New California Report to Reduce GHG

California's Economic and Technology Advancement Advisory Committee's (ETAAC) final report to the state's Air Resources Board is now available on-line for viewing and download.

This final 308-page report of recommendations regarding greenhouse gas emission control technologies was formally adopted by the Committee at its February 11, 2008 meeting. The report will be presented to the Air Resources Board at the end of February 2008.

From Technologies and Policies to Consider for Reducing Greenhouse Gas Emissions in California:
"We are very pleased to present to you our policy and technology recommendations for reducing greenhouse gas emissions in California. Our report includes 55 specific recommendations for greenhouse gas reduction strategies in the areas of finance; transportation; industrial commercial and residential end users; electricity and natural gas; agriculture; forestry; and water policy. As requested by CARB, we also examined the Market Advisory Committee’s Report from the perspective of how particular market mechanisms can stimulate early action, promote innovation and establish clear price signals."

Specific recommendations are presented in the report based on the following policy strategies and technology opportunities:

Major Strategies:
· Accelerate GHG Emission Reductions
· Balance a Portfolio of Economic and Technology Policies
· Create Innovative Public Funding to Complement Private Investment
· Foster International and Domestic Partnerships
· Leadership Across State Agencies

Major Opportunities
· Accelerate Efficiency Measures
· Remove Carbon From Energy Sources
· Rethink Transportation to Lower Demand and Carbon Emissions
· Reduce GHG Emissions from Industry, Agriculture, Forestry and Water
· Capture Cleantech Employment, Economic, Health and Environmental Justice Co-
Benefits

See the Source:
Recommendations of the ETAAC - Final Report

global-warming
environmental news

Clean Air Task Force Director Comments on FutureGen

Statement of John Thompson, Clean Air Task Force Director of Coal Transition Project, on DOE Secretary Bodman’s Decision Not To Fund FutureGen

“It is short-sighted for the Bush Administration to retreat on FutureGen now. This project is important because it would be among the first power plants in the nation to capture large quantities of carbon dioxide. By mid-century, virtually all the nation’s coal, oil and natural gas fueled power plants must capture carbon dioxide if we’re to prevent global warming. President Bush needs to stick by what he started.

This unfortunate decision makes it more important than ever that the Midwest’s other proposed clean coal plants move forward and become “NowGen” projects that capture a portion of their carbon dioxide.

Two large proposed 630 MW commercial coal plants—one near Edwardsport, Indiana and one near Taylorville, Illinois— will use similar gasification technology as FutureGen. Neither plant has firm carbon capture plans, but with support from the states of Illinois and Indiana, both of these plants could capture 20% of their carbon emissions and remain economically competitive.

By building a plant like FutureGen that captures 90% of its carbon dioxide emissions, and flanking it with two commercial-sized plants that capture 20% carbon dioxide, it would be possible to create a trio of plants that could truly change the path of coal world-wide.

Indiana economic regulators gave the Duke Edwardsport plant permission to build in November 2007. As part of the decision, Duke must return with plans for studies to capture and store 20% carbon dioxide within 6 months. Last week, the plant received its air permit.

Yesterday, the USEPA’s Environmental Appeals Board finalized the air permit for the Taylorville, Illinois plant. Legislation enabling Taylorville to move forward with construction unanimously passed the Illinois Senate. The company now needs action from the Illinois House to facilitate construction. The legislature should move forward with this legislation, and also include provisions to fund partial carbon capture.”

About the Clean Air Task Force
The Clean Air Task Force is a national environmental organization that is dedicated to restoring clean air through scientific research, public education, and legal advocacy. The Clean Air Task Force is comprised of twenty professionals with backgrounds in science, engineering, law, economics and public outreach headquartered in Boston but located throughout the United States. CATF is recognized as one of the nation’s leading environmental organizations addressing air quality and atmospheric protection issues, and its work is widely respected in government and industry. For more information about the Clean Air Task Force, see http://www.catf.us/.

See the Source:
Business Wire

clean coal

In the News: Carbon Reporting and Biodiesel

National Express Group Biodiesel Trials
National Express Group (The Group), one of UK's leading transport groups, announced on August 6th that it has suspended its ‘first generation’ UK biodiesel bus trial due to concerns over whether the benefits outweigh the risk to the sustainability of food crop sources.

The Group has called a halt to the trial on its UK buses until so called ‘second generation’ biofuels, which use non food crops such as wood chips and straw, are available or issues relating to the sustainability of the production have been addressed.

The move follows an internal review of the benefits of biofuels and consultation with a number of environmental organizations including Greenpeace, Friends of the Earth, WWF and the Climate Group who have also raised a number of issues associated with the use of first generation biofuels.

Chief Executive Richard Bowker said: “Biofuels may well have a role to play in helping us reduce the emissions of greenhouse gases arising from transport operations in the future. We are not dismissing the role they may play in the future, but based on the evidence today I think it is vital that we wait for issues relating to the sustainability of supply are resolved before we press ahead with trials of biodiesel.

“Moving forward, we will continue to look at the options for biodiesel. We will work with our supply chain to ensure that there will be proven technology available which we can use for second generation biofuels when these are available in a few years’ time.

“The issue with biofuels is complex and what appears to be the green option may not actually be green after all. NX will continue to focus on delivering the commitments for improving efficiency and making the point that our coach operations are already a low carbon transport network.”

See the Source:
National Express Group


California requires CO2 Reporting
The California Air Resources Board has issued a new requirement for vehicle and engine manufacturers to report CO2 emissions. The new requirements apply to all off-road and on-road engine and vehicle categories for 2008 and subsequent model years. A letter detailing the reporting requirements has been sent to manufacturers of passenger cars, trucks, motorcycles, recreational vehicles, and on-road, off-road, and marine engines.

See the Source:
Association of Emissions Control by Catalyst - AECC Newsletter


U.S Biodiesel Production Capacity
There are currently 165 companies that have invested millions of dollars into the development of biodiesel manufacturing plants and are actively marketing biodiesel. The annual production capacity from these plants is 1.85 billion gallons per year.

Eighty companies have reported plants under construction and are scheduled to be completed within the next 18 months. An additional four plants are expanding existing operations. Combined capacity of all plants, if realized, would result in another 1.37 billion gallons per year of biodiesel production.

See the Source:
National Biodiesel Board

GHG Emissions Bill Introduced

Yesterday (July 11th) Senator Jeff Bingaman (D-New Mexico) and Arlen Specter (R-Pennsylvania) introduced legislature to cut greenhouse gas emissions 20% by 2030. The bill presents new rules for power plants, refineries and steelmakers, allowing half of carbon credits for industries to be issued by the government and the other half to either be purchased or reduced by the corporations themselves.

Although the proposed “cap-and-trade” system has environmental critics, who point out that the legislation would create a market for trading greenhouse gas permits, the bi-partisan effort may be more likely to pass as it is considered “mainstream”.

According to John Rowe, chief executive of Exelon, the bill sets aggressive, yet attainable goals, and at the same time builds bridges in order to achieve those goals.

See the Source:
Reuters
Bloomberg

current issues
environment

Project Big Green – IBM’s $1 Billion Baby

On May 10th, IBM launched “Project Big Green,” allocating $1 billion towards the advancement of “green” technology and services to increase energy efficiency for IBM and its clients, while at the same time reducing data center energy consumption. Savings could be substantial, with an average 25,000 square foot data center realizing a 42% energy savings, translating into a reduction of 7,439 tons of carbon emissions annually. Included in the initiative is IBM’s “green team” made up of over 850 energy efficiency architects.

See the Source:
IBM’s Energy Efficiency Initiative

Find out:
How generators used for back-up power at date storage centers can be made cleaner using CleanAIR Filter/Silencers

current issues
energy

States on Track to Cut Emissions

The Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS) says that 21 states, along with the District of Columbia are on track to reduce their global warming emissions by 108 million metric tons (MMT) of carbon dioxide by 2020, through the use of adopting renewable electricity standards. The emission cuts are equal to taking 17.7 million cars off the road.

Three states in particular (Colorado, Minnesota and New Mexico) are over the 100 MMT milestone.

UCS estimates that by 2020, state standards will produce more than 46,000 megawatts of clean, renewable power. This will be enough to meet the needs of 28.5 million households.

With the success of state renewable energy standards, the UCS says momentum is building for a federal standard of 20 percent renewable energy by 2020.

See the Source:

Union of Concerned Scientists

And They’re Off! The Carbon Challenge is On!

The Slate Green Challenge launched on Tuesday, encourages people to go on a seven-week “carbon diet” to shed unwanted pounds of carbon dioxide emissions. Slate, the daily online magazine, in collaboration with the eco-Web site Treehugger.com, is again asking Americans to consider their own contributions to global warming, challenging them to reduce the amount of carbon dioxide that individuals put into the atmosphere by 20 percent.

In 2006, over 30,000 people signed up for Slate’s Green Challenge, shedding more than 60 million pounds of carbon dioxide emissions. This year’s challenge will offer more carbon-cutting actions to include everyone from apartment dwellers to bus riders to people in warmer climates.

"The United Nations says the average American is responsible for nearly four times the carbon-dioxide emissions of the rest of the world," said Jacob Weisberg, Slate's editor. "Last year’s challenge demonstrated the eagerness of our readers to take action on an individual level, and this year we’re hoping to make it even easier for them to do that. We are excited to be working again with our friends at Treehugger, who have been excellent partners."

Each week of the Green Challenge opens with a short quiz, followed by easy actions people can take to reduce their individual carbon output. Once participants have registered, Slate will monitor individual progress in losing carbon poundage and collective poundage lost by individuals taking the challenge. Those who miss the launch date may start at any point by taking the initial quiz.

See the Source:
Slate Magazine
TreeHugger

What About Carbon Sequestration?

The Future of Carbon Sequestration is a new report issued by Dublin’s Research and Markets, an international market research and market data firm, offering an overview of the opportunities for carbon sequestration to reduce GHG emissions.

Based on information from a variety of sources such as the Energy Information Administration, the Department of Energy, and the UN Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, the report covers the following topics:

- Overview of the climate change debate
- Explanation of the global carbon cycle
- Discussion of the concept of carbon sequestration
- Review of current efforts to implement carbon sequestration
- Analysis and comparison of carbon sequestration component technologies
- Review of the economic drivers of carbon sequestration project success
- Discussion of the key government and industry initiatives supporting carbon sequestration

According to Research and Markets, “The UN's Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) forecasts that up to 40% of the world's fossil fuel emissions could be captured and sequestered by 2050. The IPCC says that if carbon sequestration were exploited via hundreds of thousands of storage sites around the world, it could make up to 55% of projected cuts in greenhouse gas emissions needed to offset climate change by 2100. However, the price of CO2 needs to be $25 to $30 a ton to make carbon capture technologies commercially viable.

“This forecast has many organizations taking a significant interest in carbon sequestration. Much of this interest is based on a simple premise - the world will continue to depend on fossil fuels for the foreseeable future. This means capturing and sequestering carbon is seen as one of the most viable approaches to tackling global warming.”

See the Source:
Research and Markets: The Future of Carbon Sequestration

Town, City, University to Use Biodiesel Fuel

Illustrating their commitment to sustaining the environment and reducing greenhouse gas emissions, the Town of Blacksburg, City of Roanoke, and Virginia Tech are converting their diesel fuel-powered public works and facilities vehicles and power equipment to biodiesel fuel — a cleaner-burning, renewable diesel fuel replacement made primarily from soybean oil.

The biodiesel initiative is tied to the Town of Blacksburg and City of Roanoke’s membership in the International Council for Local Environmental Initiatives (ICLEI) — Local Governments for Sustainability. Members of ICLEI agree to complete a greenhouse gas emissions inventory, formulate an action plan for greenhouse gas mitigation, and implement the changes and monitor the resulting progress.

The City of Roanoke has converted 365 pieces of equipment – 100 percent of its diesel vehicles and equipment – to biodiesel. This includes school buses, trucks, fire trucks, front-end loaders as well as assorted smaller equipment. The Town of Blacksburg plans to convert 100 percent of its Public Works Department diesel powered fleet by August 2007. Virginia Tech will also convert the majority of its Physical Plant Operations fleet to biodiesel by August.

City of Roanoke among pioneers of renewable resources in Southwest Virginia
The City of Roanoke began using B2 biodiesel fuel in December 2006 in diesel powered fleet vehicles and Roanoke City School buses. B2 is a blending of two percent biodiesel and 98 percent diesel fuel.

“Protecting the environment is one of the most important issues in Southwest Virginia and in America today,” said Harris. “This action taken by Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, and Roanoke is a significant step in the right direction. The use of biodiesel will help us reduce the carbon footprint in the Roanoke Valley and New River Valley.”

Town of Blacksburg, Virginia Tech partner in B20 biodiesel conversion
Virginia Tech will work closely with the Town of Blacksburg in support of the Cool Cities Coalition (http://www.coolcities.us/) initiative. Combined, the Town of Blacksburg and Virginia Tech will convert more than 70 diesel fueled vehicles and equipment to B20 biodiesel fuel – a blend of 20 percent by volume biodiesel with 80 percent by volume petroleum diesel.

B20 biodiesel has demonstrated significant environmental benefits with a minimum increase in cost. Use of biodiesel fuel reduces environmentally harmful emissions. This biodegradable, low toxicity fuel is a fully renewable energy source produced in the United States.

“We’re honored to share this biodiesel initiative with the City of Roanoke and Virginia Tech” said Rordam. “The environment is everyone’s responsibility and it’s through partnerships such as these that we will make an indelible impact on the future for generations to come.”

The Town of Blacksburg will convert more than 50 fleet vehicles and equipment to B20 biodiesel. The Town plans to utilize an existing compartmentalized 10,000 gallon above ground fuel storage tank with two 5,000 gallon storage sections and separate dispensing pumps for the biodiesel initiative, with one 5,000 gallon section dedicated to biodiesel fuel and the other to diesel.

The town is also considering a proposal to convert Blacksburg Transit (BT) vehicles to the alternative fuel source. BT will initiate a pilot project with one van this summer and a bus in August, before deciding to convert the entire fleet.

Virginia Tech plans to convert approximately 20 vehicles used by Physical Plant Operations to biodiesel fuel by August 2007. In addition, the university plans to convert some off-road equipment (large lawn mowers, for example) once the conversion of these vehicles is complete.

“Virginia Tech is committed to creating a sustainable environment both on and off campus,” said James Hyatt, Virginia Tech’s executive vice president and chief operating officer. “We welcome the opportunity to partner with local municipalities in hopes of broadening the positive impact on the environment through this biodiesel initiative.”

Initially, Virginia Tech will fuel its newly converted biodiesel vehicles and equipment at the Town of Blacksburg’s fuel tank. Webb Oil Corporation of Roanoke will supply B20 biodiesel fuel to the town and the university. B20 biodiesel fuel is typically slightly more expensive than regular diesel fuel.

Blacksburg joins Alexandria, Charlottesville, Richmond, Virginia Beach and Williamsburg as those municipalities in Virginia participating in the Cool Cities initiative.

To announce the initiative, the Town of Blacksburg, City of Roanoke and Virginia Tech will host an environmental celebration at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, April 17 in Blacksburg. The event will be held at the Five Chimney’s Lawn (corner of Washington Street and Draper Road). Roanoke Mayor Nelson Harris, Blacksburg Mayor Ron Rordam, and Larry Hincker, associate vice president for university relations at Virginia Tech, will announce the biodiesel initiative. In the event of inclement weather, the event will be held in the Blacksburg Police Department Training Room (200 Clay Street).

See the Source:
VirginiaTech
Cool Cities Coalition

Showdown in Vermont: Auto Manufacturers vs. Global Warming

A Burlington, Vermont federal courtroom will be the next showdown between automakers and states attempting to enforce emissions regulations to reduce carbon dioxide from vehicle emissions. Big auto manufacturers go to court today in an attempt to block greenhouse gas emission regulations set by California Regulation, Assembly Bill No. 1493, Pavley, which Vermont and nine other states have adopted. Vermont will be the first court to decide if states have the authority to establish their own fuel standards, thereby controlling carbon emissions.

If the regulation stands, it would set carbon limits more stringent that those put in place by the US government, allowing other states to adopt the California rulings and create a system where car manufacturers would need to meet two separate standards - those for “federal cars” as opposed to the much tighter regulations of “California cars.”

The California regulation go into effect with cars from model year 2009 and would decrease carbon dioxide emissions by forcing manufacturers to increase average fuel efficiency to 43 miles per gallon. This would achieve a 23% reduction in global warming emissions of carbon dioxide, methane and nitrous oxide from new cars by 2012.

See the Source:
International Herald Tribune
California Clean Cars Campaign
California Assembly Bill No. 1493

Alt-Fuels Pioneer Wins $100,000 Award for Sustainability

Lee Lynd, a Dartmouth College professor and the co-founder of Mascoma Corp., a cellulosic biomass-to-ethanol company, has received the first Lemelson-MIT Award for Systainability honoring his 25 years of achievements and research into alternative fuels. He received the $100,000 award on April 2nd, which recognizes inventors whose products or processes improve economic opportunity and community well-being, and at the same time protect and restore the natural environment.

Professor Lynd and his colleagues have researched and identified advanced technologies for converting biomass such as grass, using cellulose-utilizing bacteria to produce ethanol, resulting in a sustainable carbon cycle with no net emissions of carbon dioxide –
a process configuration known as consolidated bioprocessing (CBP).

“Decades ago, Lee Lynd started doing something about global warming and the rapid depletion of the world’s non-renewable energy resources,” said Merton Flemings, director of the Lemelson-MIT Program. “He continued to experiment and pursue his ideas even when the conventional wisdom said they couldn’t be done.”

“Lee’s groundbreaking research has driven forward the public policy debate, the business world, and the fundamental science of bioenergy,” said Nathanael Greene, a senior policy analyst at the Natural Resources Defense Council, and one of Lynd’s nominators for the $100,000 Lemelson-MIT Award for Sustainability. “His work has helped frame our basic understanding of the sustainable potential for bioenergy and especially biofuels.”

See the Source:
Business Wire

EPA and Earth Day

April 22 is Earth Day and the EPA wants Americans to demonstrate environmental responsibility by making wise choices to help protect the environment. Learn how to reduce your carbon footprint using the EPA personal carbon calculator by visiting the Interactive Climate Change Web page at
http://www.epa.gov/climatechange/emissions/ind_calculator.html

See the Source:
EPA Earthday

Virgin Blue Flying Green

Virgin Blue announced on March 21st that it is the first airline to offer a carbon offset program certified by the Australian Government under the Greenhouse Friendly initiative. The program allows the airline and Virgin Blue’s customers the opportunity to neutralize their emissions, thereby decreasing their carbon footprint.

Money collected through the optional offset program will go towards purchasing abatement from projects in Australia and New Zealand.

Virgin Blue Chief Executive, Brett Godfrey said, “As an airline company, we are well aware of the challenge to balance the demand and growth of air travel while at the same time actively working to reduce aircraft emissions. The introduction of this program is a significant step in the right direction and one we hope other airlines will follow.”

“We see our Carbon Offset Program as a step towards creating a sustainable aviation environment. This is a global issue requiring a global response,” continued Godfrey, “and we believe all airlines around the world, not just in Australia, need to view it as a shared responsibility and act swiftly and today’s announcement shows that we are very keen to play our role in this.”

The Virgin Blue Carbon Offset Program:
- Guests will have the option to voluntarily offset their carbon emissions generated during flight by contributing towards approved projects such as forestry activities, energy efficiency measures, waste diversion and recycling/generation of renewable energy.

- Virgin Blue has made a financial commitment to offset emissions generated by their crew and staff while travelling on company business. The annual commitment will go towards abatement projects that are aimed at long term and permanent reduction of GHG emissions.

The airline has also joined 800 other companies in participating in the Australian Greenhouse Challenge Plus Program, to measure, monitor and report on overall emissions with the goal of reducing them every year.

See the Source:
Virgin Blue

Edwards Calls For Cleaner Use Of Coal As Part Of Fight Against Global Warming

Calls for Ban on New Coal Plants Lacking Technology To Capture Carbon Dioxide Emissions

San Francisco, California – Following last week's announcement of his plan to halt global warming and create a new energy economy, Senator John Edwards today released the details of his plan to burn coal cleanly and store its carbon dioxide emissions safely. Edwards called for an end to the construction of any new coal-burning power plants that lack the technology needed to capture their carbon dioxide emissions.

"Global warming is not an issue for the future," said Edwards. "It is a crisis that demands action from us today. We have the chance to create an energy revolution in our country, but if we're going to have that happen, we have to be willing to take action now. We need to be smart and responsible about how we use coal, so we can leave our children and grandchildren a safer and cleaner planet."

While Edwards' energy plan calls for investing in renewable energy and efficiency, he understands that the U.S. is likely to rely on coal for its energy needs for decades or even centuries. Coal-fired power plants generate more than half of our electricity, but cause a third of U.S. carbon dioxide emissions. Utility companies are planning to build more than 150 coal-fired power plants in the next 25 years.

Edwards believes we need to find a way to use coal without heating the planet. As president, Edwards will require that all new coal-fired plants be built with the required technology to capture their carbon dioxide emissions, so plants built today will be able to permanently and safely store their carbon emissions tomorrow. He also committed to investing $1 billion a year in research and testing to jumpstart the means to store large amounts of carbon dioxide safely underground.

In order to halt global warming, Edwards last week called for a dramatic reduction in carbon dioxide emissions. Edwards' plan would cap greenhouse gas pollution starting in 2010, and reduce it by 15 percent by 2020 and 80 percent by 2050, as the latest science says is needed to avoid the worst impacts of global warming. Edwards also proposed major investments in renewable energy and laid out ways to help Americans conserve energy.

See the Source:
A New Strategy For Coal: Achieving Energy Independence & Stopping Global Warming

Find out:
About low-temp selective catalytic reduction to reduce NOx emissions at coal-fired power plants.

Global Warming Forecasts Creation, Loss of Climate Zones

by Jill Sakai

A new global warming study predicts that many current climate zones will vanish entirely by the year 2100, replaced by climates unknown in today's world.

Global climate models for the next century forecast the complete disappearance of several existing climates currently found in tropical highlands and regions near the poles, while large swaths of the tropics and subtropics may develop new climates unlike anything seen today. Driven by worldwide greenhouse gas emissions, the climate modeling study uses average summer and winter temperatures and precipitation levels to map the differences between climate zones today and in the year 2100 and anticipates large climate changes worldwide.

The work, by researchers at the University of Wisconsin-Madison and the University of Wyoming, appears online in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences during the week of March 26.

As world leaders and scientists push to develop sound strategies to understand and cope with global changes, predictive studies like this one reveal both the importance and difficulty of such a task. Primary author and UW-Madison geographer Jack Williams likens today's environmental analysts to 15th-century European mapmakers confronted with the New World, struggling to chart unknown territory.

"We want to identify the regions of the world where climate change will result in climates unlike any today," Williams says. "These are the areas beyond our map."

The most severely affected parts of the world span both heavily populated regions, including the southeastern United States, southeastern Asia and parts of Africa, and known hotspots of biodiversity, such as the Amazonian rainforest and African and South American mountain ranges. The changes predicted by the new study anticipate dramatic ecological shifts, with unknown but probably extensive effects on large segments of the Earth's population.

"All policy and management strategies are based on current conditions," Williams says, adding that regions with the largest changes are where these strategies and models are most likely to fail. "How do you make predictions for these areas of the unknown?"

Using models that translate carbon dioxide emission levels into climate change, Williams and his colleagues foresee the appearance of novel climate zones on up to 39 percent of the world's land surface area by 2100, if current rates of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gas emissions continue. Under the same conditions, the models predict the global disappearance of up to 48 percent of current land climates. Even if emission rates slow due to mitigation strategies, the models predict both climate loss and formation, each on up to 20 percent of world land area.

The underlying effect is clear, Williams says, noting, "More carbon dioxide in the air means more risk of entirely new climates or climates disappearing."

In general, the models show that existing climate zones will shift toward higher latitudes and higher elevations, squeezing out the climates at the extremes — tropical mountaintops and the poles — and leaving room for unfamiliar climes around the equator.

"This work helps highlight the significance of changes in the tropics," complementing the extensive attention already focused on the Arctic, says co-author John Kutzbach, professor of atmospheric and oceanic sciences at UW-Madison. "There has been so much emphasis on high latitudes because the absolute temperature changes are larger."

However, Kutzbach explains, normal seasonal fluctuations in temperature and rainfall are smaller in the tropics, and even "small absolute changes may be large relative to normal variability."

The patterns of change foreshadow significant impacts on ecosystems and conservation. "There is a close correspondence between disappearing climates and areas of biodiversity," says Williams, which could increase risk of extinction in the affected areas.

Physical restrictions on species may also amplify the effects of local climate changes. The more relevant question, Williams says, becomes not just whether a given climate still exists, but "will a species be able to keep up with its climatic zone? Most species can't migrate around the world."

For the researchers, one of the most poignant aspects of the work is in what it doesn't tell them — the uncertainty. At this point, Williams says, "we don't know which bad things will happen or which good things will happen — we just don't know. We are in for some ecological surprises."

The work was conducted in collaboration with Stephen Jackson at the University of Wyoming and was funded by the National Science Foundation.

See the Source:
University of Wisconsin-Madison

EPA Lauds Corporate Partners for Cutting Greenhouse Gas Emissions

Climate Leaders Program Continues to Attract New Members

Washington, D.C. - March 22, 2007 -- EPA today commended American Electric Power, St. Lawrence Cement and United Technologies Corp. for achieving significant greenhouse gas reductions (GHG) under EPA's Climate Leaders program. The companies also extended their commitment by pledging a second goal on measurable reductions. In addition, the agency recognized 12 corporations for announcing new reduction goals, and another 16 companies that are joining the program.

"Our Climate Leaders partners are demonstrating corporate climate change leadership by embracing energy efficiency, green power, and technological innovation as sound business investments," said EPA Deputy Administrator Marcus Peacock. "Many of the nation's leading companies are working aggressively with EPA to lower their greenhouse gas emissions in ways that advance President Bush's climate change strategy."

--American Electric Power, Columbus, Ohio, met its 2006 goal by reducing total U.S. GHG emissions by four percent from 2001 to 2006. AEP pledges to reduce total U.S. GHG emissions by six percent from 2001 to 2010.

--St. Lawrence Cement, Mont-Royal, Quebec, met its goal by reducing global GHG emissions by 16 percent per ton of cement-type product from 2000 to 2006. St. Lawrence Cement pledges to reduce global GHG emissions by 20 percent per ton of cement-type product from 2000 to 2012.

--United Technologies Corp., Hartford, Conn., met its goal of reducing global GHG emissions by 46 percent per dollar of revenue from 2001 to 2006. UTC pledges to reduce total global GHG emissions by 12 percent from 2006 to 2010.

The twelve partners announcing aggressive greenhouse gas reduction goals:
--Anheuser-Busch Cos. Inc., St. Louis, Mo., pledges to reduce total U.S. GHG emissions by five percent from 2005 to 2010.

--Boise Cascade, Boise, Idaho, pledges to reduce total U.S. GHG emissions by 10 percent from 2004 to 2014.

--Codding Enterprises, Rohnert Park, Calif., pledges to reduce U.S. GHG emissions by 50 percent per square foot from 2005 to 2010.

--Fairchild Semiconductor, South Portland, Maine, pledges to reduce U.S. GHG emissions by 30 percent per manufacturing index (production measure) from 2003 to 2010.

--General Motors Corp., Detroit, Mich., pledges to reduce total North American GHG emissions by 40 percent from 2000 to 2010. GM achieved its initial goal by reducing total North American GHG emissions by 23 percent from 2000 to 2005.

--IBM Corp., Armonk, N.Y., pledges to reduce total global GHG emissions by seven percent from 2005 to 2012. IBM achieved its initial goal by reducing total global energy-related GHG emissions by an average of six percent per year and PFC emissions by 58 percent from 2000 to 2005.

--Sandy Alexander, Clifton, N.J., pledges to reduce U.S. GHG emissions by 11 percent per dollar of revenue from 2006 to 2012.

--SC Johnson, Racine, Wis., pledges to reduce total U.S. GHG emissions by 8 percent from 2005 to 2010. SC Johnson achieved its initial goal by reducing total U.S. GHG emissions by 17 percent from 2000 to 2005. --Steelcase Inc., Grand Rapids, Mich., pledges to reduce U.S. GHG emissions by 40 percent per dollar sales from 2004 to 2009.

--The Tower Cos., North Bethesda, Md., pledge to achieve a net effect of zero GHG emissions using EPA approved methods by 2008 and maintain that level through 2012.

--The World Bank, Washington, D.C., pledges to reduce total U.S. GHG emissions by seven percent from 2006 to 2011.

--Thomas Rutherfoord Inc., Roanoke, Va., pledges to reduce U.S. GHG emissions by seven percent per employee from 2006 to 2012.

The 16 companies that have recently joined Climate Leaders as partners: Anheuser-Busch Cos. Inc., St. Louis, Mo; Cherokee Investment Partners, Raleigh, N.C.; CSX Transportation Inc., Jacksonville, Fla.; Deere & Company, Moline, Ill; Duke Energy, Charlotte, N.C.; Kellogg Co., Battle Creek, Mich.; Merck & Co. Inc., Whitehouse Station, N.J.; Mohawk Fine Papers Inc., Cohoes, N.Y.; National Geographic Society, Washington D.C.; NVIDIA Corp., Santa Clara, Calif.; Office Depot, Delray Beach, Fla.; PPG Industries Inc., Pittsburgh, Pa.; Stora Enso North America Corp., Wisconsin Rapids, Wis.; Turner Construction Co., New York, N.Y.; WhiteWave Foods Co., Broomfield, Colo.; 3 Phases Energy, San Francisco, Calif.

Since 2002, the Climate Leaders program has provided valuable guidance and recognition to leading companies across many industries to help them develop and implement long-term comprehensive climate change strategies. EPA estimates that the goals announced to date through Climate Leaders will prevent more than 11 million metric tons of carbon equivalent emissions per year – equal to the amount of greenhouse gas emissions from more than seven million cars. Climate Leaders partners come from a wide range of industries and constitute over nine percent of U.S. gross domestic product. Over the past five years, the program has expanded to include 113 organizations. Of these, 67 have announced aggressive long-term greenhouse gas reduction goals, while the remaining companies are working with EPA to set and announce a goal.

See the Source:
EPA - Climate Leaders

Environmental, Community Groups Announce Important Energy Agreement with Major Utility

Sierra Club, Kansas City Power & Light and Concerned Citizens of Platte County Put Forward Agreement to Reduce Emissions, Spur Clean Energy Development

KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- March 20, 2007--In a groundbreaking agreement that can serve as a model for environmental groups and utilities working together, the Sierra Club, Kansas City Power & Light (KCP&L), and the Concerned Citizens of Platte County (CCPC) have agreed on a set of initiatives to offset carbon dioxide (CO2) and reduce other emissions for the Kansas City-based utility. Under the agreement announced today, KCP&L agrees to pursue offsets for all of the global warming emissions associated with its new plant through significant investments in energy efficiency and renewable energy, and cut pollution from its existing plants in order to improve air quality in the Greater Kansas City metro area. The agreement proposes other investments in clean energy, significant decreases in emissions and resolves four appeals pending between the Sierra Club, CCPC, and KCP&L. Full implementation of the terms of the agreement will necessitate approval from the appropriate authorities, as some of the initiatives in this agreement require either enabling legislative policy or regulatory approval.

“We believe there is significant potential through new energy technology and innovative approaches to improve the environment and offer additional value to our customers across the Kansas City region. This is especially true with energy efficiency and wind generation, which we have been implementing already through our Comprehensive Energy Plan developed in 2005,” said Mike Chesser, Chairman and CEO of Great Plains Energy. “We look forward to collaborating with the Sierra Club and other stakeholders as we pursue these exciting new opportunities.”

“This agreement is a win for our climate, for the environment, and for the residents of the Kansas City area,” said Carl Pope, Sierra Club Executive Director. “It is the latest sign that smart energy solutions like wind power and energy efficiency are gathering steam. We look forward to working with KCP&L to help the Midwest realize its full potential as a leader in the clean energy technologies that will fuel the economy of tomorrow.”

The most significant element of the agreement is the unprecedented commitment by KCP&L to pursue the offset of carbon emissions from its proposed Iatan 2 generating station, located near Weston, Missouri. The estimated 6,000,000 tons of annual carbon dioxide emissions are targeted to be offset by adding 400 megawatts (MW) of wind power; 300 MW of energy efficiency; and a yet to be determined combination of wind, efficiency, or the closing, altering, re-powering or efficiency improvements at any of its generating units. These proposed offsets will be partially implemented by 2010 and fully implemented by 2012. The parties are also agreeing to work together on a series of regulatory and legislative initiatives to achieve an overall reduction in KCP&L’s carbon dioxide emissions of 20 percent by 2020.

“This agreement shows that we can work together to curb air pollution, combat global warming, and protect our local communities,” said Susan Brown, chairperson for Concerned Citizens of Platte County. “The renewable energy investments in this agreement can revitalize the region’s manufacturing economy and offer rural landowners a new source of steady income from wind turbines located on their property. The large investment in energy efficiency will also help everyone use less energy — reducing emissions and saving consumers and businesses money each month.”

In addition to offsetting its global warming emissions, residents of the Kansas City area will benefit from reduced emissions of criteria pollutants at KCP&L’s existing Iatan 1 and La Cygne plants. The agreement calls for annual reductions in nitrogen oxides, sulfur dioxide and particulate matter estimated to total some 9,100 tons. Within the next year, KCP&L will also work with the Sierra Club to study options, including retiring, re-powering or upgrading its Montrose power plant. Finally, KCP&L will fund several community projects including: recommendations of the Kansas City Climate Protection Committee targeting global warming reduction measures; additional monitoring of soot and smog pollution in the metro area; and an upgrade to the drinking water infrastructure in Weston, a community near the Iatan station.

In another important step for clean energy, KCP&L will also file for approval of a net metering program within six months. Net metering allows a utility’s customers to generate small amounts of renewable energy on-site, such as from rooftop solar panels or a small wind turbine, and sell any excess energy back to the utility.

KCP&L’s Comprehensive Energy Plan was collaboratively constructed with a broad group of stakeholders and includes investments in new generation (including renewable wind energy); innovative efficiency, affordability and demand response programs; infrastructure improvements; and proactive environmental investments. This balanced approach will enable KCP&L to satisfy growing energy demands across the region for years to come while improving environmental stewardship.

“KCP&L’s current Comprehensive Energy Plan addresses the energy needs and emissions reductions for the Kansas City region with actions into the year 2010. This Agreement is the start of the next set of discussions with stakeholders as we develop our plans for the 2010-2015 timeframe,” said Bill Downey, President and CEO of KCP&L. “It reflects the ongoing atmosphere of collaboration we established in developing the CEP, and proactively resolves differences. We look forward to working with all stakeholders to secure a long-term energy supply for Kansas City while improving air quality.”

This agreement builds on the success of a 2006 agreement that Sierra Club brokered with City Water Light and Power of Springfield, IL. That agreement stipulated that the municipal utility retire one of the dirtiest coal plants in the nation, purchase 120 MW of wind, invest four million dollars in energy efficiency, and significantly decrease emissions of soot, smog and mercury pollution. In addition, all of the government buildings owned by the state of Illinois are to be powered with green electricity. Last week, CWLP announced that it stands to at least break even and may reap significant profits from its purchase and resale the wind power investments required in their agreement.

“We were and continue to be very pleased with the agreement we reached in Springfield,” commented Pope. “Our exciting new agreement with KCP&L raises the bar even further and demonstrates just how much we can achieve when utilities and groups like the Sierra Club work together.”

See the Source:
Kansas City Power & Light

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How selective catalytic reduction can eliminate NOx emissons from power plants

B & W and AEP to Demonstrate New Clean Coal Technology for Capture of CO2 Emissions

HOUSTON—March 16, 2007--McDermott International, Inc. (NYSE:MDR) announced today that its subsidiary, The Babcock & Wilcox Company (“B&W”), and American Electric Power (“AEP”) plan to pursue the commercial viability of a new combustion technology to reduce carbon dioxide (“CO2”) and other emissions from coal-fired power plants. Under the terms of a memorandum of understanding (“MOU”) agreement, the companies will assess the application of oxy-coal combustion as a retrofit to an existing AEP plant, and work toward the development of the first oxy-coal commercial validation project in the United States.

Oxy-coal combustion uses pure oxygen for the combustion of coal in electricity generating plants. In this system, nitrogen that comes in with the air for the combustion process is eliminated. As a result, the exhaust gas is a relatively pure stream of CO2 that is ready for capture and sequestration or alternative uses such as enhanced oil recovery. Use of this technology is expected to result in near-zero emissions from coal-fired electric-generating facilities. B&W has established a collaboration agreement with American Air Liquide, Inc. for the continued development of the technology.

During the summer of 2007, B&W will complete a pilot demonstration of the oxy-coal combustion technology at its Clean Environment Development Facility (“CEDF”) in Alliance, Ohio. The CEDF is a 30MWth combustion testing facility that simulates key operating characteristics of a modern, commercial fossil fuel-fired power plant and includes a pulverized coal feed system, furnace and convection pass, an air heater, dry and wet scrubbers, baghouses and an electrostatic precipitator.

AEP will be among the utility participants in B&W’s Oxy-Coal Combustion Advisory Group in an effort to help bring the potential users of the technology into the development process.

In addition, as part of the MOU, B&W and AEP will evaluate and select the most suitable existing AEP plant location for the commercial application of the oxy-coal combustion technology. B&W will also provide unit performance and design approximations for potential carbon capture uses, perform preliminary site equipment layouts, prepare a detailed scope of work, and develop schedule- and budget-price estimates.

“B&W and AEP have a long history of working together to advance the technology of electric power generation,” said Brandon C. Bethards, President, B&W Fossil Power Group. “We expect that this study will bring us even closer to identifying a viable carbon-reduction solution for coal-firing power plants – one that is both economical and environmentally sound.”

The feasibility study is scheduled for completion in the second quarter of 2008.
In addition to the work under the MOU with AEP, B&W is working with a major Canadian utility to develop a supercritical pressure, pulverized coal-fired boiler and to assess the feasibility of proceeding to the construction phase on a new, near-zero-emissions, 300MW power station utilizing the oxy-coal combustion technology. In that unit, recovered CO2 would be sold for enhanced oil recovery operations and eventually sequestrated underground in stable geologic formations.

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Air Liquide
McDermott International, Inc.

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About selective catalytic reduction to reduce NOx from coal-fired power plants

Canadian Scientific Study Reinforces ThermoEnergy’s Carbon Capture Technology

LITTLE ROCK, Ark.—March 16, 2007--ThermoEnergy Corporation today announced the release of the scientific study by the CANMET Energy Research Centre (part of the Canadian Ministry of Natural Resources) on ThermoEnergy’s advanced new pressurized oxy-fuel power plant design called the ThermoEnergy Integrated Power System, or TIPS process. The report, entitled “Technical and Economic Feasibility Study of a Pressurized Oxy-fuel Approach to Carbon Capture” identifies TIPS as potentially the most competitive new power plant design for the capture of carbon dioxide (CO2). The Company is currently working with the Alaska Energy Authority, the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and CANMET to design, build and operate an engineering prototype of a TIPS power system which will be housed at CANMET’s laboratory in Ottawa.

“The CANMET report represents an extremely important milestone for the Company since it not only substantiates, but actually exceeds many of our own performance predictions for TIPS,” said Dennis C. Cossey, ThermoEnergy’s CEO. “The data generated by the current project underway in Ottawa will provide the data we need to take the TIPS technology to the next step – a large-scale stand-alone pilot plant,” said Alex Fassbender, EVP and Chief Technology Officer at ThermoEnergy as well as Project Manager of the Ottawa development program. Mr. Fassbender is also the inventor of the TIPS process.

TIPS is a patented pressurized oxy-fuel combustion system designed to achieve high thermal efficiency, near zero air emissions of pollutants, as well as CO2 capture. TIPS’ ability to utilize a wide range of fuel resources, including high moisture fuels such as Powder River Basin coal and lignite, and biomass with relatively few process steps provides significant economic advantages over competing new power plant designs such as Integrated Gasification and Combined Cycle (IGCC) plants. TIPS also eliminates the need for expensive pre-processing of coal since coals with low thermal value can be fed directly into TIPS boilers with no loss of efficiency.

The use of elevated pressures in the TIPS process significantly increases heat transfer which results in a corresponding reduction of size in key power plant components, such as boilers and heat exchangers, when compared with air-fired or atmospheric pressure oxy-fuel systems. TIPS’ excellent thermal efficiencies over a wide range of sizes, from ten-megawatt industrial combined heat & power plants to large utility power plants, provides a wide range of market opportunities both in the US and abroad.

One of the key conclusions of the CANMET report is that no major technical barriers were found in the TIPS process. “The current collaboration with the Canadian government, along with previous work done with US Department of Energy (DOE), the EPA, Reaction Systems Engineering (a British firm), and the University of Nevada/Reno has greatly accelerated the development of the TIPS process,” said Cossey. “We are on a very aggressive schedule that projects a large-scale, carbon capture commercial power plant underway within the next two years.” The 200-page CANMET report will soon be available for download on the ThermoEnergy’s website.

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ThermoEnergy

Edwards Increases Efforts To Fight Global Warming; Announces Campaign Will Be Carbon Neutral

Chapel Hill, North Carolina – March 13, 2007 -- As part of his efforts to combat global warming, Senator John Edwards announced today that he will make his campaign "carbon neutral."

Edwards believes global warming is one of the great challenges facing America and the world and that we can all take immediate action to decrease the amount of carbon we produce. By conserving energy and purchasing carbon offsets, the Edwards campaign will offset the carbon emitted by Edwards and his staff's campaign travel, and the energy used in his campaign headquarters and field offices.

"Global warming is an emergency and we can't wait until the next president is elected to take action," said Edwards. "Each of us can take responsibility in small ways to make a big difference. I encourage all Americans to conserve energy in their own homes and workplaces and help fight global warming."

In February, Governor Tom Vilsack announced he would be the first presidential candidate to plan a carbon neutral campaign. Edwards shares his commitment to protecting our environment and reducing our carbon footprint. The campaign and its landlord have taken the following steps to conserve energy:

- Organizing a One Corps National Day of Energy Action in January to get supporters involved in the fight against global warming by working on community service activities including weatherizing homes and distributing energy-efficient compact fluorescent bulbs.
- Using timers and motion detectors to control lights and shut down office equipment when not in use and turning off computers, televisions, and lights when not in use.
- Online monitoring and management of heating and air conditioning to conserve energy.
- Buying 100 percent post-consumer recycled paper and other recycled paper products.
- Recycling paper, plastic, glass, cardboard, and other products.
- Encouraging staff to adopt energy efficient practices in their office and homes. About a quarter of John Edwards for President headquarters employees walk to work.

After conserving energy, the campaign will purchase carbon offsets to make it carbon neutral. Carbon offsets allow one party to pay another to reduce emissions of carbon dioxide. Edwards will also financially support renewable energy projects to make them commercially viable and reduce the need for carbon-based energy.

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John Edwards for President

Green Energy Resources ('GRGR') to Sponsor Bioenergy North America Conference in April

New York, NY -- March 15, 2007 -- Green Energy Resources (PINKSHEETS: GRGR) will sponsor the Bioenergy North America 2007 Conference. The conference will be held in Chicago on April 16 and 17 in conjunction with Environmental Finance Magazine of the UK. Green Energy Resources CEO Joseph Murray will speak at the event. The two-day forum will host a variety of speakers on various topics regarding bioenergy and biomass including ethanol, co-firing and direct burn . Green Energy Resources will utilize the opportunity to unveil its new UTCS trade board and sell carbon offset credits. Info is available at www.environmental-finance.com

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Environmental Finance

MIT Panel Provides Policy Blueprint for Future of Use of Coal as Policymakers Work to Reverse Global Warming

Washington, DC – March 14, 2007 -- Leading academics from an interdisciplinary Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) panel issued a report today that examines how the world can continue to use coal, an abundant and inexpensive fuel, in a way that mitigates, instead of worsens, the global warming crisis. The study, "The Future of Coal – Options for a Carbon Constrained World," advocates the U.S. assume global leadership on this issue through adoption of significant policy actions.

Led by co-chairs Professor John Deutch, Institute Professor, Department of Chemistry, and Ernest J. Moniz, Cecil and Ida Green Professor of Physics and Engineering Systems, the report states that carbon capture and sequestration (CCS) is the critical enabling technology to help reduce CO2 emissions significantly while also allowing coal to meet the world's pressing energy needs.

According to Dr. Deutch, "As the world's leading energy user and greenhouse gas emitter, the U.S. must take the lead in showing the world CCS can work. Demonstration of technical, economic, and institutional features of CCS at commercial scale coal combustion and conversion plants will give policymakers and the public confidence that a practical carbon mitigation control option exists, will reduce cost of CCS should carbon emission controls be adopted, and will maintain the low-cost coal option in an environmentally acceptable manner."

Dr. Moniz added, "There are many opportunities for enhancing the performance of coal plants in a carbon-constrained world – higher efficiency generation, perhaps through new materials; novel approaches to gasification, CO2 capture, and oxygen separation; and advanced system concepts, perhaps guided by a new generation of simulation tools. An aggressive R&D effort in the near term will yield significant dividends down the road, and should be undertaken immediately to help meet this urgent scientific challenge."
Key findings in this study:

Coal is a low-cost, per BTU, mainstay of both the developed and developing world, and its use is projected to increase. Because of coal's high carbon content, increasing use will exacerbate the problem of climate change unless coal plants are deployed with very high efficiency and large scale CCS is implemented.

CCS is the critical enabling technology because it allows significant reduction in CO2 emissions while allowing coal to meet future energy needs.

A significant charge on carbon emissions is needed in the relatively near term to increase the economic attractiveness of new technologies that avoid carbon emissions and specifically to lead to large-scale CCS in the coming decades. We need large-scale demonstration projects of the technical, economic and environmental performance of an integrated CCS system.

We should proceed with carbon sequestration projects as soon as possible. Several integrated large-scale demonstrations with appropriate measurement, monitoring and verification are needed in the United States over the next decade with government support. This is important for establishing public confidence for the very large-scale sequestration program anticipated in the future. The regulatory regime for large-scale commercial sequestration should be developed with a greater sense of urgency, with the Executive Office of the President leading an interagency process.

The U.S. government should provide assistance only to coal projects with CO2 capture in order to demonstrate technical, economic and environmental performance.

Today, IGCC appears to be the economic choice for new coal plants with CCS. However, this could change with further RD&D, so it is not appropriate to pick a single technology winner at this time, especially in light of the variability in coal type, access to sequestration sites, and other factors. The government should provide assistance to several "first of a kind" coal utilization demonstration plants, but only with carbon capture.

Congress should remove any expectation that construction of new coal plants without CO2 capture will be "grandfathered" and granted emission allowances in the event of future regulation. This is a perverse incentive to build coal plants without CO2 capture today.

Emissions will be stabilized only through global adherence to CO2 emission constraints. China and India are unlikely to adopt carbon constraints unless the U.S. does so and leads the way in the development of CCS technology.

Key changes must be made to the current Department of Energy RD&D program to successfully promote CCS technologies. The program must provide for demonstration of CCS at scale; a wider range of technologies should be explored; and modeling and simulation of the comparative performance of integrated technology systems should be greatly enhanced.

About The MIT study: A group of MIT faculty has undertaken a series of interdisciplinary studies about how the U.S. and the world would meet future energy demand without increasing emissions of greenhouse gases. The first study, "The Future of Nuclear Power," appeared in 2003.

Generous financial support from the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation, the Pew Charitable Trusts, the Energy Foundation, the Better World Fund, Norwegian Research Council, and the MIT Office of the Provost is gratefully acknowledged. Shell provided additional support for part of MIT's studies in China.

See the Source:
The Future of Coal – Massachusetts Institute of Technology

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About selective catalytic reduction for coal-fired power plants

Transported Black Carbon a Significant Player in Pacific Ocean Climate

March 14, 2007 -- Soot and other particulate pollution from Asian sources make up more than 75 percent of black carbon transported at high altitudes, according to a Scripps Institution of Oceanography, UC San Diego-led study.

More than three-quarters of the particulate pollution known as black carbon transported at high altitudes over the West Coast during spring is from Asian sources, according to a research team led by Professor V. Ramanathan at Scripps Institution of Oceanography, UC San Diego.

Though the transported black carbon, most of which is soot, is an extremely small component of air pollution at land surface levels, the phenomenon has a significant heating effect on the atmosphere at altitudes above two kilometers (6,562 feet).

As the soot heats the atmosphere, however, it also dims the surface of the ocean by absorbing solar radiation, said Ramanathan, a climate scientist at Scripps, and Odelle Hadley, a graduate student at the Center for Atmospheric Sciences at Scripps. The two are lead authors of a research paper appearing in the March 14 issue of the Journal of Geophysical Research.

The dual effect carries consequences for the Pacific Ocean region that drives much of Earth’s climate.

"That’s the primary concern we have with these aerosols," said Hadley. "They can really affect global climate."

"The soot heating of the atmosphere exceeds the surface dimming and as a result the long range transported soot amplifies the global warming due to increase in carbon dioxide," said Ramanathan. "We have to find out if this amplification is just restricted to spring time or is happening throughout the year."

The researchers found that transported black carbon from Asian sources is equal to 77 percent of North American black carbon emissions in the troposphere during the spring. In a follow-on study funded by the California Energy Commission (CEC), Hadley, Ramanathan and fellow Scripps climate scientist Craig Corrigan are now studying how much carbon might be incorporated into precipitation and what the effects on melt rates of Sierra Nevada snow pack could be.

The measure of high black carbon concentration from Asian sources "is a startling finding by itself, but its potential importance is magnified by the fact that black carbon is believed to have a disproportional impact on regional climate," said Guido Franco, technical lead for climate change research at the CEC’s Public Interest Energy Research (PIER) program. "Fortunately, we have already started to address this issue with Scripps and more studies are being planned."

The researchers compared rarely available in-flight data collected during the spring 2004 Cloud Indirect Effects Experiment (CIFEX), a component of which was a series of atmospheric meteorological measurements made during flights originating in Eureka, Calif. The team combined that information with data from 30 West Coast meteorological stations and compared it with computer predictions made by the Chemical Weather Forecast System (CFORS).

Transport of Asian black carbon, particulate pollution generated by automobile exhaust, agricultural burning and other sources, is heaviest in spring when cold Arctic fronts dip to lower latitudes and loft warmer air to higher levels in the atmosphere. It is part of a worldwide transport of aerosols that sees them remain aloft at high altitudes for up to two weeks.

Black carbon concentrations diminish as they move farther away from their sources in cities and farmlands in countries such as China and India. However, over the Pacific Ocean, the particles are in sufficient concentration to have a heating effect on the upper atmosphere, a prediction based on output from other computer models besides CFORS. At the same time, the radiation-absorbing particles dim skies at the surface.

On a regional level, that amount of heating, or positive radiative forcing, the black carbon causes in the skies over the Pacific is about 40 percent of the forcing that has been attributed to the carbon dioxide increase of the last century, said Ramanathan. It likely has measurable effects on a variety of other physical and biological conditions in the areas of the Pacific over which the particulate pollution passes.

"It was a major surprise," said Ramanathan, Hadley’s adviser at Scripps. "When we came up with the preliminary results, we had to check it and recheck it."

Results from Hadley’s study of black carbon’s snow pack effects are expected by the end of this year.

Authors of the Journal of Geophysical Research article besides Hadley and Ramanathan include Corrigan, Greg Roberts and Guillaume Mauger at Scripps Oceanography and Gregory Carmichael and Youhua Tang of the University of Iowa.

The National Science Foundation, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and the California Energy Commission funded the study.

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Scripps Institution of Oceanography

UC Berkeley Energy Symposium Showcases Cutting-Edge Research on Sustainable Energy

The first annual University of California, Berkeley, Energy Symposium – "Challenges, Opportunities, and the Role of UC Berkeley in Creating a Sustainable Energy Future." The event will bring together 150 of UC Berkeley’s leading researchers in energy technology, economics, and policy with the nation’s top “cleantech” investors, industry experts, business leaders, and entrepreneurs.

Keynote speakers will include UC Berkeley Chancellor Robert Birgeneau and Nobel Prize winner Steven Chu, director of Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, among others.

The symposium will highlight clean energy innovations emerging from several segments of the UC Berkeley community and include discussions about energy-efficiency, transportation fuels, solar technologies, carbon regulation and innovation, energy storage, and energy economics. A student poster session will display more than 50 research projects of UC Berkeley’s top graduate students.

WHEN:
8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Wednesday, March 21

WHERE:
Martin Luther King, Jr. Student Union, on Bancroft Way at Telegraph Avenue. A campus map is online at http://berc.berkeley.edu/symposium-directions.html.

WHO:
Additional keynote speakers will include:William Banholzer, chief technology officer of Dow Chemical CompanyDavid Crane, special jobs and economic growth advisor to Gov. SchwarzeneggerIra Ehrenpreis, general partner of Technology PartnersChris Somerville, director of plant biology with the Carnegie InstitutionArt Rosenfeld, a commissioner with the California Energy Commission

DETAILS:
The Energy Symposium is being organized by the Berkeley Energy and Resources Collaborative. BERC, an interdisciplinary, student-run organization, was founded in 2005 to enhance interdepartmental collaboration on energy issues and to serve as a bridge between the university and the private sector.

Innovations will be highlighted at the symposium from the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Haas School of Business, Energy and Resources Group, UC Energy Institute; School of Law (Boalt Hall), College of Engineering, College of Chemistry, Goldman School of Public Policy, Institute of Transportation Studies, College of Natural Resources, and Center for Information Technology Research in the Interest of Society (CITRIS).

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University of Berkeley

Green Mountain Power Generating Sources Among Lowest in Emissions

COLCHESTER, Vt.-- Green Mountain Power Corporation (NYSE:GMP) announced today that only two percent of its fuel mix for 2006 was from carbon dioxide emitting sources, compared to a national average of nearly 70 percent from emitting sources, according to the Energy Information Administration. More than half of Green Mountain Power’s sources came from water, wood or wind.

“We have consistently worked to reduce emissions at Green Mountain Power, both in our operations and in the fuels we use to supply our customers with electricity,” said Christopher L. Dutton, president and chief executive officer of Green Mountain Power. “In 2006, we achieved the lowest proportion of emission-producing fuels that we’ve had in decades. We were able to take advantage of additional hydro power resources from Hydro Quebec and we experienced near record-breaking production at our own hydro facilities, which helped reduce the use of fossil fuels,” he added. Green Mountain Power uses no coal and in 2006 sold more power into the New England market than it purchased.

Green Mountain Power owns and operates eight hydroelectric plants in Vermont. Hydro generation in 2006 was 30 percent greater than the 20-year average, with several plants recording the highest annual generation in 31 years of record. Overall production was the third highest total in 31 years of record, producing 161,937 megawatt hours. At a 2006 cost of 3.6 cents per kilowatt hour, Green Mountain Power’s own hydro generation is its second lowest cost source. Power generated at Green Mountain Power’s wind generating station is its lowest cost source, at 3.1 cents per kilowatt hour.

“With the world focused on how to combat global climate change, we are proud that this year our carbon footprint is so small,” said Mr. Dutton. “Our challenge in the future will be how to keep our emissions low as we replace the contracts for power from Vermont Yankee and Hydro Quebec, which expire in 2012 and 2015, respectively.”

The complete breakdown of Green Mountain Power’s fuel mix in 2006 is: hydro 50.4%, nuclear 43%, wood 4.3%, oil/natural gas 2.2%, and wind 0.1%. Water, wood and wind together produced 55 percent of the total. (Renewable Energy Credits, or RECs, were sold for a portion of the energy generated at Green Mountain Power’s wind facility in Searsburg. Energy associated with the RECs sold is not claimed as wind and is 0.5% of the total energy in 2006.)

Green Mountain Power Corporation is a Vermont-based energy services company serving 90,000 electric customers.

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Green Mountain Power Corporation

The Babcock & Wilcox Company to Demonstrate Carbon Dioxide Capture Technology

Barberton, Ohio -- March 5, 2007 -- The Babcock & Wilcox Company (B&W), in collaboration with American Air Liquide Inc., will begin testing a promising new technology to help coal-fired power plants capture emissions of carbon dioxide (CO2), a greenhouse gas.

The evaluation will occur at B&W’s 30 MWth Clean Environment Development Facility (CEDF) in Alliance, Ohio. The CEDF, originally placed in service in 1994 by B&W, the U.S. Department of Energy and others, is a large-scale demonstration facility that has been used to develop emissions-control technology.

The CEDF will be used to validate a technology called “oxy-coal combustion” that utilizes pure oxygen for the combustion of coal in electricity generating plants. In this system, nitrogen that comes in with the air for the combustion process is eliminated. As a result, the exhaust gas is a relatively pure stream of CO2 that is ready for long-term storage operations.

“Finding ways to capture and store CO2 emissions from power plants is paramount if the United States is going to address greenhouse gas concerns and use our national energy resources,” Don Langley, B&W vice president and chief technology officer said. “We see this major technology demonstration project as another step in B&W’s plan to deliver CO2-capture technology to the electricity generating industry and make a significant impact on this global issue.”

B&W’s development efforts are being done well in advance of similar projects around the globe. “This is truly changing-the-world technology and we are pleased to be leading this research,” Langley added. Because the oxy-coal technology builds on pulverized coal combustion technology, it would be complementary to most of the world’s coal-fired power plants.

B&W will work with American Air Liquide to modify the existing CEDF facility for the oxy-coal process and will begin proving the technology in June 2007. American Air Liquide will provide engineering and chemistry know-how related to combustion, as well as proprietary equipment and sensors for the safe and efficient handling of liquefied oxygen.

In addition to American Air Liquide, several utilities will participate in an “advisory group” process that will help bring the potential users of the technology into the development process.

B&W will evaluate several types of coal, including coal imported from Saskatchewan, Canada, the site of a proposed near-zero emissions power plant that will use this technology at commercial scale.

Present in 72 countries, Air Liquide provides industrial and medical gases and related services and offers innovative solutions based on constantly enhanced technologies. These solutions, which are consistent with Air Liquide’s commitment to sustainable development, help to protect life and enable customers to manufacture many indispensable everyday products. Air Liquide is listed on the Paris stock exchange and is a component of the CAC 40 and Eurostoxx 50 indices (ISIN code FR 0000120073). American Air Liquide Inc. is Air Liquide’s U.S.-based research and development company. For more information, visit http://www.airliquide.com/.

The Babcock & Wilcox Company is a subsidiary of McDermott International, Inc., a leading worldwide energy services company. McDermott subsidiaries manufacture steam-generating equipment, environmental equipment, and products for the U.S. government. They also provide engineering and construction services for the offshore oil and natural gas industry.

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Babcock and Wilcox

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How nitrogen oxides can be virtually eliminated from power plant emissions using selective catalytic reduction

Climate Change is Top Priority of London Plan Review

London – March 5, 2007 -- Mayor of London Ken Livingstone announced that his London Plan Review will set radical new objectives for planners and developers that will require new developments to connect to “decentralized” local energy supplies and achieve the highest standards of sustainable building design. The Review also doubles the carbon emission reductions that developments must achieve through onsite renewable energy from 10% to 20%.

The London Plan Review also proposes to set carbon dioxide reduction targets – a 20 per cent reduction by 2015 and a long-term target of a 60 per cent reduction by 2050. This is the first time that statutory carbon reduction targets have been set for London.

The Mayor is proposing a series of new development, transport and energy policies all with the aim of making London an exemplary and sustainable world city, adapting to inevitable climate change and reducing future carbon emissions.

These new policies are published in a document entitled Draft Further Alterations to the London Plan which the Mayor is publishing today for consultation with the London Assembly and the Greater London Authority functional bodies, before a formal public consultation stage this autumn.

The Mayor said:'London should lead the way in showing the world how one of its greatest cities is planning to meet the challenges of climate change. We have already succeeded through the London Plan in introducing a target of 10% carbon reductions through on-site renewable energy generation and I would like to congratulate those developers and planners who have responded positively to this challenge. In more and more cases we are meeting – and sometimes exceeding - the existing policy requirements but we still need to do much more.'

'The new policies I am publishing today set tough but deliverable targets for reducing our carbon emissions. We must move our cities away from relying on inefficient centralized heat and power generation, and stop constructing buildings that waste heat and electricity. In London we want to see the widespread use of decentralized energy, the highest standards of green building design and renewable energy incorporated wherever we can.'

'In London I am proposing a challenging new target for our developers and planners.’

The Draft Further Alterations to the London Plan also sets out a series of complementary policies to achieve carbon dioxide reductions and the Mayor will be working with boroughs and other agencies to:
- ensure that development is located, designed and built for the climate that it will experience over its intended lifetime and is capable of adapting to new uses.
- increase the cost effectiveness, and provide incentives to use the technologies which will help address climate change.
- procure and use building materials more responsibly.
- manage flood risk through policies on the location, design and construction of development, and management of surface run-off including rainwater harvesting.
- minimize overheating and the ‘heat island’ effect, for example by encouraging green roofs and walls and designs which reduce solar gain.
- minimize the movement of waste including the introduction of new targets for composting and recycling the different waste streams and giving preference to technologies which produce renewable hydrogen over incineration.

Last week the Mayor published Supplementary Planning Guidance on Sustainable Design and Construction to guide developers and planners on how to use the existing policies to best effect in addressing the consequences of climate change.

Other key proposed alterations to the London Plan, also published today, include:
- Support for the already published proposals to increase housing provision across London.
- Measures to make more effective use of existing and already planned transport capacity.
- Provision for the Olympic and Paralympic Games and associated regeneration of large parts of East London.

A clearer geographic framework for coordinating the strategic policies of a range of pan London agencies and integrating these with local action at the sub regional level.

Action to make London a more livable and socially inclusive city such as the East London Green Grid, improvements to safety and security, and increased play provision.

Refinement of some of the economic policies to support London’s global business area, the Central Activities Zone, and help rejuvenate the economies elsewhere in the city.

A more focused approach to town centers and retailing including the particular need to develop the capacity of the West End as a global shopping and leisure destination.

“Decentralized energy” involves using combined heat, power and cooling systems and renewable energy, as the most efficient way to supply heat and power to domestic and commercial buildings. Typical decentralized energy systems are over 85% efficient, compared with average centralized power generation which wastes two thirds of energy input and is the single biggest source of carbon emissions.

In working towards a long term reduction of carbon dioxide emissions of 60 per cent by 2050 he has set the following minimum targets for London (against a 1990 base):
- 15 per cent by 2010
- 20 per cent by 2015
- 25 per cent by 2020
- 30 per cent by 2025

These targets are practicable providing all stakeholders, including government, work together.

Existing commercial and domestic buildings contribute approximately 73 per cent of carbon emissions in London. The Mayor recognizes the cost implications of these new technologies and will support measures to drive down costs such as stimulating their supply chains.

Most changes to the London Plan are minor amendments to clarify points or to take account of new information. Most of the proposed significant policy changes reflect issues raised in the Mayor’s Statement of Intent published in December 2005. In substantive terms it is the group of new policies associated with climate change in Chapter 4A which represent the most significant Further Alterations.

The Further Alterations to the London Plan are the result of a focused review based on the Mayor’s Statement of Intent to review the plan. Factors which this took into account included:
- a duty to keep the London Plan under review
- responding to new evidence
- taking into account the results of the Sub Regional Development Framework Process
- extending the plan period from 2016 to 2025 and
- taking account of national legislation and policy in the recent planning system reforms.

See the Source:
London Government

Find out:
How energy emissions can be made cleaner using low-temp selective catalytic reduction

The Urban Tree Certification System (UTCS) and Green Energy Resources' "Carbon Offsets" Can Combat Climate Change by Planting Millions of Trees a Year

NEW YORK, NY – March 5, 2007 -- Green Energy Resources launches "Carbon Offset" credits sales. The company's goal is to remove a million tons of carbon annually from the atmosphere. Green Energy Resources plans to sell the carbon offset credits in Blocks of 100 tons known as carbon financial instruments (CFIs). The price will most resemble the European Trading Scheme at around $30 per ton. Carbon offsets are open to the public, businesses and the investment community.

Green Energy Resources Urban Tree Certification System (UTCS) reduces carbon and methane from the atmosphere by planting trees and taking wood waste from landfills. UTCS renewable energy platform includes cellulostic ethanol, brownfield redevelopment and other sustainability programs. UTCS is designed to create a self-sustaining and revenue generating mechanism to plant millions of trees a year to create carbon sequestration in U.S. cities and suburbs. UTCS potential, if readily adopted throughout the U.S., could remove millions of tons of carbon from the atmosphere annually. UTCS is designed to replace all other existing urban forest management schemes and the need for environmental organizations support because the plan does not require monetary donations or federal grants. UTCS is a web-based software system offered to local, city and state governments to help combat climate change at no charge. Details about UTCS are available at http://www.utcs.com/

Green Energy Resources cited a newly released internal Bush Administration report indicating the United States will increase its share of Global warming emissions by nearly 20% by 2020. The United States already contributes 25% of the world's total green houses gases and is the single largest emitter. The United States according to the report, will increase emissions from 7.7 billion tons per year to 9.2 billion tons per year.

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.

See the Source:

Green Energy Resources

New Fundraising Program Sets National Sales Goal of Two Million Fluorescent Light Bulbs

LightbulbsAmerica Enables Schools and Other Groups to Easily Raise Money While Saving More Than One Billion Pounds of CO2 Emissions

ORINDA, CA -- February 28, 2007 -- A new national fund-raising campaign, which LightbulbsAmerica announced today, enables schools, churches and other groups to raise money by selling environmentally friendly fluorescent light bulbs. In the "win-win" fundraiser, organizations can raise money; purchasers can save money; energy use can be lessened and the environment helped.

The fundraiser's national sales goal of two million fluorescent light bulbs would reduce carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions by about 1.3 billion pounds, save approximately 500 million pounds of coal, and save consumers about $124 million.

"Many people don't realize how much they can save -- both financially and environmentally -- by switching to fluorescents," said Robert Etheredge, founder of LightbulbsAmerica. "We expect a positive response to this program because it provides a high-quality, environmentally friendly product that people need, and that can reduce the country's energy use."

The program features a family of products, including popular mini-spiral bulbs that replace 60 to 100 watt bulbs, reflector lights for ceiling cans and even a dimmable reflector bulb. The ENERGY STAR® products are made by Greenlite Lighting Corporation, one of the leading manufacturers of energy-efficient light bulbs. These "new-generation" light bulbs come on almost instantly and are small enough to fit the majority of light fixtures.

Easy Fundraising Program
A LightbulbsAmerica fundraiser can be both profitable and easy. Participants will make about 40 percent on the bulbs (based on the suggested selling price). All information and materials are available online. A school or organization can get started right away and can track their progress online.

As an added incentive, LightbulbsAmerica is offering a grand prize and individual state prizes for the organizations selling the most light bulbs this calendar year.
Advantages of Fluorescent Bulbs

Compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFL) use only 24 percent of the energy of traditional bulbs, saving an estimated $20 to $50 over the life of the bulb. CFLs last six to ten times as long as regular light bulbs, reducing the need to buy more light bulbs. The decreased electrical use results in less carbon dioxide, sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides and other pollutants. And an individual fluorescent light bulb can save up to 500 pounds of coal.

To help people get a better idea of how much they can save, LightbulbsAmerica has an Energy Savings calculator at http://www.lightbulbsamerica.com/yourenergy.asp. The LightbulbsAmerica website also tracks the energy savings, and CO2 and coal reductions connected to the number of light bulbs sold.

About LightbulbsAmerica
LightbulbsAmerica is dedicated to improving the environment and reducing energy dependence. The company is headquartered in Orinda, California.

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LightbulbsAmerica

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

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.

See the Source:

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

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

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."

See the Source:

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 carbon emissions than conventional fossil fuels. The President seems to be saying that we can have it both ways -- we can continue to consume carbon-based energy sources so long as they are produced in the United States, rather than acknowledging that we must use less energy and work together to change our consumptive habits. Reducing consumption will address both energy independence and global warming, but switching to ethanol is only a political solution not an answer to environmental problems."

Bring on the Bacteria
Bacteria hold great promise for cleaning up contaminated soils and water sources, said Flynn Picardal, an associate professor in Indiana University's School of Public and Environmental Affairs. He has been working to isolate bacteria capable of breaking down polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), a class of toxic organic chemicals found in some industrial wastes. Picardal now holds a patent on several strains of bacteria that can destroy hard-to-degrade PCBs in waste water, sludge, and sediment. "Bacteria have been successfully used to clean up oil spills and degrade petroleum products, but it is harder to find bacteria that can manage man-made chemicals like PCBs because they haven't had time to evolve alongside these new compounds. What we've been able to do in the lab is to isolate those few bacteria that can grow on different types of PCBs in the hope that they can be utilized as a tool for remediation," he said. Bacteria may also be useful in controlling substances that cannot be broken down, Picardal said. "In the case of contamination from metals and radionuclides, we are dealing with elemental substances that cannot be broken down any further. Although we can't destroy these elements, we may be able to utilize bacteria that will immobilize them so they stay in the soil instead of migrating into groundwater." Picardal said that one obstacle to the growth of bioremediation technologies is bacteria's poor public image. "People typically think of bacteria in terms of disease, but only a small percentage of bacteria are harmful to human health. The vast majority perform vital environmental maintenance. Our existence really depends on bacteria, and our ability to clean up toxic environmental waste is going to depend on them too."

Cooling Through Atmospheric Injections? Not a Hot Idea
"It's like the little old lady who swallowed the fly." That's how environmental science professor Phil Stevens describes his objections to Nobel Prize Laureate Paul Crutzen's recently-announced plans to experiment with injecting sulfur into the atmosphere as a means of cooling the earth.

"We don't know what the consequences would be," he explained. "The sulfur is intended to remediate problems from greenhouse gases, but pretty soon we might need something to remediate the problems caused by the sulfur, which could include interference with the ozone layer. There's no telling how long this could go on adding more and more layers to the mix." Stevens said the interaction of different chemicals in the atmosphere can produce unanticipated effects. For example, natural emissions from trees are capable of destroying ground-level ozone, the primary component of photochemical smog. But when mixed with emissions from human-built power plants, these natural emissions contribute to atmospheric pollution instead of curtailing it. "Global environmental engineering is becoming a serious consideration because of our failure to reduce our production of greenhouse gases. But we really have no idea what we are risking. I think Crutzen's ideas are a wake-up call telling us that if we don't get serious about reducing our emissions, we may be headed for some frightening global experiments."

Stevens's research deals with the chemical mechanisms in the atmosphere that influence regional air quality and global climate change.

See the Source:
Newswise

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How selective catalytic reduction (SCR) technology reduces NOx emissions from coal-fired power plants.

Air Quality Site Reports Daily Air Quality

AIRNow is a daily update of the Air Quality Index (AQI) reporting how clean or polluted the air is in your neighborhood. Five major air pollutants (ground-level ozone, particulate matter, carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide, and nitrogen dioxide) are used by the EPA to calculate the AQI.

Using this information, the AIRNow website offers daily AQI forecasts and real-time conditions for over 300 metropolitan areas in the United States. The user-friendly website is a government-backed program, developed collaboratively by the EPA, NOAA, NPS, tribal, state, and local news agencies to assist the public in understanding the health effects of breathing polluted air.

See the Source:
AIRNow

Find out:
How particulate matter can be reduced using diesel particulate filters from CleanAIR Systems

Wind Energy is the World's Fastest Growing Energy Source

DUBLIN, Ireland--(February 15)--Research and Markets has announced the addition of Global Wind Power Market Potential to their offering.

Wind is simple air in motion. It is caused by the uneven heating of the earth’s surface by the sun. Since the earth’s surface is made of very different types of land and water, it absorbs the sun’s heat at different rates. Today, wind energy is mainly used to generate electricity. Wind energy is also world's fastest growing energy source and is a clean and renewable source that has been in use for centuries in Europe and more recently in the United States and other nations. Wind turbines, both large and small, produce electricity for utilities and homeowners and remote villages.

Wind energy is a clean energy source as electricity generated by wind turbines does not pollute the air or emit pollutants like other energy sources. This means less smog, less acid rain and fewer greenhouse gas emissions. Every 10,000 MW of wind installed can reduce CO2 emissions by approximately 33 MMT annually if it replaces coal-fired generating capacity, or 21 MMT if it replaces generation from average fuel mix.

Many developing countries have little incentive to use wind energy technologies to reduce their emissions, despite the fact that the most rapid growth in CO2 emissions is in the developing world. Two related activities could give both developed and developing countries incentives to develop wind projects. The first is joint implementation, a program under which firms from the developed countries can earn carbon offsets by building clean energy projects in the developing world. Developed nations should endorse and push for joint implementation to move from its current status to full-scale implementation.

The second activity is the World Bank's Global Environmental Facility (GEF), which can cover the incremental cost of developing environmentally benign or beneficial projects in the developing world, such as building a wind project instead of an apparently cheaper coal project. This incentive is particularly important for countries such as China and India, which have tremendous power needs and must build energy capacity quickly at the lowest possible cost.

This report examines global wind power market potential.

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Research and Markets

Find out:
More about emissions

Gore and Branson Team Up for The Virgin Earth Challenge

Former vice-president Al Gore and British financier Sir Richard Branson have joined forces in offering a $25 million award to any individual or group who can develop and demonstrate a technology to remove at least 1 billion tons of CO2 per year for ten years from the atmosphere.

“Earth Challenge” was announced Friday morning. The design must be commercially viable, cause no harmful effects, have a long term effect on the environment and contribute to the stability of the Earth’s climate. The challenge is the largest science/technology prize ever offered.

Gore told CBS co-anchor Harry Smith, "What we are facing is a planetary emergency. So some things you would never consider otherwise, it makes sense to consider. I think you really are going to see change in the way people demand politicians in both parties make this their top priority."

At the news conference Branson stated "The Earth cannot wait 60 years. We need everybody capable of discovering an answer to put their minds to it today.” He feels that if governments aren’t doing enough then there is an urgent need to offer incentive to the private sector to come up with a solution.

The judges for Earth Challenge include a NASA scientist as well as environmental researchers from around the world.

See the Source:
CBS News
Environmental Leader

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How CleanAIR Systems is helping the environment through emissions control technology

Excerpt from White House Press Briefing by Tony Snow With Comments on Global Warming

White House Conference Center Briefing Room - February 7, 2007

Q I had a couple questions on -- the first being a response to what you just said a moment ago. Are you saying, then, in terms of the President's position on greenhouse gas emissions, that five years ago you said with 90 percent certainty -- contributes to greenhouse gases –

MR. SNOW: What you're talking about is having the President, five years before the fact, read out something that was in a draft report in the year 2007 at the International Panel on Climate Change. What he said was that global warming exists and humans are significant contributors. That's what he said. Since then, what has this administration done? Well, we have spent more money on technology and also research than anybody else -- $9 billion on basic scientific research strictly into global warming, which very likely is more than the rest -- any other -- the rest of the world combined.

In addition, $29 billion total on technology. What happened, for instance, in the previous administration is that there was talk of Kyoto, which would have been economically ruinous and would have thrown a lot of people out of work. The President, instead, has aggressively pursued ways of trying to clean the environment that don't have to make people lose their jobs, and in effect -- and at the same time, proceed on all the major areas where pollution is concerned.

You and I have talked before about industrial pollution. We've got clean coal technology programs. We have alternative fuel programs for auto emissions. We're talking about nuclear development, which is now championed by, among others, Greenpeace. The fact is no administration has been more aggressive, no administration has put more money into research, and none has been more committed to basic peer review research on climate change than this one. And that one you can look up and we'll be -- I'm sure Jim Connaughton has already supplied you with plenty of data on it, but if not, he will be happy to do so.

Q Well, in respect to opposing views, companies such as -- Energy, Whirlpool, are coming out and saying we need mandatory federal constraints –

MR. SNOW: Well, they're talking about carbon caps.

Q -- is the administration meeting with these groups at all, these groups that believe that mandatory -- whether it's a carbon tax, or –


MR. SNOW: Yes, as a matter of fact, if you'll recall, one of the first trips -- it may have even been the first trip right after the State of the Union was to DuPont, which was one of those companies.

Q Greenpeace has signed on to nuclear?

MR. SNOW: I think there's some Greenpeace people who are certainly advocates of nuclear power. Why? Because it's clean and it provides for energy.

Q I'm sorry -- did they discuss greenhouse gas emissions at that event?

MR. SNOW: I don't know. I don't know. Paula, we constantly have conversations with people on this, as well as with scientists. And I think what you're trying to do is to lend the impression that if a President does not meet with people who are corporate leaders, that somehow that issue goes unexamined within the administration. Nothing could be further from the truth.

Again, think about what happened. In the Clinton administration they went -- they talked about Kyoto and did nothing to get it passed, knowing what kind of a ruinous economic impact it would have. What we did is instead, we said, we believe in the goal -- and early on, the President talked about the linkage between climate change and the human elements -- and began to proceed on the most aggressive program of research and technology ever, when it comes to this.

And furthermore, on the negotiation side, not only are we talking about follow-on negotiations when it comes to climate change with our allies, we've also been dealing with the developing world, which was not at all included within Kyoto, offering them technology, and really taking the kinds of steps that demonstrate real seriousness, not simply giving the speeches, but walking the walk.

So the idea that somehow we are -- that we don't understand the arguments, or we're not contemplating or taking serious the arguments about carbon caps -- of course, we are. I would point out that the carbon -- that there is a carbon cap system in place in Europe. We are doing a better job of reducing emissions here.

Q I just want to make clear something about 2001. Wasn't this President's position then that, yes, he acknowledged there is global warming, but there's too much scientific uncertainty as far as how much of it was human-generated?

MR. SNOW: Well, again, go back to the statement. He talked about -- there was a certain amount of uncertainty about the percentage that is human-generated, and there continues to be controversy in scientific circles. But what the President said right then and there was that human behavior was a significant contributor. I don't know how to make you happy. When he says exactly what you've been wanting him to say, it turns out he's been saying it actually over a six-year period, I think you'd say, okay, I need to give him credit. And instead what you're saying is, well, golly, didn't he say what the IPCC said in 2007? I mean, come on, give us a break here.

Q -- on global warming, do you have any reaction to some apparent comments by Al Gore in Spain in an interview, where he suggested that the administration is paying scientists to dispute the global warming findings –

MR. SNOW: The reported remarks by the Vice President that the United States -- that the government is going out and paying money to those who dispute climate change research is just breathtakingly silly. I think maybe what he's done is he's mixed up a story about a think tank in Washington with government policy.

As I've said, this administration has spent more money than his administration and any other administration when it comes to doing serious, peer-reviewed scientific researches on the nature, causes and extent of global warming, and also has spent far more money on technology to try to ameliorate it without throwing people out of work.

The President really does believe that it is important to address climate change, and, incidentally, to address issues of pollution, as well, on the industrial side, on the transportation side. And that is why he laid out a whole series of initiatives in the State of the Union address. Those really build on the efforts -- and, again, just to reiterate, $9 billion for basic research when it comes to climate change, and $29 billion total on that research, plus technological innovation designed to make sure that Americans do get -- that we address carbon emissions, we address issues of pollution and, at the same time, we do it in a way that continues to make economic opportunity possible for everybody.

See the Source:
White House

Companies Commit to Saving Climate

Paris, France – Twelve major corporations taking part in WWF’s Climate Savers Programme are on course to eliminate at least ten million tons of CO2 emissions annually by 2010. If an additional 1,300 large companies join them, current emission reduction targets set out in the Kyoto Protocol could be achieved, says WWF.

“Fighting climate change can provide business opportunities and spur innovation and jobs in all parts of the world,” says Hans Verolme, Director of WWF’s Global Climate Change Programme.

“The Climate Savers companies show that sustainable development is not an academic concept but something that can be tackled with a profit – for nature, for society, but also for the companies themselves.”

All 12 companies have pledged to considerably reduce their absolute carbon emissions. Most found that reducing emissions makes business sense.

"Lafarge made its climate savers commitment to reduce its CO2 emissions back in 2001,” says Bruno Lafont, CEO of Lafarge, a world leader in building materials. “Since then, we have worked hard to extend this initiative within the cement sector and we are pleased that a number of other major cement players have decided to commit themselves as well."

Sony is another international company that is part of the WWF Climate Savers Programme.
"We believe it is crucial to keep global warming below the 2°C danger threshold,” says Serge Foucher, Executive Vice President of Sony Europe GmbH. “We hope to prove that joint action across the globe can actually achieve this. Sony has committed not only to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from its own facilities globally, but also to improve the energy efficiency of its products.”

At WWF's Climate Savers conference, taking place in Paris from 1–2 February, sportswear manufacturer Nike received an award for having reached its CO2 reduction target.

“Participation in Climate Savers enabled us to get an early start on an issue that has major consequences for business and society,” says Sarah Severn, Director of Nike's Corporate Responsibility Horizons. “We have found that constraints can lead to tremendous innovation and despite growth in our owned and managed operations we have become more efficient with our energy use. Our next steps will be partnering with suppliers to further reduce our manufacturing and logistics climate footprint.”

A statement released the conference indicated that solutions to climate change do exist:
“As members of the WWF Climate Savers Programme we have gained significant experience in past years and learned that we can reduce the climate change footprint of our companies and remain viable as businesses at the same time.”

The conference was organized by WWF as an opportunity for these firms to show other corporations the way forward to reduce absolute carbon emissions. WWF continues to urges lawmakers and corporate executives around the world to move now and reduce absolute CO2 emissions.

END NOTES:

• The WWF Climate Savers conference is taking place as policymakers meet in Paris (from 29 January to 1 February) for a meeting of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC).

• World emissions in 1990 were at 22 billion tons of CO2 (Source: CAIT 4.1). The Kyoto reduction target determines that the 35 industrialised countries named in Annex B of the protocol need to reduce 5 per cent of global emissions from 1990 levels. That is 1.1 billion tons of CO2. Twelve WWF Climate Savers companies have reduced 10 million CO2 — an average of 833,333 tons per company. To achieve the 1.1 billion tons reduction on that average base, 1,320 large companies would have to make similar efforts.

• As part of its Climate Savers Programme, WWF has agreements with numerous cutting-edge corporations committed to innovative emission reductions. The companies include: Johnson & Johnson, IBM, Nike, Polaroid, Collins, Xanterra (United States), Sagawa, Sony (Japan), Lafarge (France), Catalyst (Canada), Tetra Pak (Sweden), and Novo Nordisk (Denmark).

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WWF International

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