IDAHO GO-GO JUICE
Idaho Embraces the Move to Alternative Energy
By Headwaters News, 2-13-07
It’s pretty clear by now that energy produced from sources other than fossil fuels isn’t just for liberal wonks and science geeks anymore. Wind, solar, geothermal, biofuels — these are a smattering of the energy sources we’ll be working with for years to come to wean ourselves off of petroleum and coal, sources that get us into climate, environmental and political trouble.
Western states have taken the burgeoning interest in alternative energy to sell themselves economically and politically to the rest of the country, and the world. Even Idaho, still a darling to conservatism and tradition, has jumped on the alternatively fueled bandwagon to play a role.
The New York Times reported over the weekend that Iogen, a Canadian company, wants to open a large biorefinery (we’ll be seeing more of these new energy monikers) that will produce ethanol from native grasses, stalks and field waste and wood chips. The article also notes that another company, this one backed in part by Bill Gates, wants to build a corn-ethanol plant in Burley. Right now, most ethanol, which is an alcohol-based fuel, is produced from corn, but corn is expensive to grow, and, one could argue, more valuable for what it already is: food.
The appealing idea behind biorefineries like these is that they would be built in the heartland, employ locals to grow or collect the raw materials, run the systems that transform them into fuel and then transport them to other markets. Biorefineries could redefine rural America and give both Main Street and Wall Street a stiff shot in the arm.
But the transition won’t be so easy. As the Times notes, those refineries are going to have to be big and numerous to keep rural America alive, and that that in itself could have implications. What happens when all of Iowa or southern Idaho is covered with corn fields to make fuel?
An article in the Twin Falls Times News raises another debate. Some in Idaho want to use the harvest waste from a million acres of wheat fields on the Palouse to power the type of biorefinery Iogen is considering. The material and the technology is there, advocates say. But some farmers aren’t willing to give up or sell what the energy mongers see as “waste.” Those stalks, sticks and bits left over after harvest become next year’s fertilizer and a soil stabilizer for the windy prairie. Buying from Peter to invest in Paul may not be so good for Peter.
Wind-energy advocates in Idaho are also working on integrating turbine-produced power into the main electricity grid. And the main power producers and distributors welcome the opportunity, but not for free. Idaho Power says it will be glad to buy wind-produced energy, but only if the “windustry” will help pay for the infrastructure to connect the systems. Battle lines are drawn there, because the wind companies say what the big power company wants to charge, in the form of a reduced price for the energy, is too much.
In a recent op-ed in the Idaho Statesman, Tracy Lotz, a business owner and former Idaho GOP vice chairman and Dave Chase, an entrepreneur and retired Microsoft executive and volunteer with Climate Solutions, tout what they call the Idaho Energy Plan, also called the Idaho Declaration of Energy Independence. In it, they outline how the state should be able to export more power than it imports, and do so using alternative energy sources.
They write: “The emerging clean energy sector is built on renewable energy sources grown substantially on farms and ranches, and generated and delivered by advanced energy technology systems. Idaho’s core strengths in agriculture and high technology position the Idaho economy to lead and prosper in the clean energy sector.”
The stumbling block in Idaho, though, may be the political leadership. So far, industry has lead the charge, while political leaders and lawmakers have said little on the issue.
Another alternative (one which advertises here at newwest.com) is a company called Citizenre, which is planning on revolutionizing the solar market by offering systems to homeowners nationwide w/o the massive upfront investments such systems have traditionally required. I'll admit upfront that this past weekend, I signed up to become an independent "ecopreneur" with Citizenre and hope that when their manufacturing plant comes online later this year or early next year, that they'll begin installing millions of these systems in an effort to reduce our dependence on fossil fuel burning power sources. For anyone interested in learning more, either click on the ad on the climate change page at newwest.com or go to:
renu.citizenre.com
and look over their site.
In the news today was an article under the banner, "Give peas a chance." Apparently, the rising cost of corn from biofuels development is driving livestock raisers to seek other feed sources.
Comment By Jay Draiman, Energy Consultant, 2-14-07MANDATORY RENEWABLE ENERGY – THE ENERGY EVOLUTION –R13
In order to insure energy and economic independence as well as better economic growth without being blackmailed by foreign countries, our country, the United States of America’s Utilization of Energy Sources must change.
"Energy drives our entire economy.” We must protect it. "Let's face it, without energy the whole economy and economic society we have set up would come to a halt. So you want to have control over such an important resource that you need for your society and your economy." The American way of life is not negotiable.
Our continued dependence on fossil fuels could and will lead to catastrophic consequences.
The federal, state and local government should implement a mandatory renewable energy installation program for residential and commercial property on new construction and remodeling projects with the use of energy efficient material, mechanical systems, appliances, lighting, retrofits etc. The source of energy must be by renewable energy such as Solar-Photovoltaic, Geothermal, Wind, Biofuels, Ocean-Tidal, Hydrogen-Fuel Cell etc. This includes the utilizing of water from lakes, rivers and oceans to circulate in cooling towers to produce air conditioning and the utilization of proper landscaping to reduce energy consumption. (Sales tax on renewable energy products and energy efficiency should be reduced or eliminated)
The implementation of mandatory renewable energy could be done on a gradual scale over the next 10 years. At the end of the 10 year period all construction and energy use in the structures throughout the United States must be 100% powered by renewable energy. (This can be done by amending building code)
In addition, the governments must impose laws, rules and regulations whereby the utility companies must comply with a fair “NET METERING” (the buying of excess generation from the consumer at market price), including the promotion of research and production of “renewable energy technology” with various long term incentives and grants. The various foundations in existence should be used to contribute to this cause.
A mandatory time table should also be established for the automobile industry to gradually produce an automobile powered by renewable energy. The American automobile industry is surely capable of accomplishing this task. As an inducement to buy hybrid automobiles (sales tax should be reduced or eliminated on American manufactured automobiles).
This is a way to expedite our energy independence and economic growth. (This will also create a substantial amount of new jobs). It will take maximum effort and a relentless pursuit of the private, commercial and industrial government sectors’ commitment to renewable energy – energy generation (wind, solar, hydro, biofuels, geothermal, energy storage (fuel cells, advance batteries), energy infrastructure (management, transmission) and energy efficiency (lighting, sensors, automation, conservation) (rainwater harvesting, water conservation) (energy and natural resources conservation) in order to achieve our energy independence.
"To succeed, you have to believe in something with such a passion that it becomes a reality."
Jay Draiman, Energy Consultant
Northridge, CA. 91325
Feb. 14, 2007
P.S. I have a very deep belief in America's capabilities. Within the next 10 years we can accomplish our energy independence, if we as a nation truly set our goals to accomplish this.
I happen to believe that we can do it. In another crisis--the one in 1942--President Franklin D. Roosevelt said this country would build 60,000 [50,000] military aircraft. By 1943, production in that program had reached 125,000 aircraft annually. They did it then. We can do it now.
"the way we produce and use energy must fundamentally change."
The American people resilience and determination to retain the way of life is unconquerable and we as a nation will succeed in this endeavor of Energy Independence.
The Oil Companies should be required to invest a substantial percentage of their profit in renewable energy R&D;and implementation. Those who do not will be panelized by the public at large by boy cutting their products.
Solar energy is the source of all energy on the earth (excepting volcanic geothermal). Wind, wave and fossil fuels all get their energy from the sun. Fossil fuels are only a battery which will eventually run out. The sooner we can exploit all forms of Solar energy (cost effectively or not against dubiously cheap FFs) the better off we will all be. If the battery runs out first, the survivors will all be living like in the 18th century again.
Every new home built should come with a solar package. A 1.5 kW per bedroom is a good rule of thumb. The formula 1.5 X's 5 hrs per day X's 30 days will produce about 225 kWh per bedroom monthly. This peak production period will offset 17 to 2
4 cents per kWh with a potential of $160 per month or about $60,000 over the 30-year mortgage period for a three-bedroom home. It is economically feasible at the current energy price and the interest portion of the loan is deductible. Why not?
Title 24 has been mandated forcing developers to build energy efficient homes. Their bull-headedness put them in that position and now they see that Title 24 works with little added cost. Solar should also be mandated and if the developer designs a home that solar is impossible to do then they should pay an equivalent mitigation fee allowing others to put solar on in place of their negligence. (Installation should be paid “performance based”).
Installation of renewable energy and its performance should be paid to the installer and manufacturer based on "performance based" (that means they are held accountable for the performance of the product - that includes the automobile industry). This will gain the trust and confidence of the end-user to proceed with such a project; it will also prove to the public that it is a viable avenue of energy conservation.
Installing a renewable energy system on your home or business increases the value of the property and provides a marketing advantage.
Nations of the world should unite and join together in a cohesive effort to develop and implement MANDATORY RENEWABLE ENERGY for the sake of humankind and future generations.
The head of the U.S. government's renewable energy lab said Monday (Feb. 5) that the federal government is doing "embarrassingly few things" to foster renewable energy, leaving leadership to the states at a time of opportunity to change the nation's energy future. "I see little happening at the federal level. Much more needs to happen." What's needed, he said, is a change of our national mind set. Instead of viewing the hurdles that still face renewable sources and setting national energy goals with those hurdles in mind, we should set ambitious national renewable energy goals and set about overcoming the hurdles to meet them. We have an opportunity, an opportunity we can take advantage of or an opportunity we can squander and let go,"
solar energy - the direct conversion of sunlight with solar cells, either into electricity or hydrogen, faces cost hurdles independent of their intrinsic efficiency. Ways must be found to lower production costs and design better conversion and storage systems.
FEDERAL BUILDINGS WITH SOLAR ENERGY – Renewable Energy
All government buildings, Federal, State, County, City etc. should be mandated to be energy efficient and must use renewable energy on all new structures and and structures that are been remodeled/upgraded.
"The goverment should serve as an example to its citizens"
Jay Draiman
Northridge, CA 91325
Email:
Jay,
While I certainly agree with the spirit of your post, your use of the word "mandatory" so many times is going to cause more heartache and grief than applause. There is an entrenched sector of our society that will reflexively reject anything that is "mandatory," especially if it is coming from governmental sources. Instead of making these requirements mandatory, it may have a better chance of success by providing strong market incentives to pursue these alternatives instead, and placing strong disincentives in the market for ignoring alternative energy (though conservatives would rail against governmental interference with the market in that case, I suppose).
I think you should include some of the environmental, climate, and political troubles that our current energy source has gotten us into.
Thank you!
Mark of the Thing
Gain Independence from your Utility Company.
Imagine your electric bill being as low as your cable bill. You could also be eligible for generous government rebates when you decide to convert to solar. When your system generates more electricity than you’re consuming, your utility meter will actually spin backwards. You accrue credit with your utility company at the same rate they are charging you. This allows you to reduce your electric bill and drive it toward zero. By using solar power, you can also reduce the amount of electricity you have to buy. Once the equipment has been installed, the electricity generated is free! In addition, PV panels typically have a long life and with no moving parts, they require minimal maintenance. See Link below for some awesome solar energy products! Save yourself money and the environment!
http://naturalsupply.blogspot.com/2007/05/no-more-electric-bill-welcome-to-solar.html
Sunlight Can Make Your Meter Spin Backwards. Sunlight is a renewable energy source and the conversion of sunlight into electricity via photovoltaic (PV) panels is an environmentally friendly process. It is one that is silent and produces no greenhouse gas emissions or other polluting by-products. You are actually helping the environment! Generating electricity from solar energy reduces your consumption of fossil fuels, which decreases pollution and greenhouse gas emission. By switching to solar power, you will combat global warming and reduce our nation’s dependence of foreign energy sources. Even a small solar electric system has a significant environmental impact. Did you ever leave a hose spread out on your ground in the summer and then hours later squirted it only to find out that the water is very hot? This is the same concept of how solar energy works. GO NATURAL!
http://naturalsupply.blogspot.com/2007/05/no-more-electric-bill-welcome-to-solar.html