QUICK NEWS, 11-3: GRASS ROOTS BEATS DIRTY ENERGY; HISTORIC BOOST FOR BLDG EFF’C’Y; WIND TO PROTECT BIRDS, BATS; ENERGY $$ TO SO DAKOTA VIA AG DEPT

GRASS ROOTS BEATS DIRTY ENERGY
California Voters Say Hell No to Texas Oil and Proposition 23
Becky Bond, November 2, 2010 (Huffington Post)

"National green groups failed to pass meaningful climate legislation in Washington DC this year. But California progressives have demonstrated that we have the power to deliver a resounding defeat to the big oil companies, if we fight on our own terms and harness the power of the grassroots…California's Proposition 23, had it passed, would have effectively repealed the state's landmark global warming law…[I]f implemented, California's global warming law sets a new floor for national standards once the push for federal legislation is renewed…

"Valero and Tesoro, two Texas oil companies, provided the majority of funding for Proposition 23…Progressives revolted against the inside-the-beltway strategy that says environmentalists should work with big corporations rather than attacking them. They rejected the idea that the battle over Prop 23 would largely be fought by consultant-driven media buys. And they refused to kowtow to the DC conventional wisdom that you can't win on climate if you actually talk about saving the planet."

This defeat of Prop 23 gives California the opportunity to further demonstrate that fighting climate change will grow the economy and jobs. (click to enlarge)

"No doubt DC media types and political consultants will assert that Prop 23 was defeated by a deluge of campaign cash that came in during the final weeks of the campaign…[but] the netroots and the grassroots largely sealed the win in September…Grassroots efforts in California took the form of three major campaigns. CREDO…Communities United…[and] the California Alliance…A key to success was an independent campaign to proactively brand anti-climate forces early, personally, and with teeth. This defined the fight clearly on our terms at an early stage in the fight…

"…[W]hen we launched our field campaign in early September, the Yes on 23 on campaign had raised $8.2 million. No on 23 at this point had raised $6 million. Money was not the issue…Activists and their ability to move an effective message was what made the difference…Under the banner of "Hell No on 23," California activists attacked the Texas oil companies ferociously, and went after their CEOs…[W]e were able to make the Texas oil companies' funding of Prop 23 the issue…"

This defeat of Prop 23 gives California the opportunity to further demonstrate that fighting climate change will grow the economy and jobs. (click to enlarge)

"All of a sudden, the oil companies were forced to depart from the strategy that had worked so well for them in the past…[T]he Texas oil companies became so defensive that by October 1 their executives bizarrely resorted to claiming that they were neither from Texas nor oil companies…

"The story of this election is not that Silicon Valley businessmen outspent the Texas oil men. It's that voters, educated and mobilized by the grassroots to fight back against an outrageous corporate power grab, were given a clear choice, and said Hell no to the Texas oil companies."


HISTORIC BOOST FOR BLDG EFF’C’Y
State and Local Code Officials Deliver Historic Improvement in Building Energy Efficiency
November 1, 2010 (American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy)

"More than 500 state and local code officials voted…to [change] the nation’s model energy code to achieve energy savings of 30% relative to the 2006 model code. The new 2012 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) meets the 30% savings goal sought by the U.S. Department of Energy, the U.S. Conference of Mayors, the National Association of State Energy Officials, governors, lawmakers, and the broad-based Energy Efficient Codes Coalition (EECC). The model energy code governs home and commercial building construction, additions, and renovations in 47 states and the District of Columbia where local building codes are based on these national model standards…

"The proposals adopted into the new code address all aspects of residential and commercial building construction, laying a strong foundation for residential efficiency gains and leading commercial building efficiency improvements…"

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"…[R]esidential sector improvements will…[1] Ensure that new homes are better sealed to reduce heating and cooling losses…[2] Improve the efficiency of windows and skylights…[3] Increase insulation in ceilings, walls, and foundations…[4] Reduce wasted energy from leaky heating and cooling ducts…[5] Improve hot-water distribution systems to reduce wasted energy and water in piping, and…[6] Boost lighting efficiency.

"The package of improvements for commercial buildings should match those for homes in terms of energy savings. In addition to many of the features cited above, the commercial buildings package includes continuous air barriers, daylighting controls, use of economizers in additional climates, and a choice of three paths for designers and developers to increase efficiency: renewable energy systems, more efficient HVAC equipment, or improved lighting systems. The package also requires commissioning of new buildings to ensure that the actual energy performance of the building meets the design intent."

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[William Fay, Executive Director, EECC:] “It is notable that the votes that will have the most profound impact on national energy and environmental policy this year weren’t held in Washington or a state capital, but by governmental officials assembled by the International Code Council in Charlotte, North Carolina…"

"…While all Americans will share in the energy and environmental benefits of more efficient buildings, homeowners and commercial building owners and occupants top the list of beneficiaries. A study by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory found that an average home that’s 30% more energy efficient returns $511 a year in energy savings to homeowners after taking into account the small mortgage payment increase needed to pay for efficiency improvements…[E]fficient buildings will demonstrably reduce U.S. energy consumption, which will help stabilize energy costs to businesses and manufacturers, defer the need for new power plant construction, and, by reducing energy demand, improve national energy security."


WIND TO PROTECT BIRDS, BATS
Acciona Energy Introduces U.S. and Canada Avian and Bat Protection Plan; Plan Promotes Environmental Responsibility Within Wind Industry
November 1, 2010 (Business Wire)

"Acciona Energy announced…its U.S. and Canada Avian and Bat Protection Plan. The company's internal plan sets guidelines that evaluate and address the impact that wind farm development has on wildlife and aims to help conserve the 1007 species of migratory birds currently protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act. The plan, two years in the making, outlines ACCIONA’s responsible development policies for avoiding and minimizing avian and bat mortality rates and aid in employing methods to reduce those rates while maintaining renewable energy production.

"As projects are built, ACCIONA Energy will abide by the commitments outlined in the plan, ensuring that the utmost level of responsibility to the environment is being met. Before construction on a project even begins, ACCIONA Energy will carefully evaluate development sites to ensure that construction will not affect existing wildlife populations. The company will also conduct post-construction monitoring studies to make certain that existing projects are not interfering with wildlife in the area…"

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"The ACCIONA Energy U.S. and Canada Avian and Bat Protection Plan will help guide management decisions that extend beyond development and into all phases of construction, operations, re-powering, and decommissioning. Additionally, this living document will establish a baseline for identifying the need for future actions that may be required to avoid, minimize, or mitigate impacts to avian and bat species…

"Though formal wind turbine guidelines have yet to be approved by the U.S. Secretary of the Interior or by the Canadian Minister of Environment and Minister of Natural Resources, ACCIONA Energy has enforced the proposed guidelines internally, touting their value and extreme importance to the future of wildlife and the renewable energy industry. As science, policy, technology, and corporate philosophy reach higher and more informed levels or standards, this plan will be updated accordingly to ensure that the newest data, technology and management methods are being utilized by the company…"


ENERGY $$ TO SO DAKOTA VIA AG DEPT
Secretary Vilsack Announces Loans and Grants To Fund Energy Efficiency Improvements for South Dakota Ag Producers; 18 Projects Help South Dakota Farmers and Rural Businesses Become More Energy Efficient
October 30, 2010 (Department of Agriculture)

"Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack…announced that USDA Rural Development is providing loans and grants for 18 renewable energy and energy efficiency projects in South Dakota under the Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) [from the 2008 Farm bill]…

"The [more than $1.4 million in loans and grants for the 18 recipients] also includes support to help farmers, ranchers and rural small businesses make energy efficiency improvements to their operations…"

Shivvers touts its grain drying system as high performance. (click to enlarge)

"For example, Thompson Farms, Inc. in Groton has been selected for a $47,688 loan and a $23,840 grant to replace a grain dryer with a more efficient unit. East River Electric Power Cooperative, Inc. in Madison was selected to receive a $100,000 grant to perform energy audits and provide renewable energy development technical assistance to farmers and small businesses.

"Many rural businesses and farmers in South Dakota have benefited from the REAP program during the past few years. For example, E. Werts, Inc. received a $206,000 guaranteed loan and a $103,050 grant earlier this year to purchase a new grain dryer and make energy efficiency improvements to a farm in Bancroft. The new dryer is expected to use 35 percent less energy per bushel in the drying process."

Other USDA REAP funds have been used to help rural landowners build wind turbines. (click to enlarge)

"REAP funding can be used for renewable energy systems, energy efficiency improvements, feasibility studies, energy audits and renewable energy development assistance… Funding is contingent upon the recipient meeting the conditions of the grant or loan agreement…

"…USDA administers and manages more than 40 housing, business and community infrastructure and facility programs through a network of 6,100 [D.C.] employees…and nearly 500 state and local offices. These programs are designed to improve the economic stability of rural communities, businesses, residents, farmers, and ranchers and improve the quality of life in rural America. Rural Development has an existing portfolio of more than $142 billion in loans and loan guarantees."