NEWS - June 2009
ALTERNATIVE ENERGY
In the 1970's, most regular folks wouldn't have predicted the explosive growth in technological innovation that took place along the San Jose-San Francisco corridor that became Silicon Valley. A similar progression could happen for alternative energy — or not. In the San Francisco Bay Area, solar power developers, installers, and managers are currently in high demand. Selected news from other regions is highlighted below.
City Spotlight - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
At a meeting of Philadephia's Urban Sustainability Forum, a panel discussed the agenda for bringing the city into the top tier of economically and environmentally sustainable cities. More than a dozen specific goals were described, including getting city government to reduce energy use by 30%. Measures taken to date have already lowered consumption by 12%. City building retrofitting and working with utility companies to reduce costs are two steps under consideration. A more ambitious recommendation was to generate 20% of the City's energy from alternative resources.
For more information, the original article ("Glimpse of a Greener Future for Philadelphia") is available at: The WeeklyPress.com.
Community Spotlight: Expo's & Projects
In June 2009, an annual alternative energy exposition was held in the Fredericksburg, Virginia area. The event was co-sponsored by Rappahannock League for Environmental Protection (RLEP). A well-attended demonstration featured "The Energy Cycle" — a bicycle that showed how much energy was consumed by various household appliances. Exhibits included eco-friendly cooling, heating, and insulation methods; electric and hybrid vehicles; and other home / transportation green products.
For more information, the original article ("Energy-Efficiency Ideas Highlight Annual Expo") is available at: IStockAnalyst.
Competitor News: Green Star Alternative Energy Inc.
New data indicates that Green Start Alternative Energy's (GSAE; San Diego CA) wind velocity generated at its Belo Blato wind farm is better than initially reported. Actual figures were not included in the press release, and the Company is awaiting third quarter results before making further disclosures. Green Star is a renewable energy company that is currently focusing on hydro electric and wind technologies. Commercial prospects include developing clean energy resources to meet the needs of several European countries.
For more information, the original press release is available at: Green Star Alternative Energy.
State Spotlight: Indiana Legislature
Two companies were acknowledged by a state representative of the Indiana Legislature in mid-June 2009 for energy conservation measures taken to date. A solar grid system was installed by McCormick Motors (Nappanee IN) in February 2009. In late 2009, UNL Furs (Nappanee IN) began using off-site-sourced solar and wind systems.
There were few incentives for either firm to adopt green technologies. Significant alternative energy legislation has yet to be passed by the Indiana Statehouse, in part due to partisan divides and opposition from coal interests in the southern part of the state (e.g., industry, utilities, workers, etc.). The most recent bill to establish net metering seemed to generate favorable responses but was burdened with additional requirements (e.g., mandated generation of specific amounts of energy by utility companies, deadlines, tax credits, etc.).
For more information, the original article ("State Legislator Says Hoosiers Need to Embrace Alternative Energy Sources") is available at: IStockAnalyst
National News: Legislative Demands & Developments
Nuclear energy is one potential solution to meet U.S. energy demands. U.S. senator Roger Wicker (R-Mississippi) is a proponent who recently proposed building 100 nuclear power plants by 2030. In addition to meeting energy needs, construction would create secure, high-paying jobs. An estimate from the Nuclear Energy Institute forecasts that building 45 new nuclear plants might employ 128,000 construction workers and also generate 32,000 permanent jobs.
For more information, the original article ("Wicker Continues Call for Increased Domestic Energy Exploration") is available at: Trading Markets.
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