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Americans Want Action On Global Warming

In a national survey on global warming, 62% of respondents say they believe life on earth will continue without major disruptions only if society takes immediate and drastic action to reduce global warming. It seems that Americans see government as having the primary responsibility judging from the fact that they have yet to change their lifestyles in any meaningful way. We have yet to see a study announced that SUV sales have dropped significantly or that recycling rates have skyrocketed, or any other sign that action is happening at the grassroots level. While the survey finds that Americans are showing increasing concern, they are still against measures that would hurt their pocketbook, notably higher gas and electricity prices. Americans are notorious for saying they’ll pay more to buy greener products in surveys – their behavior usually indicates otherwise. Still, the survey shows an uptick in concern from similar surveys a year ago – a sign we’re moving in the right direction. According to the survey, 68% of Americans support an international treaty that commits the United States to cut CO2 emissions 90% by 2050. By comparison, the Kyoto Protocol would require the U.S. to cut emissions a measly 7% by […]

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Plans Announced for First Switchgrass Cellulosic Ethanol Plant in U.S.

Construction will begin by the end of the year on the nation’s first switchgrass cellulosic ethanol facility. The joint project between the Mascoma Corporation, based in Cambridge, Massachusetts, and the University of Tennessee represents one of the largest commitments of capital yet made in support of the cellulosic biofuels industry. Mascoma and The University of Tennessee plan to jointly build and operate the five million gallon per year cellulosic biorefinery, expected to be operational in 2009. The business partnership and plans for the facility are a result of Tennessee Governor Bredesen’s Biofuels Initiative, a research and business model designed to reduce dependence on foreign oil and provide significant economic and environmental benefits for Tennessee’s farmers and communities. It includes a $40 million investment in facility construction and $27 million for research and development activities, including incentives for farmers to grow switchgrass funded by the State and The University of Tennessee. The large-scale demonstration facility will be located in Monroe County, Tennessee. The University of Tennessee’s Institute of Agriculture will support the establishment of switchgrass as an energy crop. Initial research conducted by the University of Tennessee’s Institute of Agriculture indicates that Tennessee is capable of generating over one billion gallons […]

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NY, Denver Airports to Install Clean Energy

Two of the nation’s busiest international airports will soon be the first to use renewable energy. Denver International Airport will have a 2 megawatt (MW) solar installation and John F. Kennedy International Airport in NY, will have a police facility that runs on geothermal power. At Denver’s airport – the fifth busiest in the country – visitors will notice the 2 MW PV display at the main entrance. WorldWater & Solar Technologies Corp. (OTCBB:WWAT.OB) is building the array, to be finished in 2008. It will be financed, owned and operated by MMA Renewable Ventures LLC, a subsidiary of Municipal Mortgage & Equity (NYSE: MMA) through a Power Purchase Agreement (PPA). The project is part of the Xcel Energy Solar*Rewards program and will receive a rebate to offset the upfront construction costs. Xcel Energy will purchase the renewable energy credits from the solar energy produced in support of Colorado’s Renewable Energy Standard, which requires large utilities to generate 20 percent of their power from renewable energy sources by 2020. NY’s JFK Building 254 will run on geothermal. There’s more to come: Port Authority Chairman Anthony Coscia announced in May the agency would reduce greenhouse gas emissions from Port Authority facilities 80% […]

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Taiwan to Increase Wind 5-Fold

Taiwan intends to increase its wind power generation by more than five-fold over the next three years, energy officials said, at a cost of $915 million. Taiwan, which presently imports more than 98% of its fuel, will accept bids from private firms for the rights to build turbines along the island’s west coast and on the outlying island of Penghu. The goal is to boost off-shore wind power generation to as much as 1,200 megawatts (MW), up from the current 217.2 MW. The additional energy will help the island reach a government-mandated target of 10% alternative energy by 2010, up from between 3-5% currently. Government officials fear power reserve levels could fall perilously low in coming years due to delays in the construction of a fourth nuclear power plant and opposition to new fossil fuel-fired plants. Currently windpower accounts for only 0.4% of Taiwan’s installed capacity, though another 610 MW are either under construction or in the planning phases. Coal-fired plants currently produce 32.6% of installed power and natural gas, 31.8%, according to Taiwan Power Company, the state utility. The first phase of bidding will be to supply 300 MW of power to be sold to TaiPower.

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