A path to a more sustainable economy

“Is the economic crisis going to be the end of green?” asks David Rothkopf, energy consultant and author of “Superclass.” “Or, could green be the way to end the economic crisis?”

This quote is from a recent article by Thomas Friedman. It suggests one of the ways we can help with economic recovery in a more sustainable way is to encourage more use and development of energy efficient products and renewable energy. The city of Fargo has some successful projects that demonstrate the new revenue potential through conservation.

This is also a goal of the North Dakota Alliance for Renewable Energy, a volunteer alliance of individuals, growers, energy developers, banks, state agencies, RECs, universities, economic development groups. Read more at: www.ndare.org

Here's the full article from Mr. Friedman:

October 22, 2008
Op-Ed Columnist
Bailout (and Buildup)
By THOMAS L. FRIEDMAN
The 2 is back. Last week, U.S. retail gasoline prices fell below $3 a gallon — to an average of $2.91 — the lowest level in almost a year. Why does this news leave me with mixed feelings?

Because in the middle of this wrenching economic crisis, with unemployment rising and 401(k)’s shrinking, it would be a real source of relief for many Americans to get a break at the pump. Today’s declining gasoline prices act like a tax cut for consumers and can save $15 to $20 a tank-full for an S.U.V.-driving family, compared with when gasoline was $4.11 a gallon in July.

Yet, it is impossible for me to ignore the fact that when gasoline hit $4.11 a gallon we changed — a lot. Americans drove less, polluted less, exercised more, rode more public transportation and, most importantly, overwhelmed Detroit with demands for smaller, more fuel-efficient, hybrid and electric cars. The clean energy and efficiency industries saw record growth — one of our few remaining engines of real quality job creation.

But with little credit available today for new energy start-ups, and lower oil prices making it harder for existing renewables like wind and solar to scale, and a weak economy making it nearly impossible for Congress to pass a carbon tax or gasoline tax that would make clean energy more competitive, what will become of our budding clean-tech revolution?

This moment feels to me like a bad B-movie rerun of the 1980s. And I know how this movie ends — with our re-addiction to oil and OPEC, as well as corrosive uncertainty for our economy, trade balance, security and environment.

“Is the economic crisis going to be the end of green?” asks David Rothkopf, energy consultant and author of “Superclass.” “Or, could green be the way to end the economic crisis?”

It has to be the latter. We can’t afford a financial bailout that also isn’t a green buildup — a buildup of a new clean energy industry that strengthens America and helps the planet.

But how do we do that without any policy to affect the price signal for gasoline and carbon?

Here are some ideas: First, Washington could impose a national renewable energy standard that would require every utility in the country to produce 20 percent of its power from clean, non-CO2-emitting, energy sources — wind, solar, hydro, nuclear, biomass — by 2025. About half the states already have these in place, but they are all different. It would create a huge domestic pull for renewable energy if we had a uniform national mandate.

Second, Washington could impose a national requirement that every state move its utilities to a system of “decoupling-plus.” This is the technical term for changing the way utilities make money — shifting them from getting paid for how much electricity or gas they get you to consume to getting paid for how much electricity or gas they get you to save. Several states have already moved down this path.

Third, an idea offered by Andy Karsner, former assistant secretary of energy, would be to modify the tax code so that any company that invests in new domestic manufacturing capacity for clean energy technology — or procures any clean energy system or energy savings device that is made by an American manufacturer — can write down the entire cost of the investment via a tax credit and/or accelerated depreciation in the first year.

“I’m talking about anything from energy efficient windows to water heaters to industrial boilers to solar panels, and the job creating, manufacturing facilities that produce them — anything that makes us more efficient, lean and economically competitive and comes from a domestic, American source,” said Karsner.

He also suggests using some of the money from any stimulus package to directly incentivize and support states’ efforts to implement and intelligently modernize their building codes to get already well-established national “best practices” quickly into their marketplaces.

Lastly, we need the next president to be an energy efficiency trendsetter, starting by reinventing the inaugural parade. Get rid of the black stretch limos and double-plated armored Chevy Tahoes inching down Pennsylvania Avenue. Instead, let the next president announce that he will use no vehicles on inauguration day that get less than 30 miles per gallon. He could invite all car companies to participate in the historic drive with their best available American-made, fuel-efficient, innovative vehicle.

Finally, if Congress passes another stimulus package, it can’t just be another round of $600 checks to go buy flat-screen TVs made in China. It has to also include bridges to somewhere — targeted investments in scientific research, mass transit, domestic clean-tech manufacturing and energy efficiency that will make us a more productive and innovative society, one with more skills, more competitiveness, more productivity and better infrastructure to lead the next great industrial revolution: E.T. — energy technology.
 

Posted by: Michael Williams on 10/25/2008 at 11:56 AM | Comments (0) | Permalink

Bucks and Bras raises funds for Breast Cancer patients locally

Kudos to the Hotel Donaldson for this one of a kind event,
Donate for people in Fargo living with breast cancer who cannot afford wigs or travel costs You can make a difference, you just need to act.

Event Info Host: Hotel Donaldson and the American Cancer Society
Type: Causes - Fundraiser
Network: Global
Time and Place Start Time: Monday, October 6, 2008 at 9:00pm
End Time: Friday, October 17, 2008 at 12:00pm
Location: Hotel Donaldson
Street: 101 Broadway
City/Town: Fargo, ND
View MapGoogleMapQuestMicrosoftYahoo
Contact Info Phone: 7014781000
Email: alison.ottesen@hoteldonaldson.com

Description:

Bucks and Bras is a fundraiser that is connected with Bras on Broadway event that we have hosted at the Hotel Donaldson for the last three years. You can either donate an old bra and a matching $5 contribution for each bra or you can donate money without a bra. If you do not have a bra, your cash donation will be represented by a ribbon on our bra garland that will adorn the HoDo the week of Bras on Broadway, which is October 23rd. If you get a group together or ask for donations from friends and family and you have the largest amount of contributions you can win a party at the HoDo for up to 75 friends.

Very cool.

The proceeds go to local people living with breast cancer who cannot afford the cost of wigs or fuel costs. Last day to donate is October 17, 2008. Drop off or mail contributions to the Hotel Donaldson 101 Broadway Fargo, ND 58102.

Contributions are tax deductible. please consider that when donating money:) For more information call 701-478-1000. Make checks payable to American Cancer Society or donate at Fargostuff.com

There's also Bras on Broadway info here: http://www.hoteldonaldson.com/bras.html
 

Posted by: Michael Williams on 10/12/2008 at 7:50 AM | Comments (0) | Permalink

Oilman Pickens Funds down $1 Billion

"Mr Pickens is upbeat about the prospects of the firm  But he acknowledges that the recent losses have an impact "It's like mashing all your fingers in the door This has been a pretty bad period for us," he says."

Mr. Pickens was recently in Fargo.  He's a long time oil man that says the U.S. can't drill our way out of our energy crisis and that we need to diversify our home grown renewable energy sources.  Here's the article:

• SEPTEMBER 24, 2008

Pickens Funds Down About $1 Billion

By GREGORY ZUCKERMAN

Lately, T. Boone Pickens would get better marks as a policy advocate and author than an energy investor.

The 80-year-old Texas oil magnate has bankrolled a massive public campaign for improved U.S. energy independence, and his new book, "The First Billion is the Hardest," is a best seller. But the downturn in energy has blindsided the industry veteran, leaving one of his hedge funds that focuses on energy stocks down almost 30% through August. A smaller commodity-focused fund is down 84%.

 

Pickens on U.S. Dependency on OPEC

2:29

In this excerpt from the latest Viewpoints Breakfast Series with Alan Murray, Texas billionaire T. Boone Pickens explains his plan to eradicate the U.S.'s dependency on OPEC. (Sept. 9)

More Video

• Pickens on Funding Swift Boat Ads
• Pickens on Philanthropy
• Pickens Outlines Plan for Windmill Farm
• Pickens Shares His View on Global Warming
• Pickens on the 2008 Presidential Race

All in, the funds have lost around $1 billion this year, a figure that includes $270 million of personal losses. "It's my toughest run in 10 years," said Mr. Pickens, a former geologist who earned billions by building an oil company and investing in energy. "We missed the turn in the market, there's nothing fun about it."

Until lately, money had gushed from Mr. Pickens's trading desk as energy prices climbed. His energy-stock fund, which started the year at $2 billion, has returned a compounded annual return of 37% over seven years, according to an investor. The commodity fund, which started the year at about $600 million, has had similar strong performance. That fund relies heavily on borrowed money, resulting in the deeper losses.

Mr. Pickens argues that the recent falloff in energy prices in large part is due to dislocations in financial markets, which forced a range of investors to sell holdings to raise cash. "I'm not willing to accept that [the downturn] was due to a global slowdown" reducing energy demand, he says. "When there's deleveraging in markets it will affect everything."

Unless there's a deep, global economic downturn, he says, oil prices will head higher because oil demand will outpace supply by at least two million barrels over the next year. "Oil likely will finish the year around $120 or $125 a barrel." Still, Mr. Pickens says he's shifted his funds' portfolios to a more neutral stance, to keep his losses in check. That means he hasn't fully benefited as oil prices jumped in the past few days to $106.61 a barrel from about $90.

Despite crisscrossing the country to discuss his energy plan, Mr. Pickens says he remains focused on his investment firm, BP Capital LLC. When he's in Dallas, where he lives, Mr. Pickens starts the day with a workout, and then meets his 10-person investment team for breakfast. He leaves the office around 6:30 p.m.

T. Boone Pickens

He's been getting calls from concerned investors, but many are longtime friends. It also helps that he's made them a fortune over the years. "He made his [bullish] views well known and we expected volatility," says John Trammell, president of Cadogan Management LLC, a $7.5 billion firm that invests in hedge funds. "They're not as exposed to the downward movement in oil as they were" a few months ago.

Mr. Pickens is upbeat about the prospects of the firm. But he acknowledges that the recent losses have an impact. "It's like mashing all your fingers in the door... This has been a pretty bad period for us," he says.

Write to Gregory Zuckerman at gregory.zuckerman@wsj.com

Posted by: Michael Williams on 9/25/2008 at 9:11 AM | Comments (0) | Permalink

Community Wind Can Play a Pioneering Role in Renewable Energy Development

Wind power is booming and the United States is now the world leader with billions of dollars in growth each year. From Wall Street to Main Street, investor interest in wind power is booming, but policies now favor large institutional investors. Opening up wind power ownership to smaller investors, local lenders, farmers, ranchers, consumer-owned utilities, school districts, colleges, Native tribes and other citizens will allow more people to enjoy the financial benefits of wind power while accelerating its growth.

Community Wind 101: A Primer for Policymakers, was released today by the National 25x'25 Alliance, Energy Foundation and Harvesting Clean Energy, as Congress once again tackles energy legislation and just months in advance of a new Administration and Congress which are expected to make energy a top priority. The report makes clear that community wind must be an integral part of the nation's energy strategy and lays out a set of public policies designed to grow local wind investment and ownership.

Key findings of Community Wind 101 include:
"    Wind power economic benefits from local ownership can be multiplied in the range of two to three times or more compared to standard development models.
"    Community wind can play a pioneering role for all wind power and accelerate wind development by vastly diversifying the range of players who can invest.
"    Smaller investors cannot fully access federal tax incentives vital to wind development. Broadening the usefulness of these incentives and/or targeting incentives to community wind would significantly expand local investment and ownership opportunities.

"Rural landowners and communities are experiencing tremendous economic benefits from wind power development," notes 25x'25 Project Coordinator Ernie Shea."Community Wind 101 demonstrates the potential for local ownership to multiply revenues and job creation."

Bentham Paulos, Renewable Power Program Director for Energy Foundation, underscores, "Wind power provides a fully developed renewable, emissions-free alternative. Opening more options for local ownership by farmers, electric co-operatives and other community institutions will provide a significant boost for wind development. Community Wind 101 details the policy changes needed to expand local ownership."

"Favorable federal policies have been vital to wind growth overall," points out Lloyd Ritter with Green Capitol. "But these policies haven't gone far enough to advance locally-owned wind power and generate the kind of sustainable development everyone supports."

Report author Patrick Mazza, Research Director for Harvesting Clean Energy, comments, "The lesson emerging from community wind experience is that local ownership has great potential to grow wind generation. But this potential will only be realized with the right kind of policies. Community Wind 101 shows where and how model state policies are working, and how they can be replicated at the federal level. It also points to ways existing federal policies can be improved to support increased local wind investment."

The report can be accessed at www.25x25.org. For more information on the contribution community wind projects make to a 25x'25 renewable energy future, contact Ernie Shea at (410) 952-0123, or by e-mail at eshea@25x25.org.

Posted by: Michael Williams on 9/11/2008 at 10:12 AM | Comments (0) | Permalink

U.S. Wind Industry surpasses 20,000 MW this summer

in News Departments > New & Noteworthy

by NAW staff on Thursday 04 September 2008

The U.S. wind industry has raced past the 20,000 MW installed capacity milestone, achieving in two years what had previously taken more than two decades, the American Wind Energy Association (AWEA) reports. Wind now provides 20,152 MW of electricity generating capacity in the U.S. But a delay in extending the production tax credit (PTC) could place 2009 projects on hold and discourage manufacturing investment, according to AWEA. The PTC is currently set to expire at the end of the year. "Wind energy installations are well ahead of the curve for contributing 20% of the U.S. electric power supply by 2030 as envisioned by the U.S. Department of Energy," says Randall Swisher, executive director of AWEA. "However, the looming expiration of the federal renewable energy PTC less than four months from now threatens this spectacular progress. The PTC has been a critical factor in wind's very rapid growth as a part of the nation's power portfolio." While Germany has more generating capacity installed - about 23,000 MW- the U.S. is producing more electricity from wind because of its much stronger winds. AWEA expects over 7,500 MW of new wind capacity to be added this year, expanding the U.S.'s wind energy fleet by 45% and bringing total capacity to 24,300 MW. SOURCE: American Wind Energy Association

Posted by: Michael Williams on 9/05/2008 at 6:06 PM | Comments (0) | Permalink