MORE NEWS, 1-27 ( ‘VIGOROUS’ & ‘STRATEGIC’–NEW U.S. CLIMATE ENVOY; SIEMENS STICKS W/NEW ENERGY; STEEL TOWN FIREFIGHTERS GET SUN; INSURANCE FOR CCS?)

U.S. TO BE ‘VIGOROUS’ & ‘STRATEGIC’ – NEW CLIMATE ENVOY
Clinton climate change envoy vows 'dramatic diplomacy'
John Whitesides (w/Sue Pleming, Arshad Mohammed and Frances Kerry), January 26, 2009 (Reuters)

“Secretary of State Hillary Clinton named a special envoy… to lead U.S. efforts to fight global warming and forge new international accords on reducing carbon emissions and developing clean energy…The appointment…signaled a break from the Bush administration's climate policies…

“Todd Stern, a senior White House official under former President Bill Clinton, will be the administration's principal adviser on international climate policy and strategy and its chief climate negotiator.

”Stern's appointment came as Obama announced moves to force auto makers to produce more fuel-efficient and less polluting cars…”

Secretary of State Clinton names a climate change special envoy. From SBARTSTV via YouTube.

”Stern coordinated climate change policy from 1997 to 1999…Bill Clinton's administration, acting as the senior White House negotiator in the Kyoto talks…190 countries are trying to craft a broader climate treaty to replace the Kyoto Protocol…The new deal is supposed to be wrapped up in Copenhagen by December.

“ ‘The time for denial, delay and dispute is over. The time for the United States to take up its rightful place at the negotiating table is here,’ Stern said…

“From 1999 to 2001, Stern advised the U.S. Treasury secretary on economic and financial issues and supervised the department's anti-money laundering strategy. He is a partner in a Washington law firm and a senior fellow at Center for American Progress think tank…”


SIEMENS STICKS WITH NEW ENERGY
Siemens Renewable Energy Projects Are Going Ahead, Umlauft Says
Anthony Dipaola, January 20, 2009 (Bloomberg)

“Siemens AG hasn’t called off any renewable energy projects in light of the global financial crunch and falling oil prices."

click to enlarge

“ ‘We have had no cancellations of projects anywhere,’ Rene Umlauft, head of Siemens renewable energy division, said…

“The renewable energy industry is suffering from the economic slowdown that has caused credit to dry up, leaving businesses with less money to invest in technologies producing power without polluting emissions, Vivienne Cox, chief executive officer of BP Plc’s Alternative Energy division said…”


STEEL TOWN FIREFIGHTERS GET SUN
Pittsburgh launching solar initiative
January 26, 2009 (Pittsburgh Business Times)

“…As part of [the Solar America Cities] initiative to find ways to use solar energy, Pittsburgh is planing to install a solar-powered hot water unit in a city firehouse…Mayor Luke Ravenstahl announced the plan…

“The U.S. Department of Energy selected Pittsburgh in 2007 as one of 13 inaugural Solar America Cities. Pittsburgh received a $200,000 grant and an additional $250,000 in technical assistance from the DOE."

Schematic of a solar hot water system. (click to enlarge)

“Using the DOE funds, a city task force investigated which city facilities would most benefit from a solar installation…

“After energy audits, the task force recommended Firehouse 29 or Truck 34 as candidates for a solar hot water installation. The final decision will be made in the next several weeks…

“Ravenstahl said he wanted the city to not just install solar panels, but to find long-term ways to use solar power in the city's infrastructure.”


INSURANCE POLICY FOR EMISSIONS CAPTURE
Zurich Creates Policies for Carbon Capture and Sequestration Needs
January 20, 2009 (Insurance Journal)

"Zurich now offers specialized products designed to meet the unique insurance needs of Carbon Capture and Sequestration (CCS) projects from design over operational phases through to closure and post closure events at the geologic storage sites.

"…it is anticipated that effective deployment of CCS systems will be a critical element of meeting long-term global carbon emission reduction…Zurich - in conjunction with customers, academic experts and government officials - has developed a deep expertise in the risk issues associated with these technologies, and now has identified a role the insurance mechanism can play…"

And insuring sequestration costs. (click to enlarge)

"…With the addition of these two new coverages -- Carbon Capture and Sequestration (CCS) Liability Insurance and Geologic Sequestration Financial Assurance (GSFA) -- to the existing portfolio of climate-related insurance products, Zurich can now facilitate the deployment of and insurance of an innovative cleaner coal solution from design to closure…

"CCS Liability Insurance Policy...[pollution event liability, business interruption, control of well, transmission liability, and geomechanical liability...]

"GSFA Policy...[specified closure and post closure activities]...

…Not all coverages are available in all jurisdictions."