by Mandy on September 2, 2010
A 22 megawatt network of proposed solar power facilities was approved unanimously by the New Mexico Public Regulation Commission (NMPRC), confirmed the project sponsor PNM Resources in a press release issued yesterday.
According to Albuquerque-based energy holding company, their newly-approved initiative will feature several solar energy systems throughout the state. It is scheduled for completion “by the end of 2011.” The total costs for construction and other expenses were capped by the NMPRC at $101.7 million.
Based on New Mexico state law PNM can file to recover the costs associated with its approved solar renewable energy 4 project through rate riders—additional pre-tax fees applied to regular utility bills. PNM expects to implement these temporary fee adjustments one year after its new rates take effect.
As New Mexico’s largest public utility, PNM describes itself as having “more than 2,710 megawatts of generation resources.” It provides electricity to more than 875,300 businesses and homes in New Mexico and Texas.
In addition to increasing its clean energy portfolio, PNM’s upcoming project is an effort to comply with New Mexico laws requiring 10 percent of the energy generated from each electric utility be derived from renewable resources by 2011.
PNM Resources president and CEO Pat Vincent-Collawn praised the NMPRC for approving its renewable energy efforts.
“We are pleased that the Commission recognized the significance of adding renewable energy to our existing generation resources. Our industry, along with regulators, needs to continue to look for ways to add renewable power while balancing the cost impact to consumers. This is the first step toward achieving that goal and meeting the state’s requirement to diversify our energy resources,” stated Vincent-Collawn in PNM’s Sept. 1 news release.
In addition to seeking approval from the New Mexico Public Regulation Commission, PNM also wants public input on their expanded renewable energy project, as well as other ways to meet customer’s power needs through 2030.
According to a July report by Associated Press reporter Susan Montoya Bryan, the company organized 11 public meetings throughout New Mexico and is soliciting community volunteers to join a monthly “working group” to help design its “integrated resource” plan.
For additional information on PNM Resources, please visit:
http://www.pnmresources.com/
http://www.pnmresources.com/press/releasedetail.cfm?ReleaseID=503980
To learn more about the New Mexico Public Regulation Commission, please go to:
http://www.nmprc.state.nm.us/
To read more about PNM’s work with New Mexico consumers, please see:
http://www.abqjournal.com/news/state/appnmpublicenergyplan107-09-10.htm
by Mandy on September 1, 2010
The EnergySmart Jobs green workforce training program recently announced the receipt of an $18.8 million grant from the California Energy Commission that is preparing hundreds of state workers to join the growing clean energy industry, reported the U.S. Department of Energy’s “Energy Empowers” website last Monday.
According to a press release issued by PECI, the green jobs training project, which began in August, is providing clean energy work experience to about 200 experienced California contractors and approximately 200 young people who are just ready enter the state’s job market. The first phase of the 18-month program involves contractors and young workers receiving specialized training on the installation of technologies designed to improve the energy efficiency of commercial refrigerator cases.
Once their training is complete program participants will complete about 5,000 green retrofit installations at grocery stores and other state businesses with refrigerated areas.
The EnergySmart Job training initiative is led by the Oregon-based company Portland Energy Conservation, Inc. (PECI). The multi-million dollar award from the California Energy Commission is funded through the federal American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009.
According to PECI the green employment training will help save around “88.1 million kilowatt hours of energy consumption” and reduce “122.6 million pounds of carbon dioxide emissions.” In terms of dollars, the EnergySmart Jobs Program will contribute to $13.9 million in initial energy savings for California’s electric rate payers. The company says more than $41 million in “sustainable energy savings” can be expected during the first five years of the project.
PECI Executive Director Phil Welker confirmed some of the financial and employment-related benefits of partnering with the California Energy Commission for the green job training program in the company’s Aug. 4 press release:
“The EnergySmart Jobs Program will create long-term jobs and make a significant impact in generating energy savings within commercial refrigeration industries, helping to spur statewide sustainable change,” Walker said.
California Energy Commission Chairman Karen Douglas also shared her enthusiasm for the green job training collaboration with PECI.
“The EnergySmart Jobs Program is an exciting model for leveraging private funding with public funds to create partnerships that are designed to bring new jobs into the market, boosting our statewide economy,” Douglas said.
For additional information on the California Energy Commission, please visit:
http://www.energy.ca.gov/
To learn more about the EnergySmart Jobs Program, please see:
http://www.peci.org/documents/press-release/ARRA_EnergySmart.pdf
For more on the U.S. Department of Energy, please go to:http://www.energyempowers.gov/
by Mandy on August 31, 2010
On Monday, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Department of Transportation (DOT) introduced a collaborative proposal to add revised fuel economy ratings to new versions of the current window stickers required on all new cars and light trucks sold in the U.S.
According to a joint press release issued by the EPA and DOT on Aug. 30, the initiative aims to “provide consumers with simple, straightforward energy and environmental comparisons across all types of vehicles, including electric vehicles (EV), plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEV), and conventional gasoline-powered vehicles.”
Current fuel economy labels feature the EPA’s fuel efficiency estimates for both highway and city driving. The revised window labels would feature easy-to-read ratings on categories like air pollutant (or smog-forming) levels, fuel efficiency and greenhouse gas emissions. Along with the motivation to increase consumer awareness and reduce greenhouse gas emissions, the EPA and DOT are introducing the new rating system as part of the required Energy Independence and Security Act (EISA) of 2007.
Before applying new fuel economy labels to standard and alternative energy cars, the agencies are seeking consumer input on two different designs.
One sticker includes a noticeable A-F letter grade that reflects the overall performance in fuel efficiency and greenhouse gas emissions, along with any fuel-related savings that consumers could expect over a five year period—based on comparisons to an “average gasoline-powered vehicle of the same model year.”
The other label has the current design features, including the Miles Per Gallon (MPG) and annual fuel cost estimates, complete with the “the required new comparison information on fuel economy and emissions.”
Consumers can view each of the proposed new designs and provide comments on the EPA’s special fuel economy page.
EPA Administrator Lisa P. Jackson described some of the goals behind the newly proposed sticker design project.
“We are asking the American people to tell us what they need to make the best economic and environmental decisions when buying a new car. New fuel economy labels will keep pace with the new generation of fuel efficient cars and trucks rolling off the line, and provide simple, straightforward updates to inform consumers about their choices in a rapidly changing market. We want to help buyers find vehicles that meet their needs, keep the air clean and save them money at the pump,” Jackson said.
For additional information on the Environmental Protection Agency, please visit:
http://www.epa.gov/
To learn more about the proposed labels and view samples, please go to:
http://www.epa.gov/fueleconomy/
http://www.epa.gov/fueleconomy/label/label-designs.pdf
by Mandy on August 30, 2010
KiOR, Inc., an alternative energy company specializing in converting wood-based biomass into high-quality crude oil, received a $75 million loan to build five renewable facilities in Mississippi, confirmed the company and the state in a press release issued on Monday.
The Pasadena, Texas-based company will receive the interest-free loans as part of an agreement to build at least three of the five facilities in Mississippi in the next five years. Two of the biofuel generating plants are planned for construction in the Columbus and Newton, Mississippi regions. The third facility will be based in the southwest Mississippi area.
KiOR’s entire project is expected to create over 1,000 green collar jobs directly at the Mississippi biofuel plants, as well as indirectly in the forest products sector, specifically in the logging, wood chipping and biomass transportation industries.
In addition to providing funding for the multiple KiOR facilities, the state of Mississippi will commit an addition $4 million for related job training programs and workforce services, as well as $2 million in grant money for biofuels research at Alcorn State University and Mississippi State University.
For its part, the self-described “next-generation energy company” will invest around $500 million in equipment, building and land by 2015. KiOR also says its costs for wages and “direct local purchases” will total an estimated $85 million.
Since 2007, the privately-owned company has developed its Re-Crude™ biofuel from wood-based biomass like wood chips. Its “proprietary catalyst system” is said to produce renewable high-quality oil that can easily be converted to gasoline, jet or diesel fuel using “standard refinery operating equipment.” According to KiOR, its Re-Crude™ product doesn’t require the extensive and costly infrastructure needed to process and transport types of biofuels.
While KiOR will use woody biomass produced in Mississippi for its upcoming facilities, the company is also developing plans to create biofuel from agricultural residue and “purpose grown energy crops.” KiOR is currently demonstrating its wood-based biomass conversion process at its plant in Houston.
President and CEO of KiOR Fred Cannon shared his enthusiasm for the Mississippi partnership in Monday’s official press release:
“This partnership with the State of Mississippi will help us to rapidly scale our technology while creating quality jobs and spurring economic development in the State. We’re excited about making a meaningful and near-term contribution to easing our country’s dependence on foreign oil, reducing greenhouse gas emissions and providing a boost to rural economies,” Cannon said.
To learn more about KiOR, its partnership with the state of Mississippi, and its biomass conversion process, please visit:
http://epkzone.com/KiOR/docs/KiOR%20Press%20release.pdf
http://epkzone.com/KiOR/docs/KiOR-MS%20Agreement%20Fact%20Sheet.pdf
http://epkzone.com/KiOR/kior_animation.html
