NATIONAL NEWS
Groups Appeal to Senate Leaders for Farm Bill Energy Programs
Environment & Energy Daily
Farm, conservation, energy and environmental
groups and businesses are urging Congress to keep funding energy programs that
will not automatically continue in the next farm bill cycle. In a letter
sent to Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) and Minority Leader Mitch
McConnell (R-Ky.), 33 groups stressed the need for supporting the eight energy
provisions, which include the Biomass Crop Assistance Program and the Rural
Energy for America Program.
House Passes Tax Bill with Ethanol, Renewable Energy Credits
Environment & Energy Daily
The House passed a controversial $858 billion tax
package late last night after Democrats scrambled to enable its members to voice
their objections to the bill but still allow the measure to be sent to President
Obama's desk. The tax bill includes a one-year extension of a renewable
energy grant program and tax credits for ethanol, alternative vehicle fuels and
energy efficiency -- all of which are minor provisions in a White House-GOP tax
deal that extends income tax cuts for all income levels and extends unemployment
insurance for 13 months. The deal also includes a generous version of the estate
tax that many Democrats did not support.
Renewable Electricity Standard: A Bipartisan Policy
Union of Concerned Scientists
The Union of Concerned Scientists has released a
new map showing how state-level RES policies enjoy bipartisan support. It
illustrates which party was in control of the state legislature (House/Senate)
and governor’s office when each RES was adopted.
AWARDS
NYSERDA and CEC Recognized at ACEEE Special 30th Anniversary Award Reception
ACEEE
The American Council for an Energy-Efficient
Economy (ACEEE) presented special 30th Anniversary awards last week to
individuals and organizations who have made outstanding contributions to the
field of energy efficiency. The New York State Energy Research and Development
Authority (NYSERDA) and the California Energy Commission were both recognized at
the awards reception. ACEEE named NYSERDA one of the world's leaders in
innovative ideas and research and development for energy efficiency concepts and
technologies. Accepting the award on behalf of NYSERDA were current and
past Presidents Frank Murray, Bill Valentino, Paul Tonko, and Peter Smith.
The State of California was called the nation's visionary and leader in
imagining and implementing policies to reduce its energy and environmental
impact with the first appliance efficiency standards; vehicle fuel economy
standards; and extensive, aggressive gas and electric utility efficiency
programs. ACEEE said that through the inspired work of the California Energy
Commission (CEC) and the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC), many of
the energy efficiency and sustainability policies adopted and tested in
California have influenced policies and programs in other states and around the
world.
STATE NEWS
Iowa Unveils 2011 Energy Independence Plan
Quad-City Business Journal
State officials released their 2011 energy
independence plan Wednesday that places a heavy emphasis on bio-fuels, pushes
for more wind generation and promotes the concept of businesses using "work
hubs" to reduce vehicle travel miles.
Maine Paper Plant Protects 650 Jobs with Energy Cost Reductions
Efficiency Maine
Grants from Efficiency Maine to reduce energy
costs will help Twin Rivers Paper lower their energy costs and provide increased
job security for 650 workers employed at a local mill. Two of the grants will be
used to fund heat recovery projects, reducing the mill’s fossil fuel consumption
by approximately 1 Million gallons of oil per year.
New York State Airport Begins Construction on Solar Heating “Trombe Wall”
NYSERDA
Plattsburgh International Airport began
construction last week on the first of two solar heating system projects with
support from NYSERDA. The two systems, which will heat two hangars and an
industrial facility, will reduce the airport’s utility costs by $40,000
annually. The project being constructed now is a 4,000 square foot solar wall,
called a Trombe wall that heats indoor air using solar energy and fans to pull
the heated air into the building.
Oregon Town Trims Lighting Electric Bills 71% with LED Project
Oregon Department of Energy
A $77,600 grant from the Oregon Department of
Energy gave the city of Redmond, Oregon the incentive to retrofit the lamps
downtown. The lamps were purchased from another Oregon company and are expected
to last at least 50,000 hours. The City monitored the meters for the street
lamps and found that the 97 lamps used 71 percent fewer kilowatt hours of
electricity.
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