vickerman
608.255.4044
mvickerman@renewwisconsin.org

We Energies Customers Will Pay the Higher Cost of Hauling Coal

We Energies’ electricity customers can look forward to coughing up an additional $25 million in 2011 due to the Public Service Commission’s approval yesterday [April14] of a rate increase to cover the escalating cost of transporting coal to Wisconsin power plants.

Milwaukee-based We Energies, Wisconsin’s largest electric utility, imports coal from such distant locations as Wyoming and Pennsylvania to generate electricity. Transportation now accounts for two-thirds of the delivered cost of coal to Wisconsin.

Diesel fuel costs have jumped to approximately $4.00 a gallon this year, propelled by political unrest in the Middle East, declining petroleum output from Mexico, a weakening dollar, and other factors. We Energies’ request predated the ongoing civil war in Libya.

“While we cannot control any of those price drivers, we can more effectively cushion their effects by diversifying our energy generation mix with locally produced wind, solar, small hydro, and biogas electricity,” said Michael Vickerman, executive director of RENEW Wisconsin, a statewide organization advocating for public policies and private initiatives that advance renewable energy.

“The coal mines aren’t getting any closer to Wisconsin. Therefore we have to be serious about reducing our dependence on fossil fuels that are tied to the global oil supply picture. Now is not the time to skimp on investments in conservation and renewable energy that will help stabilize the utility bills of businesses and residents,” Vickerman said.

“Do we have the will to pursue energy policies that take us off of the fossil fuel price escalator? Doing nothing will bake these rate increases into our future without any corresponding boost to Wisconsin’s job market and sustainable energy economy.”

--END--

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Project Get Ready

Hot off the press from Al at RI Project Get Ready: 
Dear Project Get Ready RI Supporters:

Event Tomorrow:
New England Electricity Restructuring Roundtable
Date: Tomorrow, April 15 from 9:00 am - 12:30 pm
Topic: Smart Power and the Future of Electric Utilities, Transforming the Electric Grid with Storage and Electric Vehicles
Location: 155 Seaport Boulevard, 13th Floor, Boston, MA 02210

For more information and an agenda:  http://www.raabassociates.org/main/roundtable.asp?sel=106
Keynote speaker is Dr. Peter Fox-Penner, author of a new and provocative book "Smart Power: Climate Change, the Smart Grid and the Future of Electric Utilities
The panel also features two of the nation's top experts in electric vehicle policy and implementation: Ron Minsk of The Electrification Coalition and Watson Collins of Northeast Utilities

Sounds like a great event.  We can't wait to release our show with Al as our guest.  Stay tuned.

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Companies getting green...for employees and customers.

Nice article by Ajilon Professionals with advice for companies putting in green initiatives, and the importance of engaging employees and customers into their environmental efforts.  The article makes the point, and I will carry segments of it today and tomorrow, that  "Indeed, going green is not an option anymore. It is a business imperative."   Do you agree with this statement?  Will you take your company green?  If not, why not?

Here's some of their suggestions; I will have the others tomorrow: 

"Work electronically first and foremost.
Make use of e-mail instead of regular mail, electronic records instead of expansive retention boxes and web-based manuals in place of cumbersome printed handbooks. These are all great ways to enhance efficiency, reduce the amount of paper, ink and toner your company uses, and decrease the amount you spend on supplies.

Allow employees to work remotely.
When schedules allow, consider letting your employees work from home. This will help cut down on carbon emissions from your commuting workforce and, with more lights and computers turned off, will lessen energy consumption in your office. Plus, studies have shown that working remotely can improve employee morale and productivity, which can translate into better results for your bottom line.

Organize a green committee.
Bring coworkers together as a group to provide creative ideas on how your organization can establish or enhance its environmentally friendly practices. Passionate employees have a lot to offer and can help bring concepts into practice. This is also a great way to promote camaraderie and teamwork in the office.

Ask employees to pitch in.
Encourage employees to bring ceramic coffee mugs to work rather than purchasing foam or paper cups. Set up recycling bins next to trash cans. Place carpool sign-up sheets in the break room. Empowering your employees is a great way to inspire them to make a difference."

Arpin Renewable Energy Company has fantastic organic, green mugs.  Contact me and I will be happy to send you one and offer them for sale to your employees at cost.  Let's at least get them to stop buying cups each morning for their coffee.

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Farm community rallies to support wind energy project

The farm community around Rosiere, Wisconsin, Kewaunee County, came together more than ten years ago to support a wind energy development, and they're still thankful for the wind turbines.

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Growing Power initiative to create 150 new jobs

From an article in Biz Times Daily:

With legislation signed by Mayor Tom Barrett following a unanimous vote by the Milwaukee Common Council, Growing Power Inc., has been awarded $425,000 to build 150 hoop house gardens on vacant land within the city.
The farms will be tended by beginning urban farmers, creating 150 new jobs that will be filled by unemployed people in Milwaukee.

Growing Power’s proposal, called “Growing Capacity for the Green Economy,” was made in February to Milwaukee’s African-American Male Unemployment Task Force, whose mission is to work with community organizations and businesses to reduce joblessness among black males in Milwaukee. Recent estimates have put Milwaukee’s African-American male unemployment rate at more than 25 percent, one of the highest rates in the nation.

The grant, which comes from federal Housing and Urban Development funding, will be administered by Milwaukee’s Community Development Block Grant office.

“This is a strong beginning,” said Will Allen, founder of Growing Power and nationally recognized urban agriculture leader. “To do this program right, we will need three times this amount. Our workers will need training and we will need support staff, in addition to the hoop houses themselves.”

Despite the financial challenge, Allen is upbeat about the program’s future.

“We can find this money. The low overall cost for the benefits the program will bring – both in terms of creating jobs and providing fresh, nutritious food for urban families – will hopefully be a powerful formula for success” Allen said.

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Why does Russia want more coal?

Coal is fossil fuel that is highly polluting our environment, and worldwide burning of the coal in coal power plants is one of the main reasons why we are currently engaged in fight against climate change. Despite the highly negative environmental impact many countries heavily rely on coal to fuel their economies since in most cases coal presents the cheapest energy option. China, the world's

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Power Down meeting, April 10

Our next meeting is now April 10 at 4:00 pm
The Pink House Studio 601 E Wright St in Riverwest

Here is a list of identified projects that we need leaders for. Feel free to explore the scope of these projects or collaborate with someone to cover these responsibilities. We are looking for people to work on these projects, and propose new ones for Power Down Week (PDW).

Outreach to Businesses: (PDW needs both Riverwest and Bayview Leaders) PDW is looking for people to organize an outreach to local businesses, to create a challenge/game and/or ask for donations for prizes.

Media: PDW is looking for someone to put together a press packet and be the contact for all media.

Off the Hook Challenge: Last year PDW had people pledge to give up their phones for the week. Organizers coordinated a central location where one phone was used in case of emergencies. We had volunteers to stay at that location and answer the phone if needed and then relay the message to the person who gave up their phone for the week. PDW are looking for someone to coordinate a similar initiative.

Website: PDW is looking for someone to coordinate the placement of information on websites, and manage the Power Down Facebook pages.

Powering Down Pledge: Last year organizers coordinated a game where people accounted for all of the `Power Down' Activities and the most active people won prizes. This year there has been a proposal to simplify the game with 3+ levels of involvement. There would be a list of activities that a person could pledge to do, and if you pledge 3 things you are a `novice', 15 things you are `involved', and all of the things you are an `expert'. The person to coordinate this would be creative and figure out a fun game where people would get acknowledgement for their participation. (other elements proposed include a wrist band with a color for the level that you pledge, discounts or recognition by businesses for that level of pledge, and a nominal cost for getting a wrist band to pay for operating costs of Power Down Week) All of the elements of the game are up for debate.

Social Networking Wall: Last year many people enjoyed being offline, but still having a physical `facebook' wall to reference during the week. Organizers created physical FB profiles at the kickoff event and they were posted at the Pink House all week for people to reference and leave notes. It was well received. PDW is looking for someone to coordinate a similar experience.

Kick Off Event: This is one of the most important elements of Power Down week. PDW is looking for someone to coordinate this event. Date, time, location, volunteers, activities. This might be a good project for more than one person or a group of people.

Scouts for Events: PDW is in need of people who have their eyes and ears open for events that are already happening during Power Down week that we can promote. PDW is also looking for fun events that we could partner with to help them use less energy.

Scouts for Workshops: PDW is looking for people who have skills they would like to share, or are willing to scout for local talent to bring the best workshops possible to PDW.

Email for more information.

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Walker should reconsider his stance on setbacks for wind farms

From an editorial in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel:

Wind farms in Wisconsin can lessen the state's reliance on coal-fired power plants at the same time that they add jobs to the economy. But instead of moving forward on this economic development tool, Gov. Scott Walker's administration is taking a step back. That's a mistake and something Walker should rethink.

What the governor and the Legislature have done is change the rules under which wind farms are sited, seeking to put greater distance between homes and wind farms. As a result, at least two firms have announced they are canceling or suspending plans to build wind farms in Wisconsin - and that means a loss of potential jobs.

Here's what happened: Two years ago, the Legislature called on the state Public Service Commission to establish a uniform standard for wind projects across the state. The idea was that a statewide standard was better than the patchwork of local rules and moratoriums that were in place. It was a good idea, and the PSC came up with a rule.

One of its elements was a 1,250-foot setback from a neighbor's property line; it also would have provided decibel and shadow flicker requirements for wind farm turbines.

The setback wasn't enough for Walker and wind farm opponents; in January, the governor introduced a bill with a 1,800-foot setback, although he said this week that his administration remains open to wind energy. Last week, a legislative committee sent the PSC's new rule back to the PSC for more work. The concern is that wind farms will hurt property values of neighboring residents.

That's resulted in enough uncertainty over the future of wind farms in Wisconsin that Invenergy of Chicago canceled plans to develop a wind farm near Green Bay and Midwest Wind Energy suspended development of two wind farms.

A statewide standard still needs to be set by the PSC. And the legitimate concerns of neighbors of wind farms need to be taken into account without giving too much credence to fears that are unfounded and overstated. But the standard should not be so restrictive that wind farms become impractical in Wisconsin. That takes Wisconsin out of the clean energy economy - a bad bet.

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Shortsighted energy plans just won't cut it; renewables needed

From an editorial in the Sheboygan Press:

President Barack Obama has twice in the last year called for the nation to reduce its dependence of foreign oil by embarking on a multi-faceted plan on energy.

Obama's first call for energy independence was followed less than a month later by the Deep Water Horizon oil rig disaster in the Gulf of Mexico.

We hope that the president's latest energy initiative is followed not by a disaster, but by a commitment from Congress to develop a national energy policy. A commitment from the American people to be receptive of alternative energy sources would be nice, too. . . .

Until recently, we thought Wisconsin was poised to become a leader in helping the nation reach that goal.

Wind power was one area where Wisconsin was setting the pace.

The state had sensible rules on where wind turbines could be located in relation to residential properties and the state was on its way toward making progress on using this renewable energy resource. But those rules are on hold and are likely to be changed to the point where it will be impractical for companies interested in locating wind farms to do business in Wisconsin.

This is not only shortsighted in development of renewable energy sources, it is also a job-killer because the companies that now make wind turbines in Wisconsin are already talking about relocating to states where wind power is welcomed.

The easy thing to do is to keep relying on oil and coal to power our cars and heat our homes. The wise thing is to develop a long-range plan that relies on renewable energy.

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Milwaukee County transit faces steep cut in Walker's budget

From an article by Steve Schultze in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel:

Gov. Scott Walker's proposed 10% cut in transit funding could mean dramatic service cuts or bus fare increases in Milwaukee and elsewhere, Milwaukee County supervisors were told Wednesday.

The cut to the Milwaukee County Transit System would be nearly $7 million, under Walker's state two-year budget plan. It would take an 8% cut in routes or a 30% increase in fares to make up for the reduction, said Kenneth Yunker, executive director of the Southeastern Wisconsin Regional Planning Commission.

"It's a very significant reduction in transit services or increase in fares," Yunker told the County Board's Transportation and Public Works Committee.

Milwaukee County's single adult bus fare is currently $2.25.

Lloyd Grant, managing director of the county transit system, said if the $7 million reduction was absorbed through service cuts, it would mean the loss of 100,000 hours of bus service.

Other bus and transit systems in southeast Wisconsin would face potential service cuts ranging from 6% to 10% or fare increases of up to 60%, according to a study by the planning commission.

Supervisors told Grant to prepare a plan for how the Milwaukee County Transit System would handle the cut, saying that information would be useful in lobbying legislators to slow or reverse the governor's cuts.

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Piggly Wiggly expands, scores high for energy efficiency

From an article by Tom Content in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel:

The heat-producing bulbs are gone from the freezers at Olsen's Piggly Wiggly. And the natural gas furnace isn't getting used much.

These are two of the ways the expanded Cedarburg grocery store scored the highest of any of nine other supermarkets across Wisconsin that are participating in the Wisconsin Green Grocer program.

Store co-owner Ryan Olsen said he and his family saw the opportunity to become more energy efficient as they pursued a remodeling project that increased the size of their store by one-third, to 43,000 square feet.

"With energy prices forever climbing, it just made sense for us to (make an) investment now to reap the rewards of not having as high energy consumption later on," he said.

As a result, the store's energy bills are about the same, or slightly more than before, but the store has grown by 11,000 square feet and has six more full-time and 10 more part-time workers.

"This is an example of how we can create jobs and grow our economy but keep our energy use about the same," said Brett Hulsey, an environmental consultant who worked with the grocers association on its initiative. Hulsey is also a Democratic state Assembly representative from Madison.

Some changes can be small - like giving shoppers the ability to recycle plastic bags - but others can be much more extensive.

"They're heating almost all the building with reclaimed heat from their compressors," Hulsey said. "That was the first time I'd seen that."

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The nuclear option: Safety concerns are only one big reason wind and solar better

From a commentary by Mark Z. Jacobson in the New York Daily News:

The powerful earthquake and tsunami that caused reactors at Japan's Fukushima nuclear power plant to shut down - releasing radiation and endangering workers and evacuees - have many Americans asking whether nuclear energy is worth the investment and risk.

I say not. In fact, it should not have taken a disaster of this kind to move us decisively away from nuclear and toward safe, clean, renewable energy. . . .

If the world's energy needs were converted to electricity for all purposes - and nuclear supplied such energy - 15,800 large nuclear reactors, one installed every day for the next 43 years, would be needed. The installation of even 5% of these would nearly double the current number of reactors, giving many more countries the potential to develop weapons. If only one weapon were used in a city, it could kill 1 to 16 million people.

***

Why do we need nuclear energy when we have safer, cleaner options that can provide greater power for a much longer period and at lower cost to society? These better options are called WWS, for "wind, water and sunlight." The chance of catastrophe caused by nature or terrorists acting on wind or solar, in particular, is zero.

During their lifetimes, WWS technologies emit no pollution - whereas nuclear does, since continuous energy is needed to mine, transport and refine uranium and reactors require much longer to permit and install than do WWS technologies. Overall, nuclear emits 9 to 25 times more air pollution and carbon dioxide than does wind per unit energy generated.

***

Some argue that nuclear is more reliable than WWS systems. This is not true. A nuclear reactor affects a larger fraction of the grid when it fails than does a wind turbine. The average maintenance downtime of modern wind turbines on land is 2%. That of France's 59 reactors is 21.5%, with about half due to scheduled maintenance.

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