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No nukes or coal for clean energy future

David K eppel March 1, 2009 The Utilities and Energy Committee of the Indiana Senate is considering a bill that would include so-called “clean coal” and nuclear power in a Renewable Energy Standard.

Public relations campaigns notwithstanding, coal is not clean, and nuclear is not safe. Carbon capture and sequestration technology is uncertain. Carbon capture will reduce the power output of a coal plant, and it does nothing to address the environmental devastation of coal mining. With nuclear power, the issue of long-term disposal of nuclear waste remains unsolved. The transport of nuclear fuel and waste involves risks of theft and terrorism, and a nuclear plant itself is a potential terrorist target. Unlike wind and solar, neither coal plants nor uranium-based nuclear reactors are renewable energy. Breeder nuclear reactors would invite weapons proliferation.

The point of a Renewable Energy Standard is to facilitate widespread adoption of truly clean technologies such as wind, solar and geothermal. Wider use will make them cheaper, as manufacturers achieve economies of scale.

Scientists tell us we must reduce carbon emissions by 25 percent to 40 percent compared to 1990 levels by 2020 to avoid a climate catastrophe. Coal and nuclear would be a fatal distraction from this task.

March 2, 2009 Posted by Christina Macpherson | ENERGY, USA | Leave a comment

Obama’s budget focuses on renewable energy

Obama’s budget focuses on renewable energy Tom LoBianco THE WASHINGTON TIMES February 27, 2009 President Obama’s first budget includes $15 billion a year for renewable energy programs and an ambitious plan to raise $656 billion from a carbon reduction proposal.

“Because our future depends on our ability to break free from oil that’s controlled by foreign dictators, we need to make clean, renewable energy the profitable kind of energy,” Mr. Obama said Thursday.

The plan uses money from a cap-and-trade program – which would allow companies to emit carbon dioxide up to a certain level, and then charge them $20 per ton of gasses emitted above that cap – would pay for Mr. Obama’s middle-class tax cuts and investments in renewable energy.

Washington Times – Obama’s budget focuses on renewable energy

February 27, 2009 Posted by Christina Macpherson | ENERGY, USA | Leave a comment

Obama To Congress: Economic Recovery ‘Begins’ With Clean Energy

Obama To Congress: Economic Recovery ‘Begins’ With Clean Energy WASHINGTON, DC, February 25, 2009 (ENS) – In his first address to a joint session of Congress Tuesday night, President Barack Obama earned repeated standing ovations from both Democrats and Republicans……………………….”It begins with energy.”

“We know the country that harnesses the power of clean, renewable energy will lead the 21st century. And yet, it is China that has launched the largest effort in history to make their economy energy efficient,” the President said. “We invented solar technology, but we’ve fallen behind countries like Germany and Japan in producing it. New plug-in hybrids roll off our assembly lines, but they will run on batteries made in Korea.”…………………… “Thanks to our recovery plan, we will double this nation’s supply of renewable energy in the next three years,” he said…………………

“We will soon lay down thousands of miles of power lines that can carry new energy to cities and towns across this country. And we will put Americans to work making our homes and buildings more efficient so that we can save billions of dollars on our energy bills,” Obama said.

“But to truly transform our economy, protect our security, and save our planet from the ravages of climate change, we need to ultimately make clean, renewable energy the profitable kind of energy,” he said.

“So I ask this Congress to send me legislation that places a market-based cap on carbon pollution and drives the production of more renewable energy in America. And to support that innovation, we will invest $15 billion a year to develop technologies like wind power and solar power; advanced biofuels, clean coal, and more fuel-efficient cars and trucks built right here in America,” said President Obama.

With Democrats in control of both the House and the Senate, the President is likely to get the kind of climate change legislation he asked for.

Obama To Congress: Economic Recovery ‘Begins’ With Clean Energy

February 26, 2009 Posted by Christina Macpherson | ENERGY, USA | Leave a comment

Earthtoys – Coal, Nuclear Decline As Renewables Increase Share Of U.S. Electricity Supply

COAL, NUCLEAR ELECTRICITY GENERATION DECLINES
AS RENEWABLE ENERGY SOURCES SOAR;
NON-HYDRO RENEWABLES GROW BY TEN PERCENT OVER 2007

Industry News February 18, 2009

 Ken Bossong,

Washington DC – According to the latest figures published by the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) in its “Electric Power Monthly” report released on February 13, 2009, renewable sources of electricity enjoyed significant growth during the past year while nuclear and coal both experienced notable declines.

Specifically, EIA reports that net electricity generation in the United States dropped by 0.9 percent from November 2007 to November 2008. This was the fourth consecutive month that net generation was down compared to the same calendar month in 2007.

The drop in coal-fired generation was the largest absolute fuel-specific decline from November 2007 to November 2008 as it fell by 4,380 thousand megawatt-hours, or 2.7 percent. Declines in Texas, Georgia, Missouri, Tennessee, and West Virginia totaled 4,262 thousand megawatt-hours.

Nuclear generation was down by 2.3 percent and was second only to coal-fired generation in its contribution to the national drop in net generation. The biggest drop in generation at a nuclear plant was at the Millstone facility in Connecticut, which was down for part of the month for a refueling outage.
On the other hand, EIA figures show that renewable energy, including conventional hydropower, increased by 7.3 percent — reflecting a combined increase of 6.1 percent in conventional hydropower coupled with a 10.0 percent increase in non-hydro renewables (i.e., solar, wind, geothermal, biomass).

Earthtoys – Coal, Nuclear Decline As Renewables Increase Share Of U.S. Electricity Supply

February 19, 2009 Posted by Christina Macpherson | ENERGY, USA | Leave a comment

Stimulus To Fund Renewables, Energy Efficiency, Grid

UPDATE:Stimulus To Fund Renewables, Energy Efficiency, Grid

CNN Money By Ian Talley

Of DOW JONES NEWSWIRES

WASHINGTON -(Dow Jones)- Congress will funnel more than $40 billion into clean energy and efficiency programs – and offer around $20 billion in tax breaks – as part of a near $800 billion stimulus bill designed to jolt industries into life across the economy.

The provisions in the bill – a deal hammered out between House and Senate negotiators late Wednesday that still needs to be passed by both chambers – will primarily give a major boost to renewable energy, electricity transmission and energy efficiency sectors…………………….. “The plan…will save or create more than 3.5 million jobs over the next two years…will ignite spending by businesses and consumers and make the investments necessary for lasting economic growth and prosperity,” Obama said Wednesday at a stop in East Peoria, Ill., one of many towns across the country hit hard by the economic meltdown.

UPDATE:Stimulus To Fund Renewables, Energy Efficiency, Grid

February 13, 2009 Posted by Christina Macpherson | ENERGY, USA | Leave a comment

Salazar: Renewable energy offers ‘huge potential’ along Atlantic Coast

Salazar: Renewable energy offers ‘huge potential’ along Atlantic Coast

capecodtoday By James Kinsella 10 Frb 09

When it comes to wind projects built off the coast of Massachusetts, the proposed Cape Wind project south of Cape Cod might just be the start.

Interior Secretary Ken Salazar said renewable energy offers “huge potential” along the nation’s Atlantic Coast.

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Salazar: Renewable energy offers ‘huge potential’ along Atlantic Coast

February 11, 2009 Posted by Christina Macpherson | ENERGY, USA | Leave a comment

Obama says renewable energy key to economic future | Markets | Reuters

Obama says renewable energy key to economic future

By Tom Doggett

WASHINGTON, Feb 9 (Reuters) – U.S. President Barack Obama on Monday pushed for more investment in solar and wind energy, saying the country that can make renewable energy sources price-competitive with traditional fossil fuels will become the economic superpower of the future.

Obama, speaking at a townhall meeting in Elkhart, Indiana, said renewable energy companies needed tax breaks and loan guarantees to provide incentives for firms to manufacture and customers to purchase solar and wind energy………………… Obama called on Congress to require U.S. utilities to generate a certain amount of their electricity supplies, such as 15 to 20 percent, from renewable energy sources……………………

He said that, once such a benchmark is set, then renewable energy companies can “count on a pretty solid market that they’re going to be able to sell their energy to.”

The Senate En

Obama says renewable energy key to economic future | Markets | Reuters

Tags: renewables

February 10, 2009 Posted by Christina Macpherson | ENERGY, USA | Leave a comment