/PRNewswire/ -- Speaker Nancy Pelosi issued the following statement today on President Obama's announcement of a greenhouse gas emissions reduction target for the federal government:
"The effort to build a future founded on sustainability, clean energy, and conservation begins in homes and offices nationwide. The federal government is no exception.
"Our 'Green the Capitol' initiative is a symbol of Congress' commitment to the future. We've reduced our reliance on fossil fuels with wind power and conservation, started printing the Congressional Record on 100 percent recycled paper, replaced traditional light bulbs with energy-efficient alternatives, and increased recycling across all Members' offices. So far, we have already reduced our carbon footprint by 74 percent. These steps save money for our nation's taxpayers, create good-paying jobs, and cut pollution caused by global warming.
"President Obama's announcement marks a critical step forward in our effort to reduce the carbon footprint of the federal government -- the largest consumer of energy in the U.S. economy. This measure will spur investment in clean energy jobs, place innovation at the center of our economic agenda, and decrease the emissions that harm our environment.
"With the President's renewed call to complete work on a clean energy bill this year, we look forward to putting people to work building up the industries of tomorrow, reducing our dangerous dependence on foreign oil, and preserving our natural resources for generations to come."
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Showing posts with label president obama. Show all posts
Showing posts with label president obama. Show all posts
Friday, January 29, 2010
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
Southern Company Awarded $165 Million to Advance Smart Grid Initiatives
/PRNewswire/ -- Southern Company yesterday announced that it has been awarded a $165 million in stimulus funds as part of President Obama's plan to invest $3.4 billion to spur transition to a smarter energy grid.
"As an industry leader in developing and deploying new technologies, Southern Company is pleased to be among those selected to advance this critical investment in our nation's electric infrastructure," said Southern Company Chairman, President and CEO David Ratcliffe. "These funds will be used to augment the company's robust investment in grid reliability, already among the nation's best, and make it more efficient and secure."
Southern Company received the grant to integrate smart-grid technology into its transmission and distribution system that can:
-- Reduce the loss of electricity as it moves from the generating plant
to homes and businesses; reducing delivery losses can have a direct
environmental and economic impact by increasing efficiency and
reducing carbon emissions
-- Better locate the area of an outage before dispatching crews, reducing
outage time for customers
-- Improve monitoring and control capabilities of the system while
enhancing proven grid reliability
For example, line devices with two-way communication will be installed to enable system operators to isolate faulted lines remotely. Moreover, some of these devices will be placed in self-healing network schemes that will automatically isolate trouble areas and then restore power to unaffected portions of the circuit, all without operator intervention.
The company will match the $165 million in funding as part of an initiative across Southern Company's service territory that spans the states of Alabama, Florida, Georgia and Mississippi.
The grant awarded to Southern Company was among the top 10 made by the administration.
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"As an industry leader in developing and deploying new technologies, Southern Company is pleased to be among those selected to advance this critical investment in our nation's electric infrastructure," said Southern Company Chairman, President and CEO David Ratcliffe. "These funds will be used to augment the company's robust investment in grid reliability, already among the nation's best, and make it more efficient and secure."
Southern Company received the grant to integrate smart-grid technology into its transmission and distribution system that can:
-- Reduce the loss of electricity as it moves from the generating plant
to homes and businesses; reducing delivery losses can have a direct
environmental and economic impact by increasing efficiency and
reducing carbon emissions
-- Better locate the area of an outage before dispatching crews, reducing
outage time for customers
-- Improve monitoring and control capabilities of the system while
enhancing proven grid reliability
For example, line devices with two-way communication will be installed to enable system operators to isolate faulted lines remotely. Moreover, some of these devices will be placed in self-healing network schemes that will automatically isolate trouble areas and then restore power to unaffected portions of the circuit, all without operator intervention.
The company will match the $165 million in funding as part of an initiative across Southern Company's service territory that spans the states of Alabama, Florida, Georgia and Mississippi.
The grant awarded to Southern Company was among the top 10 made by the administration.
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Tuesday, May 19, 2009
40MPG.org: Higher MPG Deal is Step in Right Direction, U.S. Needs to Keep Pushing for More Fuel-Efficiency and Auto Industry Innovation
/PRNewswire / -- The new White House-brokered agreement on increased auto fuel efficiency averaging 35.5 miles per gallon (MPG) for new cars and light trucks sold in 2016 is "historic and a great beginning for recovering America's position in the global auto market," according to 40MPG.org and TheCLEAN.org.
40MPG.org Founder and Civil Society Institute President and Founder Pam Solo said: "We need to continue fostering innovations that can make U.S. cars even more fuel efficient. We applaud California and the other states that applied sufficient pressure on greenhouse gas controls to bring reluctant automakers to the bargaining table. The Obama White House also deserves credit for finding a way to get these parties to agree on a timetable that actually accelerates progress in the United States to achieving greater energy efficiency. This is a historic and a great beginning for recovering America's position in the global auto marketplace."
Ailis Aaron Wolf, spokesperson for 40MPG.org, said: "Every bit of additional fuel efficiency is welcome for U.S. vehicles. Anyone who thinks that oil prices are going to remain at relatively low levels for the long term is fooling themselves. When gas pump prices jump again above $3 and $4 dollars, as experts predict that they will, Americans will once again flock to the most energy efficient vehicles available. U.S. auto companies need to do better if they want to remain competitive in an increasingly tough and competitive global marketplace. Hopefully, the new MPG deal with help to create a culture of innovation and experimentation that will help put the U.S. auto industry back on top."
In a June 2007 report, the nonprofit 40MPG.org project of the Civil Society Institute noted that Japan is moving to the equivalent of 48 MPG by 2010, the European Union is shooting for about 44 MPG currently and China is requiring the equivalent today of 37 MPG. Automotive News reported nearly two years ago that Japan already has in place fleet economy rules equal to more than 45 MPG. In February 2007, 40MPG.org issued a report showing that there are more than 100 vehicle makes for sale around the world - but not in the United States -- that get combined gas mileage of 40MPG or better. This figure, which included a number of clean diesels, appears to have changed very little in recent years.
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40MPG.org Founder and Civil Society Institute President and Founder Pam Solo said: "We need to continue fostering innovations that can make U.S. cars even more fuel efficient. We applaud California and the other states that applied sufficient pressure on greenhouse gas controls to bring reluctant automakers to the bargaining table. The Obama White House also deserves credit for finding a way to get these parties to agree on a timetable that actually accelerates progress in the United States to achieving greater energy efficiency. This is a historic and a great beginning for recovering America's position in the global auto marketplace."
Ailis Aaron Wolf, spokesperson for 40MPG.org, said: "Every bit of additional fuel efficiency is welcome for U.S. vehicles. Anyone who thinks that oil prices are going to remain at relatively low levels for the long term is fooling themselves. When gas pump prices jump again above $3 and $4 dollars, as experts predict that they will, Americans will once again flock to the most energy efficient vehicles available. U.S. auto companies need to do better if they want to remain competitive in an increasingly tough and competitive global marketplace. Hopefully, the new MPG deal with help to create a culture of innovation and experimentation that will help put the U.S. auto industry back on top."
In a June 2007 report, the nonprofit 40MPG.org project of the Civil Society Institute noted that Japan is moving to the equivalent of 48 MPG by 2010, the European Union is shooting for about 44 MPG currently and China is requiring the equivalent today of 37 MPG. Automotive News reported nearly two years ago that Japan already has in place fleet economy rules equal to more than 45 MPG. In February 2007, 40MPG.org issued a report showing that there are more than 100 vehicle makes for sale around the world - but not in the United States -- that get combined gas mileage of 40MPG or better. This figure, which included a number of clean diesels, appears to have changed very little in recent years.
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Thursday, May 14, 2009
Environmental Radicals Are Obama's Achilles Heel: Blocking New Oil Drilling Will Bring Back $3-4 a Gallon Gas
/PRNewswire / -- President Obama has put America into the hands of "environmental radicals." It is only a matter of time before "his vast popularity runs aground on his energy policies," according to a column by Jon Basil Utley posted at Reason magazine's site, http://www.reason.com/news/show/133458.html.
"In the name of saving the planet from global warming, [Obama] has delayed new oil drilling, an action that will have major political repercussions once the world economy recovers. Instead of using some of the stimulus billions to produce more gas and oil, Obama's appointees dream of 'renewable' energy derived from corn, wind, sunshine, and even grass," Mr. Utley says in an article entitled "Obama and the Alternative Energy Fiasco."
"It's essential to remember that so-called renewable energy cannot replace oil and natural gas in any significant way. For example, corn-based ethanol production 'costs' nearly as much to produce as it saves in oil and can only exist with the help of costly and unending subsidies. ... In contrast, oil and gas drilling could provide hundreds of thousands of solid, well-paying, blue-collar jobs -- and would produce millions in new tax revenue," Mr. Utley says.
"Instead of producing more of the cheap, abundant energy that fueled America's dynamic growth, the extremists ... dream of drastically cutting American consumption. All of these things are happening at a time when natural gas is abundant and cheap. ...The new technology of horizontal fraccing has made it economically feasible to drill into vast shale deposits in many states."
"Windmills depend upon a two-cent-per-kilowatt taxpayer subsidy to remain competitive. They also require backup gas generators (in case the wind isn't blowing when needed). Solar power is even more expensive and also would need billions for back-up generators and new transmission lines," Mr. Utley explains.
"It's little more than socialist Malthusianism to argue that the world is running out of energy. Science will always find and harness new sources." Producing from America's vast oil reserves could "transform our trade deficit and ... (prevent) lower living standards for most Americans."
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"In the name of saving the planet from global warming, [Obama] has delayed new oil drilling, an action that will have major political repercussions once the world economy recovers. Instead of using some of the stimulus billions to produce more gas and oil, Obama's appointees dream of 'renewable' energy derived from corn, wind, sunshine, and even grass," Mr. Utley says in an article entitled "Obama and the Alternative Energy Fiasco."
"It's essential to remember that so-called renewable energy cannot replace oil and natural gas in any significant way. For example, corn-based ethanol production 'costs' nearly as much to produce as it saves in oil and can only exist with the help of costly and unending subsidies. ... In contrast, oil and gas drilling could provide hundreds of thousands of solid, well-paying, blue-collar jobs -- and would produce millions in new tax revenue," Mr. Utley says.
"Instead of producing more of the cheap, abundant energy that fueled America's dynamic growth, the extremists ... dream of drastically cutting American consumption. All of these things are happening at a time when natural gas is abundant and cheap. ...The new technology of horizontal fraccing has made it economically feasible to drill into vast shale deposits in many states."
"Windmills depend upon a two-cent-per-kilowatt taxpayer subsidy to remain competitive. They also require backup gas generators (in case the wind isn't blowing when needed). Solar power is even more expensive and also would need billions for back-up generators and new transmission lines," Mr. Utley explains.
"It's little more than socialist Malthusianism to argue that the world is running out of energy. Science will always find and harness new sources." Producing from America's vast oil reserves could "transform our trade deficit and ... (prevent) lower living standards for most Americans."
-----
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Friday, March 27, 2009
Obama Fuel Economy Standard Higher Than California Rule
/PRNewswire/ -- The following is a statement by John McEleney, chairman of the National Automobile Dealers Association, regarding the Model Year 2011 fuel economy standard:
"By setting a fuel economy standard higher than what California regulators have proposed, the Obama administration today removed the last argument for state-by-state regulation of fuel economy. The structure of California's program -- with its exemptions for major automakers, its 'patchwork' design and its loopholes -- is unworkable as a national policy.
"Only a single, national fuel economy standard gives the auto industry the regulatory certainty necessary to produce and market the fuel efficient cars of tomorrow. In contrast, California's patchwork fuel economy program would exacerbate the auto sector's severe economic turmoil.
"Now that the new Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) law, passed by Congress in Dec. 2007, is at last being implemented, America's auto dealers call on all stakeholders, including the Obama administration and California regulators, to embrace a single, national fuel economy standard."
CAFE is actually higher than CARB's standard.
The CAFE standard set by the Obama administration for model year 2011 is 27.3 mpg for the light duty fleet, which includes passenger cars and light trucks. Source: Associated Press, March 27, 2009
The California Air Resources Board (CARB) standard for model year 2011 is 26.7 mpg for the light duty fleet, which includes passenger cars and light trucks. Source: CARB, "Comparison of Greenhouse Gas Reductions for the United States and Canada Under U.S. CAFE Standards and California, An Enhanced Technical Assessment," Feb. 25, 2008, page 10.
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"By setting a fuel economy standard higher than what California regulators have proposed, the Obama administration today removed the last argument for state-by-state regulation of fuel economy. The structure of California's program -- with its exemptions for major automakers, its 'patchwork' design and its loopholes -- is unworkable as a national policy.
"Only a single, national fuel economy standard gives the auto industry the regulatory certainty necessary to produce and market the fuel efficient cars of tomorrow. In contrast, California's patchwork fuel economy program would exacerbate the auto sector's severe economic turmoil.
"Now that the new Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) law, passed by Congress in Dec. 2007, is at last being implemented, America's auto dealers call on all stakeholders, including the Obama administration and California regulators, to embrace a single, national fuel economy standard."
CAFE is actually higher than CARB's standard.
The CAFE standard set by the Obama administration for model year 2011 is 27.3 mpg for the light duty fleet, which includes passenger cars and light trucks. Source: Associated Press, March 27, 2009
The California Air Resources Board (CARB) standard for model year 2011 is 26.7 mpg for the light duty fleet, which includes passenger cars and light trucks. Source: CARB, "Comparison of Greenhouse Gas Reductions for the United States and Canada Under U.S. CAFE Standards and California, An Enhanced Technical Assessment," Feb. 25, 2008, page 10.
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Friday, February 27, 2009
AJC: Feds’ Energy Rules Will Hit State Hard
GEG Note: What an excellent look at the potential problems all Georgians could face with Obama's plans.
By Bob Keefe
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Friday, February 27, 2009
Georgia simply doesn’t have the wind, solar or biomass resources required to meet proposed new federal regulations for renewable energy generation, Georgia Public Service Commissioner Stan Wise told members of Congress on Thursday.
As a result, Georgians’ electricity bills would rise by as much as 25 percent and billions in taxpayer money would flow out.......http://www.ajc.com/business/content/printedition/2009/02/27/wise0227.html
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By Bob Keefe
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Friday, February 27, 2009
Georgia simply doesn’t have the wind, solar or biomass resources required to meet proposed new federal regulations for renewable energy generation, Georgia Public Service Commissioner Stan Wise told members of Congress on Thursday.
As a result, Georgians’ electricity bills would rise by as much as 25 percent and billions in taxpayer money would flow out.......http://www.ajc.com/business/content/printedition/2009/02/27/wise0227.html
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Wednesday, February 25, 2009
Pres. Obama to Nation - Our Economic Recovery 'Begins With Energy'
/PRNewswire/ -- President Obama's first speech to a Joint Session of Congress last night was almost entirely devoted to the troubled economy. Amid a deepening recession Obama described the $787 Billion stimulus as one of the bold steps his five week old administration is implementing to turn the US economy around.
In the speech, Obama vowed to spend $15 billion a year to develop renewable energy. "We know the country that harnesses the power of clean, renewable energy will lead the 21st century," he said. The administration's Secretary of Energy, Stephen Chu, announced on Monday an immediate fast-tracking of all applications from wind and solar companies for stimulus dollars to kick-start the construction of more projects.
Assuming wind companies receive the lion's share of stimulus dollars (wind power accounted for 95% of the renewable energy built over the last five years), the stimulus is expected to lead to the construction of 30,000-megawatts of additional capacity, according to Hugh Wynne, an analyst at Bernstein Research - enough new wind power to supply 9 million American homes.
Wind farm developer NACEL Energy (OTC:NCEN) (BULLETIN BOARD: NCEN) CEO Brian Lavery said, "We ran the numbers and the impact as we understand the new stimulus incentives for wind power are really quite significant." NACEL has four wind power projects underway in the Texas Panhandle. Advisory Research has a positive rating on NACEL and a $3.07 valuation.
Accelerating construction of wind farms is also expected to lead to a recovery in the turbine market in the second half of 2009. In recent months manufacturers General Electric (NYSE:GE) and Vestas (Pink Sheets: VWDRY), as well as companies which supply the carbon fiber for turbine blades such as Hexcel (NYSE:HXL) and Zoltek (NASDAQ:ZOLT) , have all experienced slowing demand. Yesterday KeyBanc Capital Markets announced a new buy rating on Hexcel and a $10 valuation.
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In the speech, Obama vowed to spend $15 billion a year to develop renewable energy. "We know the country that harnesses the power of clean, renewable energy will lead the 21st century," he said. The administration's Secretary of Energy, Stephen Chu, announced on Monday an immediate fast-tracking of all applications from wind and solar companies for stimulus dollars to kick-start the construction of more projects.
Assuming wind companies receive the lion's share of stimulus dollars (wind power accounted for 95% of the renewable energy built over the last five years), the stimulus is expected to lead to the construction of 30,000-megawatts of additional capacity, according to Hugh Wynne, an analyst at Bernstein Research - enough new wind power to supply 9 million American homes.
Wind farm developer NACEL Energy (OTC:NCEN) (BULLETIN BOARD: NCEN) CEO Brian Lavery said, "We ran the numbers and the impact as we understand the new stimulus incentives for wind power are really quite significant." NACEL has four wind power projects underway in the Texas Panhandle. Advisory Research has a positive rating on NACEL and a $3.07 valuation.
Accelerating construction of wind farms is also expected to lead to a recovery in the turbine market in the second half of 2009. In recent months manufacturers General Electric (NYSE:GE) and Vestas (Pink Sheets: VWDRY), as well as companies which supply the carbon fiber for turbine blades such as Hexcel (NYSE:HXL) and Zoltek (NASDAQ:ZOLT) , have all experienced slowing demand. Yesterday KeyBanc Capital Markets announced a new buy rating on Hexcel and a $10 valuation.
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