Solarion

Solar energy, will be playing a big role in our lives, as it has been playing for eons. Sustainable society is a need if we are to survive as a planet. There are many a facets to solar energy, solar electricity, solar heat and so on. Education is key factor in bringing Solar power to the doorsteps of every house and all people. This site will try to empower you, by bringing new about solar energy, the solar power blog, empoweringsolar. Be powerful! be off the grid. Let Sun Shine On You.

Wednesday, September 19, 2007

Innovative Solar Island is Swiss Made!

A Swiss-designed artificial island is set to make its first appearance in the Gulf state of Ras al Khaimah,United Arab Emirates, with the aim of providing a source of clean energy.
The solution proposed by the centre is to build artificial islands that can sit offshore, where surface is not a problem. To cut costs, the usual solar panels would not be used, but rather a concentrator that heats water running through pipes. The steam is then used to generate electricity. Because of its floating structure, the island could be easily turned to always face the sun, generating maximum power. And to avoid having to connect the island to the mainland, the electricity could also be used to make hydrogen that could then be stored on the island before being shipped elsewhere.
"A floating infrastructure means a very low construction cost," said Hinderling. "There are no support structures to build."
However, building such a facility involves a few restrictions. There has to be around 350 days a year of sunshine, and it needs to sit somewhere between the tropics, near the equator for optimal performance. In many respects, the coastal region of the United Arab Emirates fits the bill, and this is why Ras al Khaimah is footing a large part of the development costs, contributing $5 million (SFr6.1 million) to the project.
"We began working on renewable energies with the emirate three years ago," Hinderling said. "The market with the biggest potential for solar and water technology is in that region, so that is where we have to work."

Challenges that might surface;

The biggest hurdle to the project seems to be the construction of the island itself. For example it is still unknown how the infrastructure will react in high winds, Hinderling said. "We have done simulations that have not revealed any problems, but it is not until we have tested in the real world that we will know if it works," he added. In situations such as storms or violent winds, he reckons that an island would be able to power its way out of danger before bad weather struck.
The construction of a prototype is now underway in the Gulf. It will have a diameter of 100 metres, one-tenth of the size of an actual solar island. Just don't go looking for it off the coast of the Emirates: initial tests will take place inland, with the island floating on a water channel.

swissinfo, Scott Capper in Neuchâtel

Friday, September 14, 2007

Beer goes green at Sierra Nevada

If you were a fan of that brown bottle with green and yellow labeled beer, you have another reason to be happy. Sierra Nevada beer company is putting up final touches to going 100% green. They are adding Solar panels to the fuel cells that provide most of the brewery's energy now. The brewery has four fuel cells operating 70 to 75 percent of the facility's power, Sustainability Coordinator Cheri Chastain said. This summer they have been in the process of adding solar panels. In a few short weeks the solar panels will be operational. With the added solar panels the brewery will be approaching 100 percent self-sufficiency. After the panels' installation the plan is to add additional solar panels in order to be completely self-sufficient when the sun is up, during peak hours, Chastain said.
The solar panels are located on the east side of the facility, covering three acres of the parking lot, providing energy to the facility along with covered parking for the employees, Chastain said. PG&E's Self-Generation Incentive Program is providing incentive costs to help fund the project. When the project is complete and successfully operational the brewery will receive a refund from PG&E. If you are interested, also check the California Energy Commissions offering.

Natural or bio-gas (Methane is a by product of beer production) is fed to the Fuel Cell , where hydrogen gas is extracted and combined with oxygen from the air to produce electricity, heat, and water. Heat is then recovered and used to heat water for brewing and the electricity is used throughout the brewery. Fuel Cells are efficient, quiet, and produce extremely low emissions.
In addition to Solar Panels and Fuel Cells, Sierra Nevada Beer company has been busy keeping the environment clean with recycling, heat recovery, CO2 recovery, and byproduct recycling.
I think I will order a Sierra Nevada next time I visit the neighborhood Pub.
I was lead to this news by Jennifer Barker at Paradise post.

Thursday, September 13, 2007

First Solar safeway in Dublin, California.

Not far away from where I live, Safeway opened a grocery shop that now powered by Solar energy. I have visited this store earlier to experience the wind powered gas station. I do not usually shop at safeway but to show support, now I will divide my shopping between safeway and Whole foods (Also solar powered for a long time, since 2002). New reporters get the facts right!
Safeway Inc. unveiled it's first-ever solar powered grocery store. Company adds solar program to its extensive "green power" initiative. Congressman Jerry McNerney joins Safeway official for tour of acre-wide rooftop solar array. Panels provide energy for the 55,000-square-foot store. Store's existing gas station already powered by wind energy.

Solar and wind energy are just part of Safeway's extensive company-wide environmental focus. The company has invested in other retail-based energy savings strategies to reduce the company's carbon power demand such has new energy-efficient refrigeration and lighting. Safeway is one of the largest retail recyclers of paper, cardboard, plastic and other materials. The company is at the recently joined the Chicago Climate Exchange, the world's first and North America's only voluntary, legally binding greenhouse gas emissions reduction registry and trading program. Safeway has committed to reduce its carbon footprint from the base year 2000 by 390,000 tons of carbon dioxide. Additionally, each year Safeway recycles enough paper, cardboard, plastic and other materials to fill a football field 190 feet high.

Monday, September 10, 2007

ClearFeuls in AlwaysOn GoingGreen100 Top Private Companies

AIEA, Hawaii--(BUSINESS WIRE)--ClearFuels Technology Inc., a developer of sustainable sugarcane biorefineries, today announced its selection by AlwaysOn as one of the GoingGreen 100 Top Private Companies for 2007. The first-annual elite GoingGreen 100 list was compiled by the AlwaysOn editorial panel. To be eligible for the GoingGreen 100 list, companies had to be peer-nominated, with AlwaysOn receiving more than 500 nominations from venture investors, investment bankers and other industry experts.

"The AlwaysOn GoingGreen 100 companies will accelerate the global movement to a more sustainable environment," said Tony Perkins, founder and editor of AlwaysOn. "The ideas and innovation we saw as we reviewed hundreds of clean technology companies will be foundational to the next wave of economic growth in California and beyond. My congratulations to each AlwaysOn GoingGreen 100 winner—these are the companies which we predict will have the greatest market traction, strongest innovation and most game-changing approaches this year."

Using advanced thermochemical technologies, ClearFuels’ integrated biorefineries are designed to increase per acre production of ethanol while reducing carbon dioxide emissions per gallon.

“ClearFuels is developing biorefineries that can produce clean renewable fuels from waste biomass or sustainable energy crops,” said ClearFuels President George St. John. “Our biofuel refinery design integrates efficient production of cellulosic ethanol from bagasse and cane trash with existing sugar mill and sugar fermentation facilities. This allows relative production flexibility of ethanol, sugar and power to optimize economic returns in response to commodity market prices, while increasing overall efficiency in a sustainable manner.” ClearFuels’ first commercial demonstration facility is currently under development in Hawaii.

“It is a tremendous honor for ClearFuels to be included with these other emerging leaders in green energy innovation,” St. John said.

ClearFuels and the GoingGreen 100 Top Private Companies for 2007 will be honored at AlwaysOn GoingGreen to be held at the University of California in Davis from September 10 – 12. GoingGreen is a two-and-a-half-day executive gathering that highlights the significant impact clean technologies have on new economic growth and in sustainable use of natural resources. The idea behind the GoingGreen 100 top private companies list is to identify the most promising entrepreneurial opportunities and investments in the clean technology industry.

A full list of all the AlwaysOn GoingGreen 100 Private Companies can be found on the AlwaysOn Web site at: http://alwayson.goingon.com/permalink/post/18632

For more information on ClearFuels Technology Inc., go to: www.clearfuels.com

Friday, September 07, 2007

Nexxus Lighting, will light up and shine at 2007 Solar Decathlon

CHARLOTTE, N.C.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nexxus Lighting, Inc. (NASDAQ:NEXS), a world leader in advanced lighting technology, including solid-state LED and fiber optic lighting systems and controls used in commercial, architectural, signage, swimming pool and retail lighting today announced that several of its LED products, including its new Savi™ LED light bulb and LED Flood Strip, will be featured in Georgia Techs’ entry into the 2007 Solar Decathlon.

The Solar Decathlon 2007 is an international competition between twenty universities to design, transport and commission an 800 square foot solar powered house on the National Mall in Washington, D.C. in October 2007. The competition is sponsored by the US Department of Energy and is supported by BP Solar, Sprint, US Green Building Council, National Association of Home Builders, American Institute of Architects and ASHRAE. The Georgia Institute of Technology is the only university in the southeast selected to participate in this competition. George Tech’s College of Architecture is leading the project and working in collaboration with more than eighty students and faculty from the colleges of Engineering, Management and Sciences at all levels of the university: undergraduate, graduate and Ph.D.

“Nexxus Lighting is working with Georgia Tech to showcase the benefits of LED lighting systems in this unique solar power project,” stated Ralph Genova, VP of Sales for Nexxus Lighting. “LED lighting technology is extremely energy efficient, which is critical in alternative energy supplied structures, and has other unique attributes. Unlike compact fluorescent lamps that contain hazardous chemicals, our LED products do not contain mercury and therefore are truly an environmentally friendly light source, and they last up to 25 times longer than traditional incandescent light bulbs. We are very excited to support Georgia Tech in their efforts,” concluded Mr. Genova.

“Students working on this house have pushed the limits of residential technologies in all avenues ranging from solar technologies, architectural materials, engineering systems, lighting, and automation techniques,” stated Ruchi Choudhary, Assistant Professor of Architecture and Ph.D. Programs, College of Architecture at Georgia Tech.

“By providing the team with state-of-the-art LED light fixtures, Nexxus Lighting has contributed significantly towards upholding the spirit of innovation in the Georgia Tech Solar Decathlon House. Nexxus Lighting's contribution serves many avenues, such as demonstrating the integration of LED and fluorescent lights for ambient lighting in residential applications, demonstrating the integration of LED lights with architectural components of the house, educating both students and the general public about the advantages of LED technology, and finally providing low energy lighting solutions for operating the house under limited reserves of solar energy,” concluded Dr. Choudhary.

Nexxus Lighting introduced its Savi™ LED line of commercial light bulbs earlier this year and is expanding its offering of LED based lighting products and controls later this year as part of its “Life’s Brighter™” green lighting initiative.

For more information, please visit the Nexxus Lighting, Inc. web site at www.nexxuslighting.com.

Thursday, September 06, 2007

Application for construction of a 400 MW Solar Power Plant Filed, A first since 1989 in California.

solar field OAKLAND, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--BrightSource Energy™, Inc., a utility scale solar thermal company, announced today that it has filed an Application For Construction (AFC) with the California Energy Commission (CEC) for development of a 400 MW solar power plant site. This is the first AFC to be filed in California since 1989 for the construction of solar power plants.

BrightSource plans to build three separate solar plants on a site in California known as Ivanpah, about five miles southwest of Primm, Nevada. The site is located on federally owned land administered by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM). BrightSource has applied to the BLM for a right-of-way grant to use the land for its solar power complex, which will consist of two 100 MW solar power plants and one 200 MW solar power plant. The plants will utilize Distributed Power Tower™ (DPT) solar field technology developed by Luz II, a wholly owned subsidiary of BrightSource Energy.

“BrightSource is in negotiations with California utilities for the purchase of the electricity that these solar power plants will generate,” noted John Woolard, CEO of BrightSource Energy in making this announcement. “BrightSource continues to lead in the development of cost effective solar energy and will be the first company since 1990 to break ground in California for a new utility scale solar thermal plant.”

BrightSource Energy was founded by Arnold Goldman. Between 1984 and 1990, Mr. Goldman and the Luz International team built nine Solar Electricity Generating Stations (SEGS), the first of their kind, in California’s Mojave Desert. These plants continue to generate power at a capacity of 354 MW.

Privately held, BrightSource Energy is headquartered in Oakland, California. Further information may be found at www.brightsourceenergy.com.

Extreme Makeover: Solar Edition

Press Release from groSolar

Athens, VT

When the Vitale family woke up yesterday, they didn't know that Ty and the gang from "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition" would be knocking on their door. Not only will the Vitale's get a transformed house from the hugely popular reality series, they will get a free solar energy system from groSolar in the deal.

A fast-growing and leading national solar energy company, groSolar joined the television show to provide the Vitale’s with a newly renovated, handicapped-accessible and energy efficient home.

“We are glad to help this deserving family,” groSolar CEO Jeff Wolfe said. “It is part of our mission of social responsibility and trying to be part of the climate crisis solution. This family will realize the benefits of solar energy in reducing their home energy bills with virtually no maintenance.’’

Wolfe said his company has made similar donations, including solar energy systems for the local Twin Pines Housing Trust and Habitat for Humanity.

“Solar energy provides affordable, low maintenance, reliable energy we all can live with," Wolfe said.

Sarah and Lou Vitale have two loving and bright sons: Kane, 2, and Louie Angelo Jr., one and a half. Louie Angelo has multiple birth defects, including Arthogryposis, club feet and skeletal displasia. Although he can’t move very well, he loves to paint. So his mother started Angel Boy Art in honor of her son. The organization allows children to paint and auction off their work to raise money and awareness around their particular disease.

Limited resources have prevented the Vitale's from adapting their home to Louis Jr.’s needs. The home was built on a weak foundation that consists of tree trunks, bare earth and shifting blocks.

A superior design team that includes groSolar and The McKernon Group, Inc. and hundreds of volunteers will now provide the family with a handicap-accessible, energy efficient house that everyone can be proud of. While Ty and the designers are rebuilding the home, the Vitale family will be living and volunteering at David’s House, a home away from home for children receiving treatment at Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center in Lebanon, N.H.

The episode “Vitale Family’’ will air on ABC in January 2008.

The design team for the episode will feature team leader Ty Pennington and designers Michael Moloney, Paul DiMeo, Tanya McQueen and John Littlefield.

For more information, please contact Kevin Ellis 1-800-498-5390, kevin@kse50.com or Sue Lewis 1-800-374-4494, sue@grosSolar.com. www.groSolar.com.

Tags: renewable energy, alternative energy, solar, Extreme Makeover

China Calls for $265B Investment in Renewable Energy

Shares in renewable energy companies edged up on China’s stock exchanges Wednesday following the release of a national plan for reducing fossil fuel-based energy consumption, according to the country's official Xinhua News Agency.

China’s energy czar, Chen Deming, said on Tuesday that China needs $265 billion in investments to meet its renewable energy goals by 2020, according to the English-language China Daily.

The private sector, including state-owned companies, will likely foot most of the bill to reach China’s goal of generating 15 percent of its energy needs from renewable sources within 13 years, according to the National Development and Reform Commission’s (NRDC) plan. Beijing and local governments will contribute only about one-fifth of that total investment, Mr. Chen said.

Mr. Chen promised tax incentives and subsidies to help companies switch to more sustainable forms of energy, the China Daily said. But Mr. Chen also sketched out specific requirements, such as renewable energy investment quotas for large, state-owned enterprises and the installation of solar power equipment in real estate development projects, according to the China Daily.
source

Tuesday, August 28, 2007

San Bernardino sees green through Solar and Wind permits.

Environmentally friendly developers and homeowners in San Bernardino County could start seeing green -- and saving money -- thanks to initiatives announced Monday by county supervisors.

Under a four-part plan unveiled by board Chairman Paul Biane that is expected to be approved by the Board of Supervisors today, the county will waive building permit fees for homeowners installing solar and wind-generated energy systems and expedite applications from developers whose projects meet certain green-building criteria.

"Time is money," Biane said. "We're encouraging residents and businesses to make changes that will help us cut our greenhouse gas emissions."

Homeowners currently pay $200 for a solar permit and $250 for a wind-energy permit, county planning officials said.

LAT news

Wednesday, August 22, 2007

Boeing will build High efficiency solar cells for SolFOcus

A SolFocus solar concentrator is populated with Spectrolab cells in each dish. Spectrolab has leveraged its expertise in space photovoltaic products to create solar cells with record-breaking efficiencies for Earth-based applications. The cells provided will be capable of generating more than 10 megawatts of electricity +, enough to power about 4,000 U.S. homes.

ST. LOUIS, Aug. 28, 2006 - The Boeing Company [NYSE: BA] has signed a contract to provide 600,000 solar concentrator cells to SolFocus, Inc., a California-based renewable energy company that is developing renewable terrestrial energy alternatives.

"Companies on the cutting edge of the renewable energy revolution come to us because we are the world's leading manufacturer of solar cells," said Charles Toups, vice president of engineering for Boeing Space and Intelligence Systems. "Our Spectrolab subsidiary has leveraged its expertise in space photovoltaic products to create solar cells with record-breaking efficiencies for Earth-based applications."

Under the 12-month contract from SolFocus, Inc. of Palo Alto, Calif., Spectrolab will build and deliver 600,000 solar concentrator cells that will be used to convert the sun's rays into affordable electricity for homes and businesses. The cells produced for SolFocus will be capable of generating more than 10 megawatts of electricity, or enough to power about 4,000 U.S. homes. With the average solar cell efficiency above 35 percent at concentration, Spectrolab's concentrator photovoltaic cells generate electricity at a rate that can be more economical than electricity generated from conventional, flat panel photovoltaic systems.

"Our mission is to deliver reliable solar-generated electricity at wholesale energy prices, and Spectrolab's multi-junction concentrator solar cells are key to making that possible," said Gary D. Conley, CEO of SolFocus. "Spectrolab's cells will be integrated into our upcoming solar concentrator field test program and then into the first phase of active deployments."

A significant advantage of concentrator systems is that fewer solar cells are required to achieve a specific power output, thus replacing large areas of semiconductor materials with relatively inexpensive optics that provide optical concentration. The slightly higher cost of multi-junction cells is offset by the use of fewer cells. Due to the higher efficiency of multi-junction cells used in the concentrator modules, only a small fraction of the cell area is required to generate the same power output compared to crystalline silicon or thin-film, flat-plate modules.

SunPower Solar systems guidance for 2008.

SAN JOSE, Calif., Aug 22, 2007 /PRNewswire-FirstCall via COMTEX News Network/ --

SunPower Corporation (Nasdaq: SPWR), a Silicon Valley-based manufacturer of high-efficiency solar cells, solar panels and solar systems, today reiterated its guidance for 2008.

Supporting that guidance, SunPower expects to have silicon sufficient to generate 250 megawatts or more of solar cell production in 2008. SunPower buys silicon using a portfolio strategy that combines polysilicon, ingot and wafer procurement from a variety of suppliers under a variety of contract terms and durations.

"SunPower prudently plans for our silicon procurement from a variety of suppliers with an approach designed to anticipate manufacturing ramp rates," said Tom Werner, chief executive officer at SunPower Corp. "We match our solar cell manufacturing expansion and production plans to our silicon supply to allow for maximum utilization of our manufacturing capacity. By rapidly scaling from Fab 1, now in full production, to Fab 2 beginning this quarter, SunPower expects to achieve economies of scale that will contribute to our goal to reduce installed solar system costs by 50 percent by 2012."

About SunPower

SunPower Corporation (Nasdaq: SPWR) designs, manufactures and delivers high-performance solar electric systems worldwide for residential, commercial and utility-scale power plant customers. SunPower high-efficiency solar cells and solar panels generate up to 50 percent more power than conventional solar technologies and have a uniquely attractive, all-black appearance. With headquarters in San Jose, Calif., SunPower has offices in North America, Europe and Asia. For more information, visit www.sunpowercorp.com. SunPower is a majority-owned subsidiary of Cypress Semiconductor Corp. (NYSE: CY).

PG&E Joins The Green Grid

Expands Industry-Leading Financial Incentive Programs for Energy Efficient Computing Equipment

SAN FRANCISCO - Pacific Gas and Electric Company today announced that it is the first utility to join The Green Grid, a non-profit consortium dedicated to advancing energy efficiency in data centers and business computing ecosystems. The utility will now include The Green Grid's efficiency standards to expand its industry-leading financial incentive programs for customers who purchase premium efficiency servers, data storage devices, routers, and other computing equipment.

"PG&E has developed an industry-leading portfolio of high tech energy efficiency programs and services for our customers, and learning what constitutes premium efficiency for computing equipment will help us expand our offerings," explained Brad Whitcomb, vice president of customer products and services for PG&E. "We want to provide our customers with information and incentives for the most energy efficient high tech equipment on the market."

The Green Grid is a consortium of more than forty high-tech equipment companies, including AMD, APC, Dell, HP, IBM, Intel, Microsoft, Rackable Systems, SprayCool, Sun Microsystems and VMware, whose goal is to lower the overall consumption of power in data centers around the globe. The consortium will work together to develop meaningful, platform-neutral standards, measurement methods, processes and new technologies to improve data center efficiency and performance.

"PG&E brings a highly-valued perspective," said Don Tilton, a director of The Green Grid. "The utility's leadership and experience in developing innovative high-tech energy efficiency programs will enhance our efforts to improve overall data center efficiency. As more utilities join, we expect to collaborate on standardizing demand response and energy efficiency incentive and rebate programs across the industry to accelerate the adoption of technologies that support this goal."

PG&E currently offers a comprehensive portfolio of programs and service offerings for the high tech sector, including financial incentives for the following:

Virtualization projects — Incentives to customers who undertake IT virtualization projects in data centers that result in the removal of computing equipment.
MAID Systems — Incentives for Massive Array of Idle Disks, or MAID systems that store rarely-used data to hard disks that are normally turned off, helping customers realize 75% or more in energy savings compared to typical systems.
Energy efficient servers — Incentives for customers who replace old, inefficient servers with new energy efficient ones.
HVAC upgrades — Incentives for projects that effectively reduce the amount of energy needed to cool data centers.
80 PLUS power supplies — $5 incentive per unit to manufacturers who integrate power supplies with a minimum efficiency of 80% or more into desktop computers and servers.
LCD monitors — $10 incentive per unit to manufacturers of energy efficient monitors.
"Sleep-mode" software — $15 incentive per computer for enterprise customers who purchase software that allows computers to "snooze" when not in use.

"Our customers and the industry are asking us to expand our programs, and to promote them to other utilities," said Mark Bramfitt, principal program manager for the high tech sector at PG&E. "Having industry-accepted measurement protocols will form the basis of new programs, and we hope to complement The Green Grid's efforts with our knowledge and experience."

PG&E's existing server incentive programs applies to replacement projects where the utility can measure and calculate energy savings from the removal of old, inefficient servers and replacement of them with fewer and more energy efficient ones. The Green Grid standards will allow PG&E to expand its incentive program offerings to include new purchases of premium efficiency servers and other computing equipment.

In February, PG&E announced that it is leading the formation of a nationwide coalition of utilities to discuss and coordinate energy efficiency programs for the high tech sector, focusing on data centers. The Northwest Energy Efficiency Alliance (NEEA), TXU Electric Delivery, Austin Energy, New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA), and NSTAR all signed on to the coalition. Since that time several additional utilities have asked to take part in the coalition, including two utilities in Canada.

Data centers can use up to one hundred times the energy per square foot of typical office space, so the energy efficiency opportunities are significant. PG&E customers in northern and central California who are interested in earning financial incentives for data center efficiency measures must apply prior to implementing projects and can find more information about the company's programs and service offerings at www.pge.com/hightech.

A leader in energy efficiency for over 30 years, PG&E's programs have saved customers nearly $10 billion and prevented approximately 125 million tons of carbon dioxide (CO2) from entering the atmosphere. Going forward, PG&E is doing even more. Between 2006 and 2008, the utility is spearheading nearly $1 billion in enhanced energy-efficiency programs. This investment will avoid the need for more than 600 megawatts of new generation—or roughly the amount of electricity produced at a large power plant.

News

The National Park Service turns 91 years this week! and CNPSR has a word for us

I enjoy our National Parks and for as long as I can remember, I visit at least two parks a year. I visited three parks this year and plan to visit at least two more before the year ends. We are so lucky with our natural resources and forefathers vision to preserve those for future generations. When ever you visit these parks or other facilities under NPS, you may have seen sweet people who help you out with finding maps or what ever you are looking for in a park. Well they turn out to be one of the oldest social gathering to service all of us.

WASHINGTON, D.C.//August 22, 2007//The National Park Service -- America’s premier conservation agency -- turns 91 years old this week with millions of citizens enjoying historic treasures from Independence Hall to Mesa Verde and famous natural sanctuaries such as Yellowstone (The First National Park), Yosemite and the Everglades. Today, the Coalition of National Park Service Retirees (CNPSR), whose more than 600 members cumulatively served 17,000 years in the National Park Service, voiced hope that a new era of reinvestment in national parks is dawning.
But, on the eve of expected NPS/Interior Department announcement about the future of America’s national parks, CNPSR also sounded a strong note of caution to the American public and Congress that new proposals to revitalize the national parks need to be carefully evaluated as to whether they succeed—or fail—in five areas:
· Provide a sustained level of investment of public funds that ensures preservation of the national parks;
· Heed and incorporate science in management decisions and planning;
· Ensure the highest degree of protection of national parks, consistent with the law;
· Preserve the uniqueness and special role of units of the National Park System; and· Respond with urgency to the growing impact of climate change.

Executive Council Chair of the Coalition of National Park Service Retirees Bill Wade, a former superintendent of Shenandoah National Park, said: “Tomorrow, the pool of some 200 certified eligible Centennial Challenge programs and projects with commitments for matching funds from partner organizations will be revealed in Yosemite National Park. We are heartened that the National Park Service Director, Mary Bomar, is focusing attention on the urgent need to make significant investments in our national parks. However, what concerns us is the potential that budgetary sleight of hand could be giving the American people false reassurance—belief that funding increases in the national parks are larger and more certain than they are in reality.”

“As longtime stewards of the national parks, we are concerned that the level of care that Americans expect in their national parks, is still not being fulfilled,” said Rob Arnberger, a former superintendent of Grand Canyon National Park and member of CNPSR’s Executive Council. “Promises by the Administration of federal matching dollars are not certain. Yet they are being used to encourage private sector funding of national park projects. The result could be a much smaller increase in funding than the national parks actually need and the American people are being promised—and spending priorities driven increasingly by preferences of the private sector rather than by the professional judgment of the parks’ public guardians.”

CNPSR today offered to the American public a “yardstick” for evaluating whether new funding proposals for the national parks are adequate and properly directed. Wade said his organization hopes that Congress will use the criteria in its upcoming Appropriations decisions:

Provide a sustained level of public funding that will ensure preservation of the national parks
The net effect of various spending proposals must be considered. The Administration’s proposed FY2008 budget actually reduces funding to erase the national parks’ “maintenance backlog.” It makes no sense to promote new “Centennial Initiative” spending on expensive new buildings and other facilities that add significantly to the National Park Service’s maintenance challenge, while reducing funding necessary to repair, for example, sewer systems that threaten the parks’ lakes and streams. Meanwhile, the role of private philanthropy needs careful consideration. It has played a significant role in the preservation of our common heritage in the national parks. It should continue to help provide a “margin of excellence.” However, it is not a reliable or appropriate substitute for the federal responsibility to ensure protection and operation of the parks through adequate and sustained provision of public funding.

Heed and incorporate science in management decisions and planning

Americans expect their government to base decisions on the best possible information. As the National Park Service builds toward its second century, it should fully fund solutions that scientific studies have demonstrated will preserve the natural, cultural and historic resources of the national parks. If the National Park Service instead promotes or funds projects or management decisions that ignore scientific findings and result in avoidable levels of harm to park resources, the public’s support for necessary increases in national park funding will erode, hampering the agency’s ability to fulfill its mission. For example, it makes no sense that the superintendent of Big Cypress National Preserve recently reopened areas to off-road vehicle use that are critical to the Florida panther’s survival, areas where the Service’s own scientific studies have concluded that off-road vehicle use places the panther in greater jeopardy.
Ensure the highest degree of protection of national parks, consistent with law

The American public needs reassurance that increased financial support will lead to enhanced stewardship of the national parks, not only through the application of science but through the National Park Service upholding its overarching mandate to conserve resources entrusted to its care.

However in Yellowstone, the National Park Service has spent over $10 million on four separate studies in ten years that have verified conclusively that the park’s winter air quality, peace and quiet and wildlife can be protected to the degree required by law only by replacing snowmobile use with expanded public access on snowcoaches. Yet the park superintendent continues to push snowmobile use. Seven former directors of the National Park Service have written to Interior Secretary Kempthorne urging him to continue Yellowstone’s transition away from snowmobile use and thereby uphold his strong public pledge that he will continue a conservation-first emphasis in the national parks. New funding proposals designed to “strengthen” the national parks lack credibility as long as the National Park Service proposes to contravene its own scientific findings and legal responsibilities by perpetuating harmful snowmobile use in Yellowstone National Park.

Preserve the uniqueness and special role of units of the National Park System

From the beginning, Congress intended national parks to be exceptions to the rule—areas within a developing and changing country that would remain undiminished and allow each generation of Americans to experience and be inspired by their natural and cultural heritage. Funding of projects or activities that would clutter or commercialize units of the National Park System, erode their air quality, add to their congestion or noise, or otherwise compromise the unique and authentic experiences of the national parks is at odds with the national park mission and would deprive present and future generations of the special purpose that national parks were intended to provide, separate and distinct from other public lands. Congress should carefully screen new funding proposals to ensure that none would have this result.

Respond with urgency to climate change

The national parks have been called America’s “islands of hope.” Scientific studies over the past several decades have documented that increasing development in areas surrounding the national parks has fragmented and altered habitat, adversely impacting wildlife and fish. As a result, the parks have become strongholds for countless species threatened or eliminated in other portions of their historic ranges. Now, scientific studies are increasingly demonstrating that climate change is accelerating these disruptions and national parks, owing to their protected status, remoteness or higher elevation—or all of these factors—are destined to be vital refuges for plants and animals unlikely to be able to survive in other areas. Indeed, national parks may need to serve as “seed banks” and “gene reserves” sustaining species for repopulation elsewhere at a later time. Funding urgently needs to prioritize the role that national parks must play in helping the nation respond to climate change.

“Above all, we are urging Congress to spend tax dollars wisely at a critical time for America’s National Park System, moving toward its second century in a changing climate,” said Rick Smith of CNPSR’s Executive Council and a former Superintendent of Carlsbad Caverns National Park. “It is crucial that the expanded commitment of public dollars for the stewardship of these public treasures be adequate and that every dollar addresses the national parks’ greatest needs and their most important values to the American people. Everyone understands the folly of paying only the ‘minimum due’ on his or her credit card and pushing a bigger balance to another day. The American public deserves better with its national parks.”

ABOUT CNPSR

The 600 members of the Coalition of National Park Service Retirees are all former employees of the National Park Service with a combined 17,000 years of stewardship of America's most precious natural and cultural resources. In their personal lives, CNPSR members reflect the broad spectrum of political affiliations. CNPSR members have served their country well, and their credibility and integrity in speaking out on national park issues should not go ignored. The Coalition counts among its members seven former directors or deputy directors of the National Park Service; 25 former regional directors or deputy regional directors; 32 former associate or assistant directors at the national or regional office level; 68 former division chiefs at the national or regional office level; and over 135 former park superintendents or assistant superintendents. For more information, visit the CNPSR Web site at http://www.npsretirees.org.

CONTACT: Patrick Mitchell, for CNPSR, (703) 276-3266 or pmitchell@hastingsgroup.com

Tuesday, August 21, 2007

Buying A Solar Electric System

Austin, TX (PRWEB) August 13, 2007 -- Verde Energy, the only company to provide a trusted source for competitive quotes on solar power, solar thermal, and wind power projects, recently unveiled a video production designed to introduce solar electric systems to a mainstream audience.

One of the key challenges to widespread solar adoption lies in educating customers about their choices, and the viability of their particular site. Since its inception, Verde Energy has focused on providing educational tools, concise information, and personalized consultations to help customers address this challenge and make the right choice to meet their renewable energy needs.

The online video buyer's guide is the latest in Verde Energy's effort to introduce residential and commercial electricity customers to the economics, site requirements, design options, and financing sources for solar electric systems. The fourteen-minute video titled "Buying A Solar Electric System" was produced by The Sustainable Media Network and is available on Verde Energy's web site at the following link: http://www.VerdeEnergy.com/solar_video.html

"Solar electric systems are an economically viable energy source for millions of Americans. The objective of this video is to help our customers understand their options, and quickly evaluate the feasibility of solar energy for their particular situation," said Rob Powell, chief executive for Verde Energy. "Our friends at The Sustainable Media Network did an outstanding job producing this video and we are grateful for their efforts."

The video production addresses the economics of photovoltaic technology, available financing sources, major factors in sizing and designing a system, the impact of weather and location on performance, and the environmental benefits of going solar.

Rising electricity prices and the growing availability of state and federal rebates continue to drive the adoption of renewable energy. Several states currently offer financial incentives for renewable energy and energy conservation projects, including Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Massachusetts, Nevada, New Mexico, and New York, among others.

Saturday, August 18, 2007

An amateur meteorologist discovers 1934, not 1998, is hottest year

Blogger gets hot and bothered over Nasa's climate data error
An amateur meteorologist in Canada has embarrassed Nasa scientists into admitting that some of the data they used to show significant recent increases in global warming is flawed.

· Amateur discovers 1934, not 1998, is hottest year
· Climatologists insist trend is still towards warming

Friday, August 17, 2007

SMART cars come to San Francisco!

A swarm of tiny shiny cars resembling oversize ski boots scooted around San Francisco's South of Market neighborhood Thursday afternoon, offering Bay Area drivers a sneak peek at a distinctive and diminutive European car that will make its American premiere early in 2008.

With a length of just 8.8 feet, the Smart Fortwo will be the smallest production car sold in the United States - more than 3 feet shorter than the Mini.

San Francisco Chronicle Article

GPS may help to give Clearer picture of Global warming

As we all wonder about global warming and our planet, one of the wildcards of global warming is how fast the world's massive ice sheets are melting. Greenland's and Antarctica's ice sheets contain enough ice to raise sea levels 70 meters, if it all melted. And in recent years, evidence has been mounting for accelerating ice loss.Efforts to measure the rate of melting on Greenland and Antarctica and thereby predict how fast sea levels will rise are complicated by something called "post-glacial rebound" of the earth's crust. When the crust is relieved of its millennia-long burden of ice, it shifts around a bit, and springs back.

In the first comprehensive effort to correct for this phenomenon, scientists from an international team are scurrying around Greenland this summer to install 24 continuous GPS stations into bedrock around the coast. They're also rigging them up with solar panels and large battery packs to keep them powered up through bitterly cold winters.

Monday, August 13, 2007

Air Force Goes Solar in Riverside County

March Air Force Base which traces its roots to Riverside County to 1917 and for decades was part of the Air Force's Strategic Air Command. It remains the largest reserve base in the U.S. and with more than 8,000 civilian and military employees. It has a summer electric bill that can run as high as $500,000 to $600,000 per month.

The historic base recently took center stage as the largest Air Force installation to utilize a state-of-the-art solar panel grid. The 452nd Civil Engineer Squadron, March Air Reserve Base, Calif., completed the photo voltaic array project and began using it May 17, 2007. They broke ground for the project in June 2006. The solar panels have a capacity of 413.38 kilowatt-hours, sit atop two carports on the base and have a price tag of $4,576,753, which should be recovered in 10 years. It has already earned about 1.5 Million in rebates.

Way to go up Air Force!

Engineers set standard with new solar panel project

Sunday, August 12, 2007

Rare river dolphin, baiji 'now extinct'

A few months ago, I watched Yangtze river dolphins on a PBS show. It was the first time I saw them. I have heard of them, read about them, and now I hear they are extinct! I don't even know how to react. I was sad when my Grand Father explained to me about the Dodo bird going extinct. Had we known we could have stopped it from happening, he also said. He is in God's world now having crossed the rainbow over a few years ago. I am happy for him because he would be a sad man to hear that another species have vanished right under our eyes.
Here is an excerpt from the BBC report;
"A freshwater dolphin found only in China is now "likely to be extinct", a team of scientists has concluded.The researchers failed to spot any Yangtze river dolphins, also known as baijis, during an extensive six-week survey of the mammals' habitat.The team, writing in Biology Letters journal, blamed unregulated fishing as the main reason behind their demise.If confirmed, it would be the first extinction of a large vertebrate for over 50 years. The World Conservation Union's Red List of Threaten Species currently classifies the creature as "critically endangered"."

Wednesday, August 08, 2007

Free Energy Air Conditioning system helps you be Fossil Free

When you think of Global warming, we also tend to look at how the average houses in the hot areas are air conditioned. If it is hot and Dry like bay area, (away from the shore), then just use largest BTU air conditioner to cool down. But if air is not dry, it adds another complication of drying the air.
But either way all we do is highly inefficient way of cooling our selves. I was searching for alternative solution and found this very explanatory solution at Fossil Freedom. The picture you see above is one of many explaining the process. So visit to Fossil Freedom is a must.
In addition to this "Air Conditioner", A Free Energy Desiccant based make-up air drier and heat exchanger system, the site has many other great solutions to help you with being fossil free. I am sure you will end up spending some time at this site and bookmarking it!. I will be mentioning this site for sure in the future.
Save our Earth!