MORE NEWS, 12-16: COPENHAGEN MID-MNGMT MEETS/ACTION IN THE STREETS; CASH FOR CAULKERS; RHODE ISLAND BACKS OFFSHORE WIND; GEOTHERMAL READY FOR TAKE-OFF

COPENHAGEN MID-MANAGEMENT MEETS/ACTION IN THE STREETS
Ministers lead climate change talks in Copenhagen
16 December 2009 (BBC News)

"Environment ministers are holding talks at the UN climate conference in Copenhagen amid threats [from activists] angered by logistical issues and a lack of progress on a deal…to disrupt proceedings.

"The White House said President Barack Obama, who will join world leaders in Copenhagen later in the week, is confident of reaching a deal…[though] talks are deadlocked over emission cuts and financial aid for poorer countries…”

Just in. From itnnews via YouTube

"…For the last two mornings, thousands of campaigners have queued for hours to gain access to the conference venue - many unsuccessfully…Now, with ministers and their aides joining the conference, the organisers have slashed the number of other delegates allowed in…A spokeswoman from the Climate Justice Action group says demonstrations amounting to 'mass civil disobedience' are planned...The groups says some 15,000 delegates have been effectively "locked out" of the summit…

"The high-level phase of the talks began on Tuesday, with environment ministers and negotiators from 193 countries struggling to make progress on core issues…More than 120 leaders will formally join the talks on Thursday, aiming to seal an accord by Friday. Just days before a climate deal is due to be completed, there is clearly still an immense amount of negotiating left to do…

Words and images from the other side, provided by Amy Goodman’s Democracy Now. Take a few extra minutes to hear and see things unlikely to turn up on the nightly news. From ThisBoyTV via YouTube

"Unresolved issues include…the size of emissions cuts by developed nations…how finance should be raised and disbursed, and most fundamentally, whether a deal here should aim to keep the global temperature rise to 2C or just 1.5C…

"…[Though] the American negotiator at the conference said he did not expect to offer any further cuts in US carbon emissions…Developing countries have accused industrialised nations of going back on their commitment to fight climate change."


CASH FOR CAULKERS
Obama's new plan to create jobs, save energy: Call it cash for caulkers?; At a Home Depot in Virginia, the president pushes his plan to offer cash incentives to consumers who install insulation and make other energy-efficient home improvements.
Jim Puzzanghera, December 15, 2009 (LA Times)

"Declaring that insulation is "sexy," President Obama…pushed Congress to create a program giving homeowners cash incentives to improve their energy efficiency by replacing windows, caulking leaks and modernizing heaters and air conditioners.

"…[At] a Home Depot store in Alexandria, Va., [the President pitched] a job-creation plan some have dubbed "cash for caulkers" -- government incentives given directly to consumers to spur economic activity, similar to the popular "cash for clunkers" rebates that spurred a surge in auto sales last summer. Obama also held a roundtable at the store…"

Jobs, jobs, jobs...(click to enlarge)

[President Obama:] "I know the idea may not be very glamorous, although I get really excited about it. We were at the roundtable and somebody said, 'Insulation's not sexy.' I disagree…Here's what's sexy about it: saving money…If you saw 20-dollar bills just sort of floating through the window up into the atmosphere, you'd try to figure out how you were going to keep that…But that's exactly what's happening because of the lack of efficiency in our buildings…So what we want to do is create incentives that stimulate consumer spending…[boosting manufacturering]…It spurs hiring…It saves consumers money…And it reduces our energy consumption…"

"…[The President] said homes built in the first half of the 20th century use about 50% more energy than those built today. Much of the energy is wasted through leaky roofs and windows. Making homes more energy efficient not only will help the environment, but also will help homeowners save money and boost the economy."

...jobs, jobs, jobs...(click to enlarge)

"Such a program is among several 'strategic surgical steps' Obama is pushing to help create jobs as the unemployment rate remains at 10% despite a return to economic growth after the deep recession. Obama [said]…Congress must create ['cash for caulkers'], as it did with 'cash for clunkers.'

"Obama joked that his trip to Home Depot would allow him to do some holiday shopping, such as 'a few million energy-efficient light bulbs' for Energy Secretary Steven Chu and 'something that will prevent leaks' for White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs. But it was insulation that he focused on, saying incentives for consumers to buy it and other home weatherization material would be a 'win-win' for the economy and the environment…"


RHODE ISLAND BACKS OFFSHORE WIND
Deepwater Wind and National Grid Sign Historic 20-Year Power-Purchase Agreement for Offshore Wind Energy
December 9, 2009 (State of Rhode Island/Office of the Governor)

"…Deepwater Wind and National Grid have signed a 20-year, power-purchase agreement, marking a significant milestone in Rhode Island’s path toward developing the nation’s first offshore wind farm and establishing a green-collar industry. The agreement marks only the nation’s second such power-purchase agreement for renewable, offshore wind energy.

"Under the terms of the agreement, National Grid will purchase the energy generated from Deepwater Wind’s Block Island Wind Farm at a cost of 24.4 cents per kilowatt hour in the first full year of operation expected to occur in 2013, escalating at 3.5% per year. This would translate into an increase on the typical 500 kilowatt-hour residential customer monthly bill for National Grid customers of approximately $1.35 per month in that year...subject to the review and approval of the Rhode Island Public Utilities Commission…"

Rhode Island's offshore wind assets are remarkable. (click to enlarge)

"In 2005, [Rhode Island Governor Donald Carcieri], with the support of the General Assembly, established the Office of Energy Resources, which is responsible for engaging the stakeholder and scientific community, creating the parameters for viable wind farm proposals, and choosing the best offshore wind project developer for Rhode Island. In 2008, Deepwater Wind was selected as the state’s preferred offshore-wind developer. In 2009, the General Assembly passed historic long-term contracting legislation that set the conditions for [the] power-purchase agreement…

"Deepwater Wind plans to develop the Block Island Wind Farm in state waters, about three miles off the southeastern coast of Block Island. This demonstration project will include up to eight turbines and will provide clean, stable power at mainland rates for Block Island residents, who now pay some of the nation’s highest electric prices. The wind farm will provide approximately one percent of Rhode Island’s energy needs."

Some pockets are even richer. (click to enlarge)

"Deepwater Wind later plans to build a large-scale wind farm, with about 106 turbines, located in federal waters about 15 miles from nearest landfall. The energy cost for the utility-scale Rhode Island Wind Farm will be lower than that of the Block Island Wind Farm because of the economies of scale, the shortening of the supply chain from a more developed industry, and the creation of a robust, sustainable local workforce. Deepwater must execute a separate power-purchase agreement for the power generated from the larger wind farm.

"Last summer, Deepwater Wind reached an agreement to develop 117 acres at Quonset Point, in North Kingstown, as a hub of manufacturing operations for the offshore wind industry…"


GEOTHERMAL READY FOR TAKE-OFF
Geothermal Energy on Launch Trajectory in 2009
December 14, 2009 (Geothermal Energy Association)

"Geothermal energy appeared to be on a launch trajectory at the start of 2009 and as the year comes to a close it is clear that the past twelve months did not disappoint the investors, environmentalists, and policymakers who have long pushed for its growth…[according to a] Geothermal Energy Association (GEA)…year-end review… outlook for 2010 and beyond…

"…[1] Industry Growth…Despite the recession, geothermal energy grew at a robust pace in 2009, adding 750 full time jobs and 2,827 construction-related jobs due to a roughly $800 million investment…With six new geothermal plants online in the United States, power capacity rose 6% during the year…"

More and more projects. (click to enlarge)

"…[2] Pushing Toward 10 GW…144 new geothermal plants are under development in the United States…[which] could bring the nation 7,000 MW of new baseload geothermal power in the next few years, raising the prospects of 10 GW of geothermal power…[enough] geothermal power [to] satisfy the needs of over 10 million people…[3]
Range of Technology Grows…Enhanced Geothermal Systems (EGS) will allow geothermal power to expand its effective range across the nation…[and] two projects that would utilize hot water produced by oil and gas wells to produce geothermal power [will advance the industry]…

"…[4]Federal and State Policies Fuel Growth…[2009 progress] has been propelled by state and federal policies. The two largest geothermal producers, California and Nevada, each raised their renewable standards; California to 33% by 2020 and Nevada to 25% by 2025. Utilities in those states are looking to geothermal energy to fill these needs…DOE this year opened its loan program for innovative technologies to geothermal technology, and Congress created a new DOE loan guarantee program…Finally, BLM held a sale involving lands in Nevada, California and Utah which resulted in the sale of 255,355 acres of land and total revenue of approximately $9 million…"

More and more capacity. (click to enlarge)

"…[5] ARRA Funding Boosts Geothermal…Up to $338 million in Recovery Act funding was allotted for the exploration and development of new geothermal fields and research into advanced geothermal technologies. These grants will support 123 projects in 39 states…a federal-private total of $691 million invested in new geothermal technology and applications…

"…[6] A Record Trade Show…The 2009 Geothermal Energy Expo…[had an estimated] 2,300 attendees…up from 1,700 in 2008…[7] Future Potential…The outlook for 2010 is for even stronger growth in the industry, continued progress with new technology, and greater priority from federal and state policymakers...[N]ew power projects [will come] on line in four to eight states… New technology advances will continue…DOE will officially recognize a near-term potential of at least 20 GW, or 5% of U.S. power needs, with longer-term possibilities well over 100 GW…"