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The clean energy industry is turning Nevada green

by Cass Barret Posted on March 21, 2014

The clean energy industry is turning Nevada green

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Few things could be less sustainable than an entertainment mecca in the middle of a desert. But there’s more to Nevada than the Vegas Strip, and investors in the Silver State are finding better ways of wagering their money than in slot machines.

On Thursday, leaders from both major parties joined forces to tout Nevada’s clean technology sector. U.S. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) and Nevada Gov. Brian Sandoval (R) held a press conference to laud the $5.5 billion that has been invested in the industry in the state since 2010.

The figure was calculated by the Clean Energy Project, a Las Vegas–based advocacy group for the renewables sector. The group credits state tax breaks for growing clean energy investment. From its new report:

Due to Nevada’s vast solar, wind, geothermal and biomass resources, the state has excelled at meeting demand in and out of its borders leading to significant clean energy capital investments. As of 2014, Nevada has 480 MW of clean energy developed or being developed to meet its energy demand and 985 MW of clean energy exported to other states.

The cumulative capital investments for both in-state and out-of-state clean energy projects, including transmission lines to move the clean electrons, total $5.5 billion since 2010. Nevada’s Investment of $500 million in tax abatements has attracted $5.5 billion of capital investment in clean energy projects to the state.

According to the report, $2.3 billion worth of solar projects are operating in Nevada, many of them installed by an 80-company-strong solar industry that employs 2,400 people. Geothermal energy has long been an important part of Nevada’s energy mix, and the report notes about $1 billion of investment in that sector since 2009. Wind energy remains nascent, though 66 turbines are spinning at the Spring Valley Wind project.

All of these projects will help Nevada meet its goal of getting 25 percent of its electricity from renewable sources by 2025. About two-thirds of the electricity sold in Nevada currently comes from natural gas, with a hefty dose of coal in there as well.

“Renewable energy is one of the focuses of our economic development,” Sandoval said Thursday against the backdrop of the solar-powered “Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas” sign. “I think that the taxpayers can be confident that they’re getting a good return on their dollar.”


Source
Going Green in the Silver State, KLAS-TV Las Vegas

John Upton is a science fan and green news boffin who tweets, posts articles to Facebook, and blogs about ecology. He welcomes reader questions, tips, and incoherent rants: johnupton@gmail.com.

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The clean energy industry is turning Nevada green

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Anti-fracking activists celebrate victory in a fourth Colorado city

by Cass Barret Posted on November 15, 2013

Anti-fracking activists celebrate victory in a fourth Colorado city

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It turns out that it was a clean sweep for opponents of fracking during last week’s elections in Colorado.

Voters in the city of Broomfield narrowly approved a five-year moratorium on hydraulic fracturing. The initial vote tally indicated that the ballot measure had failed by 13 votes, but by the end of an exhaustive recount on Thursday it was revealed it had actually succeeded by 17 votes. The result is expected to be legally certified today, but because the vote was so close there may still be one more recount.

If the latest vote count holds up, it means that measures to ban or suspend fracking succeeded in all four Colorado cities where they were on the ballot. That despite the oil and gas industry pouring more than $870,000 into efforts to defeat the measures, which were promoted by cash-poor but determined grassroots efforts. Boulder and Fort Collins voters extended existing moratoriums on fracking, while Lafayette straight-up outlawed the practice.

It seems that Coloradans really don’t dig it when energy companies pump their land full of chemicals and pollute their air.

All three of the moratoriums and Lafayette’s ban will face legal challenges from the fracking industry and from the administration of Gov. John Hickenlooper (D). They accuse the cities of illegally “taking” minerals that don’t belong to them.


Source
Broomfield fracking ban: Results flip; measure approved by 17 votes after outstanding ballots counted, Broomfield Enterprise

John Upton is a science fan and green news boffin who tweets, posts articles to Facebook, and blogs about ecology. He welcomes reader questions, tips, and incoherent rants: johnupton@gmail.com.

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Anti-fracking activists celebrate victory in a fourth Colorado city

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Surprise! Mitch McConnell Reads Mother Jones

by Cass Barret Posted on October 18, 2013

Mother Jones

In an interview on Thursday morning with the National Review‘s Robert Costa, Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) made an intriguing comment that caught our eye. Fresh from helping to broker the deal to end the government shutdown and lift the debt ceiling, McConnell was asked by Costa if political factors in Kentucky were shaping his legislative strategy in Washington. As we’ve reported, McConnell faces a tough reelection fight, including a fierce primary challenge, with Kentucky tea partiers steaming over McConnell’s deal-making on issues like the 2012 fiscal cliff deal, Syria, and now the debt ceiling.

McConnell’s response: “Oh, that’s the Mother Jones thesis.”

Here’s the full exchange:

COSTA: A lot of reporters think your decisions are driven by political considerations in your home state, especially your primary versus Matt Bevin and a potential general-election campaign versus Democrat Alison Lundergan Grimes. How are those factors shaping your strategy?

MCCONNELL: Oh, that’s the Mother Jones thesis. I have nothing to say about my primary opponent. And this week, it’s pretty obvious about whether that’s driving my decisions. As for Lundergan Grimes, the whole rationale for her candidacy is that I’m part of the dysfunction in Washington, so she’s probably been pretty unhappy over the past 24 hours. I’ve demonstrated, once again, that when the Congress is in gridlock and the country is at risk, I’m the guy who steps forward and tries to get us out of the ditch. So it’s been a bad 24 hours for her, and she’s going to need to find a new rationale.

We’re flattered to know that McConnell, arguably the most influential Republican official in Washington, reads Mother Jones. We assume he’s referring to a September 19 story by David Corn which examined whether McConnell’s tea-party challenger, Matt Bevin, was preventing the minority leader from fully engaging in the shutdown negotiations. “McConnell must fear the wrath of Kentucky Senator Rand Paul and the Paulites, should he engage in wheeling and dealing that results in any accords that offend the sensibilities of the tea partiers,” Corn wrote. “Caught between Rand Paul and the White House, one of the most powerful and sly politicians in Washington has little room to work his behind-closed-doors magic.”

For what it’s worth, we’d also direct McConnell to our reporting on other aspects of his reelection fight, including the race’s hefty price tag, the fundraising dream team assembled by Lundergan Grimes, McConnell’s tea party challenger, and grassroots conservatives’ dim view of McConnell and their eagerness to oust him.

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Surprise! Mitch McConnell Reads Mother Jones

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EPA chief nominee clears one hurdle, but more lie ahead

by Cass Barret Posted on July 10, 2013

EPA chief nominee clears one hurdle, but more lie ahead

By John Upton

Derek Bridges

Sen. David Vitter says he’s now OK with the EPA having a leader.

Gina McCarthy is one step closer to being confirmed as administrator of the EPA, after a key Republican senator dropped his filibuster threat. But other GOP senators are still opposed, so the absurdly long wait to fill the spot — a record-breaking 146 days and counting — isn’t over yet.

McCarthy, currently assistant administrator for the EPA’s Office of Air and Radiation, was nominated by President Obama for the country’s top environmental job in early March. But Republicans have blocked her confirmation, taking the opportunity to accuse the EPA of insufficient transparency, among other transgressions.

One of those obstructionists has been Sen. David Vitter (R-La.), but on Tuesday he relented, announcing on his website that he would support allowing a Senate vote on the nomination, which is expected next week:

Vitter (R-La.), top Republican on the Environment and Public Works Committee (EPW), today said that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has made major progress on the five transparency requests the EPW Republicans have been demanding throughout the Gina McCarthy nomination process. In a May 16 letter sent to the EPA, Vitter said if the EPA made progress on the requests, he intended to support handling the McCarthy nomination on the Senate floor without a filibuster. Today, he agreed to fulfill that commitment after receiving historic agreements from the EPA.

Obama administration officials hope Vitter’s volte-face will convince some of his colleagues to drop their opposition. From a Tuesday article in Politico:

It remains to be seen how yielding other Republican critics of McCarthy’s will be, although observers have said for some time that the Senate is likely to confirm her.

Sen. Roy Blunt (R-Mo.) has had a hold on McCarthy’s nomination over issues in his state. Sen. John Barrasso (R-Wyo.) — who held up her nomination to head the agency’s air office in 2009 — has remained staunchly opposed to McCarthy becoming administrator, particularly because of the agency’s climate change regulations.

“We certainly hope that the caucus falls in line with Sen. Vitter and supports an up and down vote on McCarthy’s nomination,” an administration official told POLITICO on Tuesday. “I think this will certainly help move the GOP caucus.”

Environment and Public Works Chairwoman Barbara Boxer (D-Calif.) broke into a wide smile when a POLITICO reporter told her about Vitter’s statement.

But by Wednesday morning, Politico was reporting that hurdles still remain:

Just hours after Vitter (R-La.) announced yesterday that he would not support filibustering McCarthy’s nomination, Sen. Roy Blunt (R-Mo.) said his long-standing hold on her remains. And several Republicans who had been seen as possible McCarthy supporters signaled this week that they’re on the fence.

Meanwhile, Senate Democrats are reportedly mulling a procedural strategy, the so-called “nuclear option,” that could see McCarthy’s nomination approved by a simple majority vote, which would circumvent opposition from the minority Republicans. “I’m hoping very much that if there is an obstruction that we will simply use our parliamentary options to get a 51-vote confirmation on her,” Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.) said.

John Upton is a science fan and green news boffin who tweets, posts articles to Facebook, and blogs about ecology. He welcomes reader questions, tips, and incoherent rants: johnupton@gmail.com.

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EPA chief nominee clears one hurdle, but more lie ahead

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Lowest Priced Solar Power Systems – Quest For Free Power For Home

by Cass Barret Posted on July 4, 2013

It’s not tough to learn ways to build solar panels free. The parts you need could have the ability to be discovered around your home, or you may be able to find them at a scarp lawn. At the worst, you could have to pay a small amount, however it doesn’t have to be truly expensive and most individuals can do it.

Bear in mind that the even more panels you develop the more you can conserve on your energy costs. One or two panels won’t be enough for most people to get off the grid, unless you make use of an exceptionally small amount of electricity.

You’ll likewise need to take your space into consideration when attempting to decide how numerous panels to construct. If you are planning on mounting the panels on your roofing, you’ll need to figure out how numerous panels will fit.

Contrary to public opinion, you do not need to have any unique skills or even any special devices for that issue. If you can hold a screwdriver, a hammer and a drill , you’re basically excellent to go. Exactly what you will require, presuming you’ve never ever done this before, are directions.

When it comes to finding guidelines, you’ll have numerous options to choose from. There are numerous guides you can get online that claim to be able to walk you with the procedure of constructing solar panels for your home. It’s a great concept to carefully read over any reviews a site has to make sure that individuals discover the item to be helpful.

Another thing you could get is an actual kit. Not only will it include total directions but it will also have the parts needed. That can conserve you time considering that you will not need to drive down to your regional hardware store to purchase the parts. Naturally, when you get convenience you will pay more. A kit will cost more than just buying the guide and afterwards getting the parts yourself.

I’m honestly not sure how easy a time it will be looking for the parts and information you need on ways to develop solar panels complimentary. As I said above you might be able to find some, or all, of the parts you require and if you can find someone who knows how to do it they might be willing to share their knowledge with you, however even if you need to pay something, it’s really economical to develop panels yet it can conserve you a great deal of cash.

If you’d like to learn earn more on build solar panel and Discover more tips that are cheap and efficient.

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