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...

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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...

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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....

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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...

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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...

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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...

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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...

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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...

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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...

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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...

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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 speakingat 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,...

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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...

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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...

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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 coffee1You recommend this69%You don't recommend this31%Shared 59 timesCoffee 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 PMFriday (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 GreenFree 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...

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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.c...

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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...

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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...

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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...

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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...

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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”, PawtucketThe “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,...

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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...

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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...

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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...

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Rising Diesel Prices Fuel Higher Electric Rates

For immediate releaseApril 15, 2011More informationRENEW WisconsinMichael Vickerman608.255.4044mvickerman@renewwisconsin.orgWe Energies Customers Will Pay the Higher Cost of Hauling CoalWe 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...

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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 RoundtableDate: Tomorrow, April 15 from 9:00 am - 12:30 pmTopic: Smart Power and the Future of Electric Utilities, Transforming the Electric Grid with Storage and Electric VehiclesLocation: 155 Seaport Boulevard, 13th Floor, Boston, MA 02210For more information and an agenda:  http://www.raabassociates.org/main/roundtable.asp?sel=106Keynote 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 UtilitiesThe panel also features two of the nation's top experts in electric vehicle policy and implementation: Ron Minsk of The Electrification Coalition and Watson...

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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...

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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. AC_FL_RunContent( 'codebase', 'http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=8,0,0,0', 'width', '561', 'height', '252' , 'src', 'http://storybridge.tv/sites/all/themes/storybridge/swfs/sbplay_seg02c', 'quality', 'high', 'pluginspage', 'http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer', 'align', 'middle', 'play', 'true', 'loop', 'true', 'scale', 'showall',...

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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...

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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 RiverwestHere 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...

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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...

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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...

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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...

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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...

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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...

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