QUICK NEWS, 7-6: MORE NEW ENERGY IN EU; P.A.C.E. PROBLEM FOR NEW ENERGY; GEOTHERMAL INSTEAD OF A/C; JAIL TIME FOR GREEN JOBS?

MORE NEW ENERGY IN EU
Share of renewables in new electricity generation capacity continues to rise
6 de Julio de 2010 (Regulacion Eolica con Vehiculos Electricos)

"...[Renewable Energy Snapshots 2010, from] the JRC's Institute for Energy (IE), shows that renewable energy sources accounted for 62% (17 GW) of the new electricity generation capacity installed in the EU27 in 2009. The share rose from 57% in 2008. For the second year running, wind power accounted for the largest share of the new capacity: 10.2 GW out of the 27.5 GW built, representing 38% of the total. In absolute terms, renewables produced 19.9% of Europe's electricity consumption last year.

"If current growth rates are maintained, in 2020 up to 1400 TWh of electricity could be generated from renewable sources, the report concludes. This would account for approximately 35-40% of overall electricity consumption in the EU, depending on the success of community policies on electricity efficiency, and would contribute significantly to the fulfilment of the 20% target for energy generation from renewables."

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"However...some issues need to be resolved if the targets are to be met...[including] ensuring fair access to grids, substantial public R&D support, and the adaptation of current electricity systems to accommodate renewable electricity...[C]ost reduction and accelerated implementation will depend on the production volume and not on time...

"...[I] absolute terms, about 19.9% (608 TWh) of Europe’s total [2009] electricity consumption (3042 TWh) came from renewable energy sources. Hydro power contributed with the largest share (11.6%), followed by wind turbines (4.2%), biomass (3.5%), and solarpower (0.4%)."

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"With regards to the new capacity constructed that same year (27.5 GW), among the renewable sources, 37.1% was wind power, 21% photovoltaics (PV), 2.1% biomass, 1.4% hydro and 0.4% concentrated solar power, whereas the rest were gas fired power stations (24%), coal fired power stations (8.7%), oil (2.1%), waste incineration (1.6%) and nuclear (1.6%)...

"...[W]ith more than 74 GW of total installed capacity in 2009...[wind now] aims for 230 GW of installed capacity (40 GW wind farm offshore) by 2020... [I]f current growth continues, electricity output from biomass could double from 2008 to 2010 (from 108 TWh to 200 TWh)...Concentrating Solar Power (CSP)...installed capacity is still relatively small in Europe [with] 0.430 GW in May 2010...[S]ince 2003, the total installed [solar PV] capacity has doubled each year. In 2009 it reached 16 GW, which represents 2% of the overall capacity...[T]echnologies such as geothermal, tidal and wave power are still at the R&D stage..."


P.A.C.E. PROBLEM FOR NEW ENERGY
Green initiative's future murky as regulators weigh risks to homeowners
David S. Hilzenrath, July 4, 2010 (Washington Post)

"An Obama administration program to promote energy efficiency in homes appears to have met insurmountable resistance from financial regulators who are worried about its effect on residential mortgages, federal and local officials said…[and] the government has begun telling municipalities to think of other ways to use the millions in economic stimulus funds that had been set aside for the green initiative…

"The program is emblematic of President Obama's effort to build the economy by reducing reliance on fossil fuels. It provides loans for such improvements as solar panels or new windows, and then allows homeowners to repay the money over many years through surcharges on property tax bills."

What P.A.C.E. was to be. (click to enlarge)

"Under the program, known as Property Assessed Clean Energy, or PACE, the obligation to repay the loan stays with the home, transferring to a future owner if the home is sold. Because the PACE financing is a so-called "first lien" on the property, if the home lands in foreclosure, mortgage lenders take a backseat in pursuit of repayment…[It provides] business for home improvement contractors…[and] could spur the emergence of a new financial market in bonds backed by PACE loans. That could create fresh opportunities for Wall Street.

"Mortgage agencies Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac [dominate the market for home loans and] left the program's future in doubt in May when they sent lenders an alert noting that they do not take on mortgages that are subordinate to other loans…Federal financial regulators have since made clear that they, too, are uncomfortable with PACE liens that take first priority…[F]irst liens are [now] not expected to pass muster with financial regulators…[and the] Energy Department is seeking protection for homeowners who have already taken on PACE financing…"

What P.A.C.E. might have done. (click to enlarge)

"The Department of Energy has allotted something less than $150 million for those loans…[and it is] unclear how many of the loans have already been issued…The Federal Housing Finance Agency, which oversees Fannie and Freddie, last year said that such loans can expose homeowners to an array of risks, including home improvement scams…PACE loans were first introduced in 2008. The concept's champions include real estate and banking firms…

"Fannie and Freddie have been operating as wards of the government since they were brought low by the mortgage crisis. The companies pooled mortgages into securities and became behemoths before the bust, partly because those securities were widely seen as carrying the implied backing of the U.S. government. One lesson from the companies' costly implosion is that bond investors may not exert market discipline if they take for granted that securities will pay off."


GEOTHERMAL INSTEAD OF A/C
Ask Angie: New HVAC unit needed
Angie Hicks, July 5, 2010 (Kansas City Star)

"…[If you] need a new HVAC unit…[and want something] better for the environment and for [your] health… A geothermal system might be right for you. These units don't draw air from outside like traditional HVAC units, so allergens such as pollen won't be sucked into your home. Geothermal heat pumps use heat from the ground to warm or cool your house. Many geothermal heat pumps are Energy Star-rated, which means they use less energy than other units and may qualify for a tax credit."

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"Geothermal units are more expensive than other HVAC systems, but they are also far more efficient than even the best natural gas furnaces. They require no fuel, produce clean energy with few carbon emissions…are 30 percent more efficient than conventional HVAC systems…[and] can save you hundreds of dollars on your energy bill every year.

"Geothermal units utilize a loop system, in which a loop of piping is buried underground and brings heat from the earth into the home during the winter and pulls heat from the home back into the earth during the summer. Not every heating and cooling company installs geothermal units…[I]nstallers are certified by the International Ground Source Heat Pump Association."

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"Energy Star ratings are also available on conventional HVAC systems, and you'll realize energy savings from these units, as well. You'll be helping the environment by upgrading an outdated system with one certified as Energy Star…"


JAIL TIME FOR GREEN JOBS?
Change? Green Jobs Advocate Faces Prison for Dropping Banner, BP and Massey Go Free?
Jeff Biggers, July 5, 2010 (Huffington Post)

"…Ted Glick, a legendary nonviolent advocate, who dropped a "Green Jobs Now" banner down the hallway of the Hart Senate Office Building last fall, goes to trial on Tuesday, July 6th, at the Superior Court in Washington, DC. He faces up to three years in prison.

"Three years for dropping a banner that reminds Congress to pursue green jobs and clean energy?"

Obviously a hard-core criminal. From 1skycampaign via YouTube

"Let's put this bizarre situation in its proper context. Consider these recent environmental news events: The US Attorney General's office is still looking into "possible" criminal activity at Massey Energy’s Upper Big Branch coal mine, despite hundreds of serious regulatory violations and 29 deaths. And despite a preliminary Congressional investigation that concluded BP oil intentionally sought to subvert industry guidelines and regulations, the Justice Department is still in the early stages of maybe pursuing a criminal investigation of the oil giant's criminal activity.

"And then there's Glick, who simply wants Congress to move along in a time of crisis…As policy director of the DC-area Chesapeake Climate Action Network, one of the most respected and effective grassroots organizations dealing with climate change, Glick has been an outspoken advocate for a just transition to green jobs and and clean energy initiatives. He drew national attention for his fast for climate change awareness last year…But he has two other banner-dropping misdemeanors, hence the severity of his possible sentence [as a repeat offender]…"

click thru for more on the Glick case

"Repeat offender? Give me a break…Massey Energy has operated its underground and massive mountaintop removal operations in a continual state of violation for years…[and] BP has operated its oil operations like repeat offenders for years.

"Glick, on the other hand, is a true American hero in the climate justice movement, whose work as a policy analyst on climate change issues has greatly informed and advanced the nation toward a sustainable energy policy…[He] doesn't deserve prison time--he deserves a Medal of Honor for his incredible work to halt climate destabilization and transition to green jobs… [To] help Glick, or attend the US Superior Court hearing, contact CCAN..."