NASEO News

FEDERAL UPDATE

USDA Invites Applications for Renewable Energy Funding

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is seeking applications to increase the production and use of renewable energy sources. Funding is available from four USDA Rural Development renewable energy programs authorized by the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008 (Farm Bill).  USDA is accepting applications for grants and loan guarantees in the Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) until June 30, 2010. More information on how to apply for funding is available in the April 26, 2010 Federal Register. The Rural Energy for America Program provides funds to agricultural producers and rural small businesses to purchase and install renewable energy systems and make energy efficiency improvements.  Please click here for more information.

EPA Hosts First National Building Competition to Improve Energy Efficiency

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is sponsoring the first national energy efficiency contest of its kind, featuring 14 commercial buildings from across the country. While trimming kilowatt hours off is their bottom line, they'll also save money and help fight climate change. The building that sheds the most energy waste on a percentage basis will be declared the winner at EPA's final weigh-in on Oct. 26, 2010.  Nearly 200 applications were received for EPA's National Building Competition and the 14 finalists will be judged on their energy performance from Sept. 1, 2009 to Aug. 31, 2010. The energy use of each building is being monitored with EPA's Energy Star online energy measurement and tracking tool, Portfolio Manager. Television personality Bob Harper will also provide energy fitness tips for the contestants through a series of videos that will be available on the website. Please click here for the full story.

EPA Releases Report of Climate Change Indicators in the United States

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's "Climate Change Indicators in the United States" report will help readers interpret a set of important indicators to better understand climate change. The report presents 24 indicators, each describing trends related to the causes and effects of climate change. It focuses primarily on the United States, but in some cases global trends are presented to provide context or a basis for comparison.  Please click here for the full report. 

DOE Releases "Situation Reports" Detailing Gulf Coast Oil Spill

The U.S. Department of Energy Office of Electricity Delivery and Energy Reliability has released and will continue to produce situation reports detailing the Deepwater Horizon oil platform failure in the Gulf of Mexico. To read the reports, please click here.

EVENTS AND WEBINARS

Compressed Air Challenge, Fundamentals of Compressed Air Systems WE (web-edition)

The Compressed Air Challenge (CAC) is pleased to announce the second round of the Fundamentals of Compressed Air Systems WE (web-edition), starting May 14, 2010.  Subsequent sessions will occur on May 21, May 28, and June 4.  This web-based version of the popular Fundamentals of Compressed Air Systems training uses an interactive format that enables the instructor to diagram examples, give pop quizzes and answer students' questions in real time. Please visit the CAC website today, www.compressedairchallenge.org, to access online registration and for more information about the training. 

ACLP Smart Grid Event

The Advanced Communications Law & Policy Institute (ACLP) at New York Law School will host "Smart" Energy Regulation: Facilitating the Deployment of a National, Broadband-Enabled Smart Grid on May 19, 2010 from 9AM – 5 PM at the Ritz-Carlton, Washington D.C. 1150 22nd St., N.W.  Agenda topics will include:

• Assessing the Impacts of the Current Energy Regulatory Paradigm on Innovation Across the Sector
• Identifying Necessary Regulatory Reforms to Create a Broadband-Enabled Ecosystem of Innovation in the Energy Sector
• Extending Innovation into the Home: How to Ensure that Consumers Benefit from the Universe of Broadband-Enabled Smart Grid Tools
• Charting a Course Towards a National, Broadband-Enabled, Consumer-Centric Smart Grid

For more information about the event, please contact ACLP Director, Michael Santorelli, at michael.santorelli@nyls.edu or (212) 431-2163.

U.S.-Canada Clean Energy Dialogue 2010 Conference:  Increasing Trade in Clean Electricity

The U.S.-Canada Clean Energy Dialogue 2010 Conference:  Increasing Trade in Clean Electricity will be held May 19-20, 2010, in Rosemont Illinois.  The Clean Energy Dialogue (CED) was announced in February 2009 when President Obama and Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper met in Ottawa. The CED is charged with expanding clean energy research and development, developing and deploying clean energy technology, and building a more efficient electricity grid based on clean and renewable energy in order to reduce greenhouse gases and combat climate change in both countries. U.S. Energy Secretary Steven Chu and Canadian Minister of Environment Jim Prentice serve as the lead government officials for moving the CED forward.  For more information on the conference including an agenda and online registration, please click here.  

SAVE the DATE: EPA Tech Forum May 20: State PUC Overview for Energy & Environment Officials

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's State Climate and Energy Technical Forum will host the State Public Utility Commission (PUC) Overview for Energy and Environment Officials webcast on Thursday, May 20, 2010, from 2:00-3:30 PM EDT.  The topic will be how PUCs make decisions that affect clean energy and air quality, and examples of inter-agency collaboration. Featured speakers will be:

• Miles Keogh from NARUC
• Ann Berwick, Undersecretary of Energy for Massachusetts
• Frank Kohlasch and Bill Sierks from the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency
• Vincent Chavez from the Minnesota Office of Energy Security

To register for the webinar, go to: https://www2.gotomeeting.com/register/840599059.  To find more information about this topic, access background materials at:

http://www.epatechforum.org/documents/2009-2010/2009-2010.html.

DOE Announces EnergySmart Schools Operations and Maintenance Webinar

A no-cost, live webcast on Tuesday, May 25, 2010, will introduce school officials and facilities management to this online training tool, which is based on the Guide to Operating and Maintaining EnergySmart Schools, released in June 2009. The webcast will provide a walk-through of key features of the training tool, by function, and will include a panelist discussion on O&M best practices and thoughts about the training tool. For more information, please visit www.energysmartschools.gov.

STATE AND LOCAL NEWS

Reduced Insurance Rates Available in Pennsylvania for LEED Certified Homes

Insurance Commissioner Joel Ario of the Pennsylvania Insurance Department has approved Travelers Insurance's discounts on "green" homeowners' products. The policy discount is based on having the U.S. Green Building Council's Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, or LEED, building certification.  "The LEED certification is the most widely recognized environmental building standard in our country," said Ario. "I am pleased to announce the approval of this type of insurance discount; a first for homeowners in Pennsylvania." The Travelers green building discount provides incentives for greater energy efficiency and air quality. Since a LEED certification requires an extensive review of all building systems to ensure efficient operation, the decision to upgrade a building often reflects greater concern with issues that affect loss control. Please click here to read more at the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection.

Kentucky Will Use Stimulus Funds to Encourage Agricultural Energy Projects

Projects will be eligible for up to $200,000 in funding, half from stimulus money and half from the state's Agricultural Development Funds.  A state Biofuels Task Force completed a report last summer that encouraged the development of multicounty projects, particularly in using wood-related products and tall grasses, both known as biomass, either to be converted into energy or co-fired and burned with coal. "I'm excited that they are doing this," said State Senator David Givens. "Earlier, the state had a small-scale opportunity for individual farmers to participate in energy-efficiency programs. This is a considerably larger scale approach targeted to communities that want to start implementing some of the work recommended by the task force."  To read more, please click here.