Talking Green

RGGI Regional Low Carbon Fuel Standard

Good! This should be a model for other states, whether or not part of a regional low carbon initiative. From ENS.

Pennsylvania has signed a letter of agreement with 10 other eastern states to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from transportation fuels and other sources by developing a regional low carbon fuel standard.

Vehicles using low carbon transport fuels include cars powered by hydrogen fuel cells; electric cars such as plug-in hybrids; cars fueled with ethanol, especially cellulosic ethanol made from non-food plant materials; and cars fueled with biodiesel.

"This partnership will work closely on a standard for the entire region," said Governor Ed Rendell on Monday, announcing the agreement. "In conjunction with Pennsylvania's energy policies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and increase clean energy development, this work done by this partnership will ultimately grow our economy and protect our planet by fostering a cleaner environment."

EcoBuild Washington

I am here blogging from EcoBuild convention over at the Washington DC Convention Center. It's a three-day event on sustainable, green and high-performance solutions for the building industry. I missed the first workshop (this morning on LEED for new construction) because there was a delay. What else? Metro, of course!

OK. Me-blogging green, got me a 'press' pass for the convention from the organizer, cool, eh? The cred allows me to attend some of the workshops, listen to keynote speakers, and go to the exhibition. The way they organize the conference should be the way of the future, where a number of conferences within the same line of business is co-located. It saves time, money, energy and you got everybody in the room kind of thing.

So, in addition to EcoBuild, there are other conferences at the convention, such as FEDCon, FEDspec, Selling Products Effectively to Construction Specifiers, and buildingSMART Alliance National Conference.The FEDCon and spec - have something to do with the Feds, I think.

The conference starts today, however all the big events, won't start until tomorrow. Like live BIM (Building Information Modeling), an interactive collaboration helping Alexandria, VA community to cope with closing of military bases (BRAC, that is), mobile green educational classroom, and green job fair. For those in the market for green job, I checked with the organizer and was told only for attendees. Sorry..

You know some of the things here kinda Greek to me, but, I am looking forward to blog what's interesting at the event. All things green, smart technologies and sustainable.

Waxman!

What a change! Rep. Henry Waxman win the fight for Chairman of the Energy and Commerce committee from Rep. John Dingell.

Waxman is good for the position. Because Obama needs climate friendly leader in Congress to get this going..via Bloomberg.

Obama has promised to spend $15 billion a year to help private industry develop clean energy technology and to institute a cap-and-trade system to reduce emissions 80 percent by 2050.           

Va. Panel Recommends Aggressive GHG Cuts?

The recent recommendation by Virginia panel on climate change asked for more greenhouse gas emissions aggressive cuts than what Gov. Kaine proposed, according to Bluefield Daily Telegraph.

...the Commission on Climate Change recommended that the state reduce greenhouse gas emissions 25 percent below 1990 levels by the year 2020, and by 80 percent by 2050 — well beyond the 30 percent reductions Kaine called for by 2025, according to the AP story.

The recommendation for the cuts however, needs more powwah. Because the language for "no-more-coal-plant until CCS technology has been perfected," has been removed. This two should be one package, if Virginia seriously wanted to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions.

The mindset that no-alternative-to-coal (one local politician says that..) has got to change! We just have to look at what the sources of emissions and the consequences if we do nothing...via Roanoke Times.

...greenhouse gas emissions from Virginia and the Carolinas are equivalent to industrialized South Korea's emissions.

Just to give you an idea of how bad So. Korea's GHG emission is...via IHT.

South Korea released 591 million tons of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases in 2005. That level is believed to be the world's 10th-largest in emissions, and it is almost double the country's 1990 output of 310 million tons.

There's got to be more than enough energy alternatives to coal for Virginia that's available out there. If Maryland can do it, why can't Virginia do it? Yes, we can. Provided that the political will is strong enough to overcome the coal industry lobbying. 

And that seems to be what's lacking over here...

Marylanders Gets $16M for Carbon Auctions

Maryland gets $16M from RGGI share of its first carbon auction, which is by far the largest recipient among participants. The earned income goes directly to Maryland's Strategic Energy Investment fund for redistribution, via Hometown Annapolis.

Maryland funds will be divided among programs that range from residential electricity rate relief and energy assistance for low-income residents, to energy-efficiency and climate-change programs.

With auction money coming down the pipeline expect to see significant amount available to fund Maryland's energy efficiency programs.

US Airways Flying High on Lobbying

Interesting. Seems like US Airways have a high taste for lobbying. In the face of cap-and-trade and oil speculation, the airline has spent $450,000 lobbying Congress in Q3.

Grazing is Permitted..

Sheep grazing is a growth industry, via NYT.

Tom McDonnell, a staff consultant with the American Sheep Industry Institute, called this kind of grazing a “growth industry.” Mr. McDonnell cited a study by the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences at Cornell University that indicated nonnative weeds had invaded 40 percent to 50 percent of America’s croplands, pasture and public lands and were spreading at a rate of 1.75 million acres per year.

Sheep grazing is a long-term solution best used in conjunction with other methods, like beneficial insects, controlled burns, herbicides and hand pulling, officials said.

Is it cheaper? Not sure (and don't know). One thing for sure since no fossil fuel used, thus no carbon footprint, this no-tech approach is definitely eco-friendly.

Soros Thumbs Up Green Economy..

George Soros on Bill Moyer's Journal (h/t GreenBiz), says that 'consumption' was the engine of the US and world economy. (couldn't agree more!) High consumption gets us to piling on debts. You just have to see the debt trap.. it's priceless.  Now that consumerism is dead (..well sort of), we need a new engine for the economy.

Yo Soros, you're spot on.

And the Soros' version for pulling us out of the rut is: The green economy!

Come to think of it.. uhm - maybe that's why the Senate bailout bill was padded up with tax breaks among others for the renewables energy. The train of thought behind this bailout bill..maybe this: IF we never ever see the $700 billion taxpayers money.. at least the green economy (and renewables) will balance it up.

Sort of hedging the investment...

Here is his MONEY QUOTE, via PBS.

Putting more money in, building infrastructure, converting to green technology. 

FULL version of the show after the jump...

Alexandria Exempts Taxation for Solar

Virginia has in its Code provision that allows each jurisdiction within the State the authority to give partial or full property tax exemption to owners of solar technologies.

The Article P (Solar Energy Equipment Tax Exemption) from the Code of City of Alexandria, specifies the exemption from local taxation (real estate property tax) for solar energy equipment use to produce water heating, space or cooling in any building, residential or community facilities.

Details on Some of the Key Provisions

Who qualifies for the exemption?

Sec. 3-2-283  Exemption authorized. Tax exemption is provided according to the terms of this article for qualified property owners who possess certified solar energy equipment, facilities or devices. (Code 1963, Sec. 36-123)

"Certified" is the key word there. You probably need to buy your solar tech from providers who understand the tax implication of buying such technologies in the City. Or at least, some knowledge of it.

The requirement for exemption is not a clear-cut here. Check this out:

 Sec. 3-2-285  Requirements for exemption.

Exemption shall be granted to persons subject to the following provisions:

(1)   The title of the property for which exemption is claimed is held, or partially held, on the first day of the taxable year, by the person or persons claiming exemption.

(2)   The local building department has determined, after examination of the equipment, facility or device, that the unit primarily performs at least one of the functions set forth in section 3-2-282(a) and conforms to the requirements set by regulations of the state certifying authority.

(3)   The state certifying authority has certified to the local real estate assessments office that the applicant has met all requirements qualifying the equipment, facilities or devices for exemption from taxation. (Code 1963, Sec. 36-125)  - emphasis (mine) added

Here's how you can claim the property tax exemption.

1. File an application with the local building department.
2. Submit the application with complete set of plans and specs of the solar energy equipment, facilities or devices.
3. When you get the certificate from the state, the local office will determine what the value of exemption is for the solar energy equipment that includes solar technology for water heating, cooling and space.

For exemption purposes, you get to deduct the exemption from your total real estate property tax due. You can also deduct the 'fair market value' of the cost of purchasing and installing the equipment. So, if the cost of buying and installing the solar is $20,000, does it mean that you get to deduct the 'full' market value? Seems like it. Note that am not a tax attorney or accountant. So, if you need help for advice, please seek professional help.

Here is the answer from the Code via Sec. 3-2-288 Amount of exemption.

(b)  For purposes of the administration of this article, and for no other purposes, the value of certified solar energy equipment, facilities or devices qualifying for exemption shall be presumed to be not less than the normal cost of purchasing and installing the equipment, facilities or devices. (Code 1963, Sec. 36-128) (emphasis mine - added)

There you go, Alexandrians! The City provides you with great incentives to go solar.

Source: Code City of Alexandria

image: EERE 28-kW PV integrated in the roof of Williams Building in Boston

ISO Future (go Beyond Rhetoric) Look for Clues in Obama and McCain Past Votes

READ my lips all over again? Its 51 days to go.  Forget about what the candidates said - Barack Obama, McCain - and wanted to do for renewable in the future for a moment. Seriously, if you really want renewable front and center, you get to vote for putting the right guy in the White House. The best indicator to see how serious are they in bringing alternative energy on the table, is to look deeply into how each candidate has voted in the past. Kind of reading the fine print. If ever, their past votes serve as an insight into their future actions. Because their actions speak louder than their words.

Via Solar Today, here's how they compare side-by-side in some of the key 'energy' votes. 

	McCain's key votes	Obama's key votes
Renewable energy	* Didn't vote on RE tax credit extension (2008) * Didn't vote on Clean Energy Act of 2007 * Voted AGAINST effort to establish renewable portfolio standard or RPS (2005) * Voted to DEFUND renewable energy (1999)	* Didn't vote on RE tax credit extension (2008) * Voted YES for Clean Energy Act of 2007 * Voted YES to establish RPS (2005) * As a state senator, cosponsored a bill to create an RPS in IL similar to the one passed there in  2007
Climate Change	* Not present for Lieberman-Warner cap-and-trade vote (2008) * Sponsored Climate Stewardship Act for tradable carbon allowances in 2005 and cosponsored similar bills in 2003, 2007	* Not present for L-W cap-and-trade vote (2008) * Voted FOR factoring climate change into federal project planning (2007)
Oil and Natural Gas	* Voted to expand resource exploration in Gulf of Mexico (2006) * Voted to disallow oil leasing in ANWR (2005) and block ANWR drilling (2002, 2003, 2005) - a position he's changed since then (esp. with Palin as his veep) * Voted AGAINST legislation to reduce oil usage 40% (instead of 5%) by 2025 (2005)	* Voted AGAINST expanded resource exploration in Gulf of Mexico (2006) * Vote to disallow oil leasing in ANWR (2005) and ban drilling (2005) * Voted to REDUCE oil usage 40% (instead of 5%) by 2025
Nuclear Power		* Sponsored a bill to notify public when nuclear releases occur (2006) * Introduced legislation to est. guidelines to track spent fuel (2005)
Low-Carbon Transport	* Voted for legislation targeting 100K hydrogen-powered cars by 2010 (2003) * Voted to block legislation that would have terminated fuel-efficiency standards (2002)	* Cosponsored a low-carbon std (2007) * Cosponsored legislation mandating production of 18B gallons of renewable fuels by 2016 (2007) * Sponsored a bill to raise fuel-efficiency std 4% per year until 2018 (2006) * Voted FOR a budget amendment promoting biofuels and hybrid cars (2006)

If you want to explore more votes, go here.

The differences between the two candidates is clear. In a few votes, Obama and McCain voted the same way. However, in other 'key votes' they parted. Seeing the two candidates' past votes with naked eye, shouldn't fool you much longer.

Here is the thing. The US needs a drastic change on federal energy policies from the mantra of '..Drill, Baby, Drill' - to - 'No Drill, Baby. No Way. Bring renewable, Baby' This drill-baby-drill is no vision. A typical short-cut answer to a 'now' problem which does not solve the 'real' energy problems. We're not even talking the impact on the environment yet. It doesn't create new industries (read: new jobs) the US badly needed. If this is not bad enough. Consider this: The U.S. is (way) behind Japan and EU on renewable energy productions. One example wind energy.

Unless the Feds give some 'love' to renewables, you know where we're going to end up.

One more thing, don't forget that the Prez can't do it alone! The Prez needs Congress to give 'seal of approval' for initiatives coming from the WH. Without the support from Congress, nothing is going to happen. We know that. We saw that happen to renewable energy. The good thing is, this year we've got all House seats up for re-election. Also a number of Senate seats - up for a grab.

So, this election cast your vote - for a change.

 

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