How to Design a Sustainability Strategy in Six Steps
Robert Nuttall, who played a key role in the development of Marks & Spencer’s ‘Plan A’ sustainability campaign shares six tips on how to design and communicate a consumer-focused sustainability strategy with MyCustomer.com. Source: Environmental Leader
Will LED Lighting Lead to More Energy Use?
According to researcher Jeff Tsao of Sandia National Laboratories in New Mexico, the latest lighting technologies could ultimately increase energy consumption – the exact opposite of what it is designed to do. Here’s why . . . Source: Earth2Tech
EPA to Issue More Rules in Climate Fight
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency will roll out more regulations on greenhouse gases and other pollution to help fight climate change, but they will not be as strong as action by Congress, a senior administration official said. Source: Environmental News Network
Energy from the Atmosphere: Is it Real?
It could slash the cost of wind power and greatly expand the size of the global footprint for wind. And, no, airborne wind power advocates add, they aren't crazy. Source: Greentech Media
Green Energy Cheaper Than New Nuclear
Clean energy acquired by Ontario is significantly cheaper than new nuclear. Source: SustainableBusiness.com
Photo courtesy of bark
Wind Energy Causes Pollution?!?!
A new report claims that coal based power plants create more emissions than they normally would because utilities must comply with pro-wind energy policies.
A Pared-Down, Oil-Friendly Senate Energy Bill to Be Released Monday
The latest Senate bill would only implement a cap and trade program for electricity-producing utilities, at least initially, though it won't be called that because cap and trade has become a dirty word.
The Good and Bad of LED Lighting
In this podcast, Lisa Cohn of realenergywriters.com interviews Ron Harwood, president of Illuminating Concepts, about the advantages and disadvantages of LED lights.
Three Options for Energy-Efficient Data Centers
The best options for cost-effective data center retrofits that significantly reduce energy consumption include electrical equipment upgrades, server virtualization and cooling optimization, according to an article written by Coy Stine, director of Data Center Services for Bluestone Energy Services for Data Center Knowledge.
Report Signals Rebound in Energy Efficiency Spending
The Energy Efficiency Indicator found that energy efficiency projects are on the rise, but many organizations still lack carbon reduction strategies.
DOE Seeks Participants for Commercial-Building Initiative
As part of an ongoing effort to reduce energy use in new and existing commercial buildings, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) invites commercial-building owners and operators and technical experts to join its Commercial Building Partnerships (CBP) initiative.
Photo by andjohan
The week's edition of Energy Management News features cows, manure, and the EPA.
Dead Cows, Earthquakes, and the Future of Green Energy
Dead cows, water-well explosions, and contaminated groundwater from drilling are hurting Chesapeake Energy's efforts to market natural gas as a clean alternative to coal.
Government Roadblocks Private Production of Biogas
Turning manure into fuel means dealing with a lot of red tape.
Is Demand Response Clean?
Demand response rarely results in a significant reduction in energy use because load is either shifted to off-peak hours or substituted by a backup generator. Does that sound clean to you?
NY Injects $100M into Energy Efficiency Projects
New York companies will be able to improve the energy efficiency of their manufacturing facilities and data centers with the addition of $100 million in funds from the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA).
LA Mayor Proposes Carbon Surcharge on Energy Bills
Customers of the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power may one day see a carbon surcharge added to their bills. Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa has proposed a surcharge to help shift the utility away from coal power.
Prepaid Electric Service Launched
Texas utility First Choice Power becomes the first affiliated retail electric provider in the state to offer consumers a prepaid service option.
AT&T Launches Smart Charger to Fight Vampire Power, Finally
The phone company says it will start selling a smart charger in May - dubbed the AT&T ZERO charger and made by Super Communications - that eliminates vampire power (wasted standby power).
EPA to Phase in CO2 Emissions Permits
The Obama administration will give small businesses a break on coming carbon dioxide emissions rules but big emitters like coal-fired power plants will face a crack-down.
How Congress Accidentally Saved Us Millions
Legislation that halted purchases of oil for the Strategic Petroleum Reserve in 2008 aimed to push gas prices down - it didn't work. Nevertheless, the legislation still delivered positive results.
Industry Reacts to Smart Meter Anger
Oncor faces customer backlash over smart meters and skyrocketing electric bills.
Photo by JelleS
Prenova's Kristen Murphy discusses Senate Bill 695, which reopens the direct access market to commercial and industrial customers in the state of California. The bill will enable some local businesses to work with a third-party energy supplier, rather than being tied to the local utility. This brings greater flexibility to the California market by giving consumers more options to choose from.
Photo by Caveman
Cold January Temperatures Affected U.S. Use of Power and Natural Gas
January 2010 was a cold month for many people in the United States, particularly in the Southeast. The need for extra power and natural gas for heating caused natural gas spot prices to soar in early January, but prices are expected to be lower for the majority of the coming year.
Nike, Starbucks Lead Push in Oregon for Clean Energy Economy
Kicking off a race to jumpstart American jobs in a clean economy, Nike, Starbucks, and other businesses, unions and youth groups in Oregon are urging Congress to approve a comprehensive climate change legislation this year, reports The Oregonian.
Feds Moving Forward on Smart Grid Security and Privacy
The latest draft from NIST prescribes responses to growing unease about access to data.
Biodiesel as an Alternate Fuel
Biodiesel refers to a vegetable oil or animal fat based diesel fuel consisting of long chain alkyl is typically made by chemically these oils with an alcohol. Biodiesel is meant to be used in standard diesel engines and is thus distinct from the vegetable and waste oils used to fuel converted diesel engines.
Is the Smart Grid too Expensive?
The cost of upgrading the entire electric infrastructure in the United States will top $165 billion over the next 20 years. Regional projects are carrying big price tags as well. Some consumer advocates are questioning how it will all be paid for.
Saudi Arabia Fears a Peak in Oil Demand
Saudi Arabia's concerns that demand for oil will peak in the next decade is pushing the world's largest producer of crude to embrace clean energy in an effort to diversify its economy.
Whole Foods, Bed Bath & Beyond to Cut Suppliers Sourcing Fuel from Oil Sands
To cut their carbon footprints, retailers Whole Foods Market and Bed Bath & Beyond are dropping suppliers that source fuel from Canada's oil sands (also known as the Alberta Tar Sands), reports the Financial Times.
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Recently, Energy Blog explored some of the differences between the U.S. House and U.S. Senate versions of energy and climate change legislation. In this post, we focused on three issues being discussed in Washington, D.C.: "Cap and Trade" (by whatever name called), renewable energy requirements, and energy efficiency standards. We also considered what a final energy bill might look like. This week, Energy Blog highlights three reasons retailers should care about these changes.
Energy prices will increase.
No matter what version of the legislation gets passed, Cap & Trade will definitely increase the cost of producing electricity. Utilities that depend heavily on coal will be the hardest hit in the medium and long term depending on the free "allocations" they receive in the short term, which will be phased out over time, but those that rely on natural gas will see their costs go up as well, and quickly. Make no mistake; these added costs will be passed on to all customers - residential, commercial, and industrial.
The question is: how high will prices go? Trying to predict the future is tricky business and estimates vary widely. Depending on who's running the numbers, the projected increase is anywhere from 0-90%. Our belief however, and the growing consensus, is that energy legislation will increase energy prices in the range of 25-30%.
Consumers will have less to spend.
Rising energy prices mean it will cost consumers more to heat and cool their homes. As a result, they'll have less disposable income. The Congressional Budget Office estimates a decrease of approximately 3% per year, or roughly $1,300 per family. With lest money in consumers' pockets, all retailers will be affected, but those targeting lower-income families will likely see the biggest drop in sales.
Energy management will be essential.
Though the effects won't be felt immediately, rising energy prices will increase operating costs and reduce consumer spending. To minimize the impact on profits, Retailers should begin looking for ways to reduce energy consumption now. Fortunately, there are a lot of ways to do this. Here are a few relatively inexpensive suggestions:
- Lighting retrofits - Replace older lighting systems with newer, more energy efficient units.
- HVAC setpoints - Consider adjusting temperature setpoints, allowing sites to be a bit warmer during the summer and a bit cooler during the winter.
- Regular Maintenance - Properly maintained HVAC equipment uses less energy, period; scrimping on preventative maintenance to save a few bucks only increase costs elsewhere.
- Weather stripping & caulking - As doors and windows age and sag, environmental barriers become less effective at insulating your facilities.
- Energy audits - Whether you hire a professional or do it yourself, investigate the day-to-day operation of your facilities; you may be surprised by the energy waste you find.
Photo by: Photos8.com
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