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More clean energy tax credits for homeowners

From the U.S. Department of Energy, Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy office, posted on 2/18/09, retrieved on Friday, March 6, 2009:

President Barack Obama signed the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 on February 17, and the tax section of the act provides greater tax credits for clean energy projects at homes and businesses and for the manufacturers of clean energy technologies. For homeowners, the act increases a 10% tax credit for energy efficiency improvements to a 30% tax credit, eliminates caps for specific improvements (such as windows and furnaces), and instead establishes an aggregate cap of $1,500 for all improvements placed in service in 2009 and 2010 (except biomass systems, which must be placed in service after the act is enacted). The act also tightens the energy efficiency requirements to meet current standards. For residential renewable energy systems, the act removes all caps on the tax credits, which equal 30% of the cost of qualified solar energy systems, geothermal heat pumps, small wind turbines, and fuel cell systems. The act also eliminates a reduction in credits for installations with subsidized financing.

Click  here to read the whole posting, and to link to additional Federal documents.

Biofuels for Cold Climates Presentation

UAF’s School of Natural Resources & Agricultural Sciences presents “Biofuels for Cold Climates: A Presentation on Biofuel technology, Agriculture, and Natural Resources,” on Monday, March 9 at 11:30 a.m. at Pike’s Waterfront Lodge in the Binkley Room. 

RSVP to Marylin Childress at fysnras@uaf.edu or 907-474-7083

(2) Comments | Tagged: energy, biofuel, education | Posted by Adam Wasch

Sen. Murkowski Aide Answers Energy Questions

From the Arctic Sounder, February 26, 2009:

“Sen. Lisa Murkowski recently hired Robert Dillon as the Republican communications director for the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Murkowski is the ranking Republican on the committee. For several years, Dillon worked for Alaska Newspapers Inc., editing and reporting for The Tundra Drums in Bethel and The Arctic Sounder in Kotzebue. Dillon met with ANI reporters recently to discuss Murkowski’s energy policy. Here are excerpts of that conversation…” 

(0) Comments | Tagged: energy, policy regulation | Posted by Adam Wasch

Internship

President Obama Launches White House Internship Program for his administration and announced that applications are currently being accepted for the summer of 2009.  Those selected to participate in the program will gain valuable job experience and an inside look at the life of White House staff while building leadership skills.
“This program will mentor and cultivate young leaders of today and tomorrow and I’m proud that they will have this opportunity to serve,” said President Obama.  “I look forward to…

(2) Comments | Tagged: internship | Posted by Nils Andreassen

The Jenzabar Foundation 2009 Student Leadership Awards

The Jenzabar Foundation is pleased to announce the opening of nominations for its second annual Student Leadership Awards. We invite nominations from individuals, educational institutions, or non-profit organizations that have produced work that is consistent with the mission of The Jenzabar Foundation.

(4) Comments | Tagged: awards, student | Posted by Nils Andreassen

The Jenzabar Foundation 2009 Student Leadership Awards

The Jenzabar Foundation is pleased to announce the opening of nominations for its second annual Student Leadership Awards. We invite nominations from individuals, educational institutions, or non-profit organizations that have produced work that is consistent with the mission of The Jenzabar Foundation.

(0) Comments | Tagged: | Posted by Nils Andreassen

Interactive Google Earth map of US CO2 emissions

From the Los Angeles Times on Friday, February 20, 2009:

Scientists have developed an interactive map on Google Earth that shows fossil-fuel carbon dioxide emissions across the United States.

Users can view pollution levels from factories, power plants and residential and commercial areas in their state or county. They can also compare emission levels in their county with those of other counties in the U.S. The mapping system, called the Vulcan project, is based on 2002 data.

You may find it interesting to contrast the “absolute” and “per capita” views. There is a marked difference between the two in how cities appear.

**WARNING: the interactive map requires that you download a plugin, and this map will not work without DSL or a faster Internet connection.**

Click here to read the whole article.

Wind turbines – coming to a home near you

From the New York Times on Saturday, February 14, 2009:

Wind turbines typically spin from tall towers on hills and plains. But in these green times, some companies hope smaller turbines will soon rise above a more domestic spot: homes and garages.

An Energy Ball turbine.  Adam Bird for The New York Times

The rooftop turbines send the electricity they generate straight on to the home’s circuit box. Then owners in a suitably wind-swept location can watch the needle on their electricity meter turn backward instead of forward, reducing their utility bills while using a renewable resource.

Click here to read the whole article.

Wind turbines - coming to a home near you

From the New York Times on Saturday, February 14, 2009:

Wind turbines typically spin from tall towers on hills and plains. But in these green times, some companies hope smaller turbines will soon rise above a more domestic spot: homes and garages.

An Energy Ball turbine.  Adam Bird for The New York Times

The rooftop turbines send the electricity they generate straight on to the home’s circuit box. Then owners in a suitably wind-swept location can watch the needle on their electricity meter turn backward instead of forward, reducing their utility bills while using a renewable resource.

Click here to read the whole article.

Grand plan for wind energy transmission

New York Times, 2/10/09

From the New York Times on Tuesday, February 10, 2009:

… This study covered the United States east of the Rockies, minus Texas and Florida, and was prompted by the utilities’ concern that state quotas for renewable energy, already in place — or a proposed federal mandate — would have to be met with wind energy generated much farther from the point of consumption than is common today.

The plan is “conceptual” and the system would not be completed until 2024.

The Joint Coordinated System Plan, as it is called, has been in development for months, according to the Midwest Independent System Operator, which is steering the project — and the full report will not be ready until the fall. But details of the plan were revealed on Monday in order to coincide with debate over the stimulus bill.

“This is information we believe that our leaders need to consider as they begin work under a new administration and start defining our energy future,” said John Bear, the president and chief executive of the Midwest I.S.O.

Click here to read the whole article.

Google introduces home “smart energy” meters

From the New York Times on Tuesday, February 10, 2009:

If people knew how much electricity they are using every time they turn on the lights, fire up the oven or lower the thermostat on their air conditioner, they would make smarter decisions about their energy use, and presumably, conserve more.

That’s the idea behind a prototype service that Google unveiled Tuesday, which my colleague Matthew Wald and I wrote about in Tuesday’s paper. The service, which will be called Google PowerMeter, will allow users to measure their energy use in real time. It one of many new consumer products that would-be enabled by so-called “smart grid” technologies, and it is one of Google many new initiatives in the energy area.

Click here to read the whole article.

Lecture Series: ‘Is Alaska’s Oil Age Ending? Living Energy Efficient’

Science for Alaska Lecture Series presents Rich Seifert, Energy and Housing Specialist, Cooperative Extension Service, UAF:

“Energy issues have become a crucial concern for us all. From the filling station to the food store, the price, availability, and impact of energy use is felt throughout our lives.

“Seifert has made energy his Alaskan life’s work. His lecture will confront these issues and try to give a glimpse of what the future may hold for Alaska and the energy-rich life we enjoy here.  What can an energy efficient 21st century life offer us, and how can we sustain it?”

Feb. 3, 2009
7 p.m. in the Westmark Gold Room

(0) Comments | Tagged: events, energy crisis, petroleum | Posted by Adam Wasch

Gov. Palin Speaks on Energy Projects

Juneau Empire, January 30:

“Gov. Sarah Palin spoke to the Alaska Municipal League Thursday in Juneau, giving a well-received message about the need for more transportation and energy projects in the state…”

(0) Comments | Tagged: renewable energy, policy regulation | Posted by Adam Wasch

Newspaper Focuses on Rural Energy Crisis

The Arctic Sounder, January 29:

“During last August’s energy special session, the media focused its attention on Gov. Sarah Palin’s plan to send Alaskans a $1,200 check. What went unreported was the call from rural Alaska for something better, and their warning of this winter’s impending crisis. Many legislators worked to replace Palin’s plan with one that would have gone a long way to relieving the pain being felt across rural Alaska today, and even in communities like Fairbanks, where high heating costs are a growing concern…”

(0) Comments | Tagged: energy, policy regulation, energy crisis, rural alaska | Posted by Adam Wasch

Sen. Murkowsi on Energy, Appropriations Committees

Anchorage Daily News, January 21:

“Following in the footsteps of former Sen. Ted Stevens, Sen. Lisa Murkowski on Wednesday won a seat on the U.S. Senate’s powerful Appropriations Committee ... To accept the post, Murkowski had to give up her membership on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. Murkowski will remain the top Republican on the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee. She also keeps her assignments to the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee as well as the Senate Indian Affairs Committee…”

(0) Comments | Tagged: energy, policy regulation | Posted by Adam Wasch