2012 February 08 « nuclear-news

Renewable energy economy now paying off for Californians

The California renewables market is robust and competitive, Switchboard, Peter Miller, February 7, 2012 The market for renewable electricity is robust and competitive according to the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC).

In a report on the state’s 33% Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS) released yesterday, the CPUC provided a snapshot on the impressive progress that has been made in building the state’s clean energy economy.

According to the CPUC: The state’s three largest private utilities collectively served 17% of
their load with renewable energy in 2010. All three of the state’s largest utilities are projected to meet the requirement to provide an average of 20% renewable power from 2011 to
2013. Over 830 MW of renewable capacity came on line in 2011. Bid prices in response to the 2011 solicitation dropped 30% compared to 2009.

This growth in the renewable energy market bodes well for California’s residents and demonstrates the benefits of the state’s ambitious renewable energy policy. The RPS has led to a steady increase in reliance on renewable electricity, which means growing energy security
and price stability for California utility customers. And a competitive, orderly market means that costs are coming down, helping to keep energy clean and affordable for residents of the Golden State. http://switchboard.nrdc.org/blogs/pmiller/the_california_renewables_mark.html

February 8, 2012 Posted by Christina Macpherson | renewable, USA | Leave a comment

A cultural bridge from Israel to Iran

Israeli Farsi-language radio station seeks to send peaceful message to Iran.Washington Post, By Associated Press, February 7 JERUSALEM — While Israeli leaders are increasingly sounding belligerent warnings of a potential military strike against Iran’s nuclear installations, a group of Iranian-Israelis are transmitting a different message.

Radio RADISIN, a private Farsi-language radio station based in Tel Aviv, airs Iranian music, poetry and current affairs shows aiming to spread peace between the Israeli and Iranian people — regardless of who is in power in Tehran.

“We, the people in Israel, are a peaceful nation and not an enemy, or the ‘little Satan’ as we are described by the Iranian regime,” said Shay Amir, the station’s 42-year-old CEO, who left Iran for Israel after the 1979 Islamic revolution. “For 32 years, the regime has poisoned its people against Israel. We are here to tell the truth.”

Before the revolution, Israel and Iran were close allies. Some 100,000 Jews of Iranian descent live in Israel today, many with fond memories and still strong ties to friends and relatives in their homeland. An estimated 25,000 Jews still live in Iran…..
http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/middle-east/israeli-farsi-language-radio-station-seeks-to-send-peaceful-message-to-iran/2012/02/07/gIQAjdfJwQ_story.html

February 8, 2012 Posted by Christina Macpherson | general | Leave a comment

Poor conditions of workers in Africa’s uranium mines

The low ventilation within the mines caused health problems for the miners from Niger, Gabon and Namibia, who are portrayed in Hecht’s book. “The miners got more exposure of radon,” Hecht said. “Exposure became overexposure.”

Radon is a decay product of uranium and can stick to dust particles that, if inhaled, increases the risk for lung cancer.

Mine workers are also specifically told to ignore safety standards, Hecht said.

Michigan history professor gives lecture on Africa, uranium, The Daily Cougar, By Audris Ponce, February 7, 2012 African uranium mines have carried a significant political impact on international affairs since the Cold War and, more recently, in the Iraq War. Continue reading →

February 8, 2012 Posted by Christina Macpherson | general | Leave a comment

Decentralised solar power saving money in USA schools

70 Percent Of Energy Needs Met Via Solar Power, Earth Techling, by Kristy Hessman, February 7th, 2012 Solar panels are popping up on school campuses across the nation as financial incentives become more readily available for schools that implement renewable energy as a way to offset their energy costs. In Arizona, Constellation Energy and Buckeye Union High School District have just completed a 4.3-megawatt solar generation project. The project will provide up to 70 percent of the electricity needs for three area high schools. Buckeye Union High School and Youngker High School in Buckeye and Estrella Foothills High School in Goodyear will be the recipients of the new renewable energy. The school district has agreed to purchase and receive all of the electricity generated by the solar panels at a fixed rate from Constellation Energy under a 25-year deal.

The solar power systems include 15,468 photovoltaic panels on 29 carport rooftops and two ground-mounted installations. The project is expected to generate more than 7 million kilowatt-hours of electricity per year. That equals a savings of more than 3,875 metric tons of carbon dioxide, or the equivalent emissions from 760 passenger vehicles annually, according to U.S. EPA data for the Arizona region.

“We’re pleased to celebrate the addition of three solar installations in our school district,” Beverly Hurley, superintendent of Buckeye Union High School District, said in a statement. “This addition will play an important role in meeting the district’s electricity needs and will serve as an educational tool for our students to learn about solar energy production.”

The installations, were developed by GV Enterprises and REgeneration Finance and built by CORE Construction. The project was coordinated with help from the Arizona Corporation Commission-approved APS Renewable Energy Incentive Program. The program offers financial incentives, covering up to 40 percent of the installation costs, to customers who add renewable energy systems to their homes or businesses. http://www.earthtechling.com/2012/02/schools-go-solar-in-arizona-of-all-places/

February 8, 2012 Posted by Christina Macpherson | decentralised, USA | Leave a comment

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