Ten Energy Management PowerPoint Slides That Shook the Earth
While not exactly rivaling the classic Tufte examples, these slides have served as change agents in greentech circles.
Investor Climate Resolutions Climb Nearly 50% in 2010
Investors filed a record 101 climate and energy-related resolutions with 88 U.S. and Canadian companies so far in 2010, nearly 50 percent higher than last year, which indicates a growing concern about the risks and opportunities posed by climate change, according to a report from Ceres.
BOMA Names Outstanding Buildings of the Year
The Building Owners and Managers Association International has named the Jones Lang LaSalle-managed Aon Center in Chicago and Minneapolis' Accenture Tower, overseen by CB Richard Ellis, among the commercial real estate industry group's outstanding buildings of the year.
Freddie, Fannie Reject Energy Retrofit Loans
Federal Housing Finance Agency, which regulates the U.S. mortgage giants, opposes White House-backed PACE loans for green retrofits, threatening the program.
Houston Rockets' Stadium Wins LEED Certification
The Houston Toyota Center, home of the NBA's Houston Rockets, recently earned certification through the US Green Building Council's LEED for Existing Buildings: Operations and Maintenance Program.
Photo by cogdogblog
In recent weeks, the House and Senate have each passed their own version of energy legislation. With the passage of these bills, Congress moves into the final stretch of negotiations. The resulting bill will closely resemble those passed by the House and Senate, though some controversial proposals may be modified to ensure passage. Regardless what the final legislation looks like, however, it will significantly change the energy industry. And while the focus is on the largest emitters, its affects will be felt in every corner of the economy. So with this in mind, here are three things everyone should know about proposed energy & climate change legislation . . .
1. Cap and Trade
The Senate bill includes aggressive targets for reducing greenhouse gas emissions, mandating a 20% reduction by the year 2020, while the House version, which requires a 17% reduction, is only slightly less ambitious. Achieving these numbers requires strict emissions caps, and many companies will need to purchase carbon offsets to avoid being penalized by regulators. In the short-term, the federal government can help mitigate increased costs by providing carbon credits at no cost to some companies, such as utilities that burn coal to generate electricity. But the "freebies" will ultimately be phased out, leading to higher energy prices as utilities pass on the extra expense to consumers.
2. Renewable Energy Standards
The House's version of the bill requires utilities to derive 25% of their energy from renewable resources by the year 2025. In the Senate bill, which includes a 15% mandate, the deadline is four years earlier, in 2021. Interestingly, the target for 2012 is only 6%. Current estimates, however, suggest the US already receives between 6% and 8% of its energy from renewable sources. The legislation essentially requires US energy producers to meet current production levels. Seen in this light, the targets being discussed appear easier to achieve.
3. Federal Energy Efficiency Standards
Energy efficiency goals set by the House are more stringent, but apply primarily to government buildings. The Senate's version, on the other hand, requires all buildings - public and private - to become more energy efficient. If the final bill passes with language from the Senate, it will impact all new construction, including retail and residential buildings. This will likely drive up the cost to lease commercial space.
For more information on pending energy and climate change legislation, listen as Philip "Whit" Engle, Prenova's Vice-President and General Counsel discusses the issues at http://energy-expert.prenova.com
Photo by: genericface