(BUSINESS WIRE)--Clean Energy Fuels Corp. (Nasdaq:CLNE) will own, operate and supply fuel for new compressed natural gas (CNG) public access stations to support airport operations in Atlanta and Oklahoma City.
In the Atlanta area, the City of College Park, Georgia, contracted with Clean Energy to design, construct and manage a public access CNG fueling station on City-owned property located less than a mile from the entrance to Atlanta’s Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport, among the busiest in the world. The facility is designed to serve a range of light, medium and heavy duty vehicles, including regional public transit buses, municipal vehicles, refuse hauling trucks, and airport parking, hotel, and employee CNG shuttle buses. The station will open in two weeks.
In Oklahoma City, Will Rogers World Airport officials contracted with Clean Energy to build and manage a large-scale public access CNG fuel station. Located on airport property, the new facility will serve — in addition to CNG-powered airport transit and shuttle vehicles — a growing number of CNG fleets in the area. The station will begin construction in two weeks.
Both stations will fuel high volume fleet applications, including hotel, parking, shared ride shuttles and transit buses.
James Harger, Clean Energy Senior Vice President, said, “We are delighted to have this opportunity to partner with the City of College Park and with Will Rogers World Airport to make these new CNG stations a reality. The facilities will significantly boost local efforts to curtail air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions. At the same time, they will contribute to reductions in transportation operating costs.”
Clean Energy is the leading provider of natural gas (CNG and LNG) for transportation in North America. It has a broad customer base in the refuse, transit, ports, shuttle, taxi, trucking, airport and municipal fleet markets, fueling more than 14,000 vehicles daily at over 170 strategic locations across the United States and Canada. Clean Energy del Peru, Clean Energy’s Peruvian joint venture, operates the world’s largest natural gas vehicle fueling station in Lima, Peru. Please visit www.cleanenergyfuels.com.
Forward-Looking Statements
This news release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 that involve risks, uncertainties and assumptions. Actual results and the timing of events could differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements, including anticipated users and gallons sold at the airport stations. The forward-looking statements made herein speak only as of the date of this press release and the company undertakes no obligation to publicly update such forward-looking statements to reflect subsequent events or circumstances.
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Tuesday, September 30, 2008
ExxonMobil's Methanol to Gasoline (MTG) Technology Selected for Synthesis Energy Systems’ Coal to Liquids Projects
BUSINESS WIRE --ExxonMobil Research and Engineering Company (EMRE) today (September 29, 2008) announced that it has entered into an agreement with Synthesis Energy Systems (SES) that provides SES the option to execute up to fifteen Methanol to Gasoline technology licenses in their global operations. SES has chosen to assign the first license to a project near Benwood, West Virginia.
This approximate 7,000 barrel per calendar day unit will be based on commercially proven MTG technology which incorporates improvements since the technology was originally commercialized by ExxonMobil 20 years ago in New Zealand.
MTG converts crude methanol directly to low sulfur, low benzene gasoline that can be sold directly or blended with conventional refinery gasoline. Although the original application of the MTG technology processed methanol from natural gas, the same technology can be used for methanol from other sources such as coal, petcoke or biomass. The SES projects will gasify the coal, convert the synthetic gas to methanol, and then convert the methanol to gasoline via the MTG process. Conversion of coal to gasoline through gasification and methanol conversion is one way to significantly reduce the potential pollutants from coal, including the reduction of SOx emissions and the capture of CO2.
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This approximate 7,000 barrel per calendar day unit will be based on commercially proven MTG technology which incorporates improvements since the technology was originally commercialized by ExxonMobil 20 years ago in New Zealand.
MTG converts crude methanol directly to low sulfur, low benzene gasoline that can be sold directly or blended with conventional refinery gasoline. Although the original application of the MTG technology processed methanol from natural gas, the same technology can be used for methanol from other sources such as coal, petcoke or biomass. The SES projects will gasify the coal, convert the synthetic gas to methanol, and then convert the methanol to gasoline via the MTG process. Conversion of coal to gasoline through gasification and methanol conversion is one way to significantly reduce the potential pollutants from coal, including the reduction of SOx emissions and the capture of CO2.
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Colonial Pipeline Returns to Pre-Hurricane Delivery Rates
BUSINESS WIRE --Colonial Pipeline yesterday achieved the same flow-rates for gasoline deliveries as the pipeline managed before Hurricanes Gustav and Ike hit the Gulf Coast refining region earlier this month.
After each of the hurricanes, Colonial’s pipeline quickly returned to full capability. However, supply shortages nonetheless occurred as a result of damage and shutdowns suffered by Louisiana and Texas oil refineries impacted by the hurricanes.
The refineries’ reduced output has resulted in market shortages and gas lines in many markets served by pipeline systems in the Southeast. Colonial is making every effort to support its shippers as they try to restore market stability.
The Colonial Pipeline system begins in Houston and crosses the South and East before terminating at the New York harbor. Colonial is a common carrier, meaning it does not own the fuels it transports but delivers them at the direction of its customers.
Deliveries within specific, local markets are determined by the terminal operators Colonial serves.
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After each of the hurricanes, Colonial’s pipeline quickly returned to full capability. However, supply shortages nonetheless occurred as a result of damage and shutdowns suffered by Louisiana and Texas oil refineries impacted by the hurricanes.
The refineries’ reduced output has resulted in market shortages and gas lines in many markets served by pipeline systems in the Southeast. Colonial is making every effort to support its shippers as they try to restore market stability.
The Colonial Pipeline system begins in Houston and crosses the South and East before terminating at the New York harbor. Colonial is a common carrier, meaning it does not own the fuels it transports but delivers them at the direction of its customers.
Deliveries within specific, local markets are determined by the terminal operators Colonial serves.
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Monday, September 29, 2008
Governor Releases Monday Fuel Update
Governor also sends letter to President Bush asking for release of crude from reserve
Governor Sonny Perdue today released the latest information on fuel production from the Gulf of Mexico:
Power outages – There are still more than 154,000 people without power in Texas. Crews are making rapid progress restoring power – about 415,000 people were reported without power on Friday.
Percent “shut-in” – The U.S. Department of Energy reports 57.4 percent of crude oil production capacity in the Gulf of Mexico is out. This is a slight improvement from Friday, when 59.3 percent of capacity was out. On Monday, September 22, 89.2 percent of capacity was out.
Refineries – Only two refineries remain completely shut down, and three additional refineries are “back to normal” compared to Friday’s report.
On September 27, the Department of Energy (DOE) announced that it is delivering 500,000 barrels of emergency exchange oil to Marathon’s Midwest refineries via the Capline.
Also today, Governor Perdue requested President George W. Bush direct the Department of Energy release a significant amount of crude oil from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve (SPR).
“As President Bush and Congress work on a plan to rescue our financial markets, I urge them to also focus on our fuel shortage in the Southeast,” Governor Perdue said. “As refinery capacity is returning to pre-hurricane levels, I believe a surge in crude from the Reserve would bridge the gap until full production resumes and lessen the impact of shortages on the daily lives of our citizens.”
To date, DOE has released more than 4 million barrels of oil from the SPR. While it would take time for the crude to be processed by refineries and shipped to the Metro Atlanta market, release of the reserve would ensure fuel supplies continue to rise.
More than 1,000 Georgians have used a new tool at the Georgia Environmental Authorities Authority’s website that provides drivers with information about gas prices and gas availability. Consumers can access this information by going www.gefa.org and looking under the News and Notices section.
Some practical fuel efficiency tips for drivers include:
· Drive sensibly: Speeding, rapid acceleration (jackrabbit starts), and rapid braking lowers gas mileage.
· Choose the right vehicle: If you own more than one vehicle, drive the one that gets better gas mileage whenever possible.
· Decrease speed: Gas mileage decreases rapidly when driving more than 60 miles-per-hour.
· Avoid idling: Idling gets zero miles per gallon. Cars with larger engines typically waste more gas while idling than cars with smaller engines.
· Commute alternatives are also a useful way to conserve fuel, including telework, carpool and transit options, and flexible work schedules. More information is available about commute alternatives at www.CleanAirCampaign.com.
These figures above come from the Department of Energy’s daily situation report. The complete report is available at: http://www.oe.netl.doe.gov/docs/2008_SitRep_20_Ike_092908_12PM.pdf .
Letter to President Bush:
September 29, 2008
The President
The White House
Washington, D.C. 20500
Dear Mr. President:
As you are personally aware, over the last month we have seen Hurricanes Gustav and Ike crash into the United States Gulf Coast. These natural disasters devastated coastal areas in both Texas and Louisiana, damaging the lives of citizens in both states. Under your direction, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) have worked tirelessly to help residents pick up the pieces. Our thoughts and prayers remain with these citizens as they begin to rebuild their lives.
While the damage on the Coast was extensive, the ripple effect of the direct hit to the petroleum industry is still impacting the lives of citizens around the Southeast. In Georgia, which is almost completely reliant on fuel transported from refineries in the Gulf via pipeline, we are particularly impacted by outages in the fuel supply chain.
I have watched with interest as you and Congress continue to work around the clock to rescue the financial markets and slow the impact of banking failures on the U.S and global economies. As Congress moves to vote on the rescue plan, I would ask that you also focus your attention on the fuel shortage in the Southeast that is impacting state and local economies. Gas stations with no fuel in the ground coupled with long lines at stations with current supply have become commonplace in Metro Atlanta and other places around the state. It is obvious that we are facing a true gap in the supply chain and I ask that you consider releasing a significant amount of crude oil from the strategic petroleum reserve (the Reserve) to refineries in the Gulf to help bring the system back on line.
I would like to thank you for your move earlier this month to make crude oil supplies from the Reserve available to the market. Timely releases have lessened the impact of production losses in the Gulf. Now, as refinery capacity is returning to pre-hurricane levels, I believe a surge in crude from the Reserve would bridge the gap until full production resumes and lessen the impact of shortages on the daily lives of our citizens.
In Georgia, we have made decisive moves to curb demand and assist distributors as they work to increase supply. My administration worked closely with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Administrator Johnson to secure three different fuel standard waivers. Those waivers are allowing distributors to more easily import additional supplies. We have issued an executive order activating Georgia’s price gouging statues, and have eased requirements on the size and weight of fuel shipments and the number of operating hours for trucks bringing supply into the state. We have teamed up with the private sector to provide information to our citizens about the realtime locations of available fuel. I continue to encourage Georgians to conserve gas by teleworking, carpooling, using mass transit and other measures to help us through this short-term supply deficiency.
While these actions have helped, I am confident that a release from the Reserve is critical and will give our citizens confidence that additional supplies are forthcoming. Thank you for your time and attention on this important matter.
Respectfully,
Sonny Perdue
Cc: Secretary Samuel W. Bodman
Georgia Congressional Delegation
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Governor Sonny Perdue today released the latest information on fuel production from the Gulf of Mexico:
Power outages – There are still more than 154,000 people without power in Texas. Crews are making rapid progress restoring power – about 415,000 people were reported without power on Friday.
Percent “shut-in” – The U.S. Department of Energy reports 57.4 percent of crude oil production capacity in the Gulf of Mexico is out. This is a slight improvement from Friday, when 59.3 percent of capacity was out. On Monday, September 22, 89.2 percent of capacity was out.
Refineries – Only two refineries remain completely shut down, and three additional refineries are “back to normal” compared to Friday’s report.
On September 27, the Department of Energy (DOE) announced that it is delivering 500,000 barrels of emergency exchange oil to Marathon’s Midwest refineries via the Capline.
Also today, Governor Perdue requested President George W. Bush direct the Department of Energy release a significant amount of crude oil from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve (SPR).
“As President Bush and Congress work on a plan to rescue our financial markets, I urge them to also focus on our fuel shortage in the Southeast,” Governor Perdue said. “As refinery capacity is returning to pre-hurricane levels, I believe a surge in crude from the Reserve would bridge the gap until full production resumes and lessen the impact of shortages on the daily lives of our citizens.”
To date, DOE has released more than 4 million barrels of oil from the SPR. While it would take time for the crude to be processed by refineries and shipped to the Metro Atlanta market, release of the reserve would ensure fuel supplies continue to rise.
More than 1,000 Georgians have used a new tool at the Georgia Environmental Authorities Authority’s website that provides drivers with information about gas prices and gas availability. Consumers can access this information by going www.gefa.org and looking under the News and Notices section.
Some practical fuel efficiency tips for drivers include:
· Drive sensibly: Speeding, rapid acceleration (jackrabbit starts), and rapid braking lowers gas mileage.
· Choose the right vehicle: If you own more than one vehicle, drive the one that gets better gas mileage whenever possible.
· Decrease speed: Gas mileage decreases rapidly when driving more than 60 miles-per-hour.
· Avoid idling: Idling gets zero miles per gallon. Cars with larger engines typically waste more gas while idling than cars with smaller engines.
· Commute alternatives are also a useful way to conserve fuel, including telework, carpool and transit options, and flexible work schedules. More information is available about commute alternatives at www.CleanAirCampaign.com.
These figures above come from the Department of Energy’s daily situation report. The complete report is available at: http://www.oe.netl.doe.gov/docs/2008_SitRep_20_Ike_092908_12PM.pdf .
Letter to President Bush:
September 29, 2008
The President
The White House
Washington, D.C. 20500
Dear Mr. President:
As you are personally aware, over the last month we have seen Hurricanes Gustav and Ike crash into the United States Gulf Coast. These natural disasters devastated coastal areas in both Texas and Louisiana, damaging the lives of citizens in both states. Under your direction, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) have worked tirelessly to help residents pick up the pieces. Our thoughts and prayers remain with these citizens as they begin to rebuild their lives.
While the damage on the Coast was extensive, the ripple effect of the direct hit to the petroleum industry is still impacting the lives of citizens around the Southeast. In Georgia, which is almost completely reliant on fuel transported from refineries in the Gulf via pipeline, we are particularly impacted by outages in the fuel supply chain.
I have watched with interest as you and Congress continue to work around the clock to rescue the financial markets and slow the impact of banking failures on the U.S and global economies. As Congress moves to vote on the rescue plan, I would ask that you also focus your attention on the fuel shortage in the Southeast that is impacting state and local economies. Gas stations with no fuel in the ground coupled with long lines at stations with current supply have become commonplace in Metro Atlanta and other places around the state. It is obvious that we are facing a true gap in the supply chain and I ask that you consider releasing a significant amount of crude oil from the strategic petroleum reserve (the Reserve) to refineries in the Gulf to help bring the system back on line.
I would like to thank you for your move earlier this month to make crude oil supplies from the Reserve available to the market. Timely releases have lessened the impact of production losses in the Gulf. Now, as refinery capacity is returning to pre-hurricane levels, I believe a surge in crude from the Reserve would bridge the gap until full production resumes and lessen the impact of shortages on the daily lives of our citizens.
In Georgia, we have made decisive moves to curb demand and assist distributors as they work to increase supply. My administration worked closely with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Administrator Johnson to secure three different fuel standard waivers. Those waivers are allowing distributors to more easily import additional supplies. We have issued an executive order activating Georgia’s price gouging statues, and have eased requirements on the size and weight of fuel shipments and the number of operating hours for trucks bringing supply into the state. We have teamed up with the private sector to provide information to our citizens about the realtime locations of available fuel. I continue to encourage Georgians to conserve gas by teleworking, carpooling, using mass transit and other measures to help us through this short-term supply deficiency.
While these actions have helped, I am confident that a release from the Reserve is critical and will give our citizens confidence that additional supplies are forthcoming. Thank you for your time and attention on this important matter.
Respectfully,
Sonny Perdue
Cc: Secretary Samuel W. Bodman
Georgia Congressional Delegation
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Sunday, September 28, 2008
Electric Membership Corporations Send line Crews to Louisiana
Photo: Linemen from Coweta-Fayette EMC helping restore power in Louisiana were Josh Minnifield, Chris Sutton, Anthony Walker, Lanny Hammett, Bobby Smith, Doug Worley, Corey Hendrix, Jerome Arrington, Anthony Woodard, Jody Cronan and Shea Lassetter.Personnel from nine electric membership corporations (EMCs) in Georgia, including Coweta-Fayette EMC, headed to Louisiana last week to help the state’s electric co-ops restore power to areas hardest hit following Hurricane Ike.
“We are eager to help our sister co-ops,” says Michael Whiteside with Coweta-Fayette EMC. “Being an electric co-op means calling upon your neighbors during emergencies. We have an unwritten agreement that says if we’re in trouble, they help us. In return, we help them.”
Crews left Saturday morning from Carroll EMC in Carrollton, Cobb EMC in Marietta, Coweta-Fayette EMC in Newnan, Habersham EMC in Clarkesville, Mitchell EMC in Camilla, Ocmulgee EMC in Eastman, Snapping Shoals EMC in Covington, Southern Rivers Energy in Barnesville and Sumter EMC in Americus.
Winds and heavy rain are a great threat during hurricanes, blowing electric poles and structures to the ground and knocking hundreds of trees on power lines, shutting off power to many EMC consumers.
While we can’t say specifically in what order power will be restored in Louisiana, many utilities follow a standard industry practice to repair and energize its lines. First, feeder and primary lines are repaired, then secondary and service lines next. This method restores power to the greatest number of people in the shortest amount of time.
The EMCs in Georgia have vast experience in restoring power following major storms. In recent years, EMC crews have worked alongside co-ops in South Carolina, North Carolina, Alabama, Tennessee, Mississippi, Louisiana, and Florida.
Coweta-Fayette EMC is a consumer owned cooperative providing electricity and related services to 70,000 consumers in Coweta, Fayette, South Fulton, Meriwether, Heard and parts of Clayton, Spalding and Troup counties.
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Friday, September 26, 2008
Chambliss, Isakson: U.S. Department of Transportation Taking Action to Help With Fuel Distribution to Georgia
U.S. Senators Saxby Chambliss, R-Ga., and Johnny Isakson, R-Ga., announced today that the U.S. Department of Transportation has taken action to help with fuel distribution to Georgia by extending the current exemption of the hours-of-service requirements for motor carriers carrying fuel to states in the South. This will allow more quantities of fuel to be carried to gas stations in Georgia. A temporary exemption was already in place due to Hurricanes Gustav and Ike; however, that is set to expire at midnight tonight. The waiver announced today will extend the exemption to October 8, 2008.
“I am pleased the U.S. Department of Transportation recognizes the urgent situation affecting our state,” said Chambliss. “Allowing fuel carriers to continue operating will make more gasoline available until supplies can be replenished, and that is critical to all Georgians.”
“With the decrease in supplies of gasoline due to recent hurricanes, it is absolutely critical that we make adjustments until supplies are back to normal,” Isakson said. “I am thankful the U.S. Department of Transportation extended this exemption and hope it will help remedy the current situation.”
On Tuesday, Chambliss and Isakson sent a letter to the Environmental Protection Agency in support of Georgia Governor Sonny Perdue’s request to temporarily extend relief from the federally enforceable sulfur gasoline requirements in the 45-county fuel control area. That waiver was granted on Tuesday afternoon.
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“I am pleased the U.S. Department of Transportation recognizes the urgent situation affecting our state,” said Chambliss. “Allowing fuel carriers to continue operating will make more gasoline available until supplies can be replenished, and that is critical to all Georgians.”
“With the decrease in supplies of gasoline due to recent hurricanes, it is absolutely critical that we make adjustments until supplies are back to normal,” Isakson said. “I am thankful the U.S. Department of Transportation extended this exemption and hope it will help remedy the current situation.”
On Tuesday, Chambliss and Isakson sent a letter to the Environmental Protection Agency in support of Georgia Governor Sonny Perdue’s request to temporarily extend relief from the federally enforceable sulfur gasoline requirements in the 45-county fuel control area. That waiver was granted on Tuesday afternoon.
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Governor Releases Friday Fuel Update
Governor Sonny Perdue today released the latest information on fuel production from the Gulf of Mexico:
Power outages – There are still more than 410,000 people without power in Texas, including some fuel production facilities. Crews are making rapid progress restoring power – yesterday about 485,000 people were reported without power.
Percent “shut-in” – The U.S. Department of Energy reports 59.3 percent of crude oil production capacity in the Gulf of Mexico is out. This is a slight improvement from yesterday, when 62.5 percent of capacity was out. On Monday, September 22, 89.2 percent of capacity was out.
Refineries – About half of Gulf refineries are considered “back to normal” while the other half are at varying stages of returning to normal production.
On September 25, the U.S. Department of Energy stated that it is delivering 500,000 barrels of emergency exchange oil to Citgo’s refinery at Lake Charles, LA and 150,000 barrels to Alon’s Krotz Springs, LA refinery. From September 8 through September 25, DOE released 3.949 million barrels of oil from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve (SPR) due to disruptions from hurricanes Gustav and Ike.
“Today’s figures show improvement in both the efforts to get power restored in Texas and increasing the crude oil production capacity in the Gulf,” Governor Perdue said. “While these numbers are encouraging, they also show we are still not close to full production resuming. I want to encourage Georgians to continue to do what they can to conserve fuel.”
Governor Perdue also today extended a previous Executive Order which allows larger shipments of fuel into the state. A copy of the Executive Order is attached.
The Georgia Environmental Authorities Authority has added a page to its website in order to provide Georgians with information about gas prices and gas availability. Consumers can access this information by going www.gefa.org and looking under the News and Notices section.
Some practical fuel efficiency tips for drivers include:
· Drive sensibly: Speeding, rapid acceleration (jackrabbit starts), and rapid braking lowers gas mileage.
· Choose the right vehicle: If you own more than one vehicle, drive the one that gets better gas mileage whenever possible.
· Decrease speed: Gas mileage decreases rapidly when driving more than 60 miles-per-hour.
· Avoid idling: Idling gets zero miles per gallon. Cars with larger engines typically waste more gas while idling than cars with smaller engines.
· Commute alternatives are also a useful way to conserve fuel, including telework, carpool and transit options, and flexible work schedules. More information is available about commute alternatives at www.CleanAirCampaign.com.
These figures above come from the Department of Energy’s daily situation report. The complete report is available at: http://www.oe.netl.doe.gov/docs/2008_SitRep_19_Ike_092608_12PM.pdf .
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Power outages – There are still more than 410,000 people without power in Texas, including some fuel production facilities. Crews are making rapid progress restoring power – yesterday about 485,000 people were reported without power.
Percent “shut-in” – The U.S. Department of Energy reports 59.3 percent of crude oil production capacity in the Gulf of Mexico is out. This is a slight improvement from yesterday, when 62.5 percent of capacity was out. On Monday, September 22, 89.2 percent of capacity was out.
Refineries – About half of Gulf refineries are considered “back to normal” while the other half are at varying stages of returning to normal production.
On September 25, the U.S. Department of Energy stated that it is delivering 500,000 barrels of emergency exchange oil to Citgo’s refinery at Lake Charles, LA and 150,000 barrels to Alon’s Krotz Springs, LA refinery. From September 8 through September 25, DOE released 3.949 million barrels of oil from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve (SPR) due to disruptions from hurricanes Gustav and Ike.
“Today’s figures show improvement in both the efforts to get power restored in Texas and increasing the crude oil production capacity in the Gulf,” Governor Perdue said. “While these numbers are encouraging, they also show we are still not close to full production resuming. I want to encourage Georgians to continue to do what they can to conserve fuel.”
Governor Perdue also today extended a previous Executive Order which allows larger shipments of fuel into the state. A copy of the Executive Order is attached.
The Georgia Environmental Authorities Authority has added a page to its website in order to provide Georgians with information about gas prices and gas availability. Consumers can access this information by going www.gefa.org and looking under the News and Notices section.
Some practical fuel efficiency tips for drivers include:
· Drive sensibly: Speeding, rapid acceleration (jackrabbit starts), and rapid braking lowers gas mileage.
· Choose the right vehicle: If you own more than one vehicle, drive the one that gets better gas mileage whenever possible.
· Decrease speed: Gas mileage decreases rapidly when driving more than 60 miles-per-hour.
· Avoid idling: Idling gets zero miles per gallon. Cars with larger engines typically waste more gas while idling than cars with smaller engines.
· Commute alternatives are also a useful way to conserve fuel, including telework, carpool and transit options, and flexible work schedules. More information is available about commute alternatives at www.CleanAirCampaign.com.
These figures above come from the Department of Energy’s daily situation report. The complete report is available at: http://www.oe.netl.doe.gov/docs/2008_SitRep_19_Ike_092608_12PM.pdf .
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Thursday, September 25, 2008
A Victory for American Energy – and the American People
U.S. Congressman Phil Gingrey (R-GA) made the following statement after reports confirmed that the Democratic Leadership in Congress has finally relented, and will not seek to renew the ban on energy exploration on our nation’s Outer Continental Shelf. The congressional ban on offshore exploration is set to expire on October 1, 2008.
“For months now, House Republicans and Americans across the nation have called on the Democratic Leadership in Congress to enact a comprehensive energy plan that allows exploration of the vast energy resources on our nation’s Outer Continental Shelf,” said Gingrey. “And now, thanks to the support of millions of pro-energy Americans, October 1st will be a historic day for the future of American energy independence. The will of the American people has proven too strong for the environmental extremists – Democratic leaders will not try to extend this ban on exploring our nation’s deepwater resources.”
“We must remember that this is only the first step toward declaring American energy independence. As we move forward, we must ensure that this drilling moratorium is never reinstated and continue to push for an “all-of-the-above” energy plan that includes the development of renewable and alternative fuels, the utilization of nuclear power, and the promotion of energy conservation.”
“Throughout the month of August, the Democratic Leadership was given an earful by the American people, who demanded that we break the chains of OPEC by drilling our own energy sources on the Outer Continental Shelf – it appears the Majority may have finally started listening.”
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“For months now, House Republicans and Americans across the nation have called on the Democratic Leadership in Congress to enact a comprehensive energy plan that allows exploration of the vast energy resources on our nation’s Outer Continental Shelf,” said Gingrey. “And now, thanks to the support of millions of pro-energy Americans, October 1st will be a historic day for the future of American energy independence. The will of the American people has proven too strong for the environmental extremists – Democratic leaders will not try to extend this ban on exploring our nation’s deepwater resources.”
“We must remember that this is only the first step toward declaring American energy independence. As we move forward, we must ensure that this drilling moratorium is never reinstated and continue to push for an “all-of-the-above” energy plan that includes the development of renewable and alternative fuels, the utilization of nuclear power, and the promotion of energy conservation.”
“Throughout the month of August, the Democratic Leadership was given an earful by the American people, who demanded that we break the chains of OPEC by drilling our own energy sources on the Outer Continental Shelf – it appears the Majority may have finally started listening.”
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Wednesday, September 24, 2008
Chambliss, Isakson: Lifting of Drilling Moratorium is Victory for Georgians, Giant Step Forward
U.S. Senators Saxby Chambliss, R-Ga., and Johnny Isakson, R-Ga., today said during a press conference on Capitol Hill that Congressional leadership’s decision to allow the moratorium on oil and gas drilling off the Atlantic and Pacific shores to expire is a victory for Georgians. The moratorium was imposed in 1982 and has been renewed in annual spending bills each year since. It is set to expire on September 30, 2008.
For months, Chambliss and Isakson have been calling on Republicans and Democrats to put aside their differences on energy and come together with a comprehensive solution. The lifting of the moratorium is a huge step in that direction and shows how far the debate has shifted in the months since Chambliss and Isakson have been working with a small group of Republicans and Democrats on making the nation more energy independent.
“This is certainly a day of celebration in the world of energy,” said Chambliss. “We have one goal in mind, and that is for the United States to become energy independent. Removing the congressional moratorium on drilling is a giant step in the right direction, but it’s only the first step. Congress needs to develop a plan to move forward with leasing areas in the Outer Continental Shelf for oil and gas exploration and development. We should also try to further open the Gulf of Mexico where we know there is oil, but which is covered by a separate moratorium. Finally, a legislative plan will give the American people and industry the confidence necessary to proceed with developing our domestic sources of energy. Unfortunately, because of the way in which this moratorium was lifted, it can be reinstated just as easily as it was lifted.”
“We have dramatically advanced the energy debate in Congress. When we started this process, there was absolutely no desire on the Democrats part to explore for oil domestically. Now, Democrats have heard from the American people and are more willing to explore domestic production,” Isakson said. “We have raised the consciousness of Congress and shifted the national debate. However, we still have work to do. We must ensure that this move to repeal the moratorium is not temporary. We also need to enact comprehensive legislation to decrease our dependence on foreign oil in the long term through measures such as increasing nuclear power generation, expanding renewable sources of energy and promoting conservation and efficiency.”
Chambliss and Isakson both signed a letter to Senate leadership expressing their opposition to any attempt to extend the ban on offshore drilling and oil shale beyond their expiration at the end of September.
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For months, Chambliss and Isakson have been calling on Republicans and Democrats to put aside their differences on energy and come together with a comprehensive solution. The lifting of the moratorium is a huge step in that direction and shows how far the debate has shifted in the months since Chambliss and Isakson have been working with a small group of Republicans and Democrats on making the nation more energy independent.
“This is certainly a day of celebration in the world of energy,” said Chambliss. “We have one goal in mind, and that is for the United States to become energy independent. Removing the congressional moratorium on drilling is a giant step in the right direction, but it’s only the first step. Congress needs to develop a plan to move forward with leasing areas in the Outer Continental Shelf for oil and gas exploration and development. We should also try to further open the Gulf of Mexico where we know there is oil, but which is covered by a separate moratorium. Finally, a legislative plan will give the American people and industry the confidence necessary to proceed with developing our domestic sources of energy. Unfortunately, because of the way in which this moratorium was lifted, it can be reinstated just as easily as it was lifted.”
“We have dramatically advanced the energy debate in Congress. When we started this process, there was absolutely no desire on the Democrats part to explore for oil domestically. Now, Democrats have heard from the American people and are more willing to explore domestic production,” Isakson said. “We have raised the consciousness of Congress and shifted the national debate. However, we still have work to do. We must ensure that this move to repeal the moratorium is not temporary. We also need to enact comprehensive legislation to decrease our dependence on foreign oil in the long term through measures such as increasing nuclear power generation, expanding renewable sources of energy and promoting conservation and efficiency.”
Chambliss and Isakson both signed a letter to Senate leadership expressing their opposition to any attempt to extend the ban on offshore drilling and oil shale beyond their expiration at the end of September.
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Tuesday, September 23, 2008
Chambliss, Isakson Applaud EPA’s Swift Decision to Support Governor Perdue’s Request to Provide Relief from Gas Shortage
U.S. Senators Saxby Chambliss, R-Ga., and Johnny Isakson, R-Ga., today applauded the decision by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to support Georgia Governor Sonny Perdue’s request to temporarily extend relief from the federally enforceable sulfur gasoline requirements in the 45-county fuel control area. The waiver granted by the EPA is effective immediately and will help ease the gas shortage in Georgia.
“I applaud the swift decision by the folks at EPA to uphold Governor Perdue’s request,” said Chambliss. “Extending relief from this requirement in the short term will make more gas available in the fuel control area until supplies can be replenished.”
“With the decrease in supplies of gasoline due to recent hurricanes, it is absolutely critical to temporarily extend relief from the sulfur gasoline requirement until supplies are back to normal,” Isakson said. “I am thankful EPA acted on this request quickly and hope this will help remedy the current situation.”
Chambliss and Isakson sent a letter to the EPA today in support of Governor Perdue’s request. Text of the letter is below:
Mr. Stephen Johnson, Administrator
United States Environmental Protection Agency
1200 Pennsylvania Avenue NW
Washington, DC 20460
Dear Administrator Johnson:
We are writing in support of Governor Sonny Perdue's request for an extension to relief provided from the federally enforceable Georgia SIP sulfur gasoline requirements in the 45 county fuel control area. As you know, this request comes as a result of a severe shortage of Georgia SIP sulfur gasoline caused by Hurricanes Gustav and Ike.
We urge your immediate approval of Governor Perdue's request and ask that, should the Governor need to make additional requests, you act upon them as expeditiously as possible.
Thank you for your attention to this important matter and we stand ready to assist you in any way we can.
Sincerely,
Saxby Chambliss Johnny Isakson
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“I applaud the swift decision by the folks at EPA to uphold Governor Perdue’s request,” said Chambliss. “Extending relief from this requirement in the short term will make more gas available in the fuel control area until supplies can be replenished.”
“With the decrease in supplies of gasoline due to recent hurricanes, it is absolutely critical to temporarily extend relief from the sulfur gasoline requirement until supplies are back to normal,” Isakson said. “I am thankful EPA acted on this request quickly and hope this will help remedy the current situation.”
Chambliss and Isakson sent a letter to the EPA today in support of Governor Perdue’s request. Text of the letter is below:
Mr. Stephen Johnson, Administrator
United States Environmental Protection Agency
1200 Pennsylvania Avenue NW
Washington, DC 20460
Dear Administrator Johnson:
We are writing in support of Governor Sonny Perdue's request for an extension to relief provided from the federally enforceable Georgia SIP sulfur gasoline requirements in the 45 county fuel control area. As you know, this request comes as a result of a severe shortage of Georgia SIP sulfur gasoline caused by Hurricanes Gustav and Ike.
We urge your immediate approval of Governor Perdue's request and ask that, should the Governor need to make additional requests, you act upon them as expeditiously as possible.
Thank you for your attention to this important matter and we stand ready to assist you in any way we can.
Sincerely,
Saxby Chambliss Johnny Isakson
---
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Monday, September 22, 2008
Georgia to Hold Fourth Annual ENERGY STAR Sales Tax Holiday
In an effort to help Georgians conserve energy and water, save money and protect the environment, today Governor Perdue announced Georgia’s fourth annual ENERGY STAR Sales Tax Holiday has been expanded for the first time to include WaterSense labeled products. Georgians will not pay state or local sales taxes on the purchase of energy efficient or water efficient products that cost $1,500 or less per item. The sales tax holiday begins at 12:01 a.m. Thursday, October 2, 2008 and runs through midnight Sunday, October 5, 2008.
“As Georgians look at appliances and products that have earned the now-familiar ENERGY STAR designation, I encourage them to also be more aware of water conservation and the impact of using WaterSense labeled products,” said Governor Perdue. “The ENERGY STAR and WaterSense Sales Tax Holiday provides Georgians the perfect opportunity to save money immediately at the cash register and long-term as their water and energy bills go down.”
ENERGY STAR designated products meet strict energy efficiency criteria set by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE).
Qualified ENERGY STAR appliances and products include dishwashers, clothes washers, air conditioners, ceiling fans, fluorescent light bulbs, dehumidifiers, programmable thermostats, refrigerators, doors and windows
“Through the ENERGY STAR and WaterSense Sales Tax Holiday, Georgians can save money, conserve energy and water, and show their commitment to the stewardship of our environment,” said Chris Clark, executive director of the Georgia Environmental Facilities Authority (GEFA).
Many ENERGY STAR qualified appliances use 30 percent less energy than conventional models without sacrificing features, style or comfort. Some products, such as energy efficient compact fluorescent bulbs, save as much as 80 percent. By replacing old, inefficient appliances with ENERGY STAR qualified models, Georgians can help protect the environment while saving money and energy.
For more information and to better understand the options and benefits of ENERGY STAR qualified products, visit the interactive ENERGY STAR @ Home tool at www.energystar.gov.
The EPA created the WaterSense program to recognize major water consuming products that are 20 percent more water-efficient and perform as well as or better than conventional models. Currently, 264 high efficiency toilets and 209 bathroom faucets and faucet accessories meet the designation and can be found at a variety of price points at retailers across the state.
“WaterSense is an opportunity for Georgians to make an important choice to help the environment,” said Carol A. Couch, director of the Environmental Protection Division of the Georgia Department of Natural Resources. “The rewards are many, but the most immediate one is the savings you see on your water bill.”
According to the EPA, installing WaterSense labeled fixtures can have an enormous impact on the amount of water people use in their bathrooms, and the cost of water on their utility bills:
· EPA estimates that a family of four that replaces its home’s older toilets with WaterSense labeled models will, using national average water rates, save more than $90 per year in reduced water utility bills, and $2,000 over the lifetime of the toilets.
· If half of the households in Georgia replaced toilets installed before 1994 with WaterSense labeled high-efficiency toilets (HETs), the savings would be more than 18 billion gallons per year—enough to supply Savannah and surrounding communities in Chatham County for a whole year.
· If every household in Georgia installed high-efficiency faucets or faucet aerators, it would save more than five million gallons a day—that’s saving enough water to fill every tank in Atlanta’s Georgia Aquarium, the world’s largest, in about 37 hours.
For toilets, the key requirements are using no more than 1.28 gallons per flush and solid waste removal of 350 grams or more, ensuring that people won't have to flush multiple times. Faucets limit flow to 1.5 gallons per minute while still delivering 60 psi of pressure.
Visit www.epa.gov/watersense for more information and to better understand the options and benefits of WaterSense qualified products.
Several organizations have come together to ensure consumers are aware of the ENERGY STAR and WaterSense Sales Tax Holiday including the Georgia Environmental Facilities Authority, Georgia Environmental Protection Division, Georgia Department of Revenue, Georgia Retail Association, Alliance to Save Energy, Clean Air Campaign, Georgia Power Company, Georgia EMC, Marietta Power, the Municipal Electric Authority of Georgia, Electric Cities of Georgia, the U.S. Department of Energy and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
Additional information regarding the ENERGY STAR and WaterSense Sales Tax Holiday is also available on the Department of Revenue’s website at www.dor.ga.gov.
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“As Georgians look at appliances and products that have earned the now-familiar ENERGY STAR designation, I encourage them to also be more aware of water conservation and the impact of using WaterSense labeled products,” said Governor Perdue. “The ENERGY STAR and WaterSense Sales Tax Holiday provides Georgians the perfect opportunity to save money immediately at the cash register and long-term as their water and energy bills go down.”
ENERGY STAR designated products meet strict energy efficiency criteria set by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE).
Qualified ENERGY STAR appliances and products include dishwashers, clothes washers, air conditioners, ceiling fans, fluorescent light bulbs, dehumidifiers, programmable thermostats, refrigerators, doors and windows
“Through the ENERGY STAR and WaterSense Sales Tax Holiday, Georgians can save money, conserve energy and water, and show their commitment to the stewardship of our environment,” said Chris Clark, executive director of the Georgia Environmental Facilities Authority (GEFA).
Many ENERGY STAR qualified appliances use 30 percent less energy than conventional models without sacrificing features, style or comfort. Some products, such as energy efficient compact fluorescent bulbs, save as much as 80 percent. By replacing old, inefficient appliances with ENERGY STAR qualified models, Georgians can help protect the environment while saving money and energy.
For more information and to better understand the options and benefits of ENERGY STAR qualified products, visit the interactive ENERGY STAR @ Home tool at www.energystar.gov.
The EPA created the WaterSense program to recognize major water consuming products that are 20 percent more water-efficient and perform as well as or better than conventional models. Currently, 264 high efficiency toilets and 209 bathroom faucets and faucet accessories meet the designation and can be found at a variety of price points at retailers across the state.
“WaterSense is an opportunity for Georgians to make an important choice to help the environment,” said Carol A. Couch, director of the Environmental Protection Division of the Georgia Department of Natural Resources. “The rewards are many, but the most immediate one is the savings you see on your water bill.”
According to the EPA, installing WaterSense labeled fixtures can have an enormous impact on the amount of water people use in their bathrooms, and the cost of water on their utility bills:
· EPA estimates that a family of four that replaces its home’s older toilets with WaterSense labeled models will, using national average water rates, save more than $90 per year in reduced water utility bills, and $2,000 over the lifetime of the toilets.
· If half of the households in Georgia replaced toilets installed before 1994 with WaterSense labeled high-efficiency toilets (HETs), the savings would be more than 18 billion gallons per year—enough to supply Savannah and surrounding communities in Chatham County for a whole year.
· If every household in Georgia installed high-efficiency faucets or faucet aerators, it would save more than five million gallons a day—that’s saving enough water to fill every tank in Atlanta’s Georgia Aquarium, the world’s largest, in about 37 hours.
For toilets, the key requirements are using no more than 1.28 gallons per flush and solid waste removal of 350 grams or more, ensuring that people won't have to flush multiple times. Faucets limit flow to 1.5 gallons per minute while still delivering 60 psi of pressure.
Visit www.epa.gov/watersense for more information and to better understand the options and benefits of WaterSense qualified products.
Several organizations have come together to ensure consumers are aware of the ENERGY STAR and WaterSense Sales Tax Holiday including the Georgia Environmental Facilities Authority, Georgia Environmental Protection Division, Georgia Department of Revenue, Georgia Retail Association, Alliance to Save Energy, Clean Air Campaign, Georgia Power Company, Georgia EMC, Marietta Power, the Municipal Electric Authority of Georgia, Electric Cities of Georgia, the U.S. Department of Energy and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
Additional information regarding the ENERGY STAR and WaterSense Sales Tax Holiday is also available on the Department of Revenue’s website at www.dor.ga.gov.
---
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Thursday, September 18, 2008
Oglethorpe Power Plans to Build Up to Three 100 Megawatt Biomass Electric Generating Facilities
Oglethorpe Power Corporation (OPC), the nation’s largest power supply cooperative, today announced plans to build as many as three 100 megawatt (MW) biomass electric generating facilities in Georgia. Designed as carbon-neutral and to utilize woody biomass, one of state’s most abundant renewable resources, the power plants will provide baseload power to OPC’s 38 member cooperatives, which supply electricity to nearly half of Georgia’s population.
“With our abundant biomass resources, Georgia has the unique opportunity to expand our use of alternative energy, grow our economy and transform the way we provide energy to our citizens,” said Governor Sonny Perdue. “Oglethorpe Power’s pioneering investment in alternative energy is consistent with our goal to grow, convert, and use Biomass energy to power our homes and businesses.”
OPC has secured options for five potential sites in Appling, Echols, Warren and Washington Counties. The first two biomass power plants are scheduled to be built and placed into operation in 2014 and 2015; however which of the five sites will host the first plants is still to be determined. A third unit could also be completed and placed into service in 2015 if all elements of the plan for that facility come together on schedule.
Capital investment in the biomass plants will range from $400 million to $500 million per facility with each providing approximately 40 good paying, full-time jobs. In addition, each plant will require an annual investment of more than $30 million for fuel stock alone and will create a need for potentially hundreds of new jobs in the state’s forestry industry.
The power plants will be steam-electric generation stations using conventional fluidized bed boiler/steam turbine technology. Fuel for the plants will consist of a woody biomass mixture, including processed roundwood (e.g. chipped pulpwood), primary manufacturing residue (e.g. wood waste from sawmills) and harvest residue (e.g. wood remaining in forest after clearing). The plants will be designed to allow for the co-firing of other types of biomass, including pecan hulls, peanut shells, chicken litter and more. No fossil fuels will be used.
“With 12 million people expected to call Georgia home by the year 2030, we will need more energy to meet the demand of our growing population,” said Chris Clark, executive director of the Georgia Environmental Facilities Authority (GEFA). “The addition of Oglethorpe Power’s biomass electricity plants will help supply Georgians with homegrown energy that is clean and renewable.”
Employing environmentally responsible technologies, the power plants will have filter baghouses installed for reduction of particulate emissions and selective non-catalytic reduction (SNCR) for control of NOx. While the need for SO2 emissions controls is still being evaluated, OPC will utilize industry standard combustion practices to control carbon monoxide (CO) and volatile organic compounds (VOC). In addition, nature itself will help keep such emissions in check as the content of sulfur and mercury in wood is generally very low.
Depending on the location, water would be obtained either from onsite wells, nearby surface waters, from municipal sources or grey water from nearby industries. Each plant would be developed on a minimum of 200-400 acres of land to ensure an adequate buffer between the plant and its surroundings.
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“With our abundant biomass resources, Georgia has the unique opportunity to expand our use of alternative energy, grow our economy and transform the way we provide energy to our citizens,” said Governor Sonny Perdue. “Oglethorpe Power’s pioneering investment in alternative energy is consistent with our goal to grow, convert, and use Biomass energy to power our homes and businesses.”
OPC has secured options for five potential sites in Appling, Echols, Warren and Washington Counties. The first two biomass power plants are scheduled to be built and placed into operation in 2014 and 2015; however which of the five sites will host the first plants is still to be determined. A third unit could also be completed and placed into service in 2015 if all elements of the plan for that facility come together on schedule.
Capital investment in the biomass plants will range from $400 million to $500 million per facility with each providing approximately 40 good paying, full-time jobs. In addition, each plant will require an annual investment of more than $30 million for fuel stock alone and will create a need for potentially hundreds of new jobs in the state’s forestry industry.
The power plants will be steam-electric generation stations using conventional fluidized bed boiler/steam turbine technology. Fuel for the plants will consist of a woody biomass mixture, including processed roundwood (e.g. chipped pulpwood), primary manufacturing residue (e.g. wood waste from sawmills) and harvest residue (e.g. wood remaining in forest after clearing). The plants will be designed to allow for the co-firing of other types of biomass, including pecan hulls, peanut shells, chicken litter and more. No fossil fuels will be used.
“With 12 million people expected to call Georgia home by the year 2030, we will need more energy to meet the demand of our growing population,” said Chris Clark, executive director of the Georgia Environmental Facilities Authority (GEFA). “The addition of Oglethorpe Power’s biomass electricity plants will help supply Georgians with homegrown energy that is clean and renewable.”
Employing environmentally responsible technologies, the power plants will have filter baghouses installed for reduction of particulate emissions and selective non-catalytic reduction (SNCR) for control of NOx. While the need for SO2 emissions controls is still being evaluated, OPC will utilize industry standard combustion practices to control carbon monoxide (CO) and volatile organic compounds (VOC). In addition, nature itself will help keep such emissions in check as the content of sulfur and mercury in wood is generally very low.
Depending on the location, water would be obtained either from onsite wells, nearby surface waters, from municipal sources or grey water from nearby industries. Each plant would be developed on a minimum of 200-400 acres of land to ensure an adequate buffer between the plant and its surroundings.
---
www.FayetteFrontPage.com
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Fayetteville, Peachtree City, Tyrone
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