News and Reports
A Solar Grand Plan
(December 2007)
Scientific American Magazine published an article last December outlining the potential of solar power. The article states that by 2050 solar power could end U.S. dependence on foreign oil and slash greenhouse gas emissions.
Attached Files
- A Solar Grand Plan
Acrobat | 2 MB
American Solar Energy Society Report
A new report by the American Solar Energy Society (ASES) shows how efficiency and renewable energy technologies can work together to solve global warming. Visit the ASES website to read their report on Tackling Climate Change in the U.S.
Automaker Rankings 2007: The Environmental Performance of Car Companies
(April 2007)
Report prepared by the Union of Concerned Scientists.
Attached Files
- Automaker Rankings 2007
Acrobat | 2 MB
Bioenergy Wiki
(January 2008)
Bioenergy Wiki serves as an open and balanced electronic forum to promote the utilization of bioenergy in a sustainable manner.
Biofuels: Am important Part of a Low Carbon Diet
(November 2007)
A report prepared by Clean Vehicles Program of the Union of Concerned Scientists.
Attached Files
- Biofuels: An Important Part of a Low Carbon Diet
Acrobat | 887 KB
California Air Resources Board Lowers Zero Emission Vehicle Targets
(March 2008)
California's air regulators again revised the targets of the Zero Emission Vehicle Program (ZEV), the changes reduce the mandate for zero emission vehicles but go further to encourage plug-in electric hybrids and other advanced vehicle technologies. Green Car Congress provides a succinct summary of the changes.
California Global Warming Solutions Act (AB 32) Scoping Plan
(December 2008)
This document outlines the regulations behind the nation’s first economy-wide greenhouse gas emissions cap.
California Sues EPA Over Auto Emissions
(November 2007)
After waiting nearly two years for the federal government to decide on the state's request to regulate greenhouse gas emissions from vehicles, California sued the EPA to force action. California was joined in the suit by fourteen other states who have adopted, or plan to adopt, California standards, including Arizona, Illinois, New Mexico, New York, and Pennsylvania. To learn more about the lawsuit, read the Time article entitled California's Christmas List: Clean Air.
Cellulosic Ethanol Plants in Development
(February 2008)
BioFuels Journal presented this map and list of cellulosic ethanol plants in development as of February 2008.
Coal-Fired Power Plant Rejected Due to Carbon Dioxide Emissions
(October 2007)
The Kansas Department of Environmental Health became the first government agency in the United States to reject the air quality permit of a power plant due to carbon dioxide emissions and the harmful effects CO2 has on public health and the environment. To learn more about this victory, read the article in the Wall Street Journal entitled, Power Plant Rejected Over Carbon Dioxide for First Time, or visit the Kansas News and Weather website to view videos and an article.
Community Wind 101
(September 2008)
Community Wind 101: A Primer for Policy makers,
was released today by the 25x'25 Alliance, The Energy Foundation and Harvesting
Clean Energy. The report makes clear that community wind must be an
integral part of the nation's energy strategy and lays out a set of public
policies designed to grow local wind investment and ownership. See also the Executive Summary and the Press release.
Community Wind Financing Handbook
Environmental Law and Policy Center of the Midwest released the "Community Wind Financing Handbook." This handbook explains the options for structuring and financing community-based wind power projects.
Attached Files
- Wind Financing Handbook
Acrobat | 724 KB
Community Wind Information Packet
(April 2007)
We assembled a small packet of documents related to Community Wind as an introduction to the concept of farmer-owned wind farms.
Attached Files
- Community Wind Information Packet
Acrobat | 2 MB
Community Wind Toolbox
(October 2007)
Windustry's new online Community Wind Toolbox offers high-quality practical information for farmers and rural landowners looking to develop commercial-scale wind projects.
Consumer's Guide to Home Energy Savings
The American Council for and Energy Efficient Economy (ACEEE) has compiled a guide to home energy savings including a list of the most energy efficient appliances available, and small things you can do around your home to increase efficiency. They have made their mini-guide available on their website.
Driving it Home
(June 2007)
A report prepared by the Natural Resources Defense Council, Western Resource Advocates, and Pembina Institute regarding fueling North America.
Attached Files
- Driving it Home
Acrobat | 933 KB
Eastern Wind Integration and Transmission Study
(January 2010)
The Eastern Wind Integration and Transmission Study (EWITS) is a large regional wind integration study that looks at the operational impact of 20-30% energy penetration of wind on the power system in the Eastern Interconnect of the United States. It was sponsored by the U.S. Department of Energy with project coordination by the National Renewable Energy Lab.
Energy Solutions to Fight Global Warming
The Union of Concerned Scientists outlines the three most important ways to fight global warming. The first way is to increase energy efficiency.
Federal Court Rules Against Automakers in Vermont Fuel Economy Case
(September 2007)
A federal judge rejected the U.S. auto industry's attempt to block California, Vermont, and 10 other states from setting tough new fuel economy standards, saying the industry had not proved the regulations were illegal, unsafe, or unattainable. To learn more about this issue, read this Associated Press article entitled Judge Rejects Automakers' bid to scrap state Emission Rules.
Florida Coal Fired Power Plant Denied
(June 2007)
The Florida State Public Service Commission unanimously shot down a plan by Florida Power & Light to construct a coal-fired power plant near Everglades National Park. To read more, view the full story entitled: Kudos to Florida.
Global Climate Change Impacts in the United States
(June 2009)
Produced by thirteen federal scientific agencies, this report documents the impacts of a changing climate in the U.S.
Governor of Illinois Signs Electricity Rate Deal
(August 2007)
Governor Blagojevich signed the electricity rate bill, making Illinois a national leader in standards for electricity created by renewable sources such as wind power, biomass and solar power. The bill also requires energy efficiency programs that will effectively stop the growth of electric use in the state. Each of these two provisions is among the strongest in the country, and together they will substantially reduce global warming emissions from electricity generation in Illinois. To read the full article, visit the U.S. PIRG website.
Governors' Wind Energy Coalition
(February 2009)
Twenty-three governors launched the Governors' Wind Energy Coalition by releasing a report on the economic benefits of wind power.
Attached Files
- GWEC Wind Energy & Green Jobs
Acrobat | 2 MB
Information on States' Global Warming Action Plans
For information on states' global warming action plans, please click on the state you would like to view.
Arizona
California
Connecticut
Maine
New Mexico
North Carolina (Text of Senate Bill 1134)
Oregon
Washington
Laying a Foundation for Nevada's Energy Future
(February 2008)
Facing uncertainty in meeting future demand for electricity, Nevada should concentrate on building a "flexible infrastructure" that leverages a mixture of resources and avoids risks associated with large-scale centralized generation, according to "Laying a Foundation for Nevada's electricity Future." This report was led by former Nevada Energy and Economic Advisor and Public Utility Commissioner Carl Linvill.
Attached Files
- Press Release
Acrobat | 223 KB
- Laying a Foundation for Nevada's Electricity Future
Acrobat | 3 MB
- Coal is Not the Future-Las Vegas Sun
Acrobat | 84 KB
Low Carbon Fuel Standard
An overview of the benefits of a Low Carbon Fuel Standard from the California Governor's Office and the California Air Resources Board.
Low Carbon Fuel Standards
(January 2009)
Dan Sperling and Sonia Yeh have written a report published in the Winter 2009, "Issues in Science and Technology" outlining the importance of low carbon fuel standards.
Attached Files
- Low Carbon Fuel Standards
Acrobat | 346 KB
Maryland Adopts Clean Car Standards
(April 2007)
Maryland has become the twelfth state to adopt California's Clean Vehicle Standards. To learn more about the action, read the article published by the Business Gazette entitled "A red-letter day for the Environment".
Nevada Legislature Passes Bill Banning Incandescent Lights
(June 2007)
Nevada joined a growing number of organizations around the world that are backing an initiative to phase out inefficient incandescent light bulbs. To read more, visit SWEEP.
Nevada Legislature Passes Bill Banning Incandescent Lights
(June 2007)
Nevada joined a growing number of organizations around the world that are backing an initiative to phase out inefficient incandescent light bulbs. To read more, visit SWEEP.
New Study Shows Extending Solar Tax Credits Will Increase Jobs
(September 2008)
A new economic study issued today by Navigant Consulting shows that more than 1.2 million employment opportunities, including 440,000 permanent jobs, and $232 billion in new investment would be generated in the U.S. by the solar energy sector alone through 2016 if Congress extends the solar investment tax credit (ITC) for 8 years. To read more, visit the Solar Energy Industries Association website.
Regional Climate Agreement News
The following websites include the latest news on:
Regulators reject application for Coal-Fired Plant
(September 2007)
State Regulators in Oklahoma City rejected an application by utility companies to build a coal-fired power plant in northern Oklahoma. To read more about this story visit MSNBC.
Renewable Energy Atlas of the West
The Atlas is an 80-page, full-color presentation of the renewable energy resources in the West, including newly-released high-resolution wind maps of the Pacific Northwest. The Atlas profiles wind, solar, geothermal and biomass power. Sponsored by the Hewlett Foundation and The Energy Foundation, the Atlas was created by the Land and Water Fund of the Rockies, Northwest Sustainable Energy for Economic Development (SEED), Green Info Network and Integral GIS. To view the atlas, visit energyatlas.org.
Report Details Potential Devastation of Sea Level Rise
(September 2007)
A coastal impact study issued by Architecture 2030 makes clear that without a moratorium on coal, the United States will be unable to avert the dangerous impacts of climate change. The full report is available at the Architecture 2030 website.
Senator Reid speaks out against Coal-Fired Power Plants
(August 2007)
U.S. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid of Nevada sent a letter this week to four companies telling them not to build planned coal burning power plants in his state. To read more, view the article entitled "Reid tells four companies no coal in Nevada" or visit Senator Reid's Press release page to read the letter sent to elected officials and energy leaders.
Sipping Fuel and Saving Lives
(June 2007)
A report prepared by the International Council on Clean Transportation outlining the importance of increasing fuel economy without sacrificing safety.
Attached Files
- Sipping Fuel and Saving Lives
Acrobat | 763 KB
States Push Environmental Protection Agency to Address Global Warming
(April 2008)
In the continuing trend of states leading the country on curbing global warming and calling for national action, on April 2nd, 16 states and 11 non-profits announced a lawsuit against the EPA for its failure to comply with the Supreme Court. One year ago, in Massachusetts v. EPA, the United States Supreme Court rejected the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's claim that it lacked the power to regulate global warming pollution under existing law. To learn more, read the full article from MSNBC.
Summary of the Economic Impacts of Implementing "Recommendations to the Nation on Reducing U.S. Oil Dependence"
(May 2007)
Report Prepared by the Energy Security Leadership Council and Securing America's Future Energy.
Attached Files
- Summary of Economic Impacts
Acrobat | 771 KB
The Daily Climate
The Daily Climate is a nonpartisan news source reporting on the scope, scale effects, and political processes of climate change and climate policy.
The Machine in the Garden
(March 2008)
The Machine in the Garden briefly describes the importance of having a biofuels conversion technology that can handle a wide range of feedstocks.
Attached Files
- The Machine in the Garden
Acrobat | 771 KB
The Midwestern Greenhouse Gas Reduction Accord
(June 2008)
The Midwestern Greenhouse Gas Reduction Accord Advisory Group released their recommendations for establishing targets for emissions reductions in the region, and for the design of a regional cap-and-trade program.
Attached Files
- Midwestern Greenhouse Gas Accord Recommendations
Acrobat | 116 KB
The New Harvest
The Energy Foundation's White Paper and executive summary on Wind Power and Biofuels for Rural Revitalization and National Energy Security.
Attached Files
- The New Harvest
Acrobat | 2 MB
- New Harvester Profiles - Profiles of Rural Energy Entrepreneurs
Acrobat | 608 KB
- New Harvest Executive Summary
Acrobat | 1 MB
- New Harvest Press Release
Acrobat | 33 KB
The Union of Concerned Scientists on Renewable Electricity Standards
(May 2007)
The Union of Concerned Scientists has created a comprehensive toolkit guide to state Renewable Power Standards and the proposed Federal RPS.
Wall Street Shows Skepticism Over Coal
(February 2008)
Three of Wall Street's largest investment banks announce standards that will make it harder for companies to receive financing to build new coal-fired power plants in the United States. The banks say that a government regulated cap on emissions is inevitable, and the potential added cost is great. Banks also said they will encourage energy efficiency and renewable energy before backing new coal-fired power plants. To read the full article written by Jeffrey Ball, visit the Wall Street Journal.
Water Implications of Biofuels Production In the United States
(October 2007)
A new report from the National Research Council says increased corn ethanol
production could put pressure on local aquifers used to grow and refine corn
into ethanol, increase levels of nitrogen in groundwater from pesticides and
fertilizers, and exacerbate runoff pollution in streams and rivers. To read related news, the report brief, or to view the full report visit the National Academy of Sciences website.
Wind Empowerment Zones Study
This study shows how wind farms can be used to generate revenue in economically depressed areas.
Attached Files
- Wind Empowerment Zones
Acrobat | 424 KB
Wind Power Myths Debunked
(January 2010)
A recent issue of Power & Energy, the journal of the Power Engineering Society (PES) of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) featured wind power, including a very informative article called Wind Power Myths Debunked . The article looks at the most common questions (e.g., "Doesn't wind power need backup generation?") and addresses them in detail with appropriate graphics.
Yale Environment 360
This online magazine from the Yale School of Forestry and Environmental Studies provides opinion, reporting, and analysis on environmental issues.
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