Climate Change Forces Hard Choices In Alaska

A Wrenching Choice for Alaska Towns in the Path of Climate Change

Erica Goode, November 29, 2016 (NY Times)

“…With its proximity to the Arctic, Alaska is warming about twice as fast as the rest of the United States and the state is heading for the warmest year on record. The government has identified at least 31 Alaskan towns and cities at imminent risk of destruction…[Some, climate change experts predict, will] be uninhabitable by 2050, their residents joining a flow of climate refugees around the globe, in Bolivia, China, Niger and other countries…These endangered Alaskan communities face a choice. They could move to higher ground, a wrenching prospect that for a small village could cost as much as $200 million. Or they could stand their ground and hope to find money to fortify their buildings and shore up their coastline…[B]oth staying and moving have their perils...The process of relocation can [be disruptive, and] take years or even decades…But few government agencies are willing to invest in maintaining villages that are menaced by erosion and flooding, especially when the communities are planning to pull up stakes…” click here for more

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New Energy To Utilities-“Can’t-Beat-Us-So-Join-Us”

Utilities Are Losing the Battle Against Solar Energy; Fighting solar energy won't be a path to success for utilities across the country.

Travis Hoium, November 29, 2016 (Motley Fool)

“…[U]tilities are doing everything to kill the [consumer-owned] solar boom [at the regulatory level and in ballot measures] before it gains too much traction…[V]oters have fought back and beaten [many of] the efforts to squash solar energy…[R]esidential solar companies Tesla, Vivint Solar, Sunrun, and SunPower…[are] winning the policy war against utilities, and as they do, it'll open a larger and larger market across the country…Despite utilities' spending $26 million to pass a referendum that would have undermined solar economics in the state, Florida voters rejected the utility referendum…In Nevada, less than a year after the public utility commission essentially killed the rooftop solar industry, residents overwhelmingly voted to [require the Berkshire Hathaway-owned NV Energy to give customers] energy choice…[Attempts in Wisconsin to add fees to utility bills] were rejected by the court…When solar energy goes on the ballot or to the court, it wins. That should have every utility in the country frightened…” click here for more

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Fact-Checking Trump Hot Air On Wind

Trump's wind power comments fact checked

Ros Davidson, 25 November 2016 (Windpower Monthly)

“…Donald Trump denied to the New York Times on November 22 that he asked leaders of Britain’s movement to exit the EU to work against the installation of wind turbines off the coast of his resort in Scotland…The UK Independence Party (Ukip), prominent in the campaign for the UK to leave the European Union, says Trump urged the party to campaign against the development of wind farms…in the weekend after his election win…[Then Mr. Trump said turbines are not made domestically, steel is emitted into atmosphere during turbine manufacturing, turbines kill massive amounts of birds, and they require large subsidies but]…[few] wind turbines are shipped globally [and more] than 21,000 US factory workers make a majority of US wind farm content…The US wind power supply chain consists of more than 500 active factories in 43 states… [with high domestic content] for nacelle assembly (>85%), towers (80-85%), and blades and hubs (50-70%)…[Steel is not emitted during manufacturing]…Wind turbines kill fewer birds than do cats, buildings or the fossil fuel industry…[and no] major national environmental organisation [opposes well-sited] wind development…” click here for more

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Pope Talks Climate Change To Trump

Pope urges world leaders not to hobble climate change pact

Philip Pullella w/Roberta Rampton and Robin Pomeroy, November 28, 2016 (Reuters)

“…[Addressing a group of scientists that included theoretical physicist Stephen Hawking, Pope Francis urged national leaders] to implement global environmental agreements without delay, a message that looked to be squarely aimed at U.S. President-elect Donald Trump…[It was the Pope’s] strongest speech on the environment since the election of Trump, who has threatened to pull out of the 2015 Paris Agreement on climate change…Francis, who wrote an encyclical, or papal letter, on the environment last year, took a swipe at those who dispute that climate change is caused by human activity, criticizing ‘the ease with which well-founded scientific opinion about the state of our planet is disregarded’…During the campaign, Trump called climate change a hoax…Last week he appeared to soften his stance…[saying] he was keeping ‘an open mind’ and that there might be ‘some connectivity’ between human activity and global warming…[But then his designated chief-of-staff said] the president-elect still believed climate change was mostly ‘a bunch of bunk’…” click here for more

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Solar Comes To The Mall

Solar power store highlights bright potential for clean energy

Ivan Penn, November 26, 2016 (LA Times)

“…Bland’s Solar & Air [is next to the Village Pet Market, two doors down from Trader Joe’s] in a nondescript strip mall…[It] looks a little like a car dealership, only for personal electricity generators from the sun. The unusual storefront is, solar experts say, the largest, most comprehensive solar power showroom in California, with not only panels but also actual rooftops with the systems mounted for potential customers to see…[There are three 5,000-square-foot showrooms in Bakersfield, Templeton, and Clovis and the owners plan new stores in Fresno and an unnamed city] for 2017…[The showrooms sell 50% to 60% of] the 100 solar installations Bland contracts each month…[Bernadette del Chiaro, executive director of the solar association, said the] showroom approach is the direction the industry is headed with the likes of SolarCity merging with Tesla Motors for one-stop home-energy shopping…” click here for more

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The Big Possibilities Of Backyard Wind

DOE study confirms vast untapped energy and jobs potential for distributed wind energy systems

Paul Dvorak, November 28, 2016 (Windpower Engineering and Development)

“…[T]he first technical and economic analysis of distributed wind power’s potential in the U.S…[shows] that distributed wind could be installed at millions of locations nationwide and has the technical potential to power the entire U.S. electrical system…Distributed wind typically means smaller wind turbines installed at homes, farms, businesses, and public facilities where they serve to reduce consumer’s electric bills…Distributed wind power’s total addressable resource potential is comparable to wind farms and offshore wind, potentially supporting millions of systems and thousands of gigawatts of power production capacity…[and] exceeds total U.S. electricity demand…Major increases in electricity production (and corresponding rural economic development) from this sector are quite possible, especially with policies that have been successful with solar…” click here for more

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Climate Change Facts Disappear Into Fake News

Obama Says Fake News Is Impeding Progress on Climate Change; "There was a baseline of facts that we could all work off of. And now we just don't have that."

James Grebey, November 21, 2016

“…[The reckless spread of misinformation caused by the epidemic of fake news on social media could be, according to President Barack Obama, a] major reason why the country can’t come together to combat global climate change…[The President is increasingly concerned] about what fake news is doing to political discourse…[It has recently been revealed that] many sites propagating fake news were actually created by Macedonian teens…[As a result of fake news, the President said,] the left and right aren’t dealing with the same facts…when trying to come together to solve a problem like climate change…[because an] explanation of climate change from a Nobel Prize-winning physicist looks exactly the same on your Facebook page as the denial of climate change by somebody on the Koch brothers payroll. And the capacity to disseminate misinformation, wild conspiracy theories, to paint the opposition in wildly negative light without any rebuttal…[polarizes] the electorate and make it very difficult to have a common conversation…” click here for more

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More On The Solar Bargain

Solar Energy Is Cheaper Than You Think

Travis Hoium, November 19, 2016 (Motley Fool via Madison.com)

“…[The solar industry faces] a lot of uncertainty…[Post election, stocks like SunPower Corp, First Solar, SolarEdge, and Canadian Solar fell] by double digits…[The Trump] administration won't be as friendly to solar energy, but at this point it may not matter…[Because of progress over the past six years, solar] is rapidly becoming competitive and will be good for jobs, energy security, and businesses…[Driven by President Obama’s SunShot program,] the solar industry has reached most of its 2020 [cost reduction] goals…[and is now] viable for most homeowners…[Utility-scale solar is] lower cost than new fossil fuel generation in some states today, and could compete with wholesale prices by 2030…At the pace cost reductions are taking place, there's no stopping solar energy…[B]y 2030 it'll be the low cost energy source for most of the country. What investors need to see next is developers like First Solar, SunPower, and Canadian Solar winning bids to sell energy to utilities around the country, turning the promise of low cost solar into profitability…” click here for more

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Big Southern Utility Wants Wind On The Wires

TVA: The Time to Contract for Clean Line’s Wind Power is Now

Allie Brown, November 22, 2016 (Tennessee Valley Authority via Clean Energy)

“…One of the largest renewable energy projects our region has seen will bring huge amounts of cheap wind energy to the South, but utilities like the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) must act quickly to make wind power purchase commitments by the end of the year to lock in the lowest cost wind power prices available…The 700-mile Clean Line Plains and Eastern Project is a proposed high voltage direct current (HVDC) transmission line that will deliver 4,000 megawatts of wind energy from the Oklahoma panhandle region…[That power] is four times the output of the Hoover Dam annually…The project is estimated to cost a mere 3 cents per kilowatt-hour. Because there is no fuel cost associated with wind energy, utilities can secure long-term contracts (approximately 20-25 years) and lock in prices…As TVA phases out 18 coal-fired units, Clean Line’s project provides a perfect solution to help fill in the gaps…Critical deadlines regarding the federal production tax credit for wind power are fast approaching…We strongly encourage TVA’s board of directors to immediately contract for at least 1,000 megawatts of wind power on the Plains and Eastern Clean Line…” click here for more

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The Military Is Serious About Climate Change

Military plans for climate change despite skeptics

W.J. Hennigan, November 20, 2016 (LA Times via Duluth News Tribune)

“…[The Pentagon has publicly attributed damage to its domestic facilities caused by increasingly severe weather to climate change even though] President-elect Donald Trump has described global warming as a hoax, and Republicans in Congress who reject science showing that greenhouse gases have warmed the planet have blocked funding to help the Pentagon…But the debate is settled at the Pentagon. Rising sea levels and temperatures have forced it to rebuild or move roads, housing, airfields and other vulnerable facilities damaged by mudslides in Hawaii, floods in Virginia, drought in California and thawing permafrost in Alaska…The Pentagon doesn’t say that climate change alone will cause wars. But the 2014 Quadrennial Defense Review, the Defense Department’s major planning plan for the next four years, calls it an ‘accelerant of instability’ and a ‘threat multiplier…’” click here for more

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General Motors To Build Cars With Wind

GM to power Arlington plant with energy from Texas wind farm

Steve Kaskovich, November 17, 2016 (Ft. Worth Star-Telegram)

“…[President-elect Donald Trump’s climate change skeptism isn’t slowing the General Motors push] for renewable energy…[T]he automaker announced its biggest renewables deal to date, buying enough wind power to cover electricity needs at 16 [Texas] facilities including its Arlington assembly plant and the GM Financial headquarters in downtown Fort Worth…[It] will purchase 50 megawatts of power produced at Cactus Flats, a 150-megawatt wind farm being developed by Renewable Energy Systems…When the contract begins in the first half of 2018, 6 percent of GM’s global energy use will be powered by renewable energy…GM has committed to be completely powered by renewable energy by 2050, as well as develop electric vehicles, to help address climate change. The automaker is part of a coalition of companies called RE100 dedicated to the same goal…” click here for more

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Why The Solar Deal Keeps Getting Better

4 Reasons The Cost Of Solar Energy Keeps Falling

Sarah Lozanova, November 21, 2016 (Earth911)

“…Solar power is growing at an unprecedented rate of 43 percent, year over year…[and its plummeting cost] is fueling a boom in popularity…[S]olar has already achieved price parity in 10 states…[The costs of manufacturing panels, inverters, and racking] have come down at a steady pace each year…This downward price trend is very common with new technologies. Remember how expensive new DVD players and cell phones were when they were first introduced? The cost per unit declines sharply once manufacturing kicks into high gear…[The most efficient solar panels available on the market have an efficiency of 22.5 percent and] most panels are in the 14 to 16 percent range…Efficiency in turn fuels greater opportunities to sell more solar generation capacity…[T]he Solar Investment Tax Credit has offered greater stability and a significant incentive for installing solar energy systems, for both the residential and commercial markets…[The recent solar energy trends are expected to continue because the] lower the price of a solar system and the shorter the payback period, the more people will go solar…” click here for more

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Time To Defy The Climate Change Quitters

We can fix climate change, but only if we refuse to abandon hope; New discoveries are being made and solutions found, and each hopeful action will help stop the planet burning. Let’s defy the pessimists and the deniers

Zoe Williams, 14 November 2016 (UK Guardian)

“…[The new bad news dwarfs] our petty elections and clueless, pendulum analyses…[F]ive of the world’s most eminent climatologists warned of the possibility that…[the Earth’s average temperature could go up as high as] 7.4C, which is ‘game over’ by the 22nd century…Paul Krugman noted how tempting it is to decide the world is ‘going to hell” but that there’s nothing you can do about it…[But, Krugman wrote, engagement in the only way] to save the soul: ‘I don’t see how you can hang on to your own self-respect unless you’re willing to stand up for the truth.’…In practical terms, this means picking winnable fights, showing solidarity, and being visible…This has been the year the liberals lost every argument…[The explanation may be as simple as] we stopped making the case for hope when we stopped feeling hopeful…[Optimism] accrues around each hopeful action, each small victory, until it becomes obvious that it is the driving force…” click here for more

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5,000 New Wind And Solar Jobs In Just ONE State

Wind and solar energy projects could bring 5,000 new jobs to rural Minnesota

November 15, 2016 (PhysOrg)

"…Coal, once the dominant fuel source for Minnesota's electric utilities, has given way to new types of energy resources—wind and solar among them…[supported by Minnesota state energy policies and] the federal Production Tax Credit and Investment Tax Credit…[Minnesota Clean Energy: Economic Impacts & Policy Drivers shows the] clean energy economy is continuing to expand in Minnesota, providing low-cost energy, creating jobs and economic impact…[P]lanned additions of wind and solar projects in the state will result in approximately $7.09 billion in direct investment, over 5,000 jobs related to construction alone and 3,987 megawatts of newly installed energy capacity. Distributed generation of solar energy has almost doubled in the past two years, with businesses citing the ITC as a major driver in their success…” click here for more

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The EV Deal Keeps Getting Better

Electric vehicles are getting better, cheaper, longer lasting; Second-wave EVs promise technology for us all

Dave Guilford and Ryan Beene, November 15, 2016 (MarketWatch)

“…When the first wave of EVs hit the market a few years ago, auto makers quickly learned that the pool of green consumers who would tolerate limited range and high prices was extremely limited…[The new, second wave of electric vehicles have] more consumer-friendly ranges and prices…[Volkswagen’s EV] will sell for about the price of a Golf diesel — think mid-$20,000s — and have more than 250 miles of range…[Tesla’s Model 3] is projected at a $35,000 base price and 215-mile range…[A legislative framework around the world, experts say, will drive demand for] a good proportion of zero-emission vehicles…[GM’s Opel Ampera-e, a sibling to the Chevrolet Bolt, will have] a range of over 300 miles…” click here for more

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A Look Ahead At Trump And Climate

What does a Trump presidency mean for climate change? Sea levels are rising, but he’s trying to bring coal back

Angela Chen, November 10, 2016 (The Verge)

“…Donald Trump, the 45th president of the United States, has…threatened to pull America out of the landmark Paris climate change accord, eliminate the Environmental Protection Agency, repeal environmental regulations, and cut climate funding. He proposed an incoherent energy plan aimed at reviving the coal industry…[C]limate scientists warn that his plan is a disaster that would create lasting harm…It would actually take Trump four years to officially withdraw from the [Paris] accord, but in the meantime he can simply not enforce its guidelines while repealing climate change regulation put in place under the Obama administration, like the Clean Power Plan…Trump’s energy plans [will face little political resistance from the now Republican-dominated Congress] are also cause for alarm. He wants to bring back coal mining…[but that is unlikely because] natural gas is now far cheaper…If Trump makes good on all his promises, climate change will continue unchecked…[T]here are a few ways that the damage could be limited…Democrats will still have the option of a filibuster…[Many hope Trump will withdraw his attacks on wind and solar energy] if he sees the US falling behind economically…” click here for more

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Microsoft Ups Wind Energy Backing

Microsoft Announces Biggest-Ever Wind Energy Buy

Barb Darrow, November 14, 2016 (Fortune)

“…[Still leading the high-tech sector’s support for New Energy, Microsoft just signed its biggest deals yet to acquire wind for] two of its massive U.S. data centers…[The two new contracts represent 237 megawatts of generating capacity, bringing Microsoft's wind power total in the United States to more than 500 megawatts…[Through Allianz Risk Transfer, Microsoft will] acquire energy from a new 178-megawatt Bloom Wind project in Kansas…[Through a long-term deal with Black Hills Energy, the high-tech giant will] buy 59 megawatts of energy ‘certificates’ from two wind projects near Microsoft's Cheyenne, Wyoming, data center site. The combined output of those two sites should produce enough energy per year to supply its Cheyenne facility with all the energy it needs…Microsoft and Black Hills Energy have worked out a new tariff that will enable the energy company to, as needs dictate, use the local data center’s backup generators, thereby eliminating the need for Black Hills Energy to construct a new power plant…” click here for more

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The Fight For Solar In Florida Goes On

As rooftop solar costs drop, utility attempts to raise barriers may not work

Mary Ellen Klas, November 12, 2016 (Miami Herald)

“Florida’s utility industry steered more than $20 million of their profits into a failed constitutional amendment to impose new barriers to the expansion of rooftop solar energy generation, but developers say that as the cost of installing solar panels drops, the state could quickly become a leader in private solar energy expansion no matter what the energy giants do…The Florida Solar Energy Industry Association estimates that over the next five years, Florida homeowners, businesses and utilities are projected to take advantage of the falling prices and install 2,315 megawatts of solar electric capacity — 19 times more than the amount of solar installed in the last five years…Large companies, such as Elon Musk’s Solar City, are offering zero down, low-interest loans, and people can also cut their expenses by deducting 30 percent of their costs under a federal Investment Tax Credit program that was extended last year…[S]olar will make up only a tiny fraction of all energy generation supplied by the regulated utilities in the next 10 years…[which helps explain why Florida ranks third in the nation for rooftop solar potential] but is only 14th for cumulative solar capacity that is installed…” click here for more

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Climate Change Makes Winter Longer

Polar vortex shifting due to climate change, extending winter, study finds

Jason Samenow, October 31, 2016 (Washinton Post)

"Global warming could be making winters in eastern North America even longer…[because sea ice loss in the Arctic is shifting the polar vortex, turning temperatures colder during March, according to Persistent shift of the Arctic polar vortex towards the Eurasian continent in recent decades.] The polar vortex is the zone of frigid air that encircles the Arctic and is most pronounced during winter. Occasionally, it fragments and pieces of it plunge into eastern North America carrying bitter cold air. The winters of 2013-2014 and 2014-2015 witnessed several such polar vortex disintegrations and resulted in record-setting cold snaps…[T]he vortex has changed position while weakening over the past three decades. The net result has been to increase delivery of cold air into parts of Eurasia and North America, particularly in late winter and early spring…[T]his new study shows a marked shift in the vortex from North America toward Europe and Asia during February. The meteorology is complicated, but the study says this shift tends to result in more of a dip in the jet stream over the East Coast during March, which leads to colder temperatures…” click here for more

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Gas Up, Coal And Nuclear Down In Latest Look At U.S. Power

Electricity Monthly Update; Highlights: August 2016

October 25, 2016 (U.S. Energy Information Administration)

“…Wholesale electricity prices were at or near the high end of the 12-month range at many hubs due to very high electricity demand and rising natural gas price...Net generation in the United States increased 4.4% from the previous August, as many states in the eastern half of the country experienced significantly higher temperatures compared to August 2015…[The Eastern, Western, and the ERCOT Interconnection systems that make up the U.S. electric systems] differ widely in their amount of generating capacity, energy source mix, and type of capacity actually used to produce electricity. The Eastern Interconnection had 748 gigawatts (GW) of total generating capacity in 2015. This is significantly more than the Western Interconnection at 212 GW and the ERCOT part of Texas at 98 GW…The total U.S. net generation in thousand was 410,885 MWh, an increase of 4.4%. The residential retail price was 12.90/kWh, an decrease of 0.2%. The total retail electricity sales was 375,848 MWh, an increase of 4.7%. The Henry Hub natural gas price was $2.88/mmBTU, a 1.1% increase. Natural gas consumption increased 12.0% to 1,197,948 MCF. Coal consumption decreased 0.2% to 73,951 tons. Nuclear generation decreased 1.2% to 71,526 thousand MWh…” click here for more

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Energy Efficiency Boosts Home Resale Value

How energy-efficient upgrades can increase your home's value

November 1, 2016 (Associated Press via Tulsa World)

"Energy-efficient upgrades can not only shrink your utility bill; they can increase the value of your home…Just how much your home will increase in value depends on…where you live, which upgrades you have made, and how your home is marketed…The length of time to recoup the costs of green upgrades also depends on the energy costs in your area. In 2014, upgraded homes in Los Angeles County saw a 6 percent increase in value…Upgraded homes in Washington, D.C., saw a 2 percent to 5 percent increase in 2015…Consumer Reports suggests that upgrades like a gleaming new kitchen or a finished basement may give you more bang for your buck than energy-saving features. But if going green appeals more…[Start with] a quick energy assessment or a more thorough energy audit…The cost varies depending on location and who is providing the service…Once you know where you can improve your energy use, begin by making the changes that are most affordable and have a quicker payoff…[C]ommon energy upgrades, from least expensive to most…[are new insulation, new appliances, new heating and cooling systems, new windows, and solar panels]…If you weigh the costs and savings carefully, going green can be worth the investment.” click here for more

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