Brandi Colander's Blog: Solving Global Warming

America's First Utility-Scale Offshore Wind Farm Announces Power Purchase Contract

2010-05-07T15:41:17Z

Offshore wind in the United States took another step forward today. Cape Wind has announced the details of their long term power purchase contract with National Grid. During today's news conference call, National Grid President Tom King and Cape Wind President Jim Gordon discussed the significance of this landmark event.

National Grid has agreed to purchase half of the energy that Cape Wind will generate and RECs for 15 years starting in 2013. Cape Wind will provide National Grid with a bundle of attributes in this agreement that aggregate 20.7 cents per kilowatt hour. The energy price set for 2013 is 12.5 cents per kilowatt hour.

What does this mean?

This means that Cape Wind has moved to the next step in the process of providing alternative energy to up to 75 percent of Cape Cod residents. The contract, to be filed on Monday with the Massachusetts Department of Public Utilities (“DPU”), will increase 3.5% over it's term adding $1.59 to the total monthly bill of the average customer. To those who say they can’t afford this, National Grid says that they can’t afford not to act now. “We need to do more and as we do more, we reduce our costs for all of us,” said Tom King.

National Grid’s projection that their purchase of power from Cape Wind will result in an increase three years from now of $1.59 per month for a typical home’s electric bill is essentially an increase of roughly 5 cents a day. For a nickel a day, Cape Wind is striving to offer cleaner air, new jobs and reduced reliance on oil, coal and gas. As America’s first federally approved utility-scale offshore wind farm continues to move forward, it is important to keep in mind that there are other invisible costs that need to be weighed and balanced. This contract offers a diversification in their portfolio by including the hedge value of a large term contract, environmental attributes, transmission and RECs. With that said, the cost of inaction is indeed higher than a nickel a day.

These long term contracts are essential for offshore wind developers as they need to secure the utility's business in order to attract financing for their projects. Cape Wind is estimated to cost roughly $1 billion. Cape Wind is convinced that they will sell the other 50% of the power for the project. Now that they have their "anchor" customer, National Grid, they have begun negotiations with the banking community and equity investors who have expressed interest as they watch the progress of this project; a mere 9 days after receiving federal approval of this historic project.

The economic recession has had a tremendous impact on our energy prices. The global economic recession has reduced the demand for fossil fuels which, on average, lowers electricity prices, temporarily. As global economies recover, we can anticipate the prices of gas, coal and oil to rise again.

As a matter of process, state regulators have to approve this contract. It is anticipated that the DPU proceeding will take place in six months and the Attorney General's Office will weigh in with an advising opinion. There will be ample opportunity to discuss and debate the contract as the DPU undertakes it process of review.

National Grid has stepped up to support the project because they believe that the nation must move towards a cleaner, greener economy. They emphasized the need to have the United States lead on comprehensive legislation for energy and climate as well as renewables. “The American worker and the economy are losing out daily. China invested more than $400 billion in renewables this year whereas the United States only invested $80 billion,” said King.

As the first utility-scale American offshore wind energy facility, this project represents a giant leap forward for our country’s clean energy future. Cape Wind could jumpstart the U.S. offshore wind industry – paving the way for other facilities to get off the ground nationwide and do it quicker and easier than in the past. It’s more important now than ever to make the right decisions about how to develop energy off our coasts, and doing so in an environmentally sustainable and cost-effective manner is important to Americans.

For 24/7 information on Cape Wind’s potential clean energy offerings by MW hours and carbon dioxide offsets visit: http://www.capewind.org/

Cape Wind Marks New Chapter in American Energy: Clean, Homegrown Offshore Power

2010-04-28T22:46:35Z

Today, United States Department of Interior Secretary Ken Salazar jumpstarted the American offshore wind industry by announcing federal approval of the Cape Wind Energy project in Massachusetts’ Nantucket Sound.

This announcement marks the approval of the first utility-scale offshore wind project in the United States to go through the federal review and approval process. Approving Cape Wind demonstrates America’s commitment to renewable energy and allows our country to be competitive globally on offshore wind – joining the likes of Europe and China. Today is historic and symbolizes the beginning of a new chapter in our nation’s energy policy: clean, homegrown offshore wind power.

This process comes after a nearly decade-long project approval process, much longer than a traditional coal power plant is typically reviewed. It never should have taken this long, but as a first-of-its-kind, it is important that we got it right – harnessing wind power while protecting the surrounding sensitive ocean resources.

Fortunately, the long Cape Wind review process paves the way for the others that will come after it – helping to get them up and running more quickly. Their experience will inform the regulatory approval process for other offshore wind developers. As Secretary Salazar said today – nine years simply cannot remain standard practice in deploying offshore wind here in America.

Much of the delay was related to deciding where to put (or site) the turbines – also known as “siting” the project. Siting any energy project is difficult. Historic battles rooted in the principles of NIMBY plague this process. Striking the balance between siting where the resources are rich and the environmental benefits outweigh the impacts will involve continued collaborative efforts on behalf of industry, government and environmental organizations. The federal government is reviewing how to expedite the offshore wind approval process. NRDC and others are working to streamline the process while still protecting the surrounding environment.

Another challenge for Cape Wind was the fact that so many government agencies (at least a handful) were involved in the approval process and it was often unclear who all the regulatory players were, and what role they played. As you can imagine, this can add to the confusion for developers and even stakeholder groups like our own, and makes the process more time consuming. As we ramp up the offshore wind industry, creating more regulatory clarity can improve this process and cut through confusion. It is important that the role of each federal agency with authority in the process is able to perform their duties in cooperation with one another. It is equally critical that these roles are clear and transparent so that stakeholders can engage in an informed and meaningful manner.

Cape Wind has truly endured. Their experience is a testament to how the regulatory framework for offshore wind in the United States has been shaped with the help of industry, government at all levels and environmental organizations. Their collaborative approach can be attributed to their success. Although this decision was a decade in the making, it is only the beginning.

Offshore wind provides long term price stability, in contrast to the volatility of fossil fuel costs that every American knows all too well. Because the fuel that offshore wind farms rely on, the wind, is essentially free, these long term prices are more stable and cost-effective in the long term.

Despite future hurdles, the potential for offshore wind energy in the United States is enormous. This potential was acknowledged today. Approximately 12, 086 NRDC members spoke out in support of Cape Wind in recent weeks. They believe in this potential. Offshore wind energy potential in the Northeast, mid-Atlantic and Great Lakes alone are capable of providing 900,000 MW of renewable electricity. To put this in perspective, this is the same amount America’s electric power plants currently have the ability to provide to our homes and businesses. This is roughly equal to what our nation currently has installed in electric generation capacity.

Last week, on the 40th Anniversary of Earth Day, the world watched as an oil rig caught fire, sank and began spilling oil off coastline of Louisiana. Today, we got a glimpse of a cleaner, safer energy future off our shores – renewable wind power that can’t spill or run out.

Earth Day 2010: What Earth Day Means to Me

2010-04-22T17:14:52Z

Fortunately, when you work at the Natural Resources Defense Council-every day is Earth Day! However, this year, we celebrate the 40th Anniversary of Earth Day. 40 years of taking one day of the year to pause and ponder what impact our daily activities have on the only planet where we are certain that life exists.

For some, Earth Day means that they will make an extra effort to recycle. For others, it means they invest in energy efficient technologies in their home, turning a day of celebrating green into a lifetime of saving them another form of green-money! The opportunities to contribute are infinite, the quest the same. If you pause at all to reflect on this day, you are acknowledging that your heart tugs a bit and you want to do your part.

What does this Earth Day mean to me? It means that we are in a position to determine, perhaps more than any other time in history, the trajectory for the next 40 years of Earth Day celebrations. It presents an opportunity to determine how we will commemorate our planet given the advancements our society has made in education, science, and technology. I recognize that these are lofty ideals, so what can you do now?

Here are a couple of options:

Invest in green power with just three clicks of your mouse!

This site - www.greenpowernyc.com - is a joint effort by the Natural Resources Defense Council and the Alliance for Clean Energy New York.

We created this website to provide New Yorkers with a tool to lead the way in repowering America, starting with their own homes and small businesses.

Simply go to http://www.greenpowernyc.com/ and it'll walk you these through 3 easy steps:

Step 1: Choose the type of renewable energy you want
Step 2: Choose a provider
Step 3: Fill out a short form to sign up

For more information, click here.

Get involved in your backyard (ioby)!

IOBY: is dedicated to fostering environmental action to occur precisely IN OUR BACKYARDS! ioby.org (pronounced eye-OH-be) enables you to support neighborhood level environmental projects with a few simple clicks.

This organization serves as a constant reminder that the environment that needs a little tender loving care is not only the Amazon rainforest or Arctic glaciers but the places where we work and live. There is a pressing need for your involvement much closer to home. Getting involved with ioby allows you to witness firsthand the return on your investment whether you give your time or money.

For more information, click here.

Finally, for me, this Earth Day presents a call to action. I would like to see the world make a commitment to investing in cleaner energy. Like all change, you must start at home. The United States is positioned to demonstrate a commitment to moving beyond business as usual and to remain competitive with the rest of the world by offering innovative solutions that generate clean energy alternatives. Early next week we anticipate comprehensive climate and energy legislation. 40 years from now, we should be able to hold ourselves accountable to the Copenhagen Accord, establish a competitive edge on renewable energy technology and be a global leader in developing sustainable solutions to nurture our ever evolving planet.

Happy Earth Day!

Offshore Wind: Domestic Opportunities and Advantages Abroad

2010-04-21T21:01:02Z

Recently, the American Wind Energy Association, (“AWEA”), the national trade association of America’s wind industry, released their United States Wind Industry Annual Market Report. The report highlights can be found at the end of this blog. Particularly noteworthy, the factoids confirming this industry’s ability to create domestic jobs that reduce our dependence on foreign fossil fuels. Furthermore, the report provided assurances that offshore wind has a bright, albeit challenging road ahead. Perhaps the best way to truly evaluate the promise of offshore renewables, particularly offshore wind, is by looking to those who have forged ahead beyond domestic borders.

According to the European Wind Energy Association, (“EWEA”), Europe decommissioned more coal and nuclear capacity than it installed in 2009 with renewable energy technologies, all together accounting for 61% of new power-generating capacity in 2009. Europe’s extremely impressive advances in offshore wind have led to 17 offshore wind farms currently under construction, expected to provide over 3,500 MW; half of these projects are being constructed in UK waters. I recently published an article in the Electricity Journal looking at offshore wind domestically and abroad. This article provides a regulatory overview of offshore wind in Denmark, the United Kingdom and the United States. Please click here for more information.

The cover of today’s Wall Street Journal provided additional coverage on the impressive advancements of offshore wind in Europe. “The U.K.'s commitment is driven by stringent European Union targets. To meet them, Britain will have to raise the share of its electricity that comes from renewable sources to about 30% by 2020. It's just 7% now. The U.K. also adopted a "carbon budget" a year ago, committing to reduce emissions to at least 34% below 1990 levels by 2018-2022.” In short, Europe made the commitment. This article goes on to comprehensively depict European offshore wind progress highlighting the issues that plague this industry: regulatory and environmental hurdles, siting and cost.

Under President Obama’s leadership, more than two dozen nations came together in Copenhagen giving birth to the Copenhagen Accord. This unparalleled effort aims to reduce the emissions of both developed and developing nations. Furthermore, they are holding themselves accountable by registering their national commitments by the end of January 2010. The United States has committed to a target to reduce emissions in the range of 17 percent below 2005 levels by 2020, 42 percent below 2005 levels by 2030, and 83 percent below 2005 levels by 2050.

America anticipates Department of Interior Secretary Salazar's final decision on the Cape Wind Energy Project very soon, as he has made a public commitment to do so before the end of the month. A favorable decision for Cape Wind would mark the first federally approved offshore wind farm in the United States. NRDC has been involved in the nearly nine years of rigorous review of Cape Wind and believe that the benefits of the project outweigh its impacts, with the implementation of the appropriate mitigation and monitoring measures identified in the review process. Not only could Cape Wind have the capacity to generate up to 468 MW of clean electricity, it could help launch the United States as a leader in renewable energy.

To further emphasize the point, the United States has the potential to be a world leader on clean energy. Americans want and need clean energy jobs now. As we celebrate the 40th Anniversary of Earth Day, we should consider what the next 40 years will look like. We have an opportunity to move beyond business as usual. We have an opportunity to demonstrate our ability to adapt, innovate and compete with the rest of the world. Click here and scroll to the bottom of the page to view a video on domestic green jobs.

Highlights from AWEA’s new report include:

The U.S. wind energy industry installed over 10,000 MW of new wind power generating capacity in 2009, the largest year in U.S. history, and enough to power the equivalent of 2.4 million homes or generate as much electricity as three large nuclear power plants.

In industry rankings, GE Energy remained #1 in U.S. wind turbine sales; NextEra Energy Resources continued to lead in wind farm ownership; and Xcel Energy continued to lead utilities in wind power usage. At the same time, however, more companies are now active in each of these areas, showing that the wind energy market is diversifying as it expands.

There are 36 states that have utility-scale wind projects and 14 states are in the "Gigawatt Club" with more than 1,000 MW of installed wind capacity per state.

In state rankings, Iowa leads in terms of percentage of electricity from wind power, getting 14% of its power from the wind, and also leads in highest number of jobs in the manufacturing sector. Texas consolidated its lead in wind capacity and in largest wind farms installed.

The report's section on manufacturing shows that in spite of a slowdown in wind turbine manufacturing in 2009 compared to 2008, 10 new manufacturing facilities came online in the U.S. last year, 20 were announced, and nine facilities were expanded. The largest category was wind turbine sub-components, such as bearings, electrical components and hydraulic systems. In all, the U.S. wind energy industry opened, announced or expanded over 100 facilities in the past three years (2007- 2009), bringing the total of wind turbine component manufacturing facilities now operating in the U.S. to over 200.

All 50 states have jobs in the wind industry.

Approximately 85,000 people are employed in the wind industry today and hold jobs in areas as varied as turbine component manufacturing, construction and installation of wind turbines, wind turbine operations and maintenance, legal and marketing services, transportation and logistical services, and more.

To ensure a skilled workforce across the wind energy industry, 205 educational programs now offer a certificate, degree, or coursework related to wind energy. Of these 205 programs, the largest segments are university and college programs (45%) and community colleges or technical school programs (43%).

Despite the economic downturn, the demand for small wind systems for residential and small business use (rated capacity of 100 kW or less) grew 15% in 2009, adding 20 MW of generating capacity to the nation. Seven small wind turbine manufacturing facilities were opened, announced or expanded in 2009.

Offshore wind power is gaining momentum in the U.S. The report lists seven projects with significant progress in the planning, permitting, and testing process. Both the federal government and several states established significant milestones in 2009 to encourage offshore wind power development.

America’s wind power fleet of 35,000 MW will avoid an estimated 62 million tons of carbon dioxide annually, equivalent to taking 10.5 million cars off the road.

America’s wind power fleet will conserve approximately 20 billion gallons of water annually that would otherwise be lost to evaporation from steam of cooling in conventional power plants.

Offshore Renewables: The Atlantic Renewable Energy Office Announcement

2009-12-16T21:14:11Z

On December 9th, Secretary Salazar announced that the Minerals Management Service (MMS) will establish a new regional office in 2010. This office will be dedicated to supporting the development of renewable energy development on the Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) off the Atlantic seaboard. This announcement, made while Salazar was touring the Middelgrunden wind farm near Copenhagen, demonstrates yet another concrete step towards the United States making offshore renewables a reality.

The primary duties of this regional office will be to evaluate permits for renewable energy activities in an “effective, efficient, and consistent manner while being responsive to the States, developers and other stakeholders.” In addition, this office will be responsible for the implementation and management of the offshore renewable energy program, leasing, environmental programs, task force formation, State consultations and post-lease permitting in Federal waters off the East Coast.

The world waits with bated breath to see how the United States will deploy offshore renewables. Perhaps more to the point, the world is particularly interested in how the US will navigate bureaucratic obstacles to offshore renewable energy projects in our current financial climate. The difficulty lies in striking the right balance between launching properly sited, mature technologies with the right mix of financial incentives to enable a new industry to be competitive all while being mindful of the environmental sustainability of a project. Fortunately, it can be done.

Recent developments, such as this, have been encouraging. Here are other encouraging noteworthy developments:

-Department of Interior’s creation of the first-ever framework for offshore renewable energy development

-Secretary Salazar’s announcement of the first-ever exploratory leases for offshore wind production on the OCS offshore in New Jersey and Delaware

-Governors from Virginia, Maryland and Delaware signed a Memorandum of Understanding to generate clean renewable energy

-Secretary Salazar’s attendance at the historic climate change talks in Copenhagen, Denmark

-President Obama’s Ocean Policy Task Force made landmark national ocean policy with the release of their Interim Report of the Interagency Ocean Policy in September and further released their Interim Coastal and Marine Spatial Planning Framework this week

When It Comes to Offshore Wind-Mayor Bloomberg Gets It!

2009-12-14T21:46:36Z

During his trip to Copenhagen, for the historic climate talks, Mayor Bloomberg had the opportunity to visit the Horns Rev 2 offshore wind farm, off the coast of Denmark. The New York Times shows New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg peering out of a helicopter window at what could foreshadow the future of renewable energy in New York. I had the opportunity to view these same wind turbines and am pleased to hear Bloomberg describe them as “impressive” and going a step further by adding that “[i]t gives you a feeling for what it will be, I hope, off the Long Island shore.”

Bloomberg briefly acknowledged the history of difficulty in moving offshore wind proposals forward in New York. However, this has not stopped him from remaining steadfast in his pursuit to move his renewable energy agenda forward. In New York, Bloomberg is hoping to have a consortium of government agencies and utilities in both Long Island and New York develop what could be the world’s largest offshore wind power complex -- a 700 megawatt renewable energy project expected to cost roughly $3 billion.

Here are more Bloomberg reactions to his offshore wind farm visit in Copenhagen:

“I don’t understand what there is to complain about.”

“Would they rather be staring at a coal plant?”

“It’s a lot better than buying foreign oil.”

Sometimes, you really do have to see it to believe it…and when you do, you often wonder why you can’t have the same. I am glad to see that when it comes to offshore wind -- Mayor Bloomberg gets it!

LI - NYC Offshore Wind Collaborative to Pursue Ocean Floor/Wildlife Surveys

2009-12-11T13:46:26Z

This week, the Long Island – New York City Offshore Wind Collaborative announced that consultants will soon begin to conduct “pre-development activities”. These activities will include desktop studies of the ocean’s wind, wave and wildlife environment. This effort is designed to inform what could be the largest offshore wind farm proposal developed in the country.

The Collaborative, a group that is represented by energy utilities and a host of New York State and New York City agencies, has received responses from approximately 30 wind developers and firms from its Request for Information (RFI). This RFI, issued on July 1st 2009, signaled the tremendous interest in developing a wind farm in the Atlantic Ocean, 13 nautical miles off the shore of the Rockaway Peninsula.

In the spring of 2010, the Collaborative expects to issue a Request for Proposals (RFP). Current projections anticipate that the wind project could be designed for 350 megawatts of generation with the ability to expand up to 700 megawatts. In the interim, engineers and scientists have been enlisted by the Collaborative to conduct desktop studies of the proposed project site. These studies will guide ocean floor surveying, wildlife migration patterns, and help further evaluate the overall feasibility of the project.

This effort represents a critical step in the proper development of offshore renewables. It is indicative of an attempt to get the first generation of offshore wind “right “by ensuring that these projects are built sustainably with environmental implications thoroughly explored prior to deployment. It is critical that appropriate measures are implemented to ensure that offshore renewables are developed without jeopardizing the health of our already-stressed, valuable ocean systems.

The collaborative consists of:

Long Island Power Authority (LIPA)
Con Edison
New York Power Authority (NYPA)
The City of New York/New York City Economic Development Corporation
New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA)
Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA)
The Port Authority of New York & New Jersey

The New York State Department of State, Department of Environmental Conservation and Office of General Services are also participating by providing the Collaborative with input and guidance.

The concept for the offshore wind project emanated from Governor David A. Paterson’s Renewable Energy Task Force and is consistent with the Governor’s “45 by 15” program, which establishes the goal for New York State to meet 45 percent of its electricity needs through improved energy efficiency and renewable sources by the year 2015. The offshore wind project is also aligned with City of New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg’s PlaNYC goal to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in New York City 30 percent by 2030. The project would significantly boost the installed capacity of renewable energy in New York City and provide clean energy to thousands of City households, businesses and public institutions.

A transmission interconnection study by the Collaborative concluded that an interconnection for up to 700 MW of wind power, located at a proposed location in the Atlantic Ocean, would be feasible with upgrades to the current transmission systems. An application to interconnect the offshore wind project has been filed with the New York Independent System Operator (NYISO) for up to 700 MW by 2015.

Members of the Collaborative reiterated a strong desire to help implement the plan and some expressed an interest to purchase clean renewable energy from the project. NYPA and NYSERDA indicated they would be able to lend technical support by way of consultants working with each agency on wind power projects. NYSERDA also indicated the possibility of funding being made available from the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative aimed at advancing clean, renewable energy projects that will reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the state.

The New York State Department of State and the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation will offer general information on the planning and regulatory aspects of the project.

Offshore Wind Update in the U.S. - Will Rhode Island Be the First?

2009-12-11T12:10:27Z

Yesterday, National Grid signed a development agreement with Deepwater Wind to build what is now anticipated to be the first U.S. offshore wind farm. Under a 20 year power purchase agreement, Deepwater Wind will sell electricity to National Grid from approximately 8 turbines producing 28 megawatts in Rhode Island. This project has the potential of eventually supplying 15% of Rhode Island’s electricity.

Rhode Island has been very clear in their intent to have 25% of its electricity from renewable energy through long-term contracts. In June of 2009, Governor Carcieri signed a law requiring the largest utility in Rhode Island, National Grid, to make long-term contracts to buy 90 megawatts of renewable power. During the signing of this legislation, the Governor noted that this step would assist Deepwater Wind in securing $1.5 billion in funding for its two offshore wind farms.

Of course, other renewable sources will continue to be explored in Rhode Island, in an ongoing effort to provide even more cost effective renewable power. However, offshore wind may have an advantage in Rhode Island of serving as the primary source of renewable energy that they anticipate generating given how suitable their coastline is for offshore renewables and how limited land is for land-based wind farms. What works heavily in Rhode Island’s favor is a mix of geography, construction logistics and limited resistance to the project.

As a matter of process, this project must still be approved by the Rhode Island Public Utilities Commission. By law, the agreement between National Grid and Deepwater will be evaluated to determine whether or not the contract is “commercially reasonable”. Cape Wind is the other contender to become the first offshore wind farm in U.S.

The Deepwater wind farm will be based off the coast of Block Island and is expected to cost 24.4 cents per kilowatt-hour upon operation in 2013; the contract also calls for annual price increases of 3.5%. Currently, the retail price of electricity for a home in Rhode Island is approximately 13 cents per kilowatt-hour. The Governor’s office anticipates that when this project comes online, customers can anticipate an average increase to their monthly electric bill of $1.35.

Deepwater is aiming to have this project up and running by 2012, which based on current projections, should make them the first offshore wind farm in the country. This project would be followed by a larger offshore wind farm, one with 106 turbines and 15 miles off the mainland. This is indeed a tremendous step forward for renewable energy.

DEAL TIMELINE

June 26: Governor Carcieri signs law requiring National Grid to purchase 25% of its electricity from renewable energy.

Aug. 31: Deepwater Wind is the only developer to submit a proposal by National Grid’s deadline.

Oct. 15: National Grid rejects Deepwater’s first offer, estimated at 30.7 cents per kilowatt hour.

Nov. 18: National Grid rejects a second offer from Deepwater of 25.3 cents per kilowatt hour.

Dec. 9: An agreement is reached at 24.4 cents per kilowatt hour.

New Website Lets New Yorkers Switch to Clean Energy in Three Clicks

2009-11-30T14:58:04Z

If they knew they had a choice, I'd bet a lot of consumers would quickly support renewable energy. But most consumers just don't know they can start America on the path toward a clean energy economy with their personal energy choices. Now - for New Yorkers who want to use green power and feel like they're making a difference - it just got easier.

A new website launched today simplifies the process of supporting renewable energy in New York! The site - www.greenpowernyc.com - is a joint effort by the Natural Resources Defense Council and the Alliance for Clean Energy New York.

We created this website to provide New Yorkers with a tool to lead the way in repowering America, starting with their own homes and small businesses. It was designed to be an easy streamlined process for supporting green power in only three clicks!!!

Simply go to www.greenpowernyc.com and it'll walk you these through 3 easy steps:

Step 1: Choose the type of renewable energy you want
Step 2: Choose a provider
Step 3: Fill out a short form to sign up

This allows residents and small business owners to select their desired type of clean power and energy provider, and switch to supporting clean energy using renewable energy certificates (RECs). This exciting tool will help New Yorkers cut global warming pollution, increase economic development in the clean energy sector, and avoid the construction of new fossil fuel power plants in the area.

What is a REC? This is how it works: Once electricity is put on the grid, it's impossible to route it to any one destination, like your home. Fortunately, customers are able to purchase RECs that have been sold by the renewable energy generator as environmental commodities. Each certificate represents the environmental benefits of a megawatt-hour of renewable electricity. Your purchase will enable you to make a claim to that renewable energy that no one else can make. Once you've purchased it, that certificate is "retired" so it can't ever be used again.

NRDC is excited about this project that was made possible by a generous donation from the Wolfensohn Family Foundation. Currently, ConEdison Solutions, Community Energy and Sterling Planet are the green power providers participating in this exciting venture. We welcome other green power providers to join this partnership, thereby providing even more clean energy options to NYC residents.

And I encourage my fellow New Yorkers to make the switch!

For more information on RECs and green power purchasing, please visit the following:

http://www.green-e.org/learn_re_claims.shtml

http://www.epa.gov/greenpower/buygp/types.htm

Press release:

http://www.nrdc.org/media/2009/091130.asp

U.S. Offshore Wind Development Stymied Once Again

2009-10-21T22:38:42Z

"Massachusetts blown away in wind power development race" says the Boston Herald, "Stop delaying the process of approving Cape Wind" shouts the Cape Cod Times, "National Grid rejects power offer from Deepwater Wind" reports the Providence Business News. What is all the fuss about? It is quite simple actually, without precedent, brace yourself for chaos.

This week the Boston Herald highlighted Massachusetts' thorny reception for this renewable energy alternative. The article cited the state's reputation for being a hard place to build wind as a result of their extensive local control and permitting processes. Despite the fact that other countries, who have advanced leaps and bounds in the world of offshore wind, have experienced a "snowballing effect" where wind has become vastly more acceptable once citizens have had the opportunity to get comfortable with several projects and shaken the all too familiar and often crippling impact of fearing the unknown.

Earlier this week the Cape Cod Times focused on the most recent roadblock in Cape Wind's enduring eight year challenge of bringing offshore wind to the United States. Timely approval of this project runs parallel to the Administration's aggressive objectives for addressing global warming and energy security through the development of renewable energy. As they continue to await direction from MMS, despite their demonstration that its environmental benefits will likely outweigh its impacts, Cape Wind has failed to move forward. In order for this project to move forward, the pending National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA) Section 106 process needs to be entered with a favorable Record of Decision.

At the heart of Cape Wind's most recent setback for approval are claims from two Indian tribes, the Wampanoag and Horseshoe Shoal. These tribes are alleging that Section 106 requires that the 440 ft tall turbines must be abandoned to comply with NHPA in order to protect artifacts and areas where their cultural ceremonies are held. In a letter to MMS this summer, the Wampanoag Tribe has said that the agency is "failing miserably" to involve these tribes in the Section 106 process. All the same, Cape Wind notes that the tribe has received $50,000 from the Massachusetts Technology Collaborative to conduct a small wind farm construction feasibility study. Furthermore, many find the timing of these new allegations strategically inconvenient as these cultural concerns were not previously raised, despite Cape Wind's extensive and notorious pursuit of approval. This process should be closely watched as it will set the precedent for future renewable energy sites if the designation of sacred lands as tribal cultural properties is upheld.

Finally, the Providence Business Times covered National Grid's rejection of Deepwater Wind LLC's initial proposal to supply electricity from a wind farm planned off the coast of Block Island. While there seems to be encouragement from the Governor of Rhode Island and the Rhode Island Economic Development Corporation to continue these talks, it was very apparent that National Grid did not believe that Deepwater's proposal was "commercially reasonable" at this time. This is particularly disappointing to both Deepwater and Rhode Island as Deepwater's project could serve as a mechanism to make Rhode Island essentially a Northeast offshore wind industry hub; naturally this translates into domestic jobs and enhanced domestic energy security.

As chaotic as this week has been in the world of domestic offshore wind, there is no negating the promise of this technology. Other countries continue to forge ahead while we continue to hope for federal leadership and support for viable renewable alternatives to dirty fuels at scale. In the interim, today's frustrations will hopefully materialize and become tomorrow's examples of offshore wind in the United States.

Florida Utilities Drag State Efficiency Ranking Down

2009-10-21T15:38:33Z

This post is co-authored by Brandi Colander, NRDC, and John D. Wilson, SACE.

Florida is the dim bulb in the otherwise efficiency-dark Southeast, and the 2009 Energy Efficiency Scorecard from ACEEE shows how badly its electric utilities are dragging Florida's ranking down. Slipping from 19th to 23rd in the country in a much-improved study, the impact of Governor Charlie Crist's leadership on energy policy hasn't shown up in a comparison with other states.

This report is extremely timely because it shows the extraordinary customer savings that Florida could achieve if the Florida Public Service Commission approves strong energy efficiency goals on October 27th. Florida's utilities have put forward a deeply-flawed status quo proposal for the next ten years of energy efficiency. In the ACEEE study, Florida's utilities received only 4 out of a possible 20 points for their efficiency programs, ranking Florida 30th in the country for "Efficiency Programs and Policies."

Furthermore, most of the states with lower rankings than Florida are not actively engaged in scaling up energy efficiency. Therefore, of those states with any significant efficiency programs, Florida ranks near the bottom. This is in direct contrast to FPL's claim that it is the "the nation's leading utility in customer energy efficiency programs."

Per customer, Florida's utilities are achieving approximately one-tenth of the amount of energy efficiency as leading states. And we're not the only ones who are noticing: the Florida Chamber of Commerce recently commented on several areas where Florida lags in competitiveness, including Florida's average energy consumption. And the state's economic development authority, Enterprise Florida, has laid out "Sustainable Energy" as part of a "crucial" agenda for the state. Growing Florida's "energy efficiency industry" is not just a matter of saving money or using energy more wisely, it is about building a sustainable need for a skilled local workforce.

Increasing energy efficiency by a factor of ten would mean a major change in the way Florida utilities do business.

Floridians deserve this opportunity.

U.S. Offshore Wind Developments: Deep-Water Turbine Farms vs. Near-Shore Projects

2009-07-21T00:05:10Z

There is a growing debate about domestic offshore wind siting. Fortunately, we are beyond; to build or not to build. Now of course the question is where, or perhaps how? As offshore wind technology advances there may be ways to minimize some of the aesthetic concerns that have been attributed to delaying U.S. offshore wind development. Winds are typically much stronger and more sustained farther away from the shoreline; some offshore wind developers are looking to leverage this natural occurrence.

The Cape Wind project, often anticipated as the first U.S. offshore wind farm as they await final federal sign-off, plans to erect 130 turbines 5-13 miles from Cape Cod and Nantucket. New Jersey and Delaware have recently received leases from the Department of Interior to explore the feasibility of large wind farms 12-18 miles from the coastline. Deepwater Wind, a recipient of two of these federal leases also plans to build a two-phase farm in partnership with Rhode Island offshore with 8 turbines near Block Island and an additional 110 turbines 15-18 miles in federal waters to generate power for sale to the electrical grid. Bluewater Wind, also recipients of two of the federal exploratory leases, seek to build two large projects 14-18 miles off the coast of New Jersey and Delaware, using similar technology to Cape Wind. New York power companies are looking into developing a wind farm 13 miles off the Rockaways. Massachusetts has proposed a 120 turbine farm 48 miles off New Bedford.

New structural designs will be required for offshore wind farms built further away from the shore and the farther from the onshore electrical grid the more expensive to build. With only one deep-water project currently existing in the world 12 miles off the east coast of Scotland in roughly 150 feet, the increased costs and viability of these projects are still being determined. Furthermore, we want to ensure that siting, irrespective of how far off the coast, is done in a manner that is sensitive to pre-existing environmental conditions and natural resources.

Everyday, the potential for this technology to produce significant amounts of clean renewable energy is becoming more tangible. Whether you ascribe to the notion that farther is better or closer is tried and true, I would submit that the objective is progress and we need the application of both technologies. We should continue to move forward as opposed to waiting on the "perfect" technology at the expense of not moving at all. These technologies should not be perceived as being mutually exclusive from one another. As we learn from smaller projects that are sited more closely to the shoreline, we in a more cost effective manner, learn invaluable lessons about each new domestic generation of offshore wind technology while emphasizing careful planning and siting.

International Offshore Wind Happenings:

-December 2007, the world's first floating turbine was launched off the cost of southern Italy. This prototype wind energy unit was placed 11 ½ miles off the coast in deepwater, 371 feet by Blue H.

-Lynn and Inner Dowsing, as of May 2009, became the world's largest operational offshore wind farm. Located off the coast of Lincolnshire, England it generates 194 MW using 54 wind turbines. This project is able to power roughly 130,000 homes; built in 59 feet of water, roughly 3.2 miles from the shoreline.

-The initial world leader in offshore wind power generation was Horns Rev in Denmark. Built in the North Sea, and capable of producing 160 MW. It is anticipated that Horns Rev and Nysted offshore wind farms will increase their wind power to 50% by 2025. These offshore wind farms are owned by Vattenfall, who this year purchased Nuon to create one of the largest power companies in northern Europe and an energy company that plans to be climate neutral by 2050.

Recent Domestic Wind Developments:

-On June 23, 2009 Secretary Salazar announced the five exploratory leases for offshore wind development off New Jersey and Delaware coasts.

"This is tremendous news for New Jersey and I thank Secretary Salazar and the Obama Administration for issuing these leases which are so critical to getting the development of our offshore wind turbine projects underway," said Governor Jon S. Corzine. "New Jersey's Outer Continental Shelf is a resource that holds a great promise for our energy independence and should be considered a haven for the clean, renewable and environmentally friendly energy that wind power provides. This is a major step for the State in meeting its goal of 1000 megawatts by 2013 and 3000 megawatts by 2020."

"The development of clean energy will be a major part of our economic recovery and will help lay the foundation for long-term economic security for our families, our state and our nation," said U.S. Senator Robert Menendez (D-NJ). "We should be proud that New Jersey has led the way in the effort to harness the tremendous potential that offshore wind in the Atlantic has to generate clean electricity. This lease is a step toward lowering energy costs for families, creating innovative 21st Century industry jobs and reducing our reliance on dirty energy."

-Click here to view Secretary Salazar's testimony before the Committee on Environment and Public Works before the U.S. Senate on July 7, 2009. Salazar describes the Department of Interior's efforts to develop the renewable energy industry in response to climate change.

"Companies are investing in wind farms off the Atlantic seacoast, solar facilities in the Southwest, and geothermal energy projects throughout the west. These new energy sources produce no greenhouse gases and, once installed, they harness abundant, renewable energy that nature itself provides."

US – China Building Efficiency MOU

2009-07-17T16:10:54Z

Yesterday, U.S. Energy Secretary Steven Chu announced an agreement between the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) and the Chinese Ministry of Urban-Rural Development (MOHURD) aimed at developing more energy efficient building designs and sustainable communities. This MOU enables the U.S. and China to exchange experts and technicians to learn from their experiences with energy efficient building technologies. These technologies include: high-performance HVAC, insulation, lighting, cold storage, geothermal heat pumps, building-integrated photovoltaics and solar thermal systems.

Focusing on buildings is imperative as buildings use roughly 40% of energy globally, followed by transportation and industry. As a result, buildings account for almost half of greenhouse gas emissions. Furthermore, 75% of all electricity generated by power plants is used to operate buildings. Buildings present an enormous opportunity to cost-effectively reduce our greenhouse gas emissions while creating infrastructure for the future that is less dependent on fossil fuels, and as a result, more sustainable. The DOE estimates that at least 30% of building sector emissions can be eliminated at no net cost by simply updated old infrastructure with newer more efficient technology.

The MOU will enable both nations to collaborate on the development of standards and guidelines for "eco-cities". For more information on this initiative, please visit: http://www.energy.gov/news2009/7640.htm

This joint effort holds tremendous promise for ratcheting down demand and scaling up energy efficiency while addressing one of the primary concerns many have in establishing effective energy policy and climate change legislation; that our international neighbors are not in sync with our efforts. The MOU demonstrates the intention that goes beyond domestic borders, to create solutions to our global energy demands. As the two nations who lead as the largest emitters of greenhouse gases, this collaboration will set an example that hopefully others around the globe will follow.

Before You Sell...Have You Completed Your Energy Audit?

2009-06-08T21:11:04Z

As state level energy efficiency initiatives and legislation crop up throughout the country, and federal energy and climate legislation looms, we are noticing new approaches to ratcheting down demand and scaling up energy efficiency occurring city by city. Effective June 1, 2009, The Austin City Council approved the Energy Conservation Audit and Disclosure (ECAD) ordinance in an effort to improve the energy efficiency of Austin buildings and homes receiving electricity from Austin Energy.

An ECAD includes an evaluation of the attic insulation, percentage of air leakage through the duct system, number of windows with direct sunlight for at least an hour per day, and the energy efficiency rating of the air-conditioning equipment. In addition, suggestions for improving the home's overall energy efficiency will be included in the ECAD audit. Austin, Texas now joins California (San Francisco and Berkeley) as three U.S. cities requiring energy audits, which on average cost owners roughly $200-$300.

With respect to a single family home, this law applies to homes 10 years or older and homes that have not participated in an Austin Energy residential energy efficiency program within 10 years, which will require an ECAD audit before being sold. In light of the current mortgage crisis and recession, many believe that while this effort is moving the ball forward with respect to energy efficiency, this ordinance makes it increasingly more difficult for people to sell their homes as they are now being raised to higher standards, one that goes beyond aesthetics and how closely located they are to a good school -- the energy efficiency of their homes!

As reported by Tom Benning's article in today's Wall Street Journal, Energy Audits Vex Austin's Home Sellers, as municipalities throughout the country forge policies to encourage energy efficiency, homeowners are becoming increasingly dismayed. However, as voluntary energy audits are increasing and many seek to take advantage of the federal stimulus grant of $3.2 billion designated for energy conservation, one can anticipate that as the real estate market is being asked to raise its energy efficiency standards, home buyers will embrace this new standard as they can anticipate reduced utility bills.

Furthermore, these audits are telling a dirty story. Of the more than 300 audits completed, Austin Energy has determined that homes were on average, leaking more than double what was recommended and attic insulation was six inches thinner than what is suggested. One can't negate the impact of yet another expense in these trying financial times. However, the long-term financial trajectory for both homeowners and those seeking to own is more sunny than bleak when taking into account the money saved on homes that make the necessary enhancements to their homes as a result of an energy audit.

One can naturally assume that homeowners who will be required to invest in improving the energy efficiency of their home prior to selling will be astutely more mindful of their next purchase or rental with respect to energy efficiency. As similar ordinances become effective throughout the country, we can anticipate that we will witness a shift in behavior and expectations with respect to real estate and energy. Dare I say that granite countertops and stainless steel kitchen appliances may be secondary to an insulated home with lower utility bills?

Austin Energy has more information on ECAD on its website.

IOBY: IN OUR BACKYARDS!

2009-06-05T23:05:07Z

Far too often, we hear cries of NIMBY: NOT IN MY BACKYARD! Well, with the recent birth of IOBY: environmental action is fostered and encouraged to occur precisely IN OUR BACKYARDS! ioby.org (pronounced eye-OH-be) enables you to support neighborhood level environmental projects with a simple click. Since NYC's carbon footprint is larger than Ireland, piloting in the City seemed appropriate and timely given the multitude of coordinated strategies currently being implemented to address these issues.

The brilliance of ioby is that it is action oriented. No longer does one need to simply hear about environmental catastrophes and feel too overwhelmed and disempowered to be part of the solution. Just a few clicks and you are no longer scared stagnant. Leveraging online microphilanthropy ioby offers you the opportunity to invest in the change you wish to see in the world, literally and figuratively.

The average project costs roughly $419. Project participants also blog about their work, which increases the level of transparency and enables you to see your money at work. The scale of these projects varies, but the collective impact is unquestioned. Here are a few of my favorite projects, clearly on the lower end:

Children's Bucket Garden and Composting:

Teaches kids about soil preparation, plant life-cycles, plant care etc.

Amount needed-$69

Naturally Made Cleaning Supplies:

Teaches adults how to make their own non-toxic cleaning supplies.

Amount needed-$87

Composting Class:

Teaches the benefits of composting, provides bins, worms and instructions on how to start and maintain a bin.

Amount needed-$115

As we witness global initiatives to move this country towards energy independence, Congress taking action to address climate change, and an environmentally enlightened generation, we should look to harness the momentum of this time. The ability to have information, in real time, to address some of our more local and immediate environmental concerns is invaluable. Kudos to Cassie, Erin, and Brandon (fellow Yalies and former classmates) for their tremendous efforts to bring ioby to fruition, job well done!