Fri, 9 April 2010  On April 6, 2010 PennFuture's Federal Policy Manager Joy Bergey hosted a Webinar for Congressional staff members and clean energy businesses focused on how enacting new federal energy policies will create more good-paying, non-exportable jobs in Pennsylvania and nationally. A leader among states, Pennsylvania enacted the Alternative Energy Portfolio Standards Act in 2004 and passed an energy savings mandate requiring energy conservation (Act 129) in 2008. These forward-thinking policies have already created thousands of new jobs for Pennsylvanians. The Webinar exlpored how enacting a federal Renewable Energy Standard (RES) and Energy Efficiency Resources Standard (EERS) would stimulate economic growth and job creation here at home, in short order. An RES and EERS would also save consumers money on their energy bills, reduce our dependence on imported oil, and cut pollution. The webinar presenters come from companies who already have added jobs in Pennsylvania who spoke directly to the benefits that federal legislation would deliver. Presenters were:
PennFuture supports a comprehensive, three-pillar approach to federal climate and energy policy, including a strong cap on heat-trapping pollution emissions that are causing global warming; developing new renewable, clean energy production that will shift our economy away from fossil-fuel dependence; and requirements for energy conservation and efficiency that will help save consumers money and create a host of new domestic jobs. To learn more about our work, and to join our efforts, visit our Web site. To download any of the presentations from this Webinar, see our Cool Pennsylvania pages. |
Fri, 26 March 2010 Pennsylvania became a leader in the renewable energy industry after we passed the landmark Alternative Energy Portfolio Standards Act in 2004. That policy helped to drive major private investment from both international and homegrown companies who created thousands of family-sustaining jobs, including manufacturing. We have the opportunity to expand and ramp-up the requirements in the law for more new, clean renewable energy from solar, wind and geothermal. Legislation is pending in both houses of the General Assembly that, if enacted, will bolster our position as a national leader, spur new investment, create even more great green jobs-- and would create the largest reduction in global warming pollution in Pennsylvania's history. In this video podcast, we revisit some of the reasons why the Pennsylvania legislature must act now to keep our clean tech economy growing. We feature Philadelphia City Councilwoman Blondell Reynolds-Brown, who covers why green jobs are so essential in our urban centers. The same holds true statewide, as every corner of the Commonwealth stands to gain from the new jobs, more affordable electricity prices, and better environmental quality that come from more renewable energy production. To learn more, visit our Web site. There you can get involved and contribute to our efforts to bring more clean energy and green jobs to Pennsylvania. Comments[0] |
Fri, 29 January 2010 Just like the song about Kansas City, everything’s up to date in Erie. Home to Pennsylvania’s most visited state park, Erie is also home to a lot of green energy companies, and one of the new green economy’s biggest boosters, State Representative John Hornaman (D-Erie). Comments[0] |
Fri, 22 January 2010  n the past two weeks, PennFuture President and CEO Jan Jarrett has traveled throughout the state, holding breakfast meetings with business leaders and elected officials on the need to pass the Clean Energy and Green Jobs legislation.This week’s podcast features the presentations by Jan, Department of Environmental Protection Secretary John Hanger, and State Senator Jim Ferlo (D-Allegheny) at the Wednesday, January 20 breakfast in Pittsburgh. The three speakers detail the need for the legislation and outline what business leaders can do to help pass it. PennFuture works every day to make a difference for Pennsylvania’s environment and economy. Isn’t it time to join us and make a difference yourself? Go to our secure website to join PennFuture, and make sure you sign up for our publications. And remember, you can make sure you don't miss any podcasts by subscribing to them through iTunes. Comments[0] |
Fri, 6 November 2009  Last week, PennFuture's Director of Outreach, Christine Knapp, participated in a study tour of Germany for regional leaders from Pennsylvania, Michigan, Ohio, and North Carolina. The tour was sponsored by the German Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ Transatlantic Climate Bridge Initiative and organized by the German Marshall Fund of the United States. You may have already read Christine's blog postings; this podcast gives you a chance to listen to others on the tour. You’ll hear from Ellen Pope, director of the comparative domestic policy at the German Marshall Fund, who talks about why the Fund organized this tour. She explains that the states were chosen because they are older industrial states heavily dependent on fossil fuels. She hopes the Americans could learn how Germany is making the transition to clean energy, put those lessons to use when they get home. You'll then hear from State Senator Dan Clodfelter from Charlotte, NC; Susan Perry Cole, president and CEO of the North Carolina Association of Community Development Corporations in Raleigh; Doug Esamann, senior vice president of strategy and planning for Duke Energy in Charlotte, NC; and Lavea Brachman, co-director of the Greater Ohio Policy Center. Their discussions of what they learned and what they will do differently at home are very revealing. PennFuture works every day to make a difference for Pennsylvania's environment and economy. Isn’t it time to join us and make a difference yourself? Go to our secure website to join PennFuture, and make sure you sign up for our publications. And remember, you can make sure you don't miss any podcasts by subscribing to them through iTunes. Comments[0] |
Wed, 28 October 2009 by Christine Knapp, Director of Outreach On our second day in Leipzig, the delegation was treated to a professional tour guide, who showed us around the city center. It seems every step in this city has a historical reference- and with just a few years to go until celebrating its 1000th (that's 3 zeros!) anniversary, it's easy to understand why. From St. Thomas Church where Bach served as choir director for 23 years, to the place where Russian tanks once stood, to the amazing architecture restored and rebuilt after the wars, Leipzig is a history buff's dream. But it is also, at its core, a well planned city. Walkable and bicycle-friendly, the city center is also currently building additional stops for the light rail. Major industries in the area include automotive (BMW and Porsche), healthcare and biotech, media and creativity, and power and environment. As we learned from several speakers, renewable energy has become a recognized cluster- employing 50,000 employees in solar and 25,000 in wind in the the greater Leipzig region. Leipzig also has two biomass plants using wood that is only provided through sustainable forest management- not through clear-cutting, as well as grass, straw, manure and other materials. In the afternoon our group split into two, with half visiting Q-Cells AG and my group visiting Juwi Solar and Waldpolenz Solar Park. About an hour drive into the German countryside, the solar park does not look like much upon first glance. Built upon a military air base built under orders from Hitler and later used by the German Democratic Republic, the property is dotted with bombed out hangars, barracks and other buildings. Once inside, however, 528,000 individual thin film solar panels line a plot of land 2 kilometers by 600 meters. Solar as far as the eye can see, and the plant produces enough electricity to power 12,000 homes. With 130 euros in up front capital costs, the plant broke ground in April of 2007 and was completed in December of 2008. Juwi has a 20 year lease with the local town, but expects to fully recoup costs in 13 years. Hundreds of electricians and construction workers were employed in the building of the plant, but only about 20 workers, mostly locals, are employed full-time now. They provide an academy for new workers, to the tune of 10,000 euros per employee to fully educate them on energy systems. The surrounding community has been supportive of the facility, as other proposed plans included a shooting range and an amusement park, both of which were opposed due to noise. Juwi has learned an important lesson informing residents and using it as an educational opportunity. Some additional interesting facts: - Juwi contracts with First Solar to provide the arrays, which were manufactuerd in Phoenix, Malaysia and Frankfurt. - They have a plant in New Jersey, and hope to expand further into the American market. - There is relatively low maintenance as the arrays are mostly self-cleaning. Only problems come from local sheep that break in and chew power lines and the occasional wayward golf ball from a near by range. - They do work with some individual homes and small businesses although it is not their focus. There is no need to encourage these homes to do energy efficiency first because they can earn more money by selling excess energy into the grid than they pay for energy. In this way, the feed in tariffs have not only helped this industry grow, but have made it affordable for people to invest in it. Unfortunately, my camera battery died today! I have great pictures to share, as do other delegates, but they will not be available just yet. Tomorrow: On to Hamburg! Category: Energy -- posted at: 5:59 PM Comments[0] |
Tue, 27 October 2009 
by Christine Knapp, Director of Outreach Today, our delegation traveled by train to the city of Leipzig, about an hour from Berlin. Transportation enthusiasts would be delighted to see the grandiose train stations of both cities, and train systems that run very much on time through clean stations bustling with commerce. After arrival and check-in, our group was treated to a lunch meeting with Gisela Kallenbach, a former member of the European Parliament representing the Green Party. Gisela gave us a brief introduction to the city of Leipzig and the region. Leipzig has a long and storied history, serving as the home to such cultural luminaries as Bach and Goethe among others. But like many former manufacturing cities in the US, Leipzig suffered from a period of decline while shielded behind the Iron Curtain, and even after the wall was torn down. Gisela herself became involved in political action during the months leading up to November of 1989. She organized peace prayers at local churches that helped motivate those who were previously too fearful to publicly demonstrate. And once the wall came down, Gisela was called to run for local office to help her city and her people recover and develop a strategy of revitalization. She ran with the emerging Green Party because of her own suffering due to environmental degradation. But she also explained that the Green Party represents more than environmental equality- human rights and the ideals of sustainability, economic, social and environmental balance. After Gisela's inspiring presentation, we traveled about 90 minutes to the industrial town of Jena, to the headquarters of Schott, a leader in solar technology for 51 years. We were guided in a tour by Grit Petholdt-Guhne, the Head of Human Resources. Our focus here was learning about building a workforce for twenty-first century jobs, such as is done by Schott and its sister corporations. Schott employs 700 people in their solar division, the largest percentage in their 1200 total employee workforce. They produce concentrated solar, crystalline photovoltaic and thin film photovoltaic. In the US, you can see their work at their location in Albuquerque, New Mexico and at their largest PV installation at Stillwell Station in New York. After the fall of the wall, companies like Schott in East Germany had a hard time attracting a skilled work force due to lower wages and other factors. In order to combat this, Schott engaged in a marketing campaign in which they provided additional health benefits, work from home flexibility and child care for families, gym and museum memberships as well and other opportunities to attract workers. But most impressively, Schott worked with the state government to create a robust worker training program on site. Here, students as young as 16 are hired into a dual apprenticeship where they spend 30 percent of their time in theoretical education at school and 70 percent of their time in practical education programs at the business itself. The state government provides funding for the training, and the company pays 100 percent of the monthly salary (600-800 euros). Lastly, we had dinner at Auerbachs Keller, an elaborate
restaurant made famous by Goethe, who frequented the wine bar. We were able to view the cellar in which, according to legend, Faust rode a wine barrel with the help of the devil himself. Of course we got to taste a bit of the local rose wine, which was dry but delicious! Category: Energy -- posted at: 6:59 PM Comments[0] |
Mon, 26 October 2009  by Christine Knapp, Director of OutreachWe jumped right into our day by meeting with R. Andreas Kraemer, Director of Ecologic Institute, a private not-for-profit think tank for applied environmental research, policy analysis and consultancy. A wealth of information, Mr. Kraemer is well versed in sustainable development and environmental policy. Mr. Kraemer gave our delegation an overview of German and European Union climate and energy policy, and how it differs from US policy. The first and most startling difference from the US is that all parties have found consensus on energy and climate issues and work together to meet goals collaboratively agreed upon. German politicians are also more willing than American ones to enter into imperfect legislation, knowing that it can and will be fixed later. Rahm Emanuel famously said: "Let no good crisis go to waste", and Germany took that advice to heart during the energy crises of the 70s. Facing the crisis first in the mid-70s, Germany did little to react. But the reoccurrence later that decade and into the 80s was the impetus needed to start breaking their dependence on foreign energy. In 1986 the first Federal Environmental Ministry was created with the intention that its policy directives would help business development- a very different approach than traditional environmental work in the US. Since then 280,000 jobs have been created in the renewable energy industry alone, with almost half just in the last four years. Mr. Kraemer noted that it takes time to build a workforce that large and that forcing it too quickly can be damaging. Organic growth vs. a replication model (a la Starbucks) will ensure sustainability. The German "game-changer" was the introduction of feed-in tariffs, started in 1991. These tariffs ensure utilities capital subsidies for renewable energy projects, and are credited with accelerating wind and solar production. So what can the US learn? For starters, the potential for wind and solar in Germany ends where it begins in the US- so it is certainly possible for us to achieve and exceed their progress so far. Mr. Kraemer also suggested that a recession is a good time to make transitions. With an unemployed workforce, new training can be more easily done, to ready workers for emerging jobs. When there is less competition among businesses, there can be an effort to help the "greenest" ones succeed over the others. Our host also suggested that President Obama review and implement the blueprint put forward by John Podesta and Bracken Hendricks as part of his economic development strategy. We were also treated to meetings with Jorg Meyer of the Renewable Energy Agency- an agency supported by the federal government and renewable energy companies. We also took a tour of HOWOGE, a public housing project that is Germany's largest low-energy apartment building. And lastly, we enjoyed dinner with local experts from government, non-profit, and private sectors. What a day! Category: Energy -- posted at: 6:32 PM Comments[0] |
Mon, 26 October 2009 Day 1: Jet lagged first impressionsby Christine Knapp, Director of Outreach I have been fortunate enough to be invited to join a study tour of Germany through the German Marshall Fund, which is a non-partisan American public policy and grant-making institution dedicated to promoting greater cooperation and understanding between the United States and Europe. This study tour brings together leaders each from Michigan, Ohio, Pennsylvania and North Carolina, all states with strong industrial and manufacturing heritages and ones particularly affected by the economic crisis, to explore the ways in which German cities and regions have designed and implemented policies, technologies, and infrastructure to reduce carbon emissions and stimulate economic growth. Our first stop is in Berlin, just days away from the twentieth anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall. While many of the tour participants were still arriving, Matt Mehalik from Sustainable Pittsburgh and I walked from the hotel to the Brandenburg Gate, where President Reagan famously gave his "tear down this wall" speech, and where the wall later first began to crumble. We also walked around the former Reichstag, now Bundestag, parliamentary building. Many pock marks are still visible on the building, but the surrounding plaza and memorials are beautiful. Later in the evening Ursula Soyez of the GMF led a brief walking tour through East Berlin, along which we saw public bike sharing, rain gardens and plentiful park space, flower boxes from every window, and light rail. As we viewed statues of Marx and war-damaged buildings completely renovated, we learned of plans to entirely reconstruct a Prussian palace torn down by the German Democratic Republic. It was an interesting discussion on how cities deal with their histories- good and bad- in their architecture and urban planning. Check back for regular updates. Category: Energy -- posted at: 1:25 PM Comments[0] |
Fri, 16 January 2009  Each year, the Pennsylvania Farm Show takes Harrisburg by storm. And each year, there are more and more exhibits displaying the growing renewable energy technologies that Pennsylvania’s farmers and institutions are employing and marketing. This year’s theme, Keeping Pennsylvania Growing, is designed to showcase our new rural renewable energy economy.Our podcast this week comes from the Farm Show, where PennFuture’s Tanya Dierolf interviews Messiah College’s Michael M. Zummo about the college’s program to take used oil from the campus’ dining facilities and convert it to biodiesel for a variety of uses, including campus transportation. There’s only one problem – Mike’s program can’t keep up with the amount of oil used to fry the campus food! Comments[0] |
Fri, 19 September 2008 PennFuture held its ninth annual Green Power Awards luncheon on Tuesday, September 16, 2008 in Philadelphia. Each year, these awards are given to individuals, private industries, public interest and education organizations and government agencies that are building the new green economy by buying green energy, growing green jobs, and working for new clean and green policy initiatives.This year, we presented 26 awards for Green Power Purchases (large and small businesses and institutions), Green Power Generators, organizations working for Energy Efficiency and Demand Side Management and creating Green Jobs, and long time leaders and pioneers in the green energy movement. For the first time this year, we asked our members and supporters for their nominees for Green Power Heroes. That award was given to Lewis Kindja and Aaron Steinly (Armagh, Indiana County), executive directors of principalsforchange.org; principal of United Junior/Senior High School, and assistant principal for United High School, respectively, for their leadership in Principals for Change and the 210 mile walking trip from Meyersdale, PA to Washington, D.C. to raise awareness about the need for alternative energy. PennFuture's director of outreach, Christine Knapp, interviewed just a few of the award recipients for this podcast. Sisters Fran and Josandra of the Sisters of St. Francis of Philadelphia, talked about their work at Red Hill Farm using solar power to provide organic, locally and sustainably grown food for 100 families and the sisters themselves. Sally Silver discussed her work in the development of the Smart Energy Initiative of Southeastern Pennsylvania, its training programs, and network of over 300 companies. And Dan Garofalo, Environmental Sustainability Coordinator for the University of Pennsylvania, not only talked about the green energy purchase that won the university this award, but also discussed Penn's ongoing green plans. PennFuture's success in passing state policies and funding to build the green market is one of the main building blocks for all of this year's award recipients. But there is still one piece missing, that must be passed immediately -- HB 2200, the Energy Savings Bill. Visit our website to take action urging your state senator to lead the charge to pass the bill before election day. Comments[0] |
Mon, 11 August 2008  This podcast is a special video report on clean energy -- especially wind power - in Pennsylvania. Originally produced and shown earlier this year on WOLF-TV in Scranton, this episode of The Great Outdoors is an excellent overview -- everything you always wanted to know about clean energy and weren't afraid to ask. The video features PennFuture's own Tom Tuffey and a number of other experts from around the state and the region. Note: this video is rather lengthy and therefore takes a couple minutes to download; however, you can view it in three parts on PennFuture's YouTube channel as an alternative. Also in wind news, the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review this week published an op-ed on wind energy in Pennsylvania, also by Tuffey, Director of PennFuture's Center for Energy, Enterprise and Environment. As always, we welcome your comments! Simply leave them behind here or on YouTube, or e-mail us. Comments[0] |
Fri, 27 June 2008  In early June 2008, PennFuture together with PennEnvironment, Clean Air Council, and many Pennsylvania renewable energy and energy conservation businesses that endorsed the Campaign for Great Green Jobs gathered in Harrisburg to meet directly with legislators about the need for swift passage of critical energy legislation. In all, about 100 people participated in this lobby day for the environment. Midday, a press event featuring representatives from many participating organizations and legislators from both sides of the political aisle, together with Department of Environmental Protection Secretary Katie McGinty, drew television coverage and drove home the need for action in the Pennsylvania Senate.In this podcast, PennFuture's Jan Jarrett talks with a few of the PennFuture members who took the day to travel to the Capitol to educate their elected officials. We hear from Stephanie (Wyoming, PA); Ricke (Thornhurst, PA); Sr. Constance (Dallas, PA); and Bev and Wally (Bear Creek, PA) about why each of them felt it was so important to make the trip. Each had a different perspective, but all agreed that it is essential for citizens to be informed and involved in the political process to help shape positive outcomes for the future. And the consensus was overwhelming: it was worth the trip and the time, and they'd do it again! Like we always say, citizen action really does work. In the final days of the legislative session before the summer recess, you too can play a role in shaping the way we make and use energy in Pennsylvania. Take a few minutes to get up to speed on what's at stake and what's at play on our Campaign for Great Green Jobs page, and then don't delay-- take action using our action center. We welcome your comments. Simply send us an e-mail, or click on "Comments" below. Comments[0] |
Fri, 30 May 2008 PennFuture held our annual energy conference on May 28 and 29 in Camp Hill. This year's conference was entitled "Pennsylvania's Clean Energy Boom in 2008 and Beyond," and focused on jobs, investment, and environmental protection. Emphasized throughout the conference was the need for swift passage of pending energy legislation in the Pennsylvania Senate: the Energy Savings Bill (HB 2200) and the Clean Energy Funding Bill (SHB 1).In this podcast, we hear a presentation from Phil Harris, PennFuture's senior fellow in our Center for Energy, Enterprise, and the Environment. Harris is introduced by PennFuture's president and CEO John Hanger. Harris is a 30-year veteran of the electric industry, and was most recently the president and CEO of PJM Interconnection, our regional electric transmission organization, for 15 years. Under his leadership, PJM became the world's largest electric grid operator and wholesale power market, serving over 51 million people in 13 states and the District of Columbia. At the conference, Harris talked about the "smart grid"-- specifically about the many challenges we face in order to make the grid truly smart and efficient. Harris details how reliability in the grid can only be achieved through a balance of supply and demand, but how the industry and most of our policies have for the past century focused almost entirely on the supply side of the equation, namely electricity transmission and distribution. But more than half of the industry is involved with electricity demand and very little has been accomplished there. Harris speaks repeatedly of the need to enact legislation like HB 2200 so that we can make much-needed strides in creating a healthy, robust energy industry. Problems including a rapidly aging workforce and serious shortages in the numbers of skilled professionals or technical training and education programs point to the need for green job creation and related programs that will emerge from HB 2200 and SHB 1. Energy use continues to rise, and the costs are mounting. The gains to be had from focusing on making the grid truly a smart grid are huge, and lie on the demand side. To learn more about how you can support the Campaign for Great Green Jobs, visit our web site. There you can take action, find upcoming events, or sign up to receive more information. As always, we welcome your comments. Simply click on "Comments" below or send us an e-mail. Comments[0] |
Fri, 9 May 2008 (Note: this video podcast may take a moment to load. Once you see the download progressing, press "play" on your video player to begin.)Pennsylvania ranks third worst in the nation for our production of heat-trapping gases causing global warming, and Pennsylvania cities continue to rank among the least safe in the country thanks to dangerous air pollution. But we have the tools, technologies, know-how, and work force to reverse these trends-- we simply need to change policies around how we make and use energy. Investing today in clean, renewable energy development like solar and wind, and ensuring that we conserve electricity through an array of demand-reduction strategies and efficiency upgrades, will continue to reward Pennsylvanians with lower electric bills, new family-sustaining jobs, and healthier communities. In this video podcast, PennFuture tours the commonwealth to meet a few of our clean energy and new energy economy leaders. With critical legislation like the energy savings bill (HB 2200) and the clean energy funding bill (SHB 1) pending in the state senate, it is important to understand the vast array of opportunities that passing this legislation will bring to Pennsylvanians. You will meet Philadelphia Councilwoman Blondell Reynolds Brown, stressing the importance of green building and energy investments that are resulting in creation of many new great green jobs for Philadelphians. Near Philadelphia, companies like Alan Rushforth's Rushforth Solar, that installs efficient and cost-effective solar thermal heating systems for hot water in large buildings, are demonstrating how small companies support scores of jobs. You will get a peek into how Westmoreland County's Solar Power Industries will be employing 400 people in the near future, and learn how the U.S. needs to catch up to its international competitors to increase our share of the exploding solar energy market, as we talk with company vice president Dick Rosey. We will see wind energy working statewide and hear from Iberdrola Renewables' Paul Copleman who describes how existing policies like the Advanced Energy Portfolio Standard (passed in 2004) have been key to attracting major new private investment and jobs from the wind industry-- but how we could be losing out to neighboring states if we don't do more now. Focusing on how we use energy is as important as shifting patterns in how we make energy. Pittsburgh is home to the Green Building Alliance, where executive director Rebecca Flora explains that the built environment has major strides to make in improving energy efficiency. Doing so makes real sense, however, as the cost savings add up. And the demand for products and materials in the green building arena is rising quickly-- Pennsylvania is already a major supplier, but the opportunities to do more are enormous. Practical Energy Solutions' founder Paul Spiegel knows firsthand how understanding where improvement and upgrades in building systems, insulation and lighting, for example, can result in major economic savings. His company is helping commercial entities, schools, and municipalities to stop wasting energy and start reinvesting the significant money saved back into their core missions. And forward-thinking companies like Dan Orzech's Earth Rising Homes are helping to set the bar higher for everyone in the new construction business, as he brings homes to the market that have zero energy costs for the new homeowners. These leaders and the many, many more who are part of the Campaign for Great Green Jobs know that Pennsylvania has all the right stuff when it comes to the new, clean energy economy. We simply need to act now to put the pieces together into a comprehensive, strategic set of policies. Visit our Web site to learn how you can support this critical effort today. Comments[0] |
Thu, 3 January 2008 PennFuture and our friends annually celebrate the diverse achievements of businesses, people, and institutions that are blazing the trail towards a cleaner, healthier Pennsylvania by purchasing green power, advancing policies that develop the renewable energy market, and taking the lead in creating new renewable supply. You can peruse the Green Power Awards Hall of Fame list on our site to get a sense of the wide array of contributions being made toward Pennsylvania's clean energy future.In this podcast, PennFuture's Joy Bergey takes us back to our 2007 Green Power Awards luncheon where she spoke with some of the honorees and partners at the event about their many projects and endeavors. Since the Pennsylvania legislature still has major work to do on the Energy Independence Strategy, it is fitting to kick things off in 2008 with a sense of the enormous impacts that renewable energy is already making in the Commonwealth, with an eye toward all that can (and must) be achieved if we are to reduce our contributions to global warming, cut our addiction to fossil fuels, and spur new economic growth. Joy first speaks with Bill Capouillez from one of the 2007 award-winners, the Pennsylvania Game Commission, about the Wind Energy Collaborative and the Game Commission's work with the wind energy industry on addressing environmental concerns, siting issues, and wildlife protection. To date, 17 wind energy development companies have voluntarily agreed to cooperate with the Game Commission when pursuing new projects, signing an agreement that is truly a national model for addressing wildlife protections. Next we hear from Bruce Arnold, a member of the national 25 x 25 Project. The project has a straightforward goal: derive 25 percent of our energy in the U.S. from clean, renewable sources by 2025. Today, we are at 7 percent. Next Joy talks with Ian Bowman from Energy Window, assisting large companies with making renewable energy purchases. Joy speaks with another 2007 awardee, Peter Alyanakian from Epuron. The company was recognized for their new Philadelphia project, where they are building a 3-megawatt solar field on a 14-acre brownfield site. Epuron is a European company, yet another of the many new companies that are investing significantly in Pennsylvania through renewable energy projects or related support industries. Andrew McDowell, a Chester County-based environmental activist, and Nadia Adawi from the Energy Co-op, describe ground-breaking new work in Chester County in partnership with the Krapf bus company to convert a number of their school buses to biodiesel thanks to new funding. And finally, Joy talks with another 2007 award-winner, Richard Rosey from Solar Power Industries, based in Westmoreland County. The company manufactures solar cells, and has been developing new rooftop technology. The company has nearly doubled in size in the past two years, selling out its products. The demand for solar energy products is outstripping supply in many cases. To nominate a person, business, or institution for a 2008 Green Power Award, visit our site. There you can also see a list of all of the 2007 awardees, including the Philadelphia Eagles, the Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens, and many, many more. To support PennFuture's work to promote green energy and stop global warming here at home, make a tax-deductible contribution. As always, we welcome your comments. Comments[0] |
Fri, 14 December 2007  In this podcast, PennFuture's VP Jan Jarrett interviews President and CEO John Hanger, who gives an extensive play-by-play of what happened in the legislature this month on renewable energy, and what to expect in January. You’ll discover why passing a 21st Century energy plan is vital, and the pain ordinary Pennsylvanians will continue to suffer if this plan isn’t passed soon. High gas prices, the climate in crisis, increased air pollution and rising electricity rates will all get worse as the legislature fails to act. To learn more about the campaign for Energy Independence, visit our Web site. There you can also sign up to receive important updates and action alerts on energy and other issues. And there's still time to make your tax-deductible contribution before year's end! As always, we welcome your comments. Thanks for listening. Comments[0] |
Tue, 11 December 2007  Dear Boys and Girls, Santa knows that governing is hard work. And coming to an agreement can be contentious. But Pennsylvania’s families are suffering real pain now without a modern energy policy. Having to spend $50 to fill up your minivan makes having a happy holiday harder. And skyrocketing energy bills will only get worse by waiting. That’s why Santa really hopes the nice boys and girls in the legislature can put aside their differences and get to an agreement soon. And even though we are not near final passage of the Energy Independence Strategy, there has been real progress. The House Environmental Resources and Energy Committee overwhelmingly passed Special Session HB 1, the funding bill that would provide $850 million for renewable electricity projects and for energy conservation. The nice boys and girls who voted for it include: Camille “Bud? George (D-Clearfield), Chair of the Committee; H. Scott Conklin (D-Centre); Michael Gerber (D-Montgomery); James Wansacz (D-Lackawanna, Luzerne, Susquehanna, Wyoming); John T. Yudichak (D-Luzerne); Lisa Bennington (D-Allegheny); Mike Carroll (D-Luzerne, Monroe); Eugene DePasquale (D-York); Robert Freeman (D-Northampton); John Hornaman (D- Erie); David K. Levdansky (D-Allegheny, Washington); Jennifer Mann (D-Lehigh); Michael P. McGeehan (D-Philadelphia); Tim Seip (D-Berks, Schuylkill); Greg Vitali (D-Delaware); Kate Harper (R-Montgomery); Jay R. Moyer (R-Montgomery); Chris Ross (R-Chester); and Carole A. Rubley (R- Chester, Montgomery). The Senate is close to passing Special Session SB 1, which would provide $650 million for mostly good energy projects, though $25 million would go to owners of highly profitable coal burning plants. But there is a groundswell to improve that bill to add more money for renewable energy and research and development of new clean technologies.
These bills will give Pennsylvania’s families and businesses the tools they need to use energy smarter, and to cut their electricity bills. And the conservation bill will save Pennsylvanians between $9 and $12 billion in avoided costs for building more power plants, big transmission lines and other costs that we would have to incur just to keep up with growing demand. Santa is still very hopeful that the Energy Independence Strategy will be passed, but it doesn’t look like it will happen this year. But if Pennsylvanians are to have relief from high heating bills next season, the legislators will need to work on this as soon as they come back in the New Year. Santa thinks the new energy policy should be passed no later than February. Say, that would make a very nice Valentine’s gift to the voters of Pennsylvania. Santa is going to contact his compatriot in the League of Fictional Nice Characters (LFNC), Cupid, and get him on the case. Look out for those arrows! Love, Santa (R&D-North Pole) Category: Energy -- posted at: 11:03 AM Comments[0] |
Mon, 10 December 2007  Dear Boys and Girls,Time is really getting short now. After one last blowout (my birthday party on Thursday night – you don’t turn 1,700+ years old every day!), the elves and I are now working at warp speed. So many toys still to be built, and so many names still to classify as naughty or nice. Time is short for the legislature, too. I expect both the Pennsylvania Senate and House will also be at warp speed, working furiously to pass legislation this week, so that they can leave for their nice long winter break. Santa is very excited that the Senate is going to vote on Special Session SB 1 this week. SB 1 is a bill to fund many good energy projects, but it needs some significant improvements. We need more money – and invested faster – into renewable energy like solar and wind, and more funding for research and development of new clean energy technologies. And there’s one truly bad idea that should be deleted from SB 1. That’s the plan to give the highly profitable dirty power plants $25 million to meet legally required pollution restrictions. I guess I should be glad that the amount of the pork for the coal-fired power plants is down from $75 million, but any money is too much. This would be like giving taxpayer money to Microsoft to clean up the bugs in its software. It’s the Pottery Barn rule: You broke it, you bought it. The old power plants made the pollution; they should clean it up, especially when their owners are rolling in dough. The good news is some very nice boys and girls are planning to introduce amendments to SB 1 when it comes up this week. Senators Constance Williams (D-Delaware, Montgomery) and Vincent Fumo (D-Philadelphia) are just two of those who are determined to make sure our money doesn’t go up in smoke. And that very nice boy in the house, Representative Camille “Bud? George (D-Clearfield), who is chair of the Environmental Resources and Energy Committee, will be moving Special Session HB 1, legislation that would fully fund the Energy Independence Strategy, through his committee on Tuesday. As long as the boys and girls on the committee vote yes, the bill could then move to the floor of the House of Representatives. So, boys and girls, Santa still holds hope in his heart of hearts that there will be far more nice members of the General Assembly than naughty, and he’ll get his wish. I wonder if it would help if I sang, “All I want for Christmas is Energy Independence?? I also wanted to show you what a good time we had talking to Philadelphians about the need for energy legislation. And let me tell you, they gobbled up those compact fluorescent light bulbs we were handing out faster than Santa can down the milk and cookies on Christmas Eve! People are hungry for clean and green energy. Keep sending me your own naughty and nice lists at Santa@PennFuture.org. Category: Energy -- posted at: 11:15 AM Comments[0] |
Thu, 6 December 2007 Dear Boys and Girls,Winter swept through the state yesterday, with piles of snow in many places. That makes Santa happy, since snow makes delivery by sleigh a lot easier, but it also means that Pennsylvanians are facing cold weather with no help with their heating bills. Families are really hurting right now because of energy costs. A poll of central Pennsylvanians released last night by Susquehanna Polling & Research, Inc., found that the most important problem facing families is the current cost of gas and home heat. For 18 percent of those polled, the high price of gas and energy was the problem that impacted them most on a daily basis, followed by taxes and healthcare. Gas prices have had a significant financial impact on their budget for nearly one-third, and 42 percent said the impact was moderate. Only six percent said there was no impact. And people are really worried, with 67 percent of participants saying they were very concerned by gas and energy prices and 29 percent saying they were somewhat concerned. Central Pennsylvanians are not seeing any light at the end of the energy tunnel, and the lack of action on Capitol Hill just reinforces their despair. Santa is disappointed with the legislature. First, the agreement in the senate to move Special Session SB 1, the bill to fund the energy independence programs, broke down. That means there was no vote yesterday (or this week) on this important bill. Time is slipping away and Pennsylvania families are the ones who will suffer, with higher heating and electricity bills, and without any tools to help themselves. And renewable energy investors are surely starting to look elsewhere to invest, since they can’t count on Pennsylvania. There also seems to be no movement in the house that Santa can find. This can all be corrected, so Santa’s not going to put anyone on the naughty list. Not yet, anyway. There was other action in the senate yesterday – but not in the right direction. The senators mooshed together two bills and added amendments, then passed legislation that would add Pennsylvania-only paper pulp waste and old hydro plants to the Tier 1 mandate of truly clean energy under the Alternative Energy Portfolio Standard (AEPS). They did indicate that they were worried about getting on the naughty list though. They added language to expand Tier 1, showing they’ve been reading Santa’s notes. But that still doesn’t mean that this is a good idea. Last I checked, Pennsylvania is in the United States (Dasher – get me Google maps!) and is required to follow the U.S. Constitution. Restricting the plan to only Pennsylvania plants creates a problem with the interstate commerce clause (no relation). And the lack of a severability clause (again, no relation) means the whole law could be thrown out as unconstitutional. Then there’s the message it sends to investors: “Hey, we’re Pennsylvania – we change the rules in the middle of the game. Hey… where you going?? And should I mention the pork express? If a few legislators can change the law created to build new clean energy and use it to subsidize existing not-so-clean local plants, what’s to stop the rest of them? I said it before: If you want to change the AEPS, do it thoughtfully and strategically, not just by throwing extraneous changes at it. Otherwise, it’s naughty AND dumb. There were a whole lot of nice senators, who voted to keep the AEPS clean. They are Senators John Eichelberger (R-Blair); Jim Ferlo (D-Allegheny); Wayne Fontana (D-Allegheny); Stewart Greenleaf (R-Bucks); Vincent Hughes (D-Philadelphia); Shirley Kitchen (D-Philadelphia); Charles McIlhinney (R-Bucks); John Rafferty (R-Montgomery); Michael Stack (D-Philadelphia); Christine Tartaglione (D-Philadelphia); Leanna Washington (D- Philadelphia); Anthony Williams (D-Philadelphia); and Constance Williams (D-Delaware). You go, grrrls and boyz. Santa and his elves are going to be in Philadelphia today and Wilkes-Barre tomorrow, handing out the naughty and nice lists. But we may miss the Capitol newsroom on Friday – today is Santa’s birthday (my birth name was Nicholas, you know), and I promised to let the elves throw me a shindig. They get pretty wild sometimes, so I don’t know if I’ll be up to facing the Fourth Estate in its natural habitat. But keep sending me your own naughty and nice lists at Santa@PennFuture.org. Category: Energy -- posted at: 11:10 AM Comments[0] |
Wed, 5 December 2007 Dear Boys and Girls,There are a lot of very happy Pennsylvanians today, and Santa is smiling right along. And it’s all because of the nice boys and girls at the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE). Yesterday, the DOE announced that it would rehear the case made by the state of Pennsylvania to stop the plan to build ginormous power lines through 52 of the Commonwealth’s 67 counties as part of the National Interest Electric Transmission Corridor. Governor Rendell greeted the news with pleasure, saying, “Our people should not have to accept that these transmission lines will be on our soil, depreciate our property values, but may not benefit our consumers. And we will not stand by and watch while our efforts to build a new, clean energy economy are undermined by electricity shipped across our state from dirtier fossil-fuel-fired plants to the south and west of us.? Wow. No "Night before Christmas," but pretty good for a non-holiday non-poem, IMSO. We can’t all be Clement Moore. But this may just be a temporary reprieve. And unless we start using new methods to deal with our galloping electricity appetites, our state will have to make room for at least 12 new 300 megawatt power plants –with high costs of construction, and possibly dire human health costs and an exponential increase in our contribution to global warming. We will also have to build hundreds of miles of new towers and transmission lines, and we will be subject to unpredictable fuel prices. Unless, that is, our state legislators pass the Energy Independence Strategy and we’re able to invest in helping all Pennsylvanian save energy rather than waste it. Getting his wish for energy independence would make Santa very happy — and Santa would be really, really happy if that happened before the legislature leaves for its long winter recess. And there are now rumblings that movement is afoot. There is real chance that the Pennsylvania Senate will pass an amended version of Special Session SB 1 early next week. SB 1 is a bill to fund the Energy Independence programs, and while it is far from perfect, it is a great starting point to work from. And when the Senate passes the bill, it could move to the House immediately. That means the House could consider it and pass it, with or without amendments, well before the winter break. Lots of boys and girls in both houses would move to the nice list if that happens! Santa really hopes that nice boy Keith McCall, (D-Carbon), the Majority Whip of the House will help move the legislation along. But some not very nice things are also moving in the senate. Those two bad bills that Santa talked about yesterday, Special Session SB 25 and Special Session SB 31, have been merged. The senate continues to think that it’s okay to monkey around with the Tier 1 truly renewable portion of the AEPS piecemeal, and make sweetheart deals with old power plants to magically declare those new and renewable too. But with the new renewable energy industry having invested millions and created over 1,500 good paying jobs in just a few years — based on the AEPS as passed — we risk destroying the confidence those businesses have in Pennsylvania. We surely don’t want to kill the goose that’s laying those precious golden eggs. Doing that would be not only naughty, but dumb. Santa and his elves are going to be in Philadelphia tomorrow, handing out compact fluorescent light bulbs – and the naughty and nice list – at the Independence Visitor’s Center. But we’ll also be visiting those naughty and nice reporters (mostly nice) in the Capitol newsroom. So see you there. And send me your own naughty and nice list at Santa@PennFuture.org. Category: Energy -- posted at: 6:53 PM Comments[0] |
Tue, 4 December 2007 Dear Boys and Girls,Hanukkah starts tonight. Because Hanukkah memorializes the miracle that occurred when one night’s supply of oil lasted for eight full nights during the rededication of the temple, it is a special time to reflect on energy conservation and energy independence. In fact, the nice girls and boys of the Coalition on the Environment and Jewish Life provide special services and prayers using the blessings and story of Hanukkah as a basis to rededicate the community to the Jewish tradition of being stewards of the planet. The coalition urges congregations to model the modern day miracle of light and install compact fluorescent light bulbs as part of the celebration. Is that a great idea, or what? The opening day of the Bali conference on global warming went well, with record numbers of participants (and reporters) participating. The morning's opening session was "very upbeat," according to the executive Secretary of the United Nation’s Framework Convention on Climate Change, culminating in long applause when Australia announced its ratification of the Kyoto Protocol, which he called "a very significant political decision." All agreed that this two-week conference will not deliver a fully negotiated and agreed climate deal, but will set the necessary wheels in motion for a future agreement. Unfortunately, there is still some naughty behavior going on in Harrisburg. Remember when I told you last week about Special Session SB 25, legislation that would allow paper mill waste to be added to the inadequate 8 percent Tier 1 renewable mandate of the Alternative Energy Portfolio Standards Act (AEPS), crowding out wind and other truly clean energy technologies? Well, I said that this legislation would help one naughty company, but I was wrong. No, this bill will help two naughty companies – one in the district of bill sponsor Senator Michael Waugh (R-York), chair of the Republican caucus. And then there’s Special Session SB 31, which would redefine renewable to include two specific old hydro plants and allow those plants to crowd out cleaner energy sources in the 8 percent Tier 1 renewable portion of the AEPS. One plant is in the district of bill sponsor Senator Donald C. White (R-Armstrong, Butler, Clearfield, Indiana, Westmoreland), who serves on the Environmental Resources and Energy Committee. People, don’t you get it? The purpose of the AEPS was to build new, truly clean electricity sources, not prop up plants that are decades old. Even the elves know that if you want to increase new clean energy, you should increase the paltry 8 percent Tier 1 requirement, not nibble away at the standard. This drives Santa crazy! See what I meant by naughty? Santa is happy to be hearing rumors out of the House of Representatives that the house will be moving soon – maybe even this week – on legislation for smart meters and energy conservation. That is very nice to hear. As always, send me your own naughty and nice list at Santa@PennFuture.org. Category: Energy -- posted at: 11:29 AM Comments[0] |
Mon, 3 December 2007  Last week, Santa came to Pittsburgh to urge swift action on the Energy Independence Strategy legislation before the winter holidays, and to highlight his Naughty and Nice list.He was joined by PennFuture's Heather Sage; State Representative Joe Preston, Jr. (D-24); Group Against Smog and Pollution's Michael Parker; Conservation Consultant Inc.'s Ann Gerace; and Steel City Biofuels' Nathaniel Doyno, all speaking on the urgency for Pennsylvania to move now toward our clean energy future. You can help by taking action to contact your legislator to voice your support for this crucial legislation. Comments[0] |
Mon, 3 December 2007 Dear Boys and Girls,December is here, and this is where the rubber hits the road – or in my case, where the sleigh’s runners hit the snow. Not much time left to get on the nice list. Nice countries from around the globe began meeting this morning in Bali, Indonesia, to develop a worldwide plan to combat global warming. The Executive Secretary of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, the host of the meeting, spoke of the emerging momentum which began early in the year with President Bush’s State of the Union address in which he indicated that climate change is a global issue requiring a global response. Hopes are high of reaching a plan to develop long term agreements among all nations to take serious action to fight global warming. Much of the Bali conference is being webcast online, but remember — Bali is 13 hours ahead of Pennsylvania! Also, as Pennsylvanians deal with an early attack of winter weather, know that the official dress code for the conference is no jackets and no ties, to avoid excess energy use from having to over air condition in the hot and humid Indonesian weather. All the nice boys and girls in the Pennsylvania legislature are back for their race to the winter recess. Santa knows that they will all be working hard on a lot of very important issues, but is reminding them that creating a 21st Century energy policy just can’t wait. Gasoline prices are through the roof, heating oil is sky high and the electricity rate caps will be off everywhere around the state within a few years. Waiting isn’t going to make life any easier for hard working Pennsylvanians; they are suffering now. And we have no idea what impact that naughty boy with lots of oil, Hugo Chavez, will have on our energy markets, now that he’s lost the referendum to make him president for life. The Pennsylvania House of Representatives will be moving the biofuels bills to a final vote this week, but Santa worries that it will be severely weakened in the senate. If that happens, that would be very naughty. Santa also believes that there will be movement on other portions of the Energy Independence Strategy (EIS) in the house, including hearings and votes. But the big action this week will come in the Pennsylvania Senate, which should vote on the senate bill on main EIS, SB 1 (Special Session), which, while better than it was originally, still stops short of the mark. For one thing, the bill gives money to the old outdated coal plants to do the environmental cleanup the law requires – kind of like giving Wal-Mart money to clean up the lead paint in the toys they sell from China. This pork is about one-third of the original gift of corporate welfare, but Santa won’t be happy until it is down to zero. Come on, boys and girls, this is about our clean and green energy future; it shouldn’t be about subsidizing the antiquated, highly profitable coal plants of the last century. Another problem with SB 1 is that it provides too little too late in funding for renewable energy entrepreneurs to compete in the current energy market. And the source of the money may make any grant received under this bill – say for a family to add solar panels to their home – taxable as income. So keep on amending this bill as it comes up on Wednesday for a floor vote, boys and girls, if you want to be on Santa’s nice list. We’re already behind in the regional race for Pennsylvania’s fair share of the new green and clean renewable energy industry – we’re not going to win by taking baby steps. We need broad and fast action to be competitive. And don’t be surprised to see Santa turn up in other areas of Pennsylvania this week – my elves and I will be sharing our Naughty and Nice List with voters far and wide. As always, send me your own naughty and nice list at Santa@PennFuture.org. Category: Energy -- posted at: 6:01 PM Comments[0] |
Fri, 30 November 2007 Dear Boys and Girls,Santa has started some dry runs for Christmas Eve – testing the sleigh’s new GPS system courtesy of Mrs. Claus. (She muttered something about men refusing to ask for directions as I unwrapped it.) The system works very well, and combined with Rudolph’s shiny new compact fluorescent nose, we should be in good shape. But the folks in southwestern Pennsylvania are worried and, after talking to them, so am I. The nice boys and girls with Stop the Towers told me about the plan by Allegheny Energy to run a massive 240 mile 500 kilovolt power line through Washington and Greene Counties in Pennsylvania, across northern West Virginia and into northern Virginia. The transmission towers could be up to 160 feet tall and the rights of way could be 200 feet wide. The lines will be engineered to be capable of carrying twice the power of a normal 500kv line. I don’t need to tell you what kind of damage hitting those monsters would do to my sleigh, all its contents and the reindeer, too. Everyone who is anyone in Pennsylvania seems to be against the power lines – from Governor Rendell to the local state representatives and senators to all elected officials, not to mention the more than 2,000 local residents who testified against it and the Energy Conservation Council of Pennsylvania, which has filed a lawsuit to stop it. But the Stop the Towers nice boys and girls are also working to help make new transmission lines less necessary by pushing for passage of the Energy Independence Strategy (EIS). If the legislature passes the EIS, power companies would need to meet all of our new electricity demand through energy efficiency programs, not by building more power plants and power lines. And we could save up to $12 billion, too. Nice boy Senator Edwin (Ted) Erickson (R-Chester, Delaware) has introduced the legislation in the senate, Special Session SB 35, which would make energy conservation and efficiency the way to go. His bill is cosponsored by the nice Senators John C. Rafferty, Jr. (R-Berks, Chester, Montgomery), Raphael J. Musto (D-Carbon, Luzerne, Monroe) and John N. Wozniak (D- Cambria, Centre, Clearfield, Clinton, Somerset). Nice Representative Chris Ross (R-Chester) introduced a similar bill, Special Session HB 31, last month, with these nice boys and girls as co-sponsors: William F. Adolph, Jr. (R-Delaware), Stephen Barrar (R-Chester, Delaware), Robert E. Belfanti, Jr. (D-Columbia, Montour, Northumberland), Scott W. Boyd (R-Lancaster), Steven W. Cappelli (R-Lycoming), Paul I. Clymer (R-Bucks), Mike Fleck (R-Blair, Huntingdon, Mifflin), Dan B. Frankel (D-Allegheny), Mauree A. Gingrich (R-Lebanon), Julie Harhart (R-Lehigh, Northampton), C. Adam Harris (R-Juniata, Mifflin, Snyder), Tim Hennessey (R-Chester), Arthur D. Hershey (R-Chester), John Hornaman (D-Erie), Mark Keller (R-Franklin, Perry), Duane Milne (R-Chester), Phyllis Mundy (D-Luzerne), Mark Mustio (R-Allegheny), Steven R. Nickol (R-Adams, York), Bernie O'Neill (R-Bucks), Michael Peifer (R-Monroe, Pike, Wayne), Douglas G. Reichley (R-Berks, Lehigh), Carole A. Rubley (R-Chester, Montgomery), Stanley E. Saylor (R-York), Mario M. Scavello (R-Monroe), Curt Schroder (R-Chester), John J. Siptroth (D-Monroe, Pike), David J. Steil (R-Bucks), Rosemarie Swanger (R-Lebanon), W. Curtis Thomas (D-Philadelphia), Gregory Vitali (D-Delaware), Jim Wansacz (D-Lackawanna, Luzerne, Susquehanna, Wyoming), Katherine M Watson (R-Bucks), and Rosita C. Youngblood (D-Philadelphia). Hope you like the picture from my road trip to Pittsburgh on Wednesday with Representative Joseph Preston, Jr. and other nice boys and girls from PennFuture, Conservation Consultants, Inc., Group Against Smog and Pollution and Steel City Biofuels. We had a lot of fun! As always, send me your own naughty and nice list at Santa@PennFuture.org. Category: Energy -- posted at: 11:00 AM Comments[0] |
Thu, 29 November 2007 Dear Boys and Girls,The elves came to me with a new project yesterday, inspired by those very nice boys and girls at Google. The gurus at Google announced they were going to invest millions into renewable energy technologies, with a goal of driving down the cost. Google aims to produce one gigawatt of power from renewable energy, enough to supply all of San Francisco, at prices below the rates of electricity generated at coal-burning plants. And the company expects to do it in “years, not decades.? Well, Santa doesn’t have Google’s billions. So what was the elves’ brainstorm? “Methane, Santa, think methane,? they yelled. “Those reindeer are practically an endless supply!? The more the elves talked, the more excited they got. They convinced me that we couldn’t waste any more time –we needed to clean up our own pollution right away. So I moved 10 percent of the elves off the toy shop floor and they are now busily creating a methane digester (with a portable collector for Christmas Eve). And speaking of no time to waste – it’s now been 10 months since the Energy Independence Strategy was proposed, but the General Assembly still hasn’t acted. And State Senator Mary Jo White (R-Venango) told Public Radio Capitol News’ Jen Rehill that there really wasn’t any urgency. “We know that electric rates are going to go up, we know that gasoline prices are high, we know that we have infrastructure needs in our transportation, and none of these bills is going to solve any of those problems in the short run. Maybe a long way down the road. . .? Santa confesses that he has a warm spot in his heart for Senator White. But Senator White is wrong. For families that have to decide between paying their heating bills or buying Christmas presents, the ten month delay means they won’t have help for this winter or the next, since the EIS programs will take a few months to ramp up. Families who are paying a dollar more a gallon for gasoline would welcome the PennSecurity Fuels Initiative, so that more ethanol, and cheaper fuel, would soon be in sight. Families who could use smart meters to reduce their electricity bills still don’t have them, although about 400,000 of these meters could have been installed in the past ten months. Pennsylvania has lost nearly $1 billion in private investment in our growing renewable energy industry – investments that are now going to New Jersey, New York and other states that had the foresight to act. The longer we wait, the more serious our energy problems become, and the harder it will be to dig out. Santa doesn’t want to put Senator White on the naughty list – he’s hoping that maybe she just didn’t think this through. Earlier this week, some senators made the nice list with their votes against Special Session SB 25 in the Energy Policies committee. This is the bill that would allow paper mill waste to be added to the inadequate 8 percent Tier 1 renewable mandate of the Alternative Energy Portfolio Standards Act, crowding out wind and other truly clean energy technologies. These nice boys and girls – Senators Lisa Boscola (D-Northampton), Andrew Dinniman (D- Chester, Montgomery) Edwin (Ted) Erickson (R-Chester, Delaware), Jim Ferlo (D-Allegheny, Armstrong, Westmoreland), Wayne Fontana (D-Allegheny), and Leanna Washington (D-Montgomery, Philadelphia). But there is a very naughty company trying to cash in on the EIS – Conoco Phillips, the world’s fifth-largest refiner and the sixth-largest reserves holder of nongovernment-controlled companies. Conoco Phillips wants a piece of the biofuels business, but it doesn’t actually want to make biofuels. Instead, the company is pushing for an amendment to the PennSecurity Fuels Initiative to add “bio-based diesel fuel? to satisfy the biodiesel mandate. Biodiesel is a clearly defined and accepted term; bio-based diesel is not. So what does Conoco want to provide? Regular diesel with up to 5 percent rendered chicken fat. This bogus plan would kill Pennsylvania’s burgeoning biodiesel industry, crowding out our homegrown true biodiesel. Pennsylvania’s farmers would be denied a new cash crop – one that may make the very difference in survival for a family farm – and the definition of renewable would be turned on its head. As always, send me your own naughty and nice list at Santa@PennFuture.org. Category: Energy -- posted at: 5:51 PM Comments[0] |
Wed, 28 November 2007 Dear Boys and Girls,Good legislation on energy is moving at a snail’s pace in Harrisburg. I hope the boys and girls in leadership know that Santa’s watching and waiting. The people of Pennsylvania are suffering because of the delay. The clock is ticking and space is running out on Santa’s Nice list. The reindeer and I are hitting the road today for Pittsburgh, where we’ll be joined by a lot of good boys and girls – State Representative Joseph Preston, Jr., Chair of the Pennsylvania House Consumer Affairs Committee and other local officials, as well as representatives of Conservation Consultants, Inc. (CCI), Group Against Smog and Pollution (GASP), Steel City Biofuels and other community leaders. Pittsburghers really have a big stake in passing the Energy Independence Strategy (EIS). Their energy costs are spiraling out of sight, and they need help right now. Remarkably that uphill trek started in gasoline prices in mid-February, just a few weeks after Governor Rendell proposed the EIS. If the General Assembly had acted then, everyone might have more money left (as opposed to leaving more money at the pump). As we know, Philadelphia has the lowest gas prices in the state, thanks to the requirement that gasoline there must include 10 percent ethanol. Unfortunately, the Senate Energy Policies Committee passed Special Session SB 25 which would help a very naughty company if it becomes law. It seems that P.H. Glatfelter, a York County paper mill with a long history of egregious air and water pollution offenses, would stand to gain a lot if its paper mill waste suddenly became a valuable Tier 1 renewable, diluting the small 8 percent requirement that solar, wind and other new technologies meet. How naughty has Glatfelter been? In 2001, the company agreed to pay $30 million to clean up discharges into Codorus Creek, and a $2 million penalty that went into an endowment for environmental cleanup projects on the Codorus. At the time, the settlement was the largest in state history. In 2003, the company paid another $1.5 million after DEP discovered illegal discharges into the creek. The company has also been found to repeatedly violate air pollution standards, too. Naughty, naughty, naughty. But some very nice boys and girls are doing everything they can to help Pennsylvania move into the 21st Century economy – the members of the United Steel Workers of America. Because they understand that every environmental victory grows the economy, and that renewable energy jobs are great jobs, they are working side by side with others in the Green-Blue Alliance to make sure that the EIS passes. USW members know firsthand that good jobs and clean energy go together – there are 1,500 new, good paying jobs in Pennsylvania’s renewable energy sector just since the Alternative Energy Portfolio Standard Act passed. Santa is very happy with this new alliance and he’s going to check the USW members’ names twice for nice. As always, send me your own naughty and nice list at Santa@PennFuture.org. Category: Energy -- posted at: 1:21 PM Comments[0] |
Tue, 27 November 2007 Dear Boys and Girls,Time is really flying – once Thanksgiving passes, the elves all know that they will be working some serious overtime. It’s not because we don’t work hard all year here at the North Pole; we do. No, right after Thanksgiving, boys and girls everywhere suddenly realize they better clean up their acts – making a longer nice and a shorter naughty list. That’s one reason why Santa is hopeful that the girls and boys in leadership in Harrisburg (okay, mostly boys) will look at the calendar and speed up their slo-mo consideration of the Energy Independence Strategy. They need to act soon to make sure Pennsylvania has a 21st Century energy policy before they break for the holidays. So here’s a hint, boys and girls: Santa doesn’t really hold with Christmas Eve miracles — the earlier you can stop being naughty, the more likely it is that Santa will move you from the naughty to nice list. Got it? One very naughty boy got his comeuppance early last week when Australia’s Prime Minister John Howard, who refused to take real and significant action on global warming, lost his own seat in Parliament, and the control his party had over government, with the very nice Kevin Rudd becoming the new prime minister. One of Rudd’s main campaign planks was the need for Australia and the world to treat global warming as a worldwide crisis and act immediately. And the Australian voters took this issue to heart – Dr. Geoffrey Hawker, Head of Politics and International relations at Macquarie University said climate change had overtaken the issue of economic management in this election. Pennsylvanians want action on global warming, too. And not just because Santa’s home is in danger. That nice boy, John Plunkett from the Green Energy Economics Group, has a report that shows how parts of the Energy Independence Strategy – especially the smart meters and conservation requirements – can really make a difference on global warming here at home. Just with those two strategies, we can cut our contribution of heat trapping gases, particularly carbon dioxide, by over 14 million metric tons by 2017. You can see the whole report at www.pennfuture.org. Santa hopes that today’s hearing by the Senate Energy Policies Committee doesn’t result in more names being added to the naughty list. While some good bills might be considered, some not nice bills are on the agenda, including Special Session SB 25 and Special Session SB 31. These bills would amend the Alternative Energy Portfolio Standard Act (AEPS) – which has brought millions of dollars in investment and over 1,500 jobs to Pennsylvania, with more to come – and reduce the value of true renewable energy by adding paper mill waste and an old dam to the list of qualifying technologies. This would pull the rug out from under the same businesses that are growing our new energy economy, and move Pennsylvania backward. Any changes to the AEPS should be comprehensive and must improve on our paltry renewable requirement of only 8 percent, build new technology and energy sources, and not just be a Porkfest for old outdated electricity production sites and methods. Time is really running out, so Santa and the reindeer are hitting the road to make sure all Pennsylvanians help their legislators be nice, not naughty. On Wednesday, Santa will be in Pittsburgh, along with nice Representative Joe Preston (D-Allegheny), one of the leaders vital to moving the EIS briskly forward. As always, send me your own naughty and nice list at Santa@PennFuture.org. And don’t worry. If you can’t make it to Pittsburgh, I’ll see you somewhere else in the Commonwealth very soon! Category: Energy -- posted at: 3:07 PM Comments[0] |
Mon, 26 November 2007 Dear Boys and Girls,I hope you all had a great Thanksgiving. But time is getting short –there are just 23 days left to pass vital legislation that would make Pennsylvania an energy conservation leader, cut peak electric demand, provide $850 million for solar and other renewable energy technologies, and make more biofuels that are cleaner and cheaper than gasoline. Santa is counting the days, watching the legislative leaders, and hoping they pass the bills that we all need. The elves really enjoyed the dinner I made, but the cost of going over the river and through the woods caused pain for most Pennsylvanians – at least in the purse. Even Santa feels the pain at the pump, since the reindeers’ contract prohibits flying on the first few days of deer hunting season. Gasoline is now over $3 a gallon (up almost a dollar from last year) with no relief in sight. And a good deal of the blame goes to a very naughty group of boys – the members of OPEC, the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries. At their gathering last weekend, the OPEC leaders were crying all the way to the bank. They feared that the rising cost of oil would cause a worldwide recession and further weaken the dollar. They also are starting to consider what impact they are having on global warming, but mostly they’ve expressed concern that oil will be treated unfavorably Of course, they aren’t doing badly, despite their fears. They control 80 percent of the world’s oil reserves. The 12 members expect $658 billion in revenue this year, up from $605 billion last year, according to a recent estimate by the Energy Information Administration. Next year, their revenue could rise to $762 billion. So how are these oil barons going to help avoid the problems they see ahead? First, they will continue to restrict output of oil, guaranteeing continued high prices at the pump. And they are launching a $750 million (not billion, million) fund, which they have dubbed “an environmental fund,? which would investigate carbon capture and storage. Talk about too naughty too late! But one area of Pennsylvania has some relief from OPEC and other oil suppliers – Philadelphia (surprise!) has the cheapest gas in the state, thanks to its10 percent ethanol content. The cost of ethanol at the pump is currently much lower than traditional gasoline. Requiring ethanol and biodiesel across the state could help lower everyone’s gas bill. So the good boys and girls of the Pennsylvania legislature should move quickly to pass the PennSecurity Fuels Initiative. And speaking of the good boys and girls in Harrisburg, the state Senate, led by Senator Ted Erickson (R-Chester, Delaware), passed the Pennsylvania Climate Change Act (SB 266), by a margin of 47-3 just before Thanksgiving. Santa was very happy and gave thanks for all the senators who voted to reduce Pennsylvania contribution to the world’s global warming pollution – a full 1 percent – and move forward to be part of the solution. The 46 other nice boys and girls who voted yes in the Senate deserve a pat on the back and, of course, if they keep it up, presents from Santa: Gibson Armstrong, Lisa Baker, Lisa Boscola, Patrick Browne, Michael Brubaker, Jake Corman, Jay Costa, Andrew Dinniman, Jane Earll, Jim Ferlo, Wayne Fontana, Vincent Fumo, John Gordner, Stewart Greenleaf, Vincent Hughes, Richard Kasunic, Shirley Kitchen, Gerald Lavalle, Sean Logan, Roger Madigan, Charles McIlhinney, Robert Mellow, Raphael Musto, Michael O'Pake, Jane Orie, Jeffrey Piccola, Dominic Pileggi, John Pippy, Terry Punt, John Rafferty, James Rhoades, Robert Robbins, Joseph Scarnati, Michael Stack, Barry Stout, Christine Tartaglione, Robert Tomlinson, Patricia Vance, Leanna Washington, Michael Waugh, Donald White, Mary Jo White, Anthony Williams, Constance Williams, Robert Wonderling, and JohnWozniak. You can write to Santa with your own naughty and nice list at Santa@PennFuture.org. Category: Energy -- posted at: 5:36 PM Comments[0] |
Tue, 20 November 2007 You may have sensed a theme at the PennFuture blog/podcast site as of late... we aren't resting until we pass Pennsylvania's vital energy independence legislation!In this podcast, Jan Jarrett talks with our President and CEO John Hanger about the latest in Harrisburg regarding the major pieces of energy legislation that are, unfortunately, still awaiting action in the General Assembly. With an overwhelming number of Pennsylvanians of all walks of life strongly in favor of swift and aggressive policy changes on using and making energy, and with more and more global scientific evidence detailing the devastating health, economic, and environmental consequences of failing to act on global warming, there really is no plausible explanation for delay. The question becomes this: does the leadership in our state Capitol take the need for energy independence seriously, or are they wasting precious time and money playing political games? With the legislative session winding down before the winter break, time is of the essence. What will it take to get the legislature to move forward? YOUR voice in the process. We urge you to listen in to get the latest update, and then take action to let your legislators know that failure is not an option. Comments[0] |
Tue, 20 November 2007 Dear Boys and Girls,On Saturday, a powerful report was released on global warming. The report by the United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change synthesized previous reports in strong language, saying that if governments fail to respond, our planet faces melting ice sheets that could lead to a rapid rise in sea levels and the extinction of large numbers of species. You probably saw the report – it was in all the papers, on television and radio and all over the Internet. But apparently, Morgan O’Brien, president and chief executive officer of Duquesne Light Company spent his weekend in an igloo. That’s all Santa can think, since anyone being as deliberately naughty as O’Brien continues to be is unfathomable. O’Brien testified in Harrisburg yesterday as the chief cheerleader for using more coal as the planet suffers, following up on his mailer to all the customers and a 19-page presentation on Duquesne’s (DQE) website. And despite the clear overwhelming proof that more coal equals more and more severe global warming – DQE/O’Brien never mentions global warming or the damage mining does even once in its website misinformation. Instead, DQE/O’Brien vaguely talks about “clean coal.? What’s that? Does it include capturing carbon pollution and storing it underground? O’Brien doesn’t say, though Santa thinks probably not, since coal is more expensive than conservation or renewable energy when the costs of carbon are included. And one of the worst things is that O’Brien used Santa’s and your money to make his distorted case. O’Brien’s case for more coal was mailed to every ratepayer in the territory. By putting his propaganda in with each ratepayer’s bill, he violated his obligation to use ratepayer money prudently. Santa hears that some nice girls and boys were so mad about what O’Brien did that they switched to a competitor of Duquesne Light, saved 10 percent by doing so, complained to Duquesne Light and, when they got no satisfaction, they complained to the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission, which is in charge of making sure ratepayers’ money is not abused. You can make a point about O’Brien’s naughty behavior by switching to Dominion and using the 10 percent savings to buy clean renewable energy. Go to www.cleanyourair.org to see the clean energy choices. Some nice boys and girls in Harrisburg are working even harder. Rep. Bob Freeman (D-Northampton) introduced the smart meter legislation today with bipartisan support as HB 2017 in the regular session and HB 38 in the special session. The bill requires utilities to furnish smart meters to all customers within nine years. It also requires utilities to offer all customers the voluntary option of paying electricity’s actual cost at the time they use it, rather than an average cost. Rep. Chris Ross (R-Chester) is also a very good boy for being the first co-sponsor of the smart meter bill. Santa really likes the children of both parties, especially when they are being nice and working together so well! Senator Robert “Tommy? Tomlinson (R-Bucks) is also a nice boy for holding a hearing today on his energy conservation bill, SB 1134. And Majority Whip Keith McCall (D-Carbon) is meeting with Governor Ed Rendell where Santa is sure the energy plan will be heavily discussed. You can reach Santa at Santa@PennFuture.org. Santa won’t be handing out his next list until next Monday at 11 AM in the Capitol newsroom because he’s so busy — Santa does all the cooking on Thanksgiving (since Mrs. Claus gets stuck on Christmas) and those elves eat a lot of pies! Category: Energy -- posted at: 3:08 PM Comments[0] |
Mon, 19 November 2007 Dear Boys and Girls,Did you have a good weekend? It’s getting colder up here at the North Pole, and the reindeer are anxious to get going. Yet, if there’s no change in Pennsylvania’s energy policy, nightmarish energy bills will be all too real. Those naughty girls and boys at Duquesne Light Company are in trouble. They sent every customer a newsletter (with their bill) that calls for what they say is the “middle ground? on state energy policy. They claim to know what’s good for their customers — and what do they say this good, middle ground is? Electricity from old polluting coal-fired power plants. The same power plants that cause acid rain, smog, soot, and mercury pollution. The same power plants that contribute to global warming, and are causing the ice at the North Pole to melt. They herald coal as cheap. Duquesne Light apparently does not know the price of coal plants has skyrocketed, causing many cancellations of coal plants around the country, even before coal plants start paying for the huge cost of carbon pollution. And then there is the $15 billion needed to clean up the mess just in Pennsylvania from coal mining. Six thousand miles of our streams have been damaged or destroyed by acid mine pollution. One hundred and eighty thousand acres of abandoned mine land must be reclaimed. Underground mine fires must be extinguished. All that costs a lot of money. But the naughty Duquesne Light Company kids didn’t tell their customers that. But there is a kind of Pennsylvania power plant that not only causes very little pollution, but the fuel is really, really cheap. In fact, once the plants are built, the fuel is free! Yes, you guessed it, boys and girls, Santa is talking about wind power. And Pennsylvania is not only one of the fastest growing states for wind energy, it is also becoming a hub for wind energy throughout the nation. The nice girls and boys at Gamesa are a great example. Gamesa decided just a few years ago to build its North American headquarters and production facilities here in Pennsylvania. Now, more than 1300 Pennsylvanians are working round-the-clock to meet the demand for towers, generators and all the other parts of wind turbines. There may be as many as 1500 employed by Christmas – because even though they are working non-stop, there is a three year backlog of orders. I hope all those nice Gamesa kids get everything they want this year – a clean environment and a booming economy. But Santa is getting worried about the lack of action on the energy bills in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives. Since the governor is a Democrat and the House calendar is controlled by the Democrats, Santa really wonders why things aren’t moving along. And with the House out of session until after Thanksgiving, time is slipping away. The good news is that the House just added days to the session, so we have a little more time – 30 days as of today – to pass the Energy Independence Strategy. Santa is pretty powerful, but he can’t pass any laws. On this one, the reins of the reindeer are in the hands of the House Democratic leadership. Giddy up, boys and girls! If you think you should be on the nice list, send Santa an email – Santa@PennFuture.org. Love, Santa (R&D-North Pole) (You can also view the list online, with pictures). Category: Energy -- posted at: 2:44 PM Comments[0] |
Fri, 16 November 2007 Dear Boys and Girls, Santa is truly perplexed when boys and girls are deliberately naughty. Don’t they know I see them when they’re sleeping; I know when they’re awake; I know if they’ve been bad or good? So they should be good for goodness’ sake, shouldn’t they? But the naughty boys and girls at the Electric Power Generation Association seem bound and determined to have a permanent place on Santa’s naughty list. It’s bad enough that they unsuccessfully fought against cutting toxic mercury from power plant pollution, so that every baby would get a great start. But now they are fighting against the Energy Independence Strategy, trying to stop Pennsylvanians from having the tools needed to use electricity smarter and cleaner. Among the worst at EPGA are the very naughty Doug Biden and Terry Fitzpatrick . Even though rate caps on Pennsylvanians’ electricity bills have ended in four electric utility service territories and will terminate everywhere within the next three years, resulting in higher – and for some, much higher – electricity bills, Biden and Fitzpatrick are dead set against requiring statewide energy efficiency programs. Pennsylvania is the only state in the Northeast that doesn’t have a comprehensive set of energy efficiency programs. If Pennsylvania created energy efficiency programs including incentives for high efficiency appliances, lighting, motors, and new homes that waste less energy, electric customers in the state could pay between $9 and $12 billion less for electric service over the next decade. That would mean more money in every family’s pocket, and a better business climate for all Pennsylvania’s businesses. But Biden and Fitzpatrick claim that Pennsylvania’s electricity companies shouldn’t be compelled to give customers smart meters and other tools to manage and reduce their electricity use. They argue that the electricity companies should be able to raise their rates as much as necessary, and customers will have a “natural incentive? to use less. They also argue against increasing requirements for clean, renewable energy, instead sticking with our old and outdated “dirty dinosaur? power plants. They should realize that is certainly not being nice, and Santa is watching these very naughty children. Santa is very happy that there has been progress on the Energy Independence Strategy. On the nice list, Governor Ed Rendell (have you ever wondered how great he would fill a Santa suit?) met with the House Democratic Caucus this week. He told them how important it was and that he really wanted them to lead the fight and pass it. I hope all the boys and girls listening decide to be nice, not naughty. I know some are already being very nice. A little elf whispered in my ear that Camille (Bud) George (D – Clearfield), Chair of the House Environmental Resources and Energy Committee), is planning to move a big part of the EIS through his committee in the near future. That makes Santa really, really happy. If you think you should be on the nice list, send Santa an email – Santa@PennFuture.org.
P.S. About those cookies and milk. After 1700 years, it’s getting old. How about a Philadelphia cheese steak and a glass of St. Nikolaus Bock from Penn Brewery in Pittsburgh? That will really hit The Spot! Category: Energy -- posted at: 12:10 PM Comments[0] |
Fri, 16 November 2007  On November 14, prime sponsors of four vital pieces of legislation that will put Pennsylvania well on its way toward energy independence, together with Department of Environmental Protection Secretary Kathleen McGinty and PennFuture President and CEO John Hanger, held a press conference in the Capitol Rotunda to urge immediate action on these bills. The scheduled holiday break for this legislative session is December 12.Listen in to this bipartisan press conference in this podcast. You will hear from Representatives Michael Gerber (D-Montgomery), who introduced the PennSecurity Fuels Initiative (HB 1202); Carole Rubley (R-Chester, Montgomery), appearing at the request of Rep. Chris Ross (R-Chester), who is prime sponsor of legislation (Special Session HB 31) to require that energy conservation programs be created in all parts of Pennsylvania so that electricity demand is stabilized at current levels; Robert Freeman (D-Northampton), sponsor of the bill (HB 2017 in the regular session and Special Session HB 38) helping consumers to save money by insuring that smart electric meters are installed for all electricity customers, so that all consumers can be paid for cutting energy demand during the times when electricity is most needed and most expensive; and Eugene DePasquale (D-York), whose legislation (Special Session HB 1) will ensure adequate funding to provide incentives for job-creating renewable energy development and money-saving energy efficiency investments to compete with surrounding states. Representative Camille (Bud) George (D – Clearfield), Chair of the House Environmental Resources and Energy Committee, also participated in the press conference, saying he would do everything in his power to move these bills forward. Others attending the press conference include Representatives Greg Vitali (D-Delaware), John Hornaman (D-Erie), Chris King (D-Bucks), Bryan Lentz (D-Delaware), and Mike Vereb (R- Montgomery), among others. To learn more about the Campaign for Energy Independence, visit our Web site. There you can also take action to urge your legislators to support these critical bills. Comments[0] |
Thu, 15 November 2007 Days left for passage of Energy Independence Strategy: 27Dear Boys and Girls, Santa is very sad that there hasn’t been any more movement for passage of the Energy Independence Strategy, and some very naughty children aren’t helping. Those bad boys and girls at the American Petroleum Institute, which now calls itself just API (are they trying to hide something? hmm...), are trying to stop the PennSecurity Fuels Initiative from passing. Santa thinks he knows why – he was taking the reindeer out for a trial run in Lititz the other day, and he saw a sign for prices at the local gas station. Unleaded gasoline was $3.03, and E85 was $1.99. If Santa’s sleigh weren’t reindeer-powered, I know where we’d fill up – and I’d want all of Pennsylvania’s good little girls and boys to be able to cut their energy costs, too, and buy energy that was made in Pennsylvania. But the American Petroleum Institute is very, very naughty. As President Bush said, “America is addicted to oil.? That is bad for America but good business for the oil industry. America consumes more oil every day than any other country. And some of that oil inevitably gets spilled. Oil is making many creatures sick, killing some, and really hurting the planet. Last week, 58,000 gallons of toxic bunker fuel spilled from a container ship into San Francisco Bay in 30 minutes, killing thousands of birds, closing beaches, destroying both commercial and recreational fishing and creating a real mess. This week, a single hull tanker ship broke apart in very heavy weather near the Black Sea. That dumped 560,000 gallons of fuel oil, killing birds and fish and destroying the environment for years to come. Fighting biofuels helps to keep America addicted to oil and all of its dangers. API is now at the top of the naughty list. Santa is very happy that there are so many good boys and girls in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives, many of whom joined him yesterday in announcing the plan to pass the Energy Independence Strategy before anyone gets a holiday break. The main sponsors of the EIS legislation — Robert Freeman (D-Northampton), Eugene DePasquale (D-York), and Carole Rubley (R-Chester, Montgomery), appearing at the request of Chris Ross (R-Chester), all were there. (One of the sponsors, Michael Gerber (D-Montgomery), had to meet with the leadership, but he wanted to be there.) But a whole lot of good girls and boys who are supporting the energy plan were there too, including Camille (Bud) George (D – Clearfield), Chair of the House Environmental Resources and Energy Committee, Joe Preston (D-Allegheny), Chair of the House Consumer Affairs Committee, Greg Vitali (D-Delaware), Kate Harper (R-Montgomery), Bryan Lentz (D-Delaware), Jan Moyer (R-Montgomery), Patrick Harkins (D-Erie), John Payne (R- Dauphin), John Hornaman (D-Erie), Marguerite Quinn (R-Bucks), Chris King (D-Bucks), Mike Vereb (R-Montgomery), Daylin Leach (D-Montgomery), Tony Payton (D-Philadelphia), and Rick Taylor (D-Montgomery). Another good boy who is on the nice list, Jake Wheatley (D-Allegheny), couldn’t be there because he was chairing the Renewable Energy Caucus meeting (Santa really likes that!), but that scamp, Katie McGinty (DEP) unexpectedly showed up, displaying her smiling support. If you think you should be on the nice list, send Santa an email – Santa@PennFuture.org. Look for another list tomorrow! Love, Santa (D&R-North Pole) (To view this list with pictures, click here.) Category: Energy -- posted at: 2:27 PM Comments[0] |
Wed, 14 November 2007 Too little has been done on energy policy in 2007, and our energy
problems are getting more serious every month. Funding renewable
energy, supporting biofuels, boosting energy conservation, and cutting
peak electricity demands with smart meters have been discussed and
debated since February in the Pennsylvania General Assembly.The countdown is on: we now have 28 days left before the legislature is scheduled to leave for the holidays. Will 2007 be a lost year of no action? Or will it be known as the year the leaders of Pennsylvania passed key energy legislation that protects our economy, environment and security? Voters across the state support the EIS legislation overwhelmingly. This support, unprecedented in scope and size, is held by both Republicans and Democrats; by conservatives, liberals and moderates; by women and men; and by Pennsylvanians from every part of the state. Poll results from earlier this year confirm that. It’s time for bold, immediate action, and that means the legislature should act by December 12. Oil prices are near or at $100 a barrel and gasoline is over $3 a gallon; the ice cap dramatically disappeared in the Arctic this summer, with climatologists predicting worse to come; and electricity rate caps have already ended in four areas of Pennsylvania and will end in the rest of Pennsylvania in the next two to three years. Conserving energy, cutting peak electricity demands, and making electricity and transportation fuels from renewable energy are the only ways to protect our economy and environment from crippling price shocks. Beginning today, Santa Claus, who has his own selfish interests in making sure we get our acts together on energy policy (like keeping his digs at the North Pole!) has promised to keep a list of the ‘naughty and nice’ to highlight the need for immediate bold action on the environment. In this podcast, PennFuture's Jan Jarrett has the honor of talking with Santa about the “Naughty and Nice List? he intends to issue every day until the energy legislation passes. We will be making the list available to you via our blog as well. Stay tuned! And get involved, by taking action immediately to let your elected officials know that you are paying attention to who's being naughty and nice. Send them a message through our online action center to support vital energy legislation now, and to pass it before the winter holidays. Comments[0] |
Fri, 9 November 2007 In September, 2007 Montgomery County announced its plan to supply all of the county's properties with 100 percent renewable wind energy. This initiative makes Montgomery County the first county government in the nation to operate solely on clean power. The decision to move county properties to green operations will reduce carbon emissions by 17,000 metric tons per year, the equivalent of taking 3735 cars off the roads every hour of every day of every year. PennFuture’s Joy Bergey attended the Commissioner’s announcement of this plan and interviewed three leading officials on the matter. Join us in this week’s podcast as Joy interviews Steve Nelson, Deputy Chief Operating Officer of Montgomery County; Brent Alderfer, Executive Vice President of Community Energy; and James Matthews, Montgomery County Commissioner. PennFuture applauds the leadership that has been displayed by those individuals involved in making this groundbreaking decision. We now encourage our readers, listeners and members to join in the movement by purchasing wind energy products for your homes and businesses. The steps are easy, and the cost is minimal. Visit PennFuture’s website for 10 ways you can reduce carbon emissions; visit CleanYourAir.org for how you can buy clean renewable energy; and speak up for wind energy today. Ordinary citizens are taking the steps today to lead the forward for clean renewable energy. Let’s take the steps with them. Comments[0] |
Fri, 12 October 2007  September ended with the start of a special legislative session on energy in the Pennsylvania General Assembly. Recall that Governor Ed Rendell introduced the Energy Independence Strategy in February 2007, a comprehensive package of funding and programs that will put Pennsylvania where we need to be in the next several years in order to keep electricity prices low, to bolster development of clean, alternative sources of energy like wind and solar, and to help stop Pennsylvania's contributions to global warming-- just to name a few.In this podcast, PennFuture's Vice President Jan Jarrett and President & CEO John Hanger review how far we've come in the fight for energy independence, and what we need to accomplish in the coming months. Demand for electricity in Pennsylvania increases on average by 1.5 percent per year, despite the fact that our population isn't growing. It may not sound like much in any given year, but over the course of a few years-- it adds up. And since the overwhelming majority of our electricity in Pennsylvania comes from coal-fired and nuclear power plants, which spew toxic chemicals, cause premature death, use enormous amounts of water, and result in serious waste disposal issues, meeting that rising demand for electricity means more of the same. The costs for "more of the same" are staggering-- nearly $20 billion for new power plants and energy distribution and transmission infrastructure. Unless we stop business as usual, and follow a different road to the future. That road is one paved with energy policies that require Pennsylvania to meet growing demand for electricity with energy conservation programs and strategies linked with renewable energy development. It's been done with wild success in other states. In California, for example, electricity demand has stayed even since energy conservation mandates were enacted, yet their population and economy have grown a great deal. We can have our cake and eat it, too: build our economy while at the same time curbing heat-trapping and health-threatening pollution causing global warming. Spur new family-sustaining jobs in the alternative energy fields while at the same time saving every Pennsylvanian money in their electric bills. Enhance our security by replacing imported foreign fuels with biofuels made here at home. Listen in to learn more. Visit the Energy Independence section of our Web site, and take action to declare your support for energy independence. There you can also make a tax-deductible contribution to support our work for energy independence. As always, we welcome your comments. Just e-mail us at podcast (at) pennfuture (dot) org, or click on "Comments" below. Comments[0] |
Tue, 18 September 2007  Wind energy is the best energy source in Pennsylvania when one considers the options available and the costs and benefits to our economy, environment, and to public health. PennFuture's President and CEO took to the Capitol to speak to people directly about the overwhelmingly positive aspects of wind energy production and development in the Commonwealth. Pictured to the right are but a few reminders of how coal causes harm: through mining, through poisoning wildlife such as birds and fish via toxic pollution, and by creating many public health problems such as worsening asthma or contributing to premature deaths when burned for electricity. More than half of Pennsylvania's electricity production comes from coal-fired power plants.In this podcast, listen in as John details why wind is a win for Pennsylvania during a press conference, and why PennFuture is committed to working to help reduce the long list of damages caused by traditional power production. Our work to promote clean, alternative energy like wind is complemented and strengthened by our work fighting air pollution and toxic mercury emissions from coal-fired power plants, working to protect communities from devastating impacts of coal mining, and striving to stop global warming and its many impacts on all aspects of life. Following are but a few basic but important facts about wind energy: -Electricity from Pennsylvania’s wind farms creates no air pollution. Wind energy emits no mercury that is poisoning birds, fish and working its way into the human food chain, no soot that kills 2,000 Pennsylvanians each year and belches from coal plants, no arsenic, no smog causing pollution that sickens and kills humans, and no global warming pollution that is causing dangerous climate change that will destroy Pennsylvania’s existing forests. - Every kilowatt-hour of zero pollution electricity produced at a wind farm is a kilowatt-hour that will not be produced by traditional dirty generation sources that cause massive environmental damage. Supply and demand for electricity must constantly be kept in balance and so every kilowatt-hour produced by a wind farm is instantly consumed and avoids the need for that kilowatt-hour coming from another dirty plant. - Wind energy helps Pennsylvania reduce our contributions to the global warming problem; Pennsylvania ranks third worst in the nation for production of heat-trapping gases that cause global warming, as much as 105 countries combined. That equates to a full 1 percent of the world’s total global warming pollution. - Wind energy has no fuel costs. Investing in wind energy now means that costs will never escalate in the years ahead, no matter what. The same cannot be said for traditional sources of energy in Pennsylvania. - Pennsylvania’s forest, wildlife, and water resources are enhanced and protected by wind energy production, since it does not result in pollution. Each and every wind project proposed in Pennsylvania is reviewed thoroughly by four state regulatory agencies, applying guidelines that were designed specifically for the Commonwealth, using the best science from all sources. These reviews are conducted for two years prior to the construction of a wind project. Many wind energy companies have voluntarily agreed to the nation’s most rigorous set of project review guidelines and requirements developed by the Pennsylvania Game Commission. Pennsylvania is a model for the U.S. in this regard. - More than 1,000 Pennsylvanians are already employed in Pennsylvania’s wind industry. Gamesa, a wind turbine manufacturer, shortly will be hiring another 300 Pennsylvanians. That is just the beginning of the many good paying jobs wind power is bringing now to Pennsylvania. To learn more about why PennFuture supports wind energy, energy conservation, and the effort to move us toward a clean energy future, visit our Web site. There you can take action to voice your support for energy independence and wind energy, and make a tax-deductible contribution to support our work. As always, we welcome your comments. Just e-mail us at podcast (at) pennfuture (dot) org, or click on "Comments" below. Comments[0] |
Fri, 13 July 2007  Pittsburgh-based Giant Eagle has been a leader on environmentally-conscious matters, not only as compared to other grocery stores, but as compared to other businesses in general. With their new Market District store in Pittsburgh's Shadyside neighborhood, they've again broken new ground, with recognition from the U.S. Green Building Council as the world's first LEED-certified store in the category of commercial interiors, with a silver rating. Giant Eagle was also one of the first companies in Pennsylvania to purchase clean, renewable wind energy.In this podcast, PennFuture's Jeanne Clark leads us on an audio tour of the Market District facility. Joined by Marc Mondor (evolveEA), Giant Eagle's green building consultant on the project; Indigo Raffel (Conservation Consultants, Inc.) who leads educational tours of the facility for local students and community organizations; and jim lampl, Giant Eagle's Director of Conservation, Jeanne gets to see, feel, smell, hear, and taste the many wonders of this amazing store. From the moment you set foot in Market District, there is more than meets the eye. Special floor mats are treated to remove as much dirt and muck from your shoes as possible. Signage throughout the store informs customers about the health and environmental benefits of the green building features, such as natural lighting, fresh air, and wood from only Forest Stewardship Council-certified suppliers. Giant Eagle continues to purchase wind energy for a significant portion of their stores' electricity needs, and the many energy-efficient features of the structure and their operations also reduce their contributions to global warming. In fact, you can even donate your fuelperks credits back to the store if you like, and those credits go toward purchasing additional carbon offsets. In a rare moment, Jeanne even admits she learned something new-- and she thought she knew everything!-- when jim explains that the management decision to not only build green but to implement a host of additional environmentally-friendly practices cost just under one percent more than doing things the conventional way. Kind of makes you wonder why every grocery store isn't green... and in fact, Giant Eagle has plans to build two new LEED-certified stores in the coming year. They conducted a survey in conjunction with Carnegie Mellon University about shoppers' attitudes in their Pittsburgh and Brunswick, Ohio LEED stores. It turns out that a large majority of shoppers cited the green features as important to them in choosing Giant Eagle. Moving through the store, Jeanne notices not being cold in the frozen foods aisles (energy-efficient air-return system), a decidedly pleasant olfactory experience (low-emitting flooring and paint, with zero to very few volatile organic compounds or VOC's), and is impressed to learn that only non-toxic, environmentally-friendly cleaning products are used which are also far healthier for the store's staff. She gets an insiders-view of the back room operations, where all of the store's cardboard and plastics (including films, bags, and packaging materials) are prepared for recycling. The last stop is onto the store's 12,000-square-foot green roof, planted with a variety of sedum year-round. The roof is not only a cost-saver from energy and life-span viewpoints, it is helping to inform the region about the possible stormwater retention benefits of green roofs as part of an ongoing research project between 3 Rivers Wet Weather and the University of Pittsburgh. (You can even monitor the results of the project online.) All of this, and a great deal more, can be heard in this fact-filled forage through the Market District. To learn more about the store, see their informative fact sheet here. To learn more about how you can support PennFuture's work on energy independence, stopping global warming at home, and to join us, visit our Web site. As always, we welcome your feedback! E-mail us at podcast (at) pennfuture (dot) org, or click on "Comments" below. Comments[0] |
Wed, 27 June 2007 Pennsylvania has the opportunity to move away from the escalating costs, insecurity, and negative environmental and economic impacts of energy dependence on foreign, fossil fuel based, and energy-hogging sources of electricity and fuel. Governor Rendell proposed the Energy Independence Strategy in February 2007, and the package is currently under serious consideration in the General Assembly.In this podcast, PennFuture's Heather Sage speaks with PennFuture President and CEO John Hanger about the critical need for immediate action on the Energy Independence Strategy. John is a former member of the Pennsylvania Public Utilities Commission, and is an expert on energy policy and renewable energy. He describes the many benefits of the $850 million proposed package-- benefits for consumers from energy conservation savings, rebates, and improved local economies, benefits for the business sector in the form of new jobs, grants and loans for renewable energy development and high-tech research, and benefits for our health and environment in the form of less air pollution and far fewer emissions of heat-trapping gases that are causing global warming. If you care about solar and wind energy, keeping soaring energy prices in check, stimulating the local economy, stopping global warming, saving money, cutting our addiction to oil... then you care about the Energy Independence Strategy. We urgently need to send the message to our state elected officials that the public demands energy independence by Independence Day! Tell them not to come home without passing the Energy Independence Strategy. Visit our Web site TODAY to learn more about the legislation, how you can take action to support it, and to declare your energy independence. Comments[0] |
Thu, 5 April 2007 You know how a light bulb shows up above the cartoon character's head whenever s/he has a good idea? Well, compact fluorescent light bulbs themselves are a bright idea for anyone concerned with saving money, using less energy, and cutting the amount of heat-trapping gases that are contributing to global warming. Believe it or not, changing light bulbs can make an enormous difference in all of that. Many solutions to environmental and economic problems feel a bit daunting. In this podcast, PennFuture's D.J. Trischler speaks with Jeff Deyette from the Union of Concerned Scientists about the pros (and cons) of compact florescent lamps, or CFLs. While the bulbs today do cost slightly more to purchase, they actually save you money (up to $30 dollars over the life of the bulb) and they're helping us slow down global warming. That's quite a bargain! Jeff shares other important tips on how to save energy, how to dispose of CFLs, and how to do your part to become part of the solution. For more information on CFLs, click here. To learn how you can become part of PennFuture's Cool Pennsylvania Campaign to stop global warming here at home, visit our site. We'd love your feedback; just click on "Comments" below, or e-mail us at podcast (at) pennfuture (dot) org. Comments[1] |
Tue, 5 December 2006  In this podcast, part two of a series on wind energy development in Pennsylvania, PennFuture's Heather Sage and Jan Jarrett talk with experts in the Commonwealth who are involved in processes for siting wind projects in the state. Establishing processes to avoid and minimize negative impacts to local communities and to wildlife is an important goal for the wind industry. Pennsylvania is ahead of most states when it comes to wind energy, and will continue to reap the benefits of this clean, renewable source of energy in terms of our state's long-term economic development, energy security and our environmental health. We hear first from George Jugovic, Senior Attorney at PennFuture who worked collaboratively with stakeholders under the leadership of Governor Rendell's office to develop the Model Ordinance for Wind Energy Facilities in Pennsylvania. The model ordinance is a tool for local township and municipal officials to use as they begin to examine their local zoning and planning needs in areas where wind energy development is possible. George describes the sorts of local issues that the model ordinance covers, and explains that the ordinance was not intended to examine environmental issues relating to wind development. However the Commonwealth does have an extensive process underway to do just that, and it is led by the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources' John Quigley, who speaks with Jan Jarrett. DCNR has brought together a wide array of stakeholders in a Wind and Wildlife Collaborative, representing a variety of perspectives and expertise to create a process whereby Pennsylvania can consider objective, scientific criteria for determining where wind development is most appropriate and where it is not. The group is also examining the possibility of siting wind energy developments on certain public lands, for example abandoned mine land areas or others. They hope to have recommendations on the possibility of wind energy on public lands by 2007. Jan lastly speaks with PPM Atlantic Renewable's Sam Enfield, who describes how his company and others within the wind industry extensively consider proper siting of wind farms. Chief among their concerns are potential impacts to wildlife and surrounding communities. Sam also describes what the wind industry has learned about wildlife impacts. To learn how you can make the switch to clean, renewable, local energy, visit Clean Your Air. For more information on this and other renewable energy issues, visit our Web site or e-mail us at podcast (at) pennfuture (dot) org. Comments[0] |
Fri, 17 November 2006  In this podcast, PennFuture's Joy Bergey speaks with presenters at the October 2006 Philadelphia Urban Sustainability Forum event on energy. Joy speaks first with Liz Robinson, Executive Director of the non-profit Energy Coordinating Agency. ECA is best-known for helping to make low-income homes more energy efficient, but their services are available to everyone in the Philadelphia area. At the forum, Robinson spoke about energy policies needed to ensure a sustainable future in the face of "peak oil" and global warming. Robinson explains that peak oil, which she believes we have reached, refers to the situation where humans have extracted and used half the earth's oil supply, and as such, the second half becomes much more difficult and much more expensive to extract. Robinson also shares in the podcast what she believes to be the most important policy change that must occur as soon as possible. Joy next speaks to Nadia Adawi, Director of the Energy Cooperative of Pennsylvania. This organization is a 27-year old member-owned cooperative with more than 6500 members in southeastern Pennsylvania. The Energy Co-Op includes businesses, residences, municipalities, and organizations in its membership. Adawi's group works to bring more renewable energy into the market. Their products include 100% renewables, biodiesel for area fleets, and bioheating oil for use in home furnaces. They are also embarking on a new venture, the Philadelphia Fryer Diesel project, where they will be collecting waste restaurant grease and producing biodiesel for members' transportation needs. To learn more about how you can buy clean, renewable energy, visit Clean Your Air. For more information about PennFuture's work on energy policy and global warming, contact us at podcast (at) pennfuture (dot) org, or visit our Web site. Comments[0] |
Fri, 27 October 2006 Energy is arguably the most important environmental and national security issue we face as a nation today. Global warming and its impacts demand immediate action, and development and use of renewable energy for electricity production, together with energy conservation, are critical components of the solution. In Pennsylvania, we have significant wind energy development potential. Thanks to the Commonwealth's Alternative Energy Portfolio Standard (AEPS), ever-increasing percentages of renewable energy production must be part of Pennsylvania's electricity supply. As a result, we will grow economically as the industry expands, but at the same time, we will be curbing our state's contribution to global warming, as we decrease our dependence on fossil fuels. In this podcast, PennFuture's Jan Jarrett speaks with two leaders in the field of wind energy about the development of commercial-scale wind farms in Pennsylvania. In less than a decade, our state has become a trail-blazer in the field of wind energy, and this will continue. Jan talks first with Sam Enfield from PPM Atlantic Renewable, a company that sites and builds large wind farms. He describes the complex challenges in getting projects off the ground. Jan then talks with Community Energy founder and Executive Vice President Brent Alderfer, a pioneer in wind and supplying green energy choices to Pennsylvania's electricity consumers. Stay tuned to our podcasts for a subsequent piece by Jan that explores the challenges at hand for siting wind farm developments across the state, including local zoning, developing a process to avoid wildlife impacts, and examining the possibilities of developing renewable energy projects on public lands. To learn how you can make the switch to clean, renewable, local energy, visit Clean Your Air. For more information on this and other renewable energy issues, visit our Web site or e-mail us at podcast (at) pennfuture (dot) org. Comments[0] |
Mon, 14 August 2006  Pittsburgh is at the forefront of the nation's green building movement. Depending on the day, Pittsburgh had either the most or the second most green buildings in the country. This reputation is beginning to recast in people's minds their ideas about Pittsburgh, formerly thought only as the smoky Steel City. In this podcast, PennFuture's D.J. Trischler talks to Pittsburgh leaders to get the latest on energy efficient and environmentally friendly building in southwestern Pennsylvania. We hear first from Green Building Alliance (GBA) Executive Director Rebecca Flora. GBA is a national leader in creating market demand for green building through education, publicity, and project facilitation. Rebecca explains how the LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certification process for buildings works, and how policies that promote green building are missing, but needed. Later she discusses how green building has actually begun to attract people to Pittsburgh. D.J. also speaks with Gary Saulson, Director of Corporate Real Estate at PNC, one of the nation's largest financial services companies, headquartered in Pittsburgh. PNC's Firstside Center in Pittsburgh, at 650,00 square feet, is one of the world's largest LEED-certified buildings, and has been recognized with more than 20 awards. Gary is a believer in green buildings, and has overseen many additional PNC projects. PNC intends to stay green, because they value the energy savings and healthier work environment. They've also created design prototypes for LEED-certified bank branches. We also hear from Pittsburgh City Councilman Bill Peduto, who earlier this year introduced legislation at the city level to create incentives for developers to build green. If adopted, projects within the City of Pittsburgh that are LEED-certified could get waivers to enable them to increase density (adding extra floors, for example). But Peduto firmly believes that even without such incentives, Pittsburgh will continue to lead on LEED, because it makes so much sense for developers. Energy conservation is one effective way to reduce your contribution to global warming, and to help prevent harmful pollution from coal-fired power plants. The cleanest watt of electricity is the one you don't use! To learn more about PennFuture's Cool Pennsylvania Campaign, visit our web site. You can also make the switch easily to a renewable source of electricity. Visit www.cleanyourair.org to find out how. As always, we welcome your comments and feedback. Click on "comment" below, or e-mail us at podcast (at) pennfuture (dot) org. Comments[0] |
Fri, 28 July 2006 Energy security and environmental impacts of energy production and usage are growing concerns of many Americans. Alternatives to oil and other petroleum-based fuels are gaining rapidly in popularity as a result. In this podcast, PennFuture's D.J. Trischler begins to investigate biodiesel in an interview with Pittsburgh-based Nathaniel Doyno, co-founder of the non-profit Steel City Biofuels. D.J. first met up with Nathaniel while he was helping a group of boaters prepare their fleet that runs entirely on biodiesel, for a long ride down the Ohio River to Cairo, Indiana. In that first meeting, they enjoyed a canoe ride along the Allegheny River where Nathaniel explained that he was first introduced to biodiesel three years ago while studying at Cornell University. He was working for a group based in Ithaca, New York, called Liquid Solar that converts diesel vehicles to use straight vegetable oil. Nathaniel then formed the Cornell Biodiesel Initiative. After graduation, he came back home to Pittsburgh where he created Steel City Biofuels in 2005 with Greg Boulos. Steel City Biofuels conducts scores of biodiesel demonstrations, and in only a year, they've reached over 1000 people, including groups of students, politicians, fleet managers, and non-profits in the Pittsburgh region. Their programs are a little like a cooking demonstration. Nathaniel and Greg literally create biodiesel for their audiences. Always prepared for the skeptics in the audience, the duo come armed with an arsenal of research and testimonials from biodiesel users. The past year has been nothing short of thrilling for the biodiesel promoter, plainly obvious in Nathaniel's enormous smile after a presentation wraps up. Learn in this podcast about the basics of biodiesel, how you can get involved in using it, and where this and other biofuels are going in Pennsylvania. For more information on biodiesel, keep listening. Voices of Pennsylvania's Future has upcoming podcasts planned that expand on this topic, including discussions with biodiesel producers, biodiesel users, and an in-depth look at Pennsylvania's biofuel initiatives from a government agency perspective. You can also learn more about the future of biofuels in Pennsylvania in our report released in June 2006. Governor Rendell's PennSecurity Fuels Initiative will create nearly 26,000 new jobs and $1.5 billion annually for Pennsylvania's economy, and reduce our imports by almost $7 billion. Comments[2] |
Tue, 20 June 2006 America's reliance on fossil fuels is creating serious economic and environmental hazards that are on the verge of overwhelming future generations. In order to combat this trend, government leaders and private industries are looking for efficient energy alternatives that will enable the United States to reduce its oil addiction and decrease its contributions to global warming. One proven solution-- wind-- was on full display at this year's annual American Wind Energy Association conference, held at the David L. Lawrence Convention Center in Pittsburgh. Companies from around the world came together at the conference to sell the latest wind energy technologies and to collaborate on ways to make wind energy more widely available and accessible, to become America's leading energy solution. In this PennFuture podcast, PennFuture's Pittsburgh interns Andrew Clearfield, D.J. Trischler and Tiara Wiles attend the AWEA conference and speak with leaders in the industry about the current state of wind energy in the U.S. and the future of wind technologies. They speak to Joe Jongewaard, Project Manager with the Iowa Department of Economic Development; Libby Dodson, Chief with the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection's Energy and Technology Office; Suzi Pegg, Senior Director of Global Marketing with the Allegheny Conference on Community Development; Jorji Fredericksen and Andrew Lyle of Renewable Devices in Scotland; and Christine Real de Azua, Assistant Director of Communications with AWEA. To learn more about how you can switch to a clean, renewable form of electricity like wind right here in Pennsylvania, visit www.cleanyourair.org. For more information about PennFuture's Center for Energy, Enterprise and the Environment, e-mail us at podcast@pennfuture.org or visit our web site. Comments[0] |
Thu, 12 January 2006  Listen to PennFuture's Baker's Dozen of 2005 top energy stories, with a sprinkling of predictions for 2006. To view the full article, click here. Comments[0] |
