Large-Scale Wind Power Plant to be Built in France

Paris -- EDF Energies Nouvelles (Paris:EEN) has ordered 26 turbines for its Chemin d'Ablis wind farm from German company REpower. Construction of this large-scale wind power plant, which will have 52 MW in installed capacity, is due to commence in 2007.

The Chemin d'Ablis wind farm, located in the Eure-et-Loir department, will boast 26 windmills, each capable of generating 2 MW, located alongside a 13km stretch of the A10 motorway. It represents a total investment of €75 million.

Work is set to begin in spring 2007, with the taking over of the wind farm scheduled during the first half of 2008.

The windmills are to be supplied by REpower, a major European turbine manufacturer, under an agreement with the manufacturer covering a total order of 46 turbines: 26 windmills for Chemin d'Ablis, plus 20 for the Biker (26 MW) and Walkway (14 MW) wind farms in the UK.

This order falls within the scope of the framework agreements signed by EDF Energies Nouvelles with the world's leading manufacturers to secure its supply of turbines around the world.

The start-up of construction work at the Chemin d'Ablis project will bolster EDF Energies Nouvelles' position in its home market. To date, EDF EN has developed and built 140 MW in capacity in France, including 60 MW for its own account. Construction of six new wind farms in France representing an additional 160 MW in installed capacity is planned, with start-up dates during 2007 and 2008.

About EDF Energies Nouvelles
Founded in 1990, EDF Energies Nouvelles is a world-class player in the green electricity generation market. With a presence in 9 European countries and in the United States, EDF Energies Nouvelles operates in four renewable energy segments (wind, hydro, biomass and solar). Wind energy currently accounts for nearly 80% of its installed capacity.

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EDF Energies Nouvelles

More Wind Power Coming to Ontario

Schneider Power Launches $90 Million Four Wind Farm Development

TORONTO -- February 27, 2007 -- Schneider Power Inc., a leading Canadian owner and builder of renewable energy generation projects, announced today that it has launched the development and expansion of four new wind farms across the Province for a total capital cost of $90 million dollars.

Schneider Power intends to develop and construct three new 10 Megawatt, low-impact wind farms across the Province, one adjacent to Highway 400 near the Town of Innisfil, "The Highway 400 Wind Farm," one near the Town of Arthur, "The Arthur Wind Farm," and one near the Town of Trout Creek, "The Trout Creek Wind Farm." In addition to this Schneider Power also intends to expand the Providence Bay/Spring Bay Wind Farm to its full 11.6 MW capacity by end of 2008. Collectively these wind farms represent a total of 41.6 MW of installed capacity and will produce 8.3 million kilowatt-hours of electricity annually, enough to power an equivalent of 11,000 homes.

In 2006 Schneider Power successfully established its presence in Ontario with the construction of The Providence Bay/Spring Bay Wind Farm, on Manitoulin Island. It is Canada's most technologically advanced small-scale wind power generation project and one of the first Wind Farms in Ontario to be built solely with wind turbine generators from German manufacturer Enercon GmbH.

"Today's announcement by the Province has given us the confidence to continue to make a strong commitment to Renewable Energy in Ontario," said Thomas Schneider, CEO, Schneider Power Inc. "This is the next step in building on a proven growth strategy for our Company and it brings us closer to our goal of 500 MW installed across Canada by 2010 -- more than double our previous production capacity," he said.

The accelerating demand for clean electricity has allowed Schneider Power to grow rapidly in the past three years. With developments of power projects in Manitoba, Nova Scotia and Ontario totaling in excess of 500 MW, the Company hopes to establish itself as one Canada's leading green electricity generators. Headed by the Chairman, Bernd Schneider, the Schneider family has over 115 years of experience in developing clean, renewable energy. Schneider Power is a leader in applying new environmentally friendly technologies and is a member of the United Nations Global Compact.

About Schneider Power Inc.
Schneider Power Inc. is a 100 percent green electricity generator with facilities in Canada and Germany that generate electricity exclusively from small-scale, low-impact wind power projects who meet or exceed the federal government's EcoLogo standard for renewable energy. Schneider Power intends to invest heavily over the next three years to increase its presence in Ontario by increasing the nameplate capacity of its planned Ontario developments to more than 41.6 Megawatts, with plans for a further 500 MW of green electricity generation installed across Canada by 2010.

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Schneider Power

TXU to Set New Direction As Private Company

Public Benefits Include Price Cuts, Price Protection, Investments in Alternative Energy and Stronger Environmental Policies

Dallas, February 26, 2007 – TXU Corp. (NYSE: TXU), a Dallas-based energy company, together with Kohlberg Kravis Roberts & Co. (KKR) and Texas Pacific Group (TPG), two of the nation’s leading private equity firms, and Goldman Sachs & Co., a leading global investment bank, announced today the execution of a definitive merger agreement under which an investor group led by KKR and TPG will acquire TXU in a transaction valued at $45 billion. GS Capital Partners, Lehman Brothers, Citigroup and Morgan Stanley intend to be equity investors at closing.

As a result of this transaction, the newly privatized company will deliver price cuts and price protection benefits to electric customers, strengthen environmental policies, make significant investments in alternative energy and institute corporate policies tied to climate stewardship.

Stronger Environmental Policies and New Investments in Alternative Energy
- Planned coal-fueled generation units reduced from eleven to three, preventing 56 million tons of annual carbon emissions $400 million investment in demand side management initiatives Transaction endorsed by Environmental Defense and Natural Resources Defense Council Increased commitment to exploring renewable energy sources and investing in alternative energy technologies

Corporate Leadership and Climate Stewardship
- Former U.S. Secretary of State James A. Baker, III will serve as Advisory Chairman to the investment group of new owners William Reilly, Chairman Emeritus of the World Wildlife Fund and former EPA Administrator, will join board of directors and lead effort in making climate stewardship central to corporate policies

- Donald L. Evans, former U.S. Secretary of Commerce; James R. Huffines, Chairman of the University of Texas Board of Regents; and Lyndon L. Olson Jr., former Texas State Representative and former U.S. Ambassador to Sweden, will join the board of directors
TXU will create an independent Sustainable Energy Advisory Board comprised of individuals who represent the following interests: the environment, customers, Texas economic development and ERCOT reliability standards.

The acquisition of TXU by the investor group will be accompanied by an environmental focus that will make TXU a leader in conservation and energy efficiency, creating a fundamental change in the Texas electric market. In addition, the company’s new strategic direction will seek to achieve top environmental News Release performance in the industry and greater involvement and dialogue with environmental, government and community leaders.

C. John Wilder, chairman and chief executive officer of TXU Corp., said, “This is a momentous event for our company in our long journey to transform TXU from a former integrated monopoly to high performance businesses. The new ownership and business structure will enable us to better meet the growing energy needs of Texans. The long-term capital, expertise and resources of the investor group will allow us to increase our focus on reliability, lower prices, outstanding customer service and innovative products, and investments in long-term environmentally sound technology. TXU is a proud Texas corporate citizen, and the company will continue to operate with the same commitment and dedication to serving Texas.

“KKR, TPG and the rest of the investor group are all world-class investors who bring valuable experience in the industry. With these long-term and very informed investors, we can execute a new strategy that will allow us to reshape TXU’s program to build new electric generation units,” Wilder continued. “Our new strategy will meet two important objectives: addressing Texas’ immediate and future energy and reliability needs; and doing so in a manner that responds to the desires of policy makers and other key stakeholders to incorporate new technology advancements and conservation.”

Henry Kravis, founding partner of KKR, said, “TXU has outstanding employees dedicated to meeting the increasing long-term energy needs of Texas. We have listened to the various TXU constituencies, including customers, Governor Perry, Lt. Governor Dewhurst, Speaker Craddick, members of the Texas Legislature and those expressing environmental concerns. As a result, we have developed a new vision with management of how we can turn TXU into a more innovative, customer-centric, environmentally friendly company, and we plan to work with management to implement it. Our experienced energy team looks forward to providing strong support for this transformation, including making substantial, long-term capital investments in new innovation across each business – from customer product and service offerings including demand side management, to generation and grid technologies, and superior risk-management strategies. We intend to hold this as a long-term asset, and we recognize the need to balance growth with environmental considerations.”

Rich Friedman, Global Head of Goldman Sachs' Merchant Banking Division, said, “This transaction serves as a model for long-term environmental stewardship. By investing in new technologies, encouraging conservation and reducing carbon emissions and pollutants, TXU is on the path to being a 21st century power company. We, together with KKR and TPG, are proud to have been able to play a constructive role in the development of the significant environmental elements that help set this transaction apart.”

Stronger Environmental Policies and New Investments in Alternative Energy
Planned Coal Units Reduced from Eleven to Three, Preventing 56 Million Tons of Annual Carbon Emissions

This scale-back represents a 75 percent reduction in new coal capacity. In addition, the company is committed to continuing its efforts to meaningfully reduce existing carbon emissions and seeks to join the United States Climate Action Partnership (USCAP). USCAP is a broad-based group of businesses and leading environmental groups organized to work with the President, the Congress and all other stakeholders to enact an environmentally effective, economically sustainable and fair climate change program. As part of the company’s support for USCAP, TXU is also pledging to support the mandatory cap and trade program to regulate carbon emissions.

To satisfy ERCOT’s requirement for immediate additional capacity to meet the state’s increasing electricity demand, TXU expects to build two coal units at the Oak Grove site and one coal unit at the Sandow site. TXU will immediately seek to suspend the permit application process for the other eight units and withdraw them once the transaction closes. TXU does not intend to apply or reapply for permits to build additional coal units utilizing current pulverized coal-fueled technology.

$400 Million Investment in Demand Side Management

InitiativesTXU will implement an aggressive demand reduction program through a $400 million investment in conservation and energy efficiency activities over the next five years.

Transaction Endorsed by Environmental Defense and Natural Resources Defense Council

KKR, TPG and the investor group are committed to addressing TXU’s environmental issues through substantial new investments in research and demand side management initiatives and a 75 percent reduction in planned new coal capacity. Recognizing this, key environmental groups are supporting the transaction.

Fred Krupp, President of Environmental Defense, said, “This is one of the most significant developments in America's fight against global warming. Environmental Defense commends KKR and TPG for not only dropping TXU's applications for eight proposed coal plants in Texas, but also for the many other commitments they have made to reduce air pollution and global warming emissions, including their support for a mandatory federal cap and trade program to regulate carbon emissions, doubling TXU’s expenditures on efficiency measures and their overall desire to rebuild TXU as a leader in the clean energy economy.

“The debate over this issue has been a top priority for Environmental Defense and we plan to work just as hard with the new TXU to implement this agreement. We also look forward to working closely with TXU as a member of its planned Sustainable Energy Advisory Committee and to settling our federal lawsuit against TXU,” concluded Krupp.

“The NRDC fully supports this transaction and the new company's support for mandatory global warming legislation. This turnaround marks the beginning of a new, competitive focus on clean, efficient, renewable energy strategies to deliver the power we need while cutting global warming emissions,” said Frances Beinecke, President of the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC). “It is a big step forward for the State of Texas and for the American energy economy as a whole.”

Increased Commitment to Exploring Renewable Energy Sources and Investing in Alternative EnergyTechnologies

As a private company, free from the short-term financial pressures affecting all public companies, TXU will be able to accomplish important goals for customer service innovation and new generation technology development on a scale and schedule that would otherwise not be possible.

The investor group is grateful for Governor Perry’s commitment to a long-term reliable supply of energy for Texas and his advocacy for investment in clean energy alternatives, such as IGCC. TXU is committed to the development and deployment of advanced technologies with a commitment to exploring IGCC’s potential to meet Texas’ reliability requirements. With the support of the Governor, the company is evaluating the dedication of an attractive site for the exploration of clean coal technologies and partnership with technology leaders.

- TXU will reduce mercury (Hg) emissions, sulfur dioxide (SO2) and nitrogen oxides (NOx) by 20 percent from 2005 levels, as previously committed, through reductions at existing units and installation of emission controls on the new Oak Grove and Sandow units.

- TXU will reduce its own carbon emissions by increasing efficiency of its generating facilities by up to 2 percent.

- TXU will become a leader in providing electricity from renewable sources by more than doubling its purchase of wind power to more than 1,500 MW, maintaining its status as the largest buyer of wind power in Texas. TXU will also promote solar power through solar/photovoltaic rebates.

The company also intends to join the FutureGen Alliance, a non-profit consortium of companies supporting FutureGen, the U.S. Department of Energy project intended to create the world’s first near-zero-emissions fossil-fuel power plant.

See the Source:

Read the complete press release from KKR

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How power plants can reduce NOx emissions by greater than 90% with the CleanAIR low-temperature ENDURE SCR Catalyst

Governor Bill Richardson Leads Regional Climate Change Initiative

(Santa Fe, NM) – Governor Bill Richardson today joined the Governors of Arizona, California, Oregon and Washington to announce the formation of the Western Regional Climate Action Initiative to implement a joint strategy to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

At the annual winter meeting of the National Governors Association, Governors Janet Napolitano, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Bill Richardson, Ted Kulongoski and Chris Gregoire signed the agreement that directs their respective states to, within the next six months, develop a regional target for reducing greenhouse gases. During the next 18 months, they will devise a market-based program, such as a load-based cap and trade program to reach the target. The five states also have agreed to participate in a multi-state registry to track and manage greenhouse gas emissions in their region.

“With this agreement, states are once again taking the lead on combating global climate change – while Washington, D.C. sits on its hands,” said New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson. “This historic agreement signals our commitment to tackling the problem head-on at the regional level and building on efforts in our individual states.”

The Western Regional Climate Action Initiative builds on existing greenhouse gas reduction efforts in the individual states as well as two existing regional efforts. In 2003, California, Oregon and Washington created the West Coast Global Warming Initiative, and in 2006, Arizona and New Mexico launched the Southwest Climate Change Initiative.

During the Richardson Administration, New Mexico has been a national leader on combating global climate change. These efforts have included becoming the first state in the nation to join the Chicago Climate Exchange and the first major oil and gas producing state to tackle climate change comprehensively.

Governor Bill Richardson also recently signed an executive order that directs state agencies to follow many of the recommendations of his Climate Change Advisory Group, which produced a plan to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by the equivalent of 267 million metric tons.

The Governor’s executive order creates a state government implementation team tasked with ensuring policies from the order are carried out. Those policies include:
• Creating a market-based greenhouse gas emissions registry and reduction program
• Advancing carbon capture and sequestration technology
• Promoting the use of manure from the dairy industry in power generation
• Developing an education and outreach program on green buildings for private sector builders
• Creating new procurement rules that ensure state government offices have energy efficient appliances
• Mandating that state vehicles use mainly clean, renewable fuels
• Proposing a one-time tax credit of up to 40 percent for the purchase, construction or retrofitting of alternative fuel filling stations.

Governor Richardson has also endorsed seeking regulations to sharply reduce greenhouse gas emissions of new cars and trucks sold in New Mexico and more than quadrupling New Mexico’s renewable energy use by mandating that 15 percent of the state’s electricity come from renewable sources by 2015 and 20 percent by 2020.

In spring 2005, Governor Richardson issued an executive order establishing greenhouse gas emission reduction goals for New Mexico. These goals are 2000 levels by 2012, 10 percent below 2000 levels by 2020 and 75 percent below 2000 levels by 2050. New Mexico, along with Arizona and California, is among a growing number of states to create climate change advisory groups.

Western states have suffered from prolonged drought, decreased snowfall, increased and earlier snowmelt, and more severe and devastating forest and rangeland fires in recent years as a result of changes in the climate. The just-released Fourth Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change predicts that the Western United States will be especially affected by increased temperatures and climatic changes resulting from the build up of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere.

See the Source:
Governor’s Office State of New Mexico

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About CleanAIR Systems, a New Mexico company working to reduce emissions of particulate matter, carbon monoxide, hydrocarbons and nitrous oxides.

Energy Secretary Samuel Bodman Shares Policy Goals with The Energy Initiative

Coalition led by former Sen. John Breaux and past U.S. Conference of Mayors President Beverly O’Neill joins energy consumers and producers to develop consensus on America’s energy policy

U.S. Secretary of Energy Samuel W. Bodman shared the ongoing efforts and energy policies of the administration today (Feb. 22) before The Energy Initiative at the Hotel Sofitel in Washington, DC.

The Energy Initiative, led by former U.S. Senator John Breaux of Louisiana and former Long Beach, California Mayor and U.S. Conference of Mayors President Beverly O’Neill, represents a unique collection of energy stakeholders including both producers and consumers.

“It is only by fostering cooperation between this wide cross section of interests that The Energy Initiative coalition will be able to achieve its goals of educating the public and helping to secure a future of sustained energy production in America,” said Secretary Bodman. “All of us who are interested in maintaining our economic prosperity, and leaving a healthy environment to our children, recognize that our nation’s future depends -- in a critical way -- on fostering clean energy development,” continued Secretary Bodman.

Initially launched in December, The Energy Initiative’s members are midway through a broadbased educational effort, with the ultimate goal of formulating a set of recommendations that will serve as the basis for future energy policies. The Energy Initiative consists of three working groups which are charged with reviewing the major challenges, current policy impediments, market restraints and other barriers relating to national energy policy in an effort to identify concrete recommendations that can be advocated for in the 110th Congress.

“Secretary Bodman’s remarks today allowed members of The Energy Initiative to get a better understanding of the issues and policies the administration is keying in on,” said Sen. Breaux.

“This information will be increasingly important as we continue to participate in our working groups, and develop recommendations on how to improve America’s energy policy.”

“Our members represent interests, priorities and stakeholders as diverse as the nation itself, from labor to state and municipal government, and from industry associations to major energy producers,” said Sen. Breaux. “We are working very hard to build consensus amongst our membership on a number of challenging energy issues, and are optimistic about achieving good results.”

The working groups include: 1.) Stationary Energy Supplies - charged with addressing crude oil, natural gas, electricity, coal, nuclear, wind, solar, other renewables and infrastructure; 2.) Transportation Energy Supplies - focusing on conventional motor fuels, bio-fuels, fuel cells, hybrids and emerging technologies; and, 3.) Conservation, Efficiency and Environmental Protection - analyzing environmental protection, conservation measures, and standards.

“Sen. Breaux and I are very grateful for Secretary Bodman’s willingness to share the
administration’s ongoing efforts and policies,” said Mayor O’Neill. “This coalition will look to work within the shared goals of the administration and Congress to develop an energy policy that benefits consumers, and is supported by producers, as well.”

Immediately after today’s announcement, members of The Energy Initiative, representing groups from 8 energy producing trade associations and 21 energy consuming associations, met in a joint-session, led by Breaux and O’Neill, to continue efforts to develop consensus and build toward a final report to Congress and the Bush Administration.

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The Energy Initiative

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Find out how CleanAIR Systems is working with power plants and owners of stationary generators to reduce emissions and create cleaner energy resources.

An Inconvenient Truth Wins at the Oscars

Former Vice President, Al Gore turned a power-point presentation about global warming into an award-winning documentary. On Sunday, February 25th, An Inconvenient Truth won an Oscar for Best Documentary Film.

Gore’s thank you speech was short and to the point: "My fellow Americans, people all over the world, we need to solve the climate crisis. It's not a political issue, it's a moral issue. We have everything we need to get started with the possible will to act. That's a renewable resource. Let's renew it."

And backstage he added: "It is the overriding world challenge of our time," Gore said. "I really hope the decision by the academy to honor the work by director Davis Guggenheim and these producers will convince people who did not go see it before to see the movie and learn about the climate crisis and become a part of the solution."

See the Source:
FOX News

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How CleanAIR Systems is developing products to virtually eliminate NOx, a key precursor to smog, from power plant emissions.

GE Announces Advancement in Incandescent Technology; New High-Efficiency Lamps Targeted for Market by 2010

Re-inventing Edison: New Light Bulb Will Provide High-Quality Light and Deliver Efficiency Comparable to Compact Fluorescent Lamps

CLEVELAND--GE Consumer & Industrial’s Lighting division, a world leader in the development of energy-efficient lighting products, today announced advancements to the light bulb invented by GE’s founder Thomas Edison that potentially will elevate the energy efficiency of this 125-year-old technology to levels comparable to compact fluorescent lamps (CFL), delivering significant environmental benefits. Over the next several years, these advancements will lead to the introduction of high-efficiency incandescent lamps that provide the same high light quality, brightness and color as current incandescent lamps while saving energy and decreasing greenhouse gas emissions.

The new high efficiency incandescent (HEI™) lamp, which incorporates innovative new materials being developed in partnership by GE’s Lighting division, headquartered in Cleveland, Ohio, and GE’s Global Research Center, headquartered in Niskayuna, NY, would replace traditional 40- to 100-Watt household incandescent light bulbs, the most popular lamp type used by consumers today. The new technology could be expanded to all other incandescent types as well. The target for these bulbs at initial production is to be nearly twice as efficient, at 30 lumens-per-Watt, as current incandescent bulbs.

Ultimately the high efficiency lamp (HEI) technology is expected to be about four times as efficient as current incandescent bulbs and comparable to CFL bulbs. Adoption of new technology could lead to greenhouse gas emission reductions of up to 40 million tons of CO2 in the U.S. and up to 50 million tons in the EU if the entire installed base of traditional incandescent bulbs was replaced with HEI lamps.

Kevin Nolan, Vice President of Technology for GE Consumer & Industrial, said: “In addition to offering significant energy savings comparable to CFLs, the 21st century version of Edison’s bulb provides all the desirable benefits including light quality and instant-on convenience as incandescent lamps currently provide at a price that will be less than CFLs. We and other lighting manufacturers have been aggressive in developing and marketing CFLs. But consumers want more options and we plan to respond to their needs and deliver environmental benefits, too. It’s important that we offer consumers a full range of products that meet their personal desire to reduce their negative impact on the environment while preserving their ability to pick the best lighting product for their needs. That’s why we are moving aggressively to commercialize these new lamps.”

GE’s announcement was made in conjunction with its decision to support legislation in the EU, the United States and in other areas that would accelerate the introduction of all types of high efficiency lighting products as part of the global effort to promote energy security and reduce emission of greenhouse gases. GE’s HEI ™ would support attainment of the objectives of the European Commission’s Energy Efficiency Action Plan, which aims to reduce Europe’s energy consumption 20% by the year 2020.

GE has invested more than $200 million in the last four years on the development of energy efficient lighting, including reduced-powered Miser® light bulbs to high-efficiency Par 38 halogen lamps and Energy Smart® compact fluorescent lamps. The US Department of Energy (DOE) and the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) have recognized its contributions to energy efficiency and GHG reductions every year since 2004 with the ENERGY STAR Award, and in 2006 with the ENERGY STAR Award for Sustained Excellence. GE offers 67 ENERGY STAR-qualified lighting products. The environmental benefits of these products sold in 2006 alone will, over their lifetime, reduce consumers’ electricity costs by $1.3 billion and prevent 500 million tons of GHG emissions.

GE Consumer & Industrial spans the globe as an industry leader in major appliance, lighting and integrated industrial equipment, systems and services. Providing solutions for commercial, industrial and residential use in more than 100 countries, GE Consumer & Industrial uses innovative technologies and "ecomagination," a GE initiative to aggressively bring to market new technologies that help customers and consumers meet pressing environmental challenges, to deliver comfort, convenience and electrical protection and control. General Electric (NYSE: GE) brings imagination to work, selling products under the Monogram®, Profile™ GE®, Hotpoint®, SmartWater™ Reveal®, Edison™ and Energy Smart™ consumer brands, and Entellisys™ industrial brand. For more information, consumers may visit http://www.ge.com/.

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GE

Green Energy Resources to Offer Carbon Offset Credits

The Urban Tree Certification System (UTCS) Reduces Carbon by Planting Trees and Eliminating Wood Waste From Landfills

NEW YORK, NY -- 02/26/2007 -- Green Energy Resources will offer "Carbon Offset" credits through its Urban Tree Certification System (UTCS). Green Energy Resources UTCS urban forest management plan reduces carbon from the atmosphere by planting trees and taking wood waste from landfills and turning it into renewable energy. UTCS is designed to create a self-sustaining and revenue generating mechanism to plant millions of trees a year to create carbon sequestration in cities and suburbs. The company will sell the credits to the public, industry and the investment community. UTCS has strict and verifiable standards with measurable results where carbon reductions are permanent, quantifiable and scaleable.

The plan calls for every credit to be certified and authenticated. Green Energy Resources plans include retirement accounting of the carbon reductions from the atmosphere and a registry of every city and town that enrolls in UTCS. The Sale of Carbon Offset credits is anticipated to generate millions of dollars annually for the company in conjunction with each ton of biomass it sells.

The Carbon Offset market according to the World Bank, ranged from $.65 cents - $9.36 Per tonne of CO2 during 2005. A more recent survey conducted by the UK company Context found credits were sold to the public between $4 - $50 per tone of CO2. The creation of a viable business model for local, state and city governments in the US creates a bonafide self-sustaining renewable energy plan from biomass without the need to cut global forests. UTCS plan does not include RECs (Renewable Energy Credits) but rather sells to the power generator who earns the RECS. Green Energy Resource plan can be used voluntarily (VCS), sold in US regional markets or under the EU scheme because of its export of biomasse for energy over seas.

About Green Energy Resources
Green Energy Resources is a consultant to governments and the power generation industry on carbon reduction strategies. Green Energy Resources supplies 100% environmentally certified wood biomass. The company utilizes diverse sourcing for mitigated risk management. Green Energy Resources exclusive urban forest management plan, the Urban Tree Certification System (UTCS) is designed to solve the demand for wood biomass for energy through maximized resource utilization of urban and suburban wood waste streams to preserve global forests not cut them.

Except for historical information contained herein, the statements in this release are forward-looking statements that are made pursuant to the safe harbor provision of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties that may cause the companies' actual results in future periods to differ materially from forecasted results. Such risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, market conditions, competitive factors, the ability to successfully complete additional financings and other risks.

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Green Energy Resources

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How emission control products from CleanAIR Systems virtually eliminate emissions of NOx from biomass power plants

Mayor Newsom Announces Plan to Significantly Expand Solar, Renewable Energy Generation in San Francisco

Proposed Public-Private Partnerships Would Leverage State Legislation, Available Financing to Generate Nearly 35 Megawatts of Solar Power

San Francisco, CA - Mayor Gavin Newsom today proposed an unprecedented expansion of San Francisco’s solar and renewable energy resources, taking the first steps towards forming public-private partnerships that would leverage new state legislation and available financing mechanisms to boost solar generation from less than 2 megawatts today to nearly 35 megawatts in the future. The plan, announced at a Cleantech Forum reception Wednesday evening, invites the nation’s most innovative renewable energy companies to partner with the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission (SFPUC) to facilitate and support the development of large-scale solar and other renewable energy resources on public and private property in the City.

"If we want to show real leadership in reducing our dependence on fossil fuels and protecting our environment, we have to act boldly and we cannot act alone," said Mayor Newsom. "Our plan challenges the best and the brightest in the renewable energy field to join us in making San Francisco a laboratory for solar power and clean energy development."

Today the SFPUC issued a Request for Information (RFI) to private and public sector businesses and organizations soliciting information, advice and analyses on opportunities to finance and develop solar and other renewable energy resource projects in San Francisco. Among the opportunities and challenges outlined for respondents to the RFI and potential partners in the plan:

· Partnering with the SFPUC to facilitate the development of large amounts of solar power, including nearly 24 megawatts of photovoltaics on private property within the city, leveraging the provisions of California’s Million Solar Roofs Law (SB1), the California Solar Initiative (CSI), federal tax incentives and other available financing mechanisms. Currently, less than one megawatt of photovoltaics exist on private property in San Francisco.

· Developing solar power financial structures for municipal facilities that leverage the provisions of the new California Assembly Bill 2573. This law enables SFPUC to move power across PG&E’s local grid from municipal sources to municipal loads. The SFPUC estimates that up to ten megawatts of solar capacity may be developable on municipal property, up from less than two megawatts today.

· Examining the SFPUC’s solar capacity estimates, proposing estimates for other technologies and suggesting alternate estimates if knowledge of the market opportunities and deal structures support different estimates.

· Proposing ways to help the SFPUC finance renewable power systems on property owned by private-sector customers served by Pacific Gas & Electric Company and Direct Access Providers. All kinds of deal structures are open to consideration, from those where a property owner owns a system outright to those where a solar provider owns the system and sells power to a property owner.

· Describing deal structures, expected returns, various kinds of risk, credit issues, ownership structures, use of asset depreciation and tax provisions, disposition of renewable rebates and renewable energy credits, power purchase arrangements, revenue allocation, and local economic development opportunities.

"With direct investment from our Power Enterprise towards developing new solar projects, we’ve already done more to advance solar power than any other City in America," said SFPUC General Manager Susan Leal. "But this new initiative will attract new partners to dramatically expand and accelerate deployment of renewable power in San Francisco."

The SFPUC currently owns and operates the nation’s largest city-owned solar project atop the Moscone Convention Center. Additional SFPUC solar facilities are completed or currently planned for the Southeast Wastewater Treatment Plant, Pier 96/Norcal Recycling Facility, the North Point Wet Weather Treatment Plant, San Francisco International Airport and several San Francisco public schools and libraries. The SFPUC also leads numerous energy efficiency projects to reduce demand at City facilities, is conducting a feasibility study to generate tidal power at the Golden Gate Bridge and is launching a biofuel program to convert waste grease and oil into fuel for city vehicles and MUNI buses. For more information or to review the Request for Information visit sfwater.org.

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San Francisco Government

Code Green: Stanford Medicine Explores Health Impacts of Climate Change

STANFORD, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Until recently, few scientists investigated the impact of global warming on health. Aside from the World Health Organization and the United Nations, only a handful of institutions focused on the coming crisis — or the other planetary systems at risk. In addition to the climate, humans have altered atmospheric ozone, biodiversity, food production on land and sea, and water cycles in ways that harm health.

But change is in the air. Environmental researchers are beginning to find common ground with physicians, as exemplified by collaborations among researchers at Stanford University’s new Woods Institute for the Environment. And in January, the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced its intention to tackle health threats posed by climate change.

The spring issue of Stanford Medicine magazine, which is produced by the Stanford School of Medicine, contains a special report on the health impacts of the global environmental crisis, from climate change to sewage-filled seas. Among the stories:

The heat wave that hit California last summer, killing 138
- An account of one man’s education about his own body’s inventory of environmental toxins
- A peek at the future health impacts of climate change in the United States
- A beginner’s guide to reducing carbon emissions
- A look at what cholera can teach us about climate change, and what climate studies can teach us about preventing cholera
- The growing problem of disease-causing microbes in the surf

The magazine is available online at http://mednews.stanford.edu/stanmed/. Bonus content on the magazine’s Web site includes a video interview with writer David Duncan Ewing on the reporting of the story on his chemical inventory, and a podcast on writer Tracie White’s trip to Fresno to report on the heat wave.

To request the print version of the magazine, call (650) 723-6911.

Stanford University Medical Center integrates research, medical education and patient care at its three institutions — Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford Hospital & Clinics and Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital at Stanford.

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MedNews

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How using emissions control technology reduces diesel emissions that can be harmful to health.

Cleantech 2007 Call for Venture & Partner Award Set at $10,000

Call for Venture & Partnering Presentations Now Open for Cleantech 2007, May 23-24, 2007 in Santa Clara, Calif.

SANTA CLARA, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--TechConnect.org, producers of Cleantech 2007, today announced the Cleantech 2007 Ventures & Partner awards.

“Clean and sustainable technologies reflect the ability for innovators to bring together new perspectives and new technologies to improve today’s products, services and manufacturing processes. By making these awards, Cleantech wants to showcase leading-edge companies, as well as their go to market strategies,” said Matthew Laudon, Executive Director of TechConnect.org.

The Cleantech 2007 Ventures & Partnering Presentation Awards acknowledge business plan and partnering presentations that contribute to the goal of accelerating the flow of clean technologies to the viable market phase. The Awards are a part of the Cleantech 2007 conference, a multi-disciplinary and multi-sector conference on global sustainability addressing advancements in traditional technologies, emerging technologies and clean business practices.

The Cleantech 2007 Ventures & Partnering Presentation Awards will applaud commercialization achievements within these technology areas:

Renewable Energy
Enabling Transmission, Geothermal, Hydro, Photovoltaics, Solar Thermal, Wave, Wind

Clean Technologies
Clean Burning Fuels, Electric Vehicles, Fuel Cells, Hybrid Electric, Hydrogen, Zero Emissions, Pollution Reduction

Bio Energy
Biodiesel, Biofuels, Biomass

Novel Technologies

Advanced Materials, Biomimetics, Catalysts, Construction Materials, Distributed Power, Emerging Fuels, Energy Efficiency, Fuel Additives, Microreactors, Microturbines, Nanotechnology, Smart Grid

Environmental
Bioremediation, Desalination, Phytoremediation, Recycling, Smart Fertilizers, Waste, Water Purification, Water Treatment

Traditional Industries - Clean & Green Advancements
Agriculture, Automotive, Building, Chemical, Coal, Food, Nuclear, Oil & Gas, Paper, Semiconductor, Transportation

Cleantech 2007 has officially opened its Call for Venture Presenters submissions. Cleantech will be held May 23-24, 2007, at Santa Clara, Calif.

Judges will select the winner from proposals submitted to speak at Cleantech 2007. The deadline to apply for the Cleantech 2007 Venture Award Presentations is March 10, 2007. To submit or learn more visit: http://www.techconnect.org/Cleantech2007/participate/Venture/

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Cleantech 2007

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About current clean technology to reduce diesel and power plant emissions from CleanAIR Systems

EPA Seeks Public Comment on U.S. Greenhouse Gas Inventory

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is seeking public comment on a draft report that analyzes sources of greenhouse gas emissions. The report, Inventory of U.S. Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Sinks: 1990-2005, will be open for public comment for 30 days after the Federal Register notice is published.

After responding to public comments, EPA will submit, through the U.S. Department of State, the final inventory report to the Secretariat of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, fulfilling its annual requirement as a party to this international treaty on climate change. The UNFCCC treaty, ratified by the United States in 1992, sets an overall framework for intergovernmental efforts to tackle the challenge posed by climate change.

The inventory tracks annual greenhouse gas emissions at the national level and presents historical emissions from 1990 to 2005. The inventory also calculates carbon dioxide emissions that are removed from the atmosphere by "sinks," e.g., through the uptake of carbon by forests, vegetation, and soils.

EPA prepared the annual report in collaboration with experts from multiple federal agencies. The major finding in the draft report is that overall emissions during 2005 increased by less than one percent from the previous year. Total emissions of the six main greenhouse gases in 2005 were equivalent to 7,262 million metric tons of carbon dioxide. These gases include carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, hydrofluorocarbons, perfluorocarbons, and sulfur hexafluoride. The draft report indicates that overall emissions have grown by 16 percent from 1990 to 2005, while the U.S. economy has grown by 55 percent over the same period.

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Information on the draft 2007 report and how to submit public comments

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How nitrogen oxides can be reduced from power plant emissions using CleanAIR’s selective catalytic reduction

Clean Energy Incubator, Austin Energy Agree to Test Clean Technologies to Accelerate Commercialization

AUSTIN, Texas--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The Austin Technology Incubator’s Clean Energy Incubator and Austin Energy have agreed to create the first test-bed environment in the United States for alternative energy companies to prepare their technologies for commercialization.

The partnership will allow clean technology companies to accelerate their path to market through early product validation with a leading utility.

“A major slowdown in getting clean energy companies to market is early utility validation,” said Joel Serface, director of Clean Energy Incubator. “Through our test-bed partnership, Austin Energy will give critical feedback and credibility to startups who prove themselves in Austin Energy’s environment.”

The Clean Energy Incubator and the Austin Technology Incubator are part of the IC2 Institute of The University of Texas at Austin.

The test-bed partnership, supported unanimously by the Austin City Council, will allow Clean Energy Incubator member companies to plug into different parts of Austin Energy’s grid to prove their technologies. Such innovative programs led by the Clean Energy Incubator and Austin Energy have helped Austin be recognized as the leading cleantech incubation center.

A report by SustainLane, a green media company, released last week named Austin the No. 1 U.S. city in incubating and clustering clean technology companies. The report ranked 50 cities and credits Austin with creating a robust test facility that is an innovative and economic step forward for the clean energy market.

“It is great that Austin is being recognized as the ‘Cleantech Capitol,’’’ said Mayor Will Wynn. “The Clean Energy Incubator and Austin Energy have long been leaders in clean technology. The test-bed partnership is the first of its kind and will extend Austin’s leadership in developing and using clean technologies. This will also become a powerful economic development engine for the city of Austin.”

The Clean Energy Incubator is extending an invitation to companies to come to Austin and participate in this unique partnership. By applying to participate in the Austin Clean Energy Venture Summit, start-up companies will have the opportunity to present to the Clean Energy Incubator, Austin Energy, leading international venture capitalists and energy companies. Several of the companies selected to participate in the conference will be extended invitations to take part in the test-bed partnership.

The Clean Energy Venture Summit, held on May 14-16, will highlight many of the potential technologies that will help create “The Utility of the Future,” including green building, energy efficiency, grid-connected vehicle technologies and smart-grid applications.

To participate in this conference, please go to http://www.cleanenergyventuresummit.com/.

For the past three years, Austin Energy has been ranked as the No. 1 green energy program in the country by the Department of Energy's National Renewable Energy Laboratory, generating more revenue than its closest competing utilities in Portland, Ore. and Los Angeles. Its Green Choice program has sold more than 334 million kilowatt hours of renewable energy last year.

Background on Austin Energy
Austin Energy is the community-owned electric utility of Austin, Texas, serving 360,000 customers and a population of 880,000. Austin Energy is nationally recognized for its energy efficiency programs, establishment of the nation’s first Green Building Program and for the nation’s No. 1 renewable energy program for sales since 2002, outperforming 600 utility-sponsored green power programs nationwide. Austin Energy’s Home Performance with ENERGY STAR program offers rebates and loans for energy-efficiency improvements. Since 1982, more than 200,000 Austin residents have participated in the utility’s energy efficiency programs.

Background on the Clean Energy Incubator
The Clean Energy Incubator has been a leader in building clean-tech companies since its inception in 2001 when it was formed as a program of the Austin Technology Incubator, a division of The University of Texas at Austin, the IC2 Institute, and inspired by the National Renewable Energy Lab. The incubator oversees seven portfolio companies in the clean-tech market and is supported by the Texas State Energy Conservation Office and Austin Energy.

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Clean Energy Incubator

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How coal-fired power plants can become a cleaner energy source by reducing NOx emissions using selective catalytic reduction.

CleanAIR Particulate Filters Protect Miners’ Exposure to Diesel Emissions

Santa Fe, NM -- February 22 -- Miners have one of the most dangerous jobs in the world. While many federal regulations protect miners from on-the-job hazards, it has not always been easy to protect the air they breathe. Now new standards decided on February 9th by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit will help miners breathe easier by limiting exposure to diesel emissions, specifically fine carbon particles (particulate matter) which have been linked to lung cancer and respiratory illnesses. Produced by heavy equipment operating within the mines, particulate matter can essentially be eliminated by retrofitting vehicles with diesel particulate filters, such as the products manufactured by CleanAIR Systems, Inc.

A leading supplier to the mining industry of emissions control technology, CleanAIR diesel particulate filters are currently installed in twenty-six mines located throughout eight states. The CleanAIR PERMIT FBC™ Filter reduces particulate matter by over 85%, as well as reducing deadly carbon monoxide (CO) by up to 90% and hydrocarbons (HC) by as much as 90%. At the same time, the CleanAIR PERMIT FBC™ does not increase emissions of nitrogen dioxide (NO2), which also poses a serious air quality problem within mines. The PERMIT FBC™ can reduce emissions while operating using any diesel fuel from high-sulfur diesel to ultra-low sulfur diesel, as well as biodiesel.

The CleanAIR PERMIT FBC™ Filter was tested in 2003 by the U.S. Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) and found acceptable for use in mines.

“We have been working with the mining industry for a long time in the United States and Canada to solve emissions problems,” explains Michael Roach, President of CleanAIR Systems. “The PERMIT FBC™ Filter is a proven solution for reducing particulate matter, CO and HC, while not increasing emissions of NO2. Our goal in developing this product was to create a filter for the specialized environment of underground mining and, at the same time, protect miners from dangerous emissions.”

The February court decision affects 16,000 miners across the country, working mostly in metal (such as gold) and non-metal mines (such as limestone). Coal mines are subject to different regulations, with many already installing filters to control emissions.

Established in 1993, CleanAIR Systems, Inc. located in Santa Fe, NM, is a technology-based corporation manufacturing emissions control systems with worldwide distribution. Their products are designed to control air pollution for on- and off-road vehicles, as well as stationary machinery and power generation. CleanAIR – Committed to a Cleaner Environment.

For more information, visit www.cleanairsys.com.

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How diesel particulate matter can be reduced in mines using the PERMIT FBC filter.

GE Energy’s Filtration Technology Receives ecomagination Certification

NEW DELHI, India--(BUSINESS WIRE)--GE Energy’s PulsePleat® filtration technology has received ecomagination certification after completing the company’s rigorous environmental and operational evaluation. It was cited as one of a number of successful GE projects during the formal launch of GE’s ecomagination program in New Delhi, India.

Ecomagination is GE’s commitment to address challenges such as the need for cleaner, more efficient sources of energy, reduced emissions and abundant sources of clean water. GE Energy’s environmental services team provided metrics to demonstrate that PulsePleat offered significant and measurable performance advantages.

Fabric filtration is used to capture particulate matter (fine dust) created by different manufacturing processes to help prevent air-polluting emissions. The technology is used by more than 50 industries globally, by utilities and in the cement, metals, food, pharmaceutical and chemical industries.

“PulsePleat elements can help to reduce particulate matter emissions by as much as 40 percent in the 3,000,000 units installed worldwide,” said Daniel Heintzelman, president of GE Energy’s services business. “This technology helps the industry to meet increasingly stringent emissions control regulations and to benefit from improved production levels and lower operating costs.”

Conventional filter bags are the most commonly accepted method used to capture fine particulate matter for air pollution control. Standard fabric filter bags are arranged in a dust collection system (or baghouse) where exhaust air is filtered before venting out of the stack to the atmosphere.

PulsePleat Pleated Filter Elements are a replacement upgrade to conventional filters, requiring minimal or no retrofitting to existing baghouses. Customers using PulsePleat Pleated Filter Elements have seen significant improvement in performance, cost and ecological impact when compared to traditional filter bags. The filters are manufactured in GE’s facilities in Switzerland, China and Salisbury, Mo., U.S.A.

By reducing particulate matter emissions by 21,000 lbs/year (for a typical metals manufacturing plant) down to a mean particle size of 0.5 micron, customers using GE’s PulsePleat Filter Elements are able to recycle particulate matter back into the manufacturing process. The 21,000 lbs/year of particulate saved is equivalent to the average amount of aluminum needed to build 87 passenger vehicles, and enough recycled material to make 355,950 aluminum beverage cans.

In a standard manufacturing plant, PulsePleat filters last four times longer than standard filters. Over a three-year period, this results in a filter material savings equivalent to 99,531 lbs. of polyester material, 4,977 barrels of oil (used as an ingredient in 99,351 lbs. of polyester) and waste that would be generated by 22,672 people daily in the United States.

About GE Energy
GE Energy (www.ge.com/energy) is one of the world’s leading suppliers of power generation and energy delivery technologies, with 2006 revenue of $19 billion. Based in Atlanta, Georgia, GE Energy works in all areas of the energy industry including coal, oil, natural gas and nuclear energy; renewable resources such as water, wind, solar and biogas; and other alternative fuels.

Numerous GE Energy products are certified under ecomagination, GE’s corporate-wide initiative to aggressively bring to market new technologies that will help customers meet pressing environmental challenges.

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GE Energy

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How the PERMIT Filter from CleanAIR Systems reduces particulate matter by over 85% from emergency and prime power generators.

EU Agreed to Binding Cuts in Carbon Emissions

Feb. 20 -- European countries have approved a binding accord to cut carbon dioxide emissions by 20 percent by 2020. The environmental ministers are also pressing for a global reduction in CO2 emissions of 30 percent.

According to Germany’s Environmental Minister, Sigmar Gabriel, a 40 percent cut in carbon emissions may be attainable by Germany.

The cuts were met with mixed reaction by environmental groups who want EU countries to enforce a more stringent 30 percent reduction.

Mahi Sideridou of Greenpeace said: "We happily welcome the 30 per cent emission cut proposed for the EU and for developed countries for 2020. Ministers have listened to the science and made a leap forward in addressing the climate crisis. But to then suggest a meager 20 per cent unilateral EU emissions cut, while admitting this is inadequate and that a 30 per cent cut will be necessary is a bizarre discrepancy."

David Miliband, the Environment Secretary, said: "The unilateral commitment to cut EU greenhouse gas emissions by 20 per cent by 2020 - the first of its kind - shows we're willing to take concrete action on an issue that citizens care about.

"Action in the EU alone is not enough. Our commitment to a 30 per cent cut in emissions as part of a global agreement strengthens the EU's ability to lead the debate at the G8 and UN climate change talks and to secure an ambitious outcome."

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The Independent

Environmental Policy Tipsheet

Looming regulation is worse than no regulation at all.
Environmental talks in Congress are currently backfiring by motivating energy companies to build more coal-burning power plants, said Evan Ringquist, a professor of environmental science at Indiana University. "The sense of looming regulation is causing energy producers to rush out and build more old-style, coal-fired energy plants," he said. "These businesspeople know they have more bargaining power over regulations concerning existing facilities, especially if they just spent a ton of capital building new plants. If new regulations aimed at addressing greenhouse gasses are inevitable, politicians should enact these measures quickly, because it's clear that uncertainty in the regulatory environment is a recipe for higher emissions."

Ringquist studies energy policy in IU's School of Public and Environmental Affairs.

Ethanol is Not a Climate Change Solution
Curbing climate change and moving toward energy independence have been conflated in political speech, but the two goals are not interchangeable, said Marc Lame, a professor of environmental science at Indiana University. "Our President's remarks addressing climate change have focused on reducing gasoline consumption by relying on new technologies such as ethanol. This type of messaging has stimulated a great deal of confusion due to its false implication that developing new technologies is the same thing as decreasing energy consumption. Those of us living in the corn-growing heartland would love to believe that by producing ethanol we can solve our planet's climate crisis, but the truth is, unfortunately, there is no evidence that ethanol uses less energy or produces less