7:57 AM
GT
According to the Gainesville Sun, the Gainesville Regional Utilities (GRU) has agreed to buy the electricity generated by solar at above market value for the next 20 years. This program would be the first of its kind in North America. The incentive, called a "feed-in-tariff" comes from Germany and is different from how most private investment now comes into renewable energy. The Gainesville City Commission gave unofficial direction to draft an ordinance to be brought before the commission to implement this and may be in place by the first of January. .
The Gainesville Regional Utilities would buy all the energy produced by a solar photovoltaic system for a guaranteed rate per kilowatt hour. The GRU's current incentive system offers a cash rebate of $1.50 per watt of photovoltaic panel installed. For residential units, the limit on the rebate is $7,500 and for a business, the limit is $37,500. This means that buildings that generate the most solar energy receive the least incentive to install panels. Under this proposal, large solar installations would receive the most incentive. As in Tallahassee, the GRU uses net-metering to credit consumers for energy that is generated in excess of consumption. The "feed in tariff" would be funded through an increase in the fuel adjustment rate and would eliminate the cash rebate and net-metering. It is estimated that there is roof-top potential for the solar production of 80 megawatts of electricity in the Gainesville area. This program could be coupled with the federal tax incentives for renewable energy mentioned in this blog post below.
11:40 PM
GT
It's doesn't require a lot of equipment or extra effort, but , as consumers, our first line of saving energy comes through reducing our use of energy, reducing electricity demand, reducing our carbon footprint and the time-tested reduce, reuse, recycle.
California has ranked number one in the list of US states for employing energy efficiency as the "first fuel" according to the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy (ACEEE). The just released 2008 State Energy Efficiency Scorecard ranked state-level action on model energy efficiency policies, programs and practices. Idaho rated as the "most improved" since the rankings first started in 2006. California was followed by Oregon, Connecticut, Vermont, New York and Washington.
Florida moved from 29th place last year up to 19th--tied with Ohio.
7:37 AM
GT
The Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008, aka the Bailout Bill, included an extension to the 30% federal investment tax credit that may help the domestic solar industry in expanding solar installations by attracting investments, expanding manufacturing and possibly lower the cost of solar energy to us as consumers.
The solar investment tax credit includes:
- Extension of 30% tax credit for both residential and commercial solar for eight years.
- Elimination of the $2,000 cap for residential solar electric installation placed into service after December 31, 2008.
- Elimination of the prohibition on utilities from benefiting from the credit.
- Allowance of the Alternative Minimum Tax filers to take the credit
- Authorization of $800 million for clean energy bonds for renewable energy generating facilities, including solar.
Solar credits in 2007 were given credit for doubling the capacity of electricity generated by solar installations from 2006. Proponents also say that this tax credit extension could create as many as 440,000 permanent jobs. This extension could also not only help residential solar installations, but an estimated 27 large, utility-scale solar power projects because it allows many of the utility-scale projects currently on hold due to the uncertainty of the extension to go forward. By 2016, solar could generate enough energy to power more than 7 million homes.
Florida could benefit from new manufacturing and installation jobs as a result. Still, we have a lot of work to do to improve the transmission infrastructure and renewable electricity standards.
2:39 PM
GT
The Citizens for Conservation Land are supporting Amendment 4 to Florida's Consitituion. You can read the full text of at amendment4florida.
If approved by at least 60% of Florida's voters, it will do two things:
- exempt land that is permanently set aside for conservation from all property taxes
- allow land that is being used for conservatin purposes, but which hasn't been permanently set aside, to be taxed according to its conservation use.
We know that, as Florida continues to grow, valuable green spaces are being converted to other uses. Supporters say that this Amendment will encourage private landowners to preserve wildlife habitats and water resources. It is supported by Florida's leading conservation groups and the Florida Chamber of Commerce.
9:08 PM
GT
Commuter Choices Week is October 27 through 31.
It's an opportunity for each of us to try economical and environmentally-friendly transportation options such as carpooling, public transit, bicycling, and walking, so reduce your commuting costs and enhance air quality by minimizing the release of harmful auto emissions that contribute to air pollution and global warming.
Commuter Choices Week in Tallahassee is October 27th through October 31st, and events are scheduled throughout the week. The pledge deadline is Friday, October 24, 2008 to be eligible for prizes. Even if you're already using a commute option, please register for Commuter Choices Week!
Click here to find out more or call 1-888-454-RIDE.
Special events include the Downtown Bike Ride on Friday, October 31, at 7:30 AM. Meet at City Hall for this short ride around downtown, followed by a free breakfast afterwards.
A free Bicycling Basics Workshop will be held Sunday, November 2, from 2-4 PM, at the FSU Student Life Bldg, Room 101D. Learn about basics of bicycle safety and maintaining your bike, including gear adjustment and changing a flat. No registration required.
2:41 PM
GT
Thomas Friedman, New York Times columnist, and I have been thinking
alike--at least on this one thing: gas prices and its affect on
driving behavior.
Now that gas at the station by my house is selling below $2.70 per
gallon, as well as throughout Tallahassee and the nation, have we gone
back to our old ways? Driving more? Conserving less? no longer
interested in buying a hybrid or other more fuel efficient vehicle?
Are we all guilty of short term 1970's 'don't remember long gas lines'
memory?
6:56 AM
GT
Thursday night’s candidates forum at Tallahassee City Hall was a mix of candidate opinions, rehearsed quotes with a few good ideas mixed in. Few candidates were well versed in the issues and fewer still had any good suggestions to address global warming, transportation alternatives, reducing the local governments’ carbon footprint, supporting alternative energy and smart growth policies. The event was sponsored by the Big Bend Environmental Forum, the League of Women Voters, the Council of Neighborhood Associations and Sustainable Tallahassee. For the most part, questions came from the audience and were read from cards by the moderator, sometimes with his own additions, interpretations or commentary.
Each candidate was not asked to answer each question. Sometimes candidates were asked new questions instead of being provided a chance to answer the same question as his/her preceding opponent. This meant that either the second responding candidate had to take time allotted to answer the new question to address the preceding question or he/she had to skip the preceding question altogether. This format made it difficult to track each candidate’s response to every issue.
A summary of the Big Bend Environmental Forum is posted on our Green Tallahassee home page.
10:57 PM
GT
Thursday, October 16th
6:00 PM - 9:00 PM
Location: Tallahassee City Commission Chambers,
2nd Floor
300 South Adams Street, Tallahassee
The Big Bend Environmental Forum (BBEF), the League of Women Voters, Sustainable Tallahassee and the Council of Neighborhood Associations are inviting candidates for state, federal and local offices who have contested races in the Big Bend.
The open house starts at 6:00 p.m., and the forum will run from 6:30 p.m.- 9:00 p.m.
10:38 PM
GT
Could Florida follow New York state's example in encouraging energy efficient homes? Since, residential buildings account for about 22 percent of energy use and greenhouse gas emissions, and 74 percent of water use, nationwide, building new construction as well as rehabbing housing to LEED standards is a good things.
New incentives will help residents reduce the energy, carbon and environmental footprint of their homes. Grants will be available, according to yet-to-be developed program guidelines and will include incentives for homes that demonstrate sustainability measures relating to energy conservation and efficiency, water conservation, indoor air quality, use of nontoxic, renewable building products and natural resources conservation.
This new legislation will also help New York achieve its goals to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and reduce electricity use by 15 percent by 2015.
9:44 PM
GT
The Florida Public Service Commission has issued a new recommendation that would require utilities to produce 20 percent of their power from renewable resources by 2041. The plan is much less aggressive than Governor Charlie Crist's proposal, which calls for the same amount by 2020. Recommendations include a fee of $2.40 on resident's electric bill to promote renewable energy. The plan would also require utilities to spend up to two percent of their annual revenues on renewable energy, such as solar, wind or bioproducts.
9:10 PM
GT
Mark Your Calendars for the Candidates Environmental Forum October 16th!
7:58 PM
GT
The Apalachicola National Estuarine Research Reserve is conducting its FLORIDA MASTER NATURALIST UPLAND HABITATS COURSE beginning October 24 until December 13. If you are interested, registration ends October 16th. Green Calendar has the full details. Spread the word!
12:31 PM
GT
Note to VP debaters: There's no such thing as 'clean' coal. It could be called 'somewhat less deadly coal. . .'Here are the top five 'clean' coal myths from coal is dirty:- America has more than 200 years of available coal reserves. The US is the Saudi Arabia of coal. (We've already peaked.)
- We can capture carbon emissions from coal ( Carbon Capture and Sequestration) and bury them underground.
- Since 1970, emissions from coal power plants are down 35 percent (correct), the air is cleaner and yet coal use has tripled during that period. (total pollution from coal plants has increased.)
- There's more mercury from 'natural sources' than the coal industry released, so there's no reason to focus on reducing coal-related mercury emissions. (mercury exists in buried soils, however mercury levels in fish and humans have risen sharply in the past 200 years.)
- Coal mining creates jobs. (Coal mining employment has been declining for decades, as people are replace by machinery.)
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