Talking Green

What is a Green Job?

Everyone is so excited with the prospect of green jobs. Who doesn't? With unemployment level at record high. Obama Administration wanted to create 5 million jobs in the next 10 years by investing $150B in renewable energy. To start with the Stimulus package includes the $500M funding appropriated for green jobs training. And with the $76B in direct and indirect incentives, the upside potential for green jobs is definitely here.

However, before we cheer on its upside potential, can we at least agree on one thing: what is a green job, anyway? Because there's just too many definition floating out there. There's no clear cut definition of what is green, green job.

Thanks to IREC to have a write-up on this topic recently. They've done a good job compiling 'green jobs' definition from various sources, including from Van Jones, Phil Angelides with Apollo Alliance, Joel Makower with GreenBiz, Rona Fried with SustainableBusiness.com, and more. It's true the more you look at the definition, the more likely you get confused, because there's simply no clear cut definition available, via IREC.

We have looked at some definitions that are being used and have also reviewed some recent reports and mission statements.  The more we dig, the more questions are raised.  We think it is important to have a working definition but one that isn’t limiting nor one that is too vague that it could be used to misrepresent the intent of green jobs.

When I Googled definition of 'what is a green job,' there was 291M sites with matched search word. Oh my! Here are some examples:

• Van Jones: "My definition of a green-collar job is this:  it is a family-supporting, career-track job that directly contributes to preserving or enhancing environmental quality." [IREC]
  
• Phil Angelides: "It has to pay decent wages and benefits that can support a family. It has to be part of a real career path, with upward mobility. And it needs to reduce waste and pollution and benefit the environment." [Time]
• Joseph Romm: "Green jobs are living-wage, career-track jobs that contribute to preserving or enhancing environmental quality." [Grist]
• Repower America: "Green jobs provide healthy environments for workers while helping build a clean economy. These are good jobs involving work that is often familiar. Plumbers, welders, carpenters and others continue to use their skills, but in fields like renewable energy, sustainable agriculture or green building. They install solar energy panels on rooftops, build wind turbines, retrofit homes for energy efficiency, and much more." [Repower America]
• Robert Pollin (PERI): "I'm greatly in favor of investing in things that will promote a clean environment, fight global warming, and those investments will all create jobs, and I don't really care what color they are." [Alternet]
• And more..

You see how confusing they are. It's a 'mouthful' just trying to define it..

And then, Fast Company have its list of 10 best green jobs for next decade. Their top 10 jobs includes some jobs mentioned by people quoted above plus other industries like farming, forestry, urban planning, etc.

A while back when I attended 'Good Jobs, Green Jobs' conference, in one of the meetings, there was somebody who gives a short and simple definition. (sorry I couldn't recall his name). This is what he said:

"Green job is any job that help reduce carbon footprint"

Keyword: any.

There you go. Simple, no?

Great Energy Efficiency Day on the Hill

This is a 'delayed' blogging post from yesterday event on the Hill. - Dewita

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It's just so timely that GEED this year was held after the passing of the Stimulus package (Recovery Bill). Think this year there are more people in the room. I can feel that the enthusiasm is there! People are energized on this specific issue: energy efficiency. (I got here a bit late so didn't get a chance to hear Sec. Chu speaks).

Sen. Mark Pryor from Arkansas: (Alliance: He is the one who put Title 17 on Energy Savings Act). Sen. Mark Pryor talks about efficiency, the legislation that was just passed. He said that efficiency is a powerful source of energy that should be the approach to policy why EE makes a lot of sense. 1) It helps reduce carbon footprint, 2) Save natural resources and save the future, 3) help trade creation. It creates jobs in rural America. Energy and economy is inter-related. Then he gave a run down for what's in Stimulus package i.e. $300 mil for Energy Star, $270 mil for retrofit low income $500 mil for green job creation, $4.5 bil Federal building energy efficiency, $3.4 bln directly to state energy programs.

He said that he heard it on NPR about Mount Pleasant solar energy co-op that have 90 members agreed to install solar panel on the roof. This couldn't be realized without the Fed and DC tax incentives, which the credit covers about two-third of cost for installation with payback in 4 years. He thinks that Alexandria, Maryland might have the same co-op model.

Another area he touched on was combined heat and power (CHP), which is by itself a 70% efficiency. In his closing remarks he says that "..whatever outreach we do, it should include energy efficiency message."

Panel: Incentives to Drive EE in the Utility Sector- Will One Approach Win the Day?

Arshad Mansoor, EPRI: Talks about how to make grid more efficient. He said that the industry biggest electricity user is the electricity industry itself. It takes electricity to make, transmit, and distribute it up and down the chain. The total power lost is about 3T kwh which is equivalent to 20% or more electricitty use in California. The framework: what are things they can do in transmission? If we look at the residential sector, there are at least 500-600 facilities serving these homes, so we can target these facilities. What can be done on the distribution side? How do we create transmission efficiency? Smart grid is a 2 way communication to bring data towards efficiency. If we take 15% off that's like 40Tkwh or electricity needed to power NY. 

Ralph Cavanagh, NDRC: Tells a story about refrigerator. He says, "if utilities helping customers, they should be profitable." NDRC is one of the collaborators in the Appliance Standards Awareness Project (ASAP) with Alliance to Save Energy. We have to break true addiction to natural gas and electricity because utilities is fixed cost capital intensive business. Give an example of how Idaho Power help its customers to save electricity and correlation with its financial impact when company recovers cost of investments. Briefly touched on 'decoupling.' Note: more on electric rate decoupling here.

Angela Beehler, Wal-Mart: Talk about what Wal-Mart is doing to promote sustainability within the company. 1) uses 100% renewable energy, 2) sell products that sustain the environment, 3) create zero waste. Currently have 14 sustaibility network in place. 

Frank Murray, NYSERDA: His message is "individuals do can and make a difference." NYSERDA has a budget of $600 mil a year set aside for renewable energy and energy efficiency. He thinks that these two are keys to market transformation. Talk about 'decoupling.' For example, Energy Star program influence customer behavior plus economic opportunities. The program is flexible. states to adopt program within states.

David Springe, NASUCA: The position of his organization on decoupling is on the other side of NRDC. He said that for utility companies, decoupling is a revenue mechanism, period. Revenue decoupling does separate profit from sales.

Q&A. Lots of question surrounding "decoupling." How is Walmart demand energy efficiency from vendors? A: Encourage suppliers need to deliver value. Need to engage these people for sustainability for improvement. We're moving on fast track. Get involved and make a difference. ENE.tv.

Rep. Paul Tonko (a new Congressman from NY): He served in State Assembly for 20 years. Expert on energy in NY. Challenges we must addressed, i.e. economy not only here but all over the world. Besides that, it's a great time to move forward thinking outside the box. Have to be aggressive in promoting efficiency. Talk about change the consumer behavior. Policy changes from state all the way up encourage the changes, should be complemented that allow consumers to make green choices. Cars, computers, boilers, etc. need to be made products that have highest standard of efficiency. Retrofit. Worked with Cornell U demo on retrofitting to help farmers. 70 farms realizing 30-40% save on util. simply by reducing demand. R&D is a downpayment for the future.

Rep. Waxman (D-CA): Talk about what they're doing. Doing with 3 most important issues: 1)energy eff en independent less reliance from oil producers 2) concern about the harm being done to our planet on global warming and climate change 3) economy - in a slump, modernize the economy. Passing 1 bill deal energy concern, cap-and-trade, incentives for private sectors to do more energy efficiency. All of these work in tandem. Least expensive is: energy efficiency. Save the use by just being more efficient. Crisis in California change the habit. (Then slammed Cheney for rewarding his buddies!). Determine to get the bill out of committee by Memorial Day recess. Speak highly of his staff Alexandra Teitz, recepient of the 'Unsung Heroes Award.'

Rep. Zach Wamp (R-TN): If you're an entrepreneur start a business now. Now is the time. Go with alternative energy. Will create new economy. Follow the investments. Presenting an "Unsung Heroes Award" to David Greene from Oak Ridge Lab.

Panel: Business Response - Are we ready to "Ramp Up" EE to its Full Potential?

Stephen Harper, Intel: Intel joined ASE in 2008. Talks about energy efficiency and climate change. ICT - information communication technology, the micro story. The EE of individual device. Quoted McKinsey analysis on climate change. Smart grid. Smart buildings. A lot of opportunities out there. McKinsey Global 2020, by .. carbon footprint be reduced by 30%. Huge potential for climate policy. What's missing from being fully realized? It's the policy: Market policy, climate, energy, transportation policies, etc. There will a lot of money all over the world to jump start the economy. Stimulus and green economy. A number of longer term prospect. Intel likes the R&D. It's going to be very healthful. EE and smart grid is important. Intel is the largest purchaser of RE the largest in the US. Smart grid gives potential to a number of products embedded to it. Not going to be easy, there are barriers in the utility system. From Intel standpoint it's important to advocate the macro story, continue making efficient products.

Paula Grant, American Gas Association: Can we do it? In our household "Yes, We Can!" Attributed to Pres. Obama. The AGA is the distribution component of the industry. 64 mil households. Members think it's important to help consumers to do energy efficiency. Show graph that show the declining use of natural gas residential customer since 1970 1% redux 39% less natural residential customers than in 1970. Gas consumption directly correlated to GHG. Gas customers lead in efficiency gains. 01-07 had a decrease of 7%. This is the one sector in the economy that has exceeded Kyoto Protocol guideline. How they make it happen? In 1997 $500 mil EE significant energy efficiency savings save 218 mil therms saving 1.3 mil tons of CO2. They can do this because they've been working .. decoupling remove the link between revenue and sales (?) The Association 28 utilities 20 mil customers that have fully decouple rate. Business is aligned ..goes beyond decoupling. Members committed to transition in this economy. 2 policies they promote: 1) carbon footprint labeling in appliances, 2) continue funding for LNG tech.

Raymond Scheppach, National Gov. Association: Highlights of the 3 points 1) what states can do 2) how do we swallow it 3) how ..most recent 30 of 50 gov talk about EE. 23 states EE targes 39 Comm buildings standards. In terms of stimulus 275B that come to states that has to be spent efficiently. 4 broad cat - with deficit in states $250 bil - shortfall is huge. 1) flex funds: state education, medicaid to offset cuts in budget shortfall, 2) highways, energy $100 bil (no flexibility) some can be spent quickly 3) safety net $40bil foodstamps, etc. 4) long term R&D, alt energy 31 energy programs will be getting additional funding. Emphasizing Governors to have vision. Bigger programs state: energy programs (budget 70x before) it to be comm and spent over a year, weatherization. The shortfall is going to happen a 3-year period. Serious challenge to spend money quick and wisely.

Steve Cowell, Conservation Services Group: (this is the one business adding jobs). Regulators > Program implementaion vendors ? Installation/ implementation contractors HVAC, Builder, electrical, engineering, insulation, design. Low income DOE-state-CBO-contractors work thru community-based organizations. Hire a whole host of contractors. Public buildings/ performance contrac: FEMP-agency-performace administrator- (miss this)..multiple layers..Honeywell = implementation vendors, TRW measurement & eval program design (summit) The challenge to add people to do the work..projected growth $25 bn increase Workforce add 175k new employees. The future workforce from layoffs (housing, construction). Training plan/ business development, capital (serious problem). Have to think long term to convince business to get the policy in place so state and Fed level investments can continue. Can't ignore LT strat with ST strat.

David Carmell, International Code Council: 3 steps involved in getting from the concept to higher enregy efficiency: 1) strong code, 2) adoption and 3) enforcement. Graph of Government consensus concept. Code contains all kinds of reference of standards from other organizations. Residnetial Code changes from 06 to 09 (maybe posted on ASE website) 40 states and DC adopted IECC Code. Once 2009 IECC (all the Codes used to be regional Codes). www.icee.org

Sally Wilson, CB Richard Ellis: Have big committment in sustainability. Total SF 70 bn SF. Bldgs sector + residential 39% of energy use contributes 32% CO2 emission. The # of bldgs qual for Energy Star jumped 40%. CB partnered with Energy Star.

William Millar, American Public Transportation Association: Talks about energy savings thru public transportation. 6500 diff org systems 10 bil passengers to 30 systems provide 70% boardings (NY, SF, DC, LA) rev $47 bil, 380k employees. Transit saves 4.2 bil gal of gas a year= 40% of import oil from Saudi Arabia. Transit saves energy. Nice picture of showing how if we take cars from the road and replace it with transit, i.e. photos of 60 cars in traffic jam vs. people packed up in a transit system (bus, train, etc.). People in HK because of density, use bike and transit system heavily. We do need increase in our investments in public transit. What is needed investment, integration of land use & transportation, national commitment to reduce energy use.

Sen. Bingaman (D-NM): Briefly talked about ARRA and work in the Committee. Manufacturing tax credit ceiling $2.3 bil that Treasury has to allocate to projects. Have hearings on smart grid, portfolio standard, additional hearings water efficiency, development in public land, etc. within next two or three weeks. Bill out of Committee maybe in next 3-4 weeks with 4 goals: 1) step up committment to EE, 2) implement American made energy technologies on broader scale: solar, wind, CSS - bring clean energy to market as far as job creation, RPS, 3) financing mechanism to fully support renewable power. Some legislative changes to loan guarantee, 4) focus on clean energy cutting edge R&D for long-term. He said he's not clear how Senate going to solve cap-and-trade. It's outside the jurisdiction of his committee. He then take questions from audience.

Panel: Are we ready to measure success? Managing the challenges of EM&V (energy, measurement and valuation)

Kathleen Hagan, EPA: EE measurement is important because EE is critical to meet climate change objectives. The impact is price impact. Price alone doesn't let energy efficiency come to the market. Need a way to measure the impact, effectiveness of the policy. How do you measure the policy? Potential EE funding to further cliamte change/ enviro objectives. Dingel-Boucher proposed climate leg $20bn for energy efficiency. When measuring EE you measure energy saved. It's an estimate. Going over EPA experience, i.e. Energy Star, protocol document evalution guide for NOx emission; national action plan model EE program (07). Energy Star producing sig benefits developing methods for best practices. Natl Action Plan for EE. Vision for 2025 provides 10 policy framework. epa.gov/eeactionplan.

Joe Loper, VP Policy ASE: The pressure's on: more money on stimulus and DSM, performance-based funding from cap & trade allowance, performance-based compensation from carbon offsets, energy saving credits (white tags), performance-based regulation - natl. EERS. EM&V is very rich. There's so many info out there on EE. Gov program usually cost-and-reimburse. You don't go out and pay people for achieving results.

Acronyms (from his presentation): GO NAPEE, NEEP, EVO, LBNL, EPA, DOE, IEA. More experts is needed, 3k new experts needed in 2009, projected number of experts needed in 2010 about 6,000. Program certification AEE/EVO, CMVP, IEA/LBNL.

Steven Schiller, Schiller Consulting: Talks about Documenting the Benefits of EE. Jimmy Carter expressed concern that US was the only world industrial country that didn't have national energy policy. (Interesting). >> Note: Egrid database.

On Q&A someone asked about training or education for grad students. Looking at the schools that have programs offered: UC Davis. MIT. Starting the program. One of the panelists said that 1) depending on program ..Kathleen chimed in, she said that she's been meeting with people trying to identify programs currently in place. ASEE website has info on certification program; it's a 3-day intensive program (for people with energy background), International Energy Agency also might have some information about training. 

At the end of the event, I heard that Alliance is going to put the presentation online. When? That's a good question...

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Additional Resources:

Energy Efficiency in the Recovery Bill

American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (Stimulus) 

Electric Revenue Decoupling Explained

Less Demand, Same Great Revenue

List of Senate Stimulus Cut

I don't think the Senators understand 'the severity' of the economic crisis we face, especially Republican Senators. These guys are so out of touch with the reality! They just don't get it. Some items are trimmed partially and some are completely toss out. For example, items that are completely tossed out: $40 bil state stabilization fund, $1.2 bil retrofitting project 8 housing, $2.25 bil neighborhood stabilization, $100 mil distance learning, $98 mil school nutrition, $16 bil school construction, etc.

Here's Paul Krugman saying it.

In particular, aid to state governments, which are in desperate straits, is both fast — because it prevents spending cuts rather than having to start up new projects — and effective, because it would in fact be spent; plus state and local governments are cutting back on essentials, so the social value of this spending would be high.

What's cut, via CNN.

Partially cut:

• $3.5 billion for energy-efficient federal buildings (original bill $7 billion)

• $75 million from Smithsonian (original bill $150 million)

• $200 million from Environmental Protection Agency Superfund (original bill $800 million)

• $100 million from National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (original bill $427 million)

• $100 million from law enforcement wireless (original bill $200 million)

• $300 million from federal fleet of hybrid vehicles (original bill $600 million)

• $100 million from FBI construction (original bill $400 million)

Fully eliminated

• $55 million for historic preservation

• $122 million for Coast Guard polar icebreaker/cutters

• $100 million for Farm Service Agency modernization

• $50 million for Cooperative State Research, Education and Extension Service

• $65 million for watershed rehabilitation

• $100 million for distance learning

• $98 million for school nutrition

• $50 million for aquaculture

• $2 billion for broadband

• $100 million for National Institute of Standards and Technology

• $50 million for detention trustee

• $25 million for Marshalls Construction

• $300 million for federal prisons

• $300 million for BYRNE Formula grant program

• $140 million for BYRNE Competitive grant program

• $10 million state and local law enforcement

• $50 million for NASA

• $50 million for aeronautics

• $50 million for exploration

• $50 million for Cross Agency Support

• $200 million for National Science Foundation

There's more here..

Green Anthem

I first heard this on Friday at the closing of Good Jobs Green Jobs conference. Imagine - just imagine - the feeling watching this in big screen with thousands of people around you..

We're Changing the World: Blogging Green Jobs Conference (last day)

The last day of the "Good Jobs Green Jobs" conference opened with DC Labor Chorus singing "We're Going to Change the World."

GREEN PLENARY

Winona LaDuke, Exec Dir. Honor the earth speaking.

We’re addicted to fossil fuel. Cannot build a society base on conquest. There’s only so many places you can conquer. You’re going to build some societies base on justice. Against proposal on the economy for nuclear waste in Indian communities. We do not want to see clean coal because we cannot clean them. The question is if we have the commitment and humility to fix this. Indian reservations is the windiest place in the world. Just need the grid. Can produce 1/4 of US electrical consumption. What's the point of consumption if no efficiency. They localize fuel economy. Reduce heating bill by 20%. The next econ. has to be just, simple and great. Need deconstructing for our own stuffs. She got standing O.

Fred Redmond, US Steelworkers.

Today is a special morning. Talk about his union who works for large multinationals compete locally. Feel a special obligation. We can't have good jobs w/o clean environment and can't have clean enviro without good jobs. Speak about the work with coalition Sierra, Blue Green Alliance. Gives hope to the union. We need to go home and take our planet back.

Vanessa Jones, reads poet 'two wings world.' With my one wing I can fly. I can soar. I can do anything in this 2 wings world.

Van Jones

Van Jones come on stage. He got standing ovation. He appreciates the leadership of David Foster and BG Alliance. We can be part of co-creating. Applause for Apollo Alliance. Energy Action Coalition. Ella Baker. Applause for the movement. "If the FBI if keeping track of this movement, they would somewhat baffle.. can you imagine how they report back?" Are you happy about caulk gun? This is a profound movement. This is a movement we've been waiting for. There's an expression of it in the electoral. So many people coming together to realign politic. That happened last year. The people never voted before. They're hoping for a change. When you realign politic that's the first step of politics. The unity of purpose of pride, solidarity, people of all color. Let us to show us the world that November 4 is not a fluke. Applause. Carry the box of ballots to Hall of Congress for new economy. We want new econ. It's even deeper than Barack Obama, it's also about western civilization. Winona is trying to say it a nice way ".. I told you so!" You're great great grandmother was right about the earth. Earth is precious. We can put a price tag on everything incl. YOU. And now just a few hundred years later. Great grandma was right. This country that every color.. a new conversation shows.. the green economy. Deeper than VF, solar panel. This is a human family coming back to earth? Human family. Who are we? In the final hour, are we locust. Was America mistakes. Are we locust. Are we going to drive mass distinction. What kind of species are we? What kind of work? What kind of relationship between species and work? This is a profound movement.. be braver. We just started a clean energy revolution. But we still have to deal with water, waste, toxic and how we treat each other.

Build green growth alliance. Green growth alliance that incl. everybody. We can build green econ Dr King will be proud. 70% of global warming problem is cities. Save artic is to save a neighborhood. If you're native American: no more broken trees! You're hero. Sacrifice your lung. Your children. Some people wanted to blow up your grandmother's mountain. Want Appalachian be protected. NOLA to Appalachia.

In conclusion: We got work to do. He made jokes. Made faces. This is it. It's going to be up to us to go back home. We gotta take a stand now. Labor movement is going to be greener and bolder. Be brave. 3 kinds of green job give so a job behind a desk green to union job. Black folks don't want green movement. Magic & genius of the brother in WH. Because of him America is back. Justice for all is rising. You can. Yes we can. BO brought America back. Working with him we can do more take America back. Thank you very much.

Green for All staffs got on stage. Intro his minister Rev. minister Wood. The dream generation (refers to Green for All staffs). Now his preacher speaks. Closing with "Power to the People."

Participants go to workshops..

Gov. O'Malley (MD)

In the green room, run into Leo. Asked him how things going. Leo said not good. O'Malley said "Leo, things are going to get better. It's good to have Pres. who's on our side. This conf is important for sustainability community. We have complex and challenges issue. Very fortunate to have leader in our side and glad that he pledges to restore science back. Mikulski said we're in hand to hand combat for stimulus. Talk about the 3 S: Sec., skills and sustainability. Green tech and green jobs. With legislations working to bring new jobs, eco-friendly and max benefit for family. Share some of the things in MD. State has the #1 public school system in America, says Education magazine. College board also HS students #1 who takes AP exam. 1st state to create green energy center. Smart, green and grown, etc. Reaching out to younger MDs. Experience if you want to get to the adult, reach out to the kids. MD frozen zero percent increase in college tuition. Plans to launch MD index for sustainability sometime this year. Correlation in how we treat one another is how we treat the earth. 

Lisa Jackson

Intro by someone from NJ Teamster. In her first memo EPA can meet the nation's challenges only if employees need are meet. "Good to see Jerseys in the house." Obama requested that we visited the CA car waiver. Today, she signs that that will be reviewing the request. Review are important . 60 day public comment and hearings. Another annoucement a few mins ago in response to acting solicitor gen has review the NJ vs EPA mercury case. Section 112 of the clean air act? Talk about green jobs in that context. Salute this conference. You can clean and healthy environ green policies create good jobs. Creating green jobs is part of Obama's plan. Save 3-4 mil jobs next couple year incl jobs in range of industries with 90% jobs in private sector. Recovery includes transparency and accountability. Americans can check recovery.gov. Fund would fund spend up quickly. EPA promoting energy star, smart dev $690 mil brownfield grants. Green jobs are no longer a concept, they're reality. Labeling and messaging for stewardship is important. People know the power of green growth. Labor must be a vital partner to our economy. Shares family history. Mother is a postal worker with health challenges and to this day the postal worker paid for her health insurance long after father died in the 1970's. Partnership with labor is vital to the growth.. and something else.. talks faster than I could write. 

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OK now I got to go back to the office.. will post other stories from the conference as soon as I can get a hand on it..

Green Links

First Hybrid Solar Power Under Construction [ENN]

How to Take Control of Your Energy Use, One Minute at a Time [Triple Pundit]

Eco-Friendly Wood for the Greater Good [Low Impact Living]

Study Finds Decline in American Driving [Bright Green Blog]

ReFab Now: We Can Solve It Gets Renovation [Tree Hugger]

Dow Corning Takes A Shine to Solar [Forbes]

Wind Beats in All Renewable Study [Carbon Positive]

Scheer: Ontario could go 100 per cent renewable [Clean Break]

Solar Power for Homes with Attitude [Solar Feeds]

Powered by Sun, Wind and Sea [Popular Science]

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...

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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Spin Your Electricity Backwards, Virginia

PART 2
(Continuation )

Virginia

The net metering incentives in Virginia is not that straight and simple. There are wrinkles in the incentives.

• Type of renewable sources qualify for net metering covers a whole range of sources, i.e. solar thermal electric, PV, wind, biomass, hydroelectric, geothermal, muni solid waste, tidal and wave energy.
• It applies not only for residential but also institutional, commercial, non-profit, state and local government.
• The limit on size: for residential is 10 kW (kilowatts) and non-residential up to 500 kW.
• Excess is credited to the following month's bill at retail rate; or either granted annually or credited the following month. Via DSIRE.

For example, if a customer-generator bought 1,500 kilowatt-hours (kWh) from a utility during the first 11 months of the annual period, and then generated 2,000 kWh of excess electricity in the 12th month, the customer could carry forward 1,500 kWh to the following month, and the remaining 500 kWh would be granted to the utility.

• Under legislation enacted in 2007 (HB 2708 of 2006), the net-metered customer required to enter a power purchase agreements (PPA).
• Only customers of investors-owned (public co. like Dominion Power), and cooperatives eligible to apply for net meter but not municipal utilities.

This is where it gets interesting. Unlike DC and MD, the net-metered energy is available on first-come first-served basis until "..[t]he rated generating capacity owned and operated by customer-generators reaches 1% of an electric distribution company's adjusted Virginia peak-load forecast for the previous year."

Incentive and Rebate Programs

1) Arlington County Green Building Incentive to encourage the development of enviromentally-friendly buildings in Arlington based on Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED).

2) Property tax exemption for passive solar space heat, passive solar heat, solar water heat, solar thermal electric and photovoltaics (PV). We pay taxes for our property that includes cars. Here is how it works. Each locality allows to exempt or partially exempt solar energy equipment or recycling equipment from 'property tax.'

The following cities in N.Va jurisdiction that offers the tax exemption: Alexandria, Fairfax, Falls Church, Loudoun, Prince William. (Arlington does not offer this?).

3) Property tax asssessments which allow localities to assess the property of tax of energy-efficient buildings at a reduced rate.

Virginia defines energy efficient building as:

"...any building that exceeds the energy efficiency standards of the Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code by 30%; meets performance standards of the Green Globes Green Building Rating System, the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) System or the EarthCraft House Program; or qualifies as an Energy Star home under federal Energy Star criteria."

The reduced rate tax assessments applied to: Residential, non-residential, industrial, low-income residential, agricultural and institutional.

4) 100% Sales tax exemption for energy-efficient products (must meet Energy Star reqs) on products up to $2,500. This tax exemption is good until 7/1/2012. Eligible technologies include: washer/dryer, dishwasher, refrigerators, freezers, dehumidifiers, ceiling fans, AC, programmable thermostats.

For other incentives here.

Having all kinds of incentive, rebate programs is one thing. Reaching the tipping point is another story. You'll be surprised to know how many of the professionals working the real estate industry have little or some knowledge to a degree about energy-efficiency techniques or conservation.

So, in a way the $4+ gas and Dominion Power 18% rate increase is good, because it forces people to make living style adjustments.

Cross-posted at Urban Trekker

Net Metering + Energy Incentives for DC Region (pt.1)

Cross-posted at Urban Trekker.

So you want to have your electricity meter spinning backwards. Here is an idea for you: Net metering. The idea of net metering is to install renewable sources for your home generation (small wind, solar power, etc.) and whatever excess you have will be credited back to your utility bill. Via Wiki.

Net metering is an electricity policy for consumers who own, generally small, renewable energy facilities, such as wind or solar power, or uses vehicle-to-grid systems. "Net", in this context, is used in the sense of meaning "what remains after deductions" -- in this case, the deduction of any energy outflows from metered energy inflows. Under net metering, a system owner receives retail credit for at least a portion of the electricity they generate.

Net metering is a renewable energy incentive provided by your state and the Feds. By way of Energy Act of 2005, all public utilities are now "..[R]equired to make available upon request net metering to their customers."

Each state regulates its net metering policy differently. The five states which offer net metering  friendly policies are: California, Maryland, Colorado, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania. Maryland has a Gov who is a big proponent of energy savings, alternative energy - so that helps.

Let's see what DC region has to offer.

District of Columbia

• Net metering is available to residential and commercial customer-generators with systems powered by renewable sources (Solar Thermal Electric, Photovoltaics, Wind, Biomass, Hydroelectric, Geothermal Electric), combined heat and power (CHP), fuel cells and microturbines, with digester gas, and hydroelectric power.
• Limit on size is 100 KW. According to AWEA, homes use approximately 9,400 kilowatt-hours (kWh) of electricity per year (or 780kWh per month).
• Excess is credited to customer's next bill at utility's retail rate.
• Offers 'interconnection standard' for net metering.
• PEPCO is the only electric company delivering the services in the District.

DC is also offering state grant on its 'Renewable Energy Demonstration Project (REDP)' The DC Energy Office is looking for homeowners on its fourth solicitation round. They're offering $9,000 for renewable energy project. Deadline for filing application is August 15, 2008.

Maryland

• After it's been expanded four times, the net metering enacted in 2007 raised the maximum capacity of all eligible systems from 200 kW to 2 MW. The rules apply to all utilities. The plus is - system leased, owned by residents or businesses, schools and governments that generate using solar, biomass, or wind resources are eligible also eligible for net metering.
• Excess is credited at retail rate and carried over to customer's next bill. After 12 mos. excess is granted to utility co. at 'no' compensation to the customers. (ditto with Virginia).

Other incentives for homeowners include among other things:

1) property tax exemption if you live in Anne Arundel county when you have installed system i.e. solar water heater, solar space heat and photovoltaics (PV),

2) clean energy production credit (personal) that offers Marylanders a state income tax credit for electricity generated by 'qualified sources (keyword!)' of 0.85 cents per kWh and 0.50 cents per kWh for electricity generated from co-firing qualified sources with coal (mix sources),

3) state rebate program for geothermal heat pumps of up to $3,000 (residential) and $10,000 (commercial),

4) property tax exemption for solar water heat and photovoltaics,

5) solar energy grant program of up to $3,000 for solar water heater and $2,500 per kWh up to $10,000 for photovoltaics,

6) statewide special property assessment for solar heating and cooling systems,

and more incentives here.

Montgomery county has also clean energy rewards program which gives rebate to homeowners if they switch to clean energy of up with rebates of up to 1 cent/kWh for residential with max. limit of 20,000 kWh/year. Basically you're buying REC (renewable energy credit - and this deserves another post).

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Note: We'll continue with Virginia tomorrow.

Resources and links:

Retail electric restructuring in DC

Energy Facts and Programs + Maryland Energy Administration

DSIRE