MORE NEWS, 2-13 (MOTLEY FOOL ON NEW ENERGY MARKET; WIND LIKES STIM; NATIONAL NEW ENERGY FEED-IN; VOLT IS COMING)

MOTLEY FOOL ON NEW ENERGY MARKET
The good, the bad, and the ugly in green and alternative energy
Trackgreenenergy, February 12, 2009 (Motley Fool CAPs blog)

“…The moment word got out that the stimulus package was probably going to pass sooner than expected, stocks in alternative energy (among others) took a dive. Why?
In any event, I had considered ending those stock picks that proved to be duds after a test run of ohh . . . about 3 or 4 months? In addition, after the stimulus package is actually passed, I thought it would be fun to watch emerging companies grow (or not) and add them to the list as they become public.

“I think I will start predicting underperformers as well, but that will be in the future. Right now I want to see who makes it and who doesnt. I believe the alternative/clean energy market is ripe for the taking and I'm looking forward to see who can handle it and who cant :)"

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“Right now the biggest disappointment has been with Evergreen Solar (ESLR)… SOLR and JASO follow a close second. In fact, solar doesnt seem to be doing well at the moment overall. The best one in my list (as of 02/13/09) is STP (Suntech) followed closely by FSLR (First Solar); neither have a stock gain at the moment from when I added them.

“The overall winners seem to be in wind power with VESTAS in the lead in my list (VWSYF.PK VWDRY.PK). Personally, I like the idea of wind power. Although I would like to see wind and solar marry for a double punch (I envision wind turbines that also collect solar energy). Hey, we can send men to the moon cant we??"

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“In addition, I would LOVE to see pollution control services increase in the near future…I am a big fan of FTEK, and was so BEFORE it became a 5 star rated stock. In fact, I think I bought into it when it was only a 2 or 3 rated stock. I was green before it was even a buzz word.

“Lastly, I would LOVE to see water management companies increase and improve. We all need clean water folks. I've heard that water will be the next oil… we will have conflicts over clean water like we have had over oil. Water conservation is imperative…I have several stock picks in this market: MWA PHO LNN AWK NWPX.”


WIND LIKES STIM

AWEA Statement On House-Senate Agreement On Stimulus Package
February 12, 2009 (American Wind Energy Association)

“The American Wind Energy Association (AWEA) today praised the agreement reached by the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives on economic recovery legislation, which includes several provisions intended to spur development of wind and other renewable energy industries in the current adverse economic and financial climate.

“‘The renewable energy provisions in the final bill will stimulate economic and job growth in the wind industry. More than that, this bill is a critical down payment on long-term policies needed to meet the President’s ambitious renewable energy goals, enhance America’s energy security, grow our economy and reduce global warming pollution ,’ said Greg Wetstone, AWEA’s Senior Director for Governmental Affairs."

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“The agreement includes a key measure, a grant program, which the industry considers essential to sustaining growth. The grant measure was included in the House bill and retained in the final package with a few modifications. Wetstone praised the Congressional leadership for recognizing the strong stimulus value that renewable energy development can contribute to the economy.

“‘Given the right tools, the wind industry is ready to deliver,’ added Wetstone.”


NATIONAL NEW ENERGY FEED-IN
Feed-In Tariffs Contemplated in the U.S.
Kate Galbraith, February 9, 2009 (NY Times)

"Policymakers in several states are considering a new tool to boost renewable energy production: feed-in tariffs.

"What’s a feed-in tariff? The European Environment Agency defines it this way: The price per unit of electricity that a utility or supplier has to pay for renewable electricity from private generators. The government regulates the tariff rate.

"Indeed, feed-in tariffs are commonly used in Europe to boost renewables, but have been virtually absent in the United States, where renewable portfolio standards and tax incentives are more common inducements."

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"But some clean-energy advocates have long claimed that the high, fixed-rate payments associated with feed-in tariffs, which help cover the comparatively higher cost of renewables production, are more likely to get the alternative energy industry off the ground.

"Last week, the city of Gainesville, Fla., approved what the local paper called the “nation’s first solar feed-in tariff ordinance.”

"Gainesville residents with photovoltaic panels on their roofs will get 32 cents a kilowatt-hour when they produce energy. (By contrast, homeowners in Florida last October paid on average 12 cents a kilowatt hour for their electricity, according to Department of Energy statistics.

"Other states are investigating feed-in tariffs…"


VOLT IS COMING
New look at Chevy's electric car
February 12, 2009 (WBBH-TV via MSNBC)

"General Motors is plugging in and banking on their innovative electric vehicle, the Chevy Volt.

"The Volt is not just a new car, it is a new way of thinking for the U.S. auto industry.

"'Considering 75 percent of the people travel less than 40 miles on their commute every day and they can drive gas free I think this is the future of where our industry is going to go,' says GM Vice President Ed Peper."

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"200 lithium ion batteries will power the vehicle for 40 miles, but an on-board gas engine called a range extender will let you travel hundreds of miles before you have to recharge…

"The batteries will be made in Michigan and are expected to last at least 10 years because they will never be fully depleted.

"To save power, GM has turned to its suppliers to come up with power saving components like tires and stereo systems…Volt is making every amp count… the Chevy Volt will be available for purchase in 2010."