Ten Northeastern states held carbon dioxide auctions selling credits for carbon emissions to electric utilities, who purchased the credits either to allow themselves to send carbon dioxide out the smokestacks of their own power plants, or to re-sell those credits to other utilities. The auction, a quarterly feature of North America's only working cap-and-trade regime for greenhouse gases, raised $80.5 million. The ten states have largely committed to promoting energy efficiency.
In the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI) states agreed to use auction proceeds to reducing energy usage. Some states have redirected use of the money.
New Jersey's Global Warming Response Act said 80 percent of the money should go toward energy-related causes. New Hampshire lawmakers voted to take all of the state's expected $3.1 million share of the proceeds and use it to help plug a $295 million budget hole. New York transferred $90 million out of a fund of auction proceeds and into its general fund. And New Jersey is poised to use $65 million from carbon-credit sales to help balance its budget, pending a vote of the Legislature.
RGGI is a simple concept: States cap pollution, charge polluters to pollute, and put the money back into programs that conserve energy. The RGGI raids not only violate the states' original agreement with each other, but also upend the idea that cap-and-trade was supposed to save ratepayers money on their energy bills in the long run. It means cap-and-trade will cost money now instead of saving money.
The RGGI raids would seem to confirm the fears of critics: that cap and trade is a back door tax. With three states stashing extra auction proceeds in their general funds, there’s evidence to support the view that cap-and-trade regimes amount to just another tax.
RGGI held its first auction of carbon allowances in September 2008. Ten states now participate — Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Rhode Island and Vermont. The auctions have raised a total of $663 million.
Although RGGI is a collaborative effort, it is ten different programs in ten different states. That’s one reason why the states have reached very different conclusions about whether or not to dip into their RGGI funds.
In Rhode Island, state law would prevents using the auction funds to fill a budget hole. In Maryland last year, lawmakers diverted RGGI money from energy-efficiency programs to helping low-income residents with their power bills.
In New York last December, Governor David Paterson proposed and the Legislature approved putting half of the state’s available RGGI money toward the general fund, even though state regulations called for it to be spent on energy efficiency.
New Jersey’s global warming law directs where the RGGI money is supposed to go. The catch there is that it’s not constitutionally dedicated, which allows the governor and lawmakers to raid it for budget purposes. Making the money constitutionally dedicated, which would be the next step in protecting RGGI money, requires a two-thirds vote by the Legislature and a ballot vote by state residents.
In New Hampshire, the RGGI money was legally dedicated to energy efficiency. That’s why the state Legislature had to vote for it to be spent toward the budget. (Stateline.org, 6/26/2010)
Saturday, June 26, 2010
Cap-and-Trade Revenues Fixing State Budget Shortfalls
Friday, June 11, 2010
RGGI CO2 Auction Nets $80.4 Million in Proceeds
Current Control Period Allowances Sold at $1.88Future Control Period Allowances Sold at $1.86
The ten states participating in the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI), the nation’s first mandatory, market-based program to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, today announced the results of the second quarterly auction of carbon dioxide (CO2) allowances in 2010. The auction, held Wednesday, June 9th, yielded $80,465,566.78 for states to invest in the clean energy economy. 40,685,585 CO2 allowances for the first three-year control period (2009-2011) offered in Wednesday’s auction sold at a price of $1.88. In a parallel offering, the RGGI states also auctioned CO2 allowances for the second three-year control period (2012-2014). A total of 2,137,993 CO2 allowances for the second control period sold at a price of $1.86.
Proceeds from all the RGGI auctions now total more than $662.8 million. States are investing these proceeds in consumer benefit programs that further reduce emissions, save consumers money and create jobs. Overall, states are investing the vast majority of proceeds to improve energy efficiency and accelerate the deployment of renewable energy technologies. Overall, states are investing roughly 60 percent of the proceeds from RGGI CO2 allowance auctions in energy efficiency, the most cost-effective resource for reducing energy demand in the near-term.
Energy efficiency measures, such as building retrofits, heating system replacements and appliance upgrades, save consumers 20 to 30 percent off their energy bills. While states maximize near-term energy efficiency opportunities, they are also investing in renewable energy sources for a long-term clean energy future. Across the region, funds are being used to install solar, wind and geothermal energy generation systems in commercial and industrial facilities and to deploy solar energy and hot water systems on homes and businesses. States are beginning to document both the direct consumer benefits and the broad economic gains that the investment of RGGI proceeds is bringing to the region.
For example, in Connecticut, electric and gas energy efficiency programs, funded in part with RGGI proceeds, are producing more than $4.00 in benefits for every $1.00 invested. New York is showing a greater than 8 to 1 benefit for every dollar invested in renewable energy systems.
To learn more about how each state is investing RGGI auction proceeds
Additional details about RGGI Auction 8: Market Monitor Report for Auction 8 available
The next RGGI auction is scheduled for September 8, 2010.
SELECTED INVESTMENT HIGHLIGHTS
Selected investment highlights from each of the ten RGGI states include the following:
Renewable Energy
* Connecticut has approved $1.3M of its RGGI allocation for municipal projects in the On-Site Distributed Generation Program -- the allocation funds solar PV energy systems on municipal buildings. Between November 2009 and May 2010, 9 projects were approved, 7 on schools and 2 on town buildings. Together, the projects will add 415 kW of clean, renewable power to the grid.
* Maryland has invested $2.16M in its RGGI proceeds in its Solar Energy Grant Program -- a program to provide grants for solar electricity and hot water systems on homes and businesses. Since RGGI began, over 400 grants have been awarded to residents across the state. The grants helped add over 1,700 MWh of clean, renewable solar power to the grid.
* New Jersey has invested $19.4M in its Clean Energy Solutions Capital Investment Loan/Grant Program -- a program to provide zero-interest loans and grants for large-scale renewable energy and energy efficiency projects. Through April 2010, 8 projects have received grants or loans for combined heat and power (CHP) systems, commercial-scale solar electric systems and a feasibility study for an offshore wind turbine installation. The funded CHP and solar-electric systems represent 14 MW of new, clean generation capacity.
Energy Efficiency
* Maine has invested $3.5M in its Industrial Energy Efficiency Grant Program -- a program to provide grants between $100,000 and $1 million for large-scale energy efficiency projects, including CHP systems. In 2009, a total of 16 grants were awarded, 6 of which were funded by RGGI. The 6 RGGI projects will avoid more than 367,560 metric tons of CO2 over their lifetime.
* New Hampshire has invested $500K in its EnergySmart Schools Program -- a program to provide energy benchmarking services to New Hampshire’s K-12 schools. Each school will receive a report which documents energy use, costs and emissions for each building, and provides recommendations for immediate strategies to reduce energy use.
* Rhode Island has committed $3.95M to the Least Cost Procurement Energy Efficiency Utility Account at National Grid for supplementing and expanding energy efficiency programs, including: home energy audits, Energy Star lighting and appliance rebates, high-efficiency heating, water heating and controls incentives, Energy Star central air conditioning rebates and energy efficiency educational programs.
* Delaware has invested RGGI proceeds in the Sustainable Energy Utility’s Energize Delaware Appliance Rebate Program -- a program to provide rebates of up to $200 for the purchase of an Energy Star-qualified clothes washer, dishwasher, room air conditioner, or gas water heater. Since September 2009, the program has provided more than 10,000 rebates, saving consumers nearly $250,000.
* Vermont has invested RGGI proceeds in its Button-Up Vermont Program -- a program to provide free home energy-savings workshops where residents learn how to implement do-it-yourself measures to improve energy efficiency. Participants also learn about saving opportunities associated with energy retrofits, and about technical and financial resources available to them.
Workforce Development
* New York State committed $8M to the Workforce Development Programs -- To meet ambitious legislated goals for improving the energy efficiency of existing homes, New York is devoting substantial resources to greatly expand the workforce training infrastructure needed to prepare workers to design, install, and maintain energy efficiency initiatives. Funds will be used to provide apprenticeship and internship incentives to employers and training institutions, expand existing training centers, fund basic skill initiatives, provide funding for training equipment, and improve field testing process and certification examinations to help increase the number of qualified workers. The funds are projected to significantly increase the number of workers that have been trained over the past few years.
* Massachusetts has invested $1.9M in its Energy Efficiency Skills and Innovation Initiative -- a program to train the state’s cutting edge green collar workforce. Under the program, Springfield Technical Community College is serving as a statewide clearinghouse for energy efficiency training activities, materials and services, and is coordinating job training at community colleges across the state.
About the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative: The 10 Northeast and Mid-Atlantic states participating in RGGI (Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New Hampshire, New York, Rhode Island and Vermont) have designed and implemented the first market-based, mandatory cap-and-trade program in the U.S. to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Power sector CO2 emissions are capped at 188 million short tons per year through 2014. The cap will then be reduced by 2.5 percent in each of the four years 2015 through 2018, for a total reduction of 10 percent.
A CO2 allowance represents a limited authorization to emit one short ton of CO2, as issued by a respective participating state. A regulated power plant must hold CO2 allowances equal to its emissions to demonstrate compliance at the end of each three-year control period. The first control period for fossil fuel-fired electric generators under each state’s CO2 Budget Trading Program took effect on January 1, 2009 and extends through December 31, 2011. CO2 allowances for the first control period (2009-2011) may be used to meet current compliance obligations, or may be banked for use in future control periods. CO2 allowances for the second control period (2012-2014) can only be used to meet compliance obligations beginning in 2012. CO2 allowances issued by any participating state are usable across all state programs, so that the ten individual state CO2 Budget Trading Programs, in aggregate, form one regional compliance market for CO2 emissions.
RGGI, Inc. was created to provide technical and administrative services to the states participating in the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative. RGGI, Inc. is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization. The RGGI auctions are administered by RGGI, Inc. and run on an online platform provided by World Energy Solutions, Inc.
Monday, May 3, 2010
Monday, March 15, 2010
RGGI CO2 1st Quarterly Auction of 2010
RGGI CO2 AUCTIONS YIELD MILLIONS FOR INVESTMENT IN CLEAN ENERGY, JOB CREATION Current Control Period Allowances Sold at $2.07 Future Control Period Allowances Sold at $1.86
The states participating in the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI)has announced the results of the first quarterly auction of carbon dioxide (CO2) allowances in 2010. The auction, held Wednesday, March 10th, yielded $87,956,944.56 for investment in the clean energy economy. All of the 40,612,408 CO2 allowances for the first three-year control period (2009-2011) offered in Wednesday’s auction sold at a price of $2.07.
In a parallel offering, the RGGI states also auctioned CO2 allowances for the second three-year control period (2012-2014). A total of 2,091,000 of the 2,137,992 CO2 allowances for the second control period sold at a price of $1.86. Unsold allowances may be sold in future auctions according to each state’s regulations. Proceeds from all auctions held to date now total more than $582.3 million.
States are investing proceeds to improve energy efficiency and accelerate the deployment of renewable energy technologies, creating thousands of jobs. With each successful auction, the RGGI states continue to show that cap-and-trade works and can jumpstart a green economy with fewer emissions, lower electric bills and more jobs. Across the region, businesses are hiring workers to implement the growing variety of energy efficiency and renewable energy programs funded with RGGI CO2 allowance proceeds.
Energy auditing and weatherization are just two of many technical services needed to build a clean energy economy. RGGI state investments in energy efficiency also create jobs in design, manufacturing and technology development. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, every one million dollar investment in building weatherization creates more than 50 jobs in the installation of weatherization measures and another 10 to 20 jobs in the production of energy-efficient building materials.
Maryland recently invested $750,000 of RGGI CO2 allowance proceeds to provide energy efficiency-related job training to more than 600 contractors at 13 community colleges across the state. The Home Energy Retrofit and Weatherization Workforce Training Program, established in part by the state’s investment of RGGI proceeds, offers a "one-stop" training source for any energy retrofit career path in the state, including contractors working with local weatherization agencies and Maryland’s utility providers.
Similarly, New York State is investing RGGI proceeds to train hundreds of workers needed to improve the efficiency of homes and businesses to meet the state's aggressive energy efficiency targets. As part of its $112 million investment in building sector energy efficiency improvements and job training the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) will partner with constituency-based organizations, community colleges, unions and other groups to build and expand training and certification programs for emerging workers, building remodelers, HVAC technicians, energy auditors and engineers.
RGGI Program Investments
RGGI Auction 7 Market Monitor Report
Center President Delivers Keynote at Medgar Ever College
Medgar Evers College initiate this public service event, dubbed the Annual Environmental Issues Conference in March 1996. This conference has become an imporatnt venue for disseminating environmental information to the public and for environmental professionals to interact with students and community members. Today they focused on greening of the academic curriculum. The hope to demonstrate a link between a green inspired curriculum and a green economy.Message from the Conference Chairperson
"While we in the colleges are developing a green inspired curriculum we must safeguard against any perception of "green" as yet another gimmick. The curriculum must stress the real-world connection of green with healthier communities, more energy efficient homes and environmental sustainability."McDonald was introduced by Michael G. Flanigan, Development Manager, External Relations MEC. Drs. Wilber Hope and Mohsin Patwary presented awards. The afternoon session inluded panesl on Environmental Sustainability, Green Initiatives, and Science Panel.
Other Co-Sponsors include: NBC/Universal, NASA, National Science Foundation, Department of Physical , Environmental & Computer Sciences, Du Bois Bunche Center for Public Policy, MEC, and the School of Scenic, Health and Technology.
Friday, March 12, 2010
NYU Climate Action Plan to Reduce Carbon Footprint
New York University today released its Climate Action Plan (CAP), a comprehensive approach to reducing the University’s carbon footprint and enhancing its overall sustainability. NYU’s CAP details the University’s current greenhouse gas inventory, lays out specific and effective projects to mitigate these emissions using current fiscally sound technologies while maintaining NYU’s vital teaching, learning, and research missions.The full report can be found at: The development of NYU’s Climate Action Plan was spurred on by the signing of two separate commitments to mitigate climate change: Mayor Bloomberg’s PlaNYC Climate Challenge, and the American College and University Presidents’ Climate Commitment (ACUPCC).
* PlaNYC Climate Challenge: NYU will reduce its greenhouse gas emissions per square foot by 30 percent from FY 2006 levels by FY 2017. This commitment offers a framework to reduce emissions in an immediate, ambitious and tangible way.
* ACUPCC: NYU commits to a goal of achieving “climate neutrality” (i.e. net zero emissions) by FY 2040. This will be accomplished by upgrading University buildings through efficiency and conservation, generating cleaner on-site and renewable energy, fostering behavioral shifts and culture change, planning for green building, and offsetting remaining emissions.
NYU’s CAP is structured around four major emissions reduction strategies:
1. Reduce Energy Intensity-50 percent of NYU’s climate neutrality goal: NYU will reduce the amount of energy used in buildings through conservation, “green” construction and renovation, retrofits and upgrades, and operational innovations to run buildings more effectively. In the coming years, NYU will set Energy Use Index (EUI) targets, which will help prioritize buildings to retrofit in order to maximize emissions reductions. This strategy will encompass the largest share of NYU’s emissions reductions, while also accounting for the University’s physical growth. Initial efforts have already resulted in 20% emissions cuts.
2. Generate and Use Cleaner Energy-30 percent of NYU’s climate neutrality goal: NYU will generate cleaner energy on-site with an upgraded and expanded cogeneration power plant. Starting this year, the new plant will annually mitigate 23 percent of NYU’s baseline FY 2006 emissions. NYU will also minimize the use of fuel oil to heat buildings, replacing it where possible with cleaner, more efficient energy sources.
3. Generate Renewable Energy-10 percent of NYU’s climate neutrality goal: NYU is exploring options to develop on-site distributed renewable energy generation projects on its buildings, including wind and solar technologies. NYU sees immediate potential for viable projects offering a positive return on investment using current technologies and through support by state and federal incentives.
4. Reduce / Offset Remaining Emissions-10 percent of NYU’s climate neutrality goal: Given the constraints of a dense urban environment, it is likely that NYU will purchase high-quality, credible offsets to accomplish long-term climate goals. The University will seek out transparent, local-based offsetting programs that offer added social, environmental, and educational value.
About New York University: New York University is located in the heart of Greenwich Village. Founded in 1831, it is one of America’s foremost research universities and a member of the selective Association of American Universities. It is one of the largest private universities, it is a leader in attracting international students and scholars in the U.S, and it sends more students to study abroad than any other U.S. college or university. Through its 14 schools and colleges, NYU conducts research and provides education in the arts and sciences, law, medicine, business, dentistry, education, nursing, the cinematic and performing arts, music and studio arts, public administration, social work, and continuing and professional studies, among other areas.
Tuesday, March 9, 2010
iMoveGREEN: NY's First Ecological Moving Company
Now You Can Reduce, Renew & Recycle While You Relocate!
iMoveGREEN, the country’s only moving company in EPA's Green Power Partnership is open for business this week. The sister endeavor to iStoreGreen launched successfully in 2008, iMoveGREEN employs eco-friendly systems, materials and programs that aim to avoid excesses, while efficiently and affordably executing relocations. A promising and progressive evolution of veteran moving company, Meyer’s Moving & Storage, iMoveGREEN repurposes the organization’s 25 year industry experience; converting it for the “conservational” era with intentions of hope and humanity.
So what makes a moving company green …? Beyond offering its customers biodegradable packing materials and reusable plastic boxes for transport, the iMoveGREEN business facility is appropriately powered by 100% renewable wind energy; drastically decreasing company fossil fuel use. Proving further environmentally conscience, the corporation adheres to an eco-friendly cleaning code, by which company vehicles are washed solely with recycled water and entirely green washing supplies; keeping chemicals from infiltrating the air. All surveyors drive a hybrid Toyota Prius, and an advanced recycling initiative is underway for the renewal of discarded moving materials and office waste.
The Nature Conservancy and iMoveGREEN have created a partnership where a percentage of proceeds from each move are allocated to the planting of trees in the Brazilian rainforest. Next are the “Green education” programs established to edify employees; further offering them wholesale rates on the purchase of eco-friendly items like CFL and LED light bulbs, recycled paper towels, coffee mugs and green cleaning products.
A Green Starter Kit is presented to each new customer; inclusive of a reusable tote, coffee mug, green-living brochure and housewarming plant. In efforts to ensure service is as good as it is green, the kit contains a client satisfaction survey, for which every one returned means an additional tree is planted in the Brazilian Rainforest. Such surveys and all additional marketing materials are printed on recycled paper using strictly soy ink.
iMoveGREEN is an EPA certified, fully-licensed and insured moving company specializing in domestic and international relocations, trade-show transport, office moves and more. The organization exhibits seasonally at New York’s GoGreenExpo. The home office of iMoveGREEN is 370 Concord Avenue, Bronx NY.
Wednesday, February 24, 2010
Energy Experts Discuss Northeastern Energy at National Grid
Norris McDonald, Martin Cook, Carolyn Green, Frank Stewart
The American Association of Blacks in Energy (AABE) and the Alliance of Black Professionals (ABP)
held an energy forum today at National Grid in Brooklyn, New York with the theme:
“Future of Northeast Energy – What is on the Horizon?”
Panelists included:
Lisa Crutchfield, National Grid
Martin Cook, National Grid
Carolyn Green, National Chair of AABE
Frank Stewart, National President of AABE
Moderator: Norris McDonald, President Center for Environment, Commerce & Energy, African American Environmentalist Association
The forum was held in the Metrotech Auditorium and covered a broad array of electricity, energy and environmental issues facing the Northeast. Some questions considered included: Is there adequate electrical capacity to satisfy the needs of Northeastern states in the next few years? Will energy prices negatively affect the Northeast? How could pending carbon dioxide regulations affect the Northeast? What about the influence of the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI) on a project 'low-carbon' future? Do you know of any policies that are being put into place to address energy efficiency and alternative technology marketing techniques? How are companies and organizations looking to address the "green divide" to make sure minority communities in the Northeast region are not being left behind? Many other questions were addressed during the forum.
Photo: Stephanie George. Renee McClure, Martin Cook, Norris McDonald, Jose Garcia (kneeling), Carolyn Green, Frank Stewart, Bill Suggs, Akil Friday
Tuesday, February 16, 2010
New York State Energy-Efficient Appliance Rebate Program
Your eligible appliance(s) must be purchased between February 12th through 21st, 2010 to qualify
"New York’s Great Appliance Swap Out" website provides all the information you need in order to participate. This rebate program, administered by the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA), is available to residential consumers replacing existing appliances of the same type with new ENERGY STAR® qualified appliances or High Efficiency ENERGY STAR appliances. A larger rebate will be granted to consumers who recycle their discarded appliances.
Two rebate options are offered under "New York’s Great Appliance Swap Out" Rebate Program. Please click on the links below to view all of the eligibility guidelines for each option:
Option 1 – Single Appliance Rebate (eligible appliances: ENERGY STAR refrigerators, freezers and clothes washers) and
Option 2 – Appliance Bundle Rebate (eligible appliances: High Efficiency ENERGY STAR refrigerators, clothes washers and dishwashers)
This rebate program was made possible thanks to grants issued by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) to States and Territories to provide American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) funding to develop and implement Energy-Efficient Appliance Rebate Programs.
More information:
Fill out Rebate Application OnlineCheck the Status of your Rebate Application
Monday, January 11, 2010
Activists To Protest Carbon Trading Summit
Activists call for climate justice outside Carbon Trading Summit, warn that carbon trading will fail to stop climate change
• James Hansen, climate scientist, to speak at Tuesday event outside summit, share criticism of carbon trading. Hansen has been an outspoken critic of carbon trading.
• Activists rally, protest outside summit Wednesday. Other speakers include religious community leader, carbon tax expert.
Climate justice activists, many of whom were at the Copenhagen climate summit, will converge outside the 2nd Annual Carbon Trading Summit on January 12-13 to oppose market-based trading of greenhouse gas emissions credits and call for real solutions to the climate crisis.
Participants at the Carbon Trading Summit will include executives from JP Morgan Chase, Goldman Sachs, Duke Energy and more. Hansen has criticized these companies, writing "they are spending enormous amounts of money to be sure that cap-and-trade is doctored to allow as much business-as-usual emissions to continue as long as possible."Hansen will be joined by religious community leader Father Paul Mayer, co-founder of the Climate Crisis Coalition; Cecil Corbin-Mark of WE ACT for Environmental Justice and Harlem community organizer; and Charles Komanoff, Carbon Tax Center.
SCHEDULE OF EVENTS:
** Presentation by journalist and climate activist Tina Gerhardt: "From COP 15 to Climate Justice Movement"
When: Monday, Jan 11, 7 pm - 9:00 pm
Where: Bluestockings Bookstore, 172 Allen St (between Houston & Delancey St)
** Press Event with JAMES HANSEN, renowned climate scientist.
Also featuring Cecil Corbin-Mark of WE ACT for Environmental Justice, Harlem community organizer; Charles Komanoff, Carbon Tax Center; and Father Paul Mayer, Climate Crisis Coalition, representing concerned members of the interfaith religious community.
When: Tuesday, Jan 12, noon
Where: Irish Hunger Memorial Park, Vesey St, 2 blocks west of West St
** Rally and protest action outside of the 2nd Annual Carbon Trading Summit (Embassy Suites Hotel)
When: Wednesday, Jan 13, noon
Where: Irish Hunger Memorial Park, Vesey St, 2 blocks west of West St
Gallery House Raffles Paintings to Plant Million Trees
Two original paintings will be raffled off with the proceeds donated to MillionTreesNYC
Brooklyn, NY: Gallery House is proud to present “EARTH,” an environmentally themed group exhibition. This exhibition in both form and function is meant to celebrate and highlight the challenges our planet is currently facing.
Two receptions will be held during which one original painting will be raffled off with the proceeds donated to MillionTreesNYC, a public-private initiative between the City of New York and New York Restoration Project to plant and care for one million trees across New York City by 2017. The gallery will be open by appointment from February 5th through March 12th.
What: Gallery House Presents “EARTH’”
When: Wednesday, February 10 & Thursday, February 25, 2010 from 7:30pm – 11:00pm
Where: Gallery House 272 Clinton Ave. Brooklyn NY, 11205
About Gallery House
Galley House is a Clinton Hill based organization dedicated to the sharing of ideas pressing our world today. Through our hosted reception, we aim to gather and communicate said ideas through art, music and other types of artistic expression.
About MillionTreesNYC
MillionTreesNYC is a citywide, public-private initiative with an ambitious goal: to plant and care for one million new trees across the City's five boroughs by 2017. By planting one million trees, New York City can increase its urban forest - our most valuable environmental asset made up of street trees, park trees, and trees on public, private and commercial land - by an astounding 20%, while achieving the many quality-of-life benefits that come with planting trees.
The New York City Department of Parks & Recreation (Parks) will plant 60% of the trees in parks, on streets, and in other public spaces. The other 40% - coordinated through New York Restoration Project (NYRP) – will be planted by private organizations, homeowners and community organizations. Parks and NYRP are working with community partners to assess tree planting opportunities on schoolyards, public housing campuses, health care facilities, business districts, commercial and residential developments, front yards and other private lands.
Saturday, January 9, 2010
John Herron Named New CEO of Entergy Nuclear
John Herron, left, has been named president, CEO and chief nuclear officer of Entergy, effective 1 December. In his new role as chief nuclear officer of Entergy, he is responsible for the operation and management of 9 sites and 11 reactors at Entergy’s nuclear plants in Arkansas, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Michigan, Mississippi, New York and Vermont. In addition, Herron oversees Entergy’s management services for the Cooper Nuclear Station, owned by Nebraska Public Power District. Herron began his career in the Navy as an instructor at the Nuclear Submarine Prototype School. Herron also held top management roles with the Tennessee Valley Authority in top management roles at their Sequoyah and Browns Ferry nuclear plants. He excelled in subsequent roles at Vermont Yankee Nuclear Power Corporation and the Cooper Nuclear Station before joining Entergy in February 2001 as vice president, operations at Waterford 3 Nuclear Station in Taft, Louisiana.Entergy advanced Herron into roles in New York as the senior vice president of Indian Point Energy Center then as senior vice president for nuclear operations handling fleet management. He fills his new position created by the retirement of former CEO Mike Kansler.Herron holds a bachelor’s degree in business management from Franklin Pierce College in Rindge, New Hampshire.
Wednesday, December 23, 2009
EPA Releases New Mobile Source Emissions Model
An updated version of the Motor Vehicle Emission Simulator (MOVES) model – MOVES2010 – is now available for use to estimate air pollution from cars, trucks, and other on-road mobile sources. The model can also calculate the emissions reduction benefits from a range of mobile source control strategies, such as inspection and maintenance programs and local fuel standards.EPA will soon publish a Federal Register notice approving MOVES2010 for meeting official state implementation plan and transportation conformity requirements. The MOVES2010 model replaces EPA’s MOBILE6.2 emissions factor model.
Under the Clean Air Act, EPA is required to update regularly the way it calculates mobile source emissions. EPA is continuously collecting data and conducting emissions studies to assess the air quality impacts of on-road vehicles. As a result of using data collected from millions of cars and trucks gathered since MOBILE6.2 was released in 2004, MOVES2010 provides increased accuracy in emissions inventory results.
For the first time, the model can estimate emissions on a range of scales from national emissions impacts down to the impacts of individual transportation projects. Another improvement is the ability to express output as either total mass (in tons, pounds, kilograms, or grams) or as emissions factors (grams-per-mile, and in some cases, grams-per-vehicle). These changes to how EPA approaches mobile source emissions modeling are based, in part, upon recommendations made to the agency by the National Academy of Sciences.
More information on the MOVES2010 model
Friday, December 18, 2009
Smart Electricity Meters: Real Time Electricity Pricing
The vast majority of people are on fixed electricity meters, which simply measure how much electricity has been used. These are used by the utility company to calculate how much you owe them for the electricity you have consumed.
During the day there are peak times when many people are using a lot of electricity - for example, in the early evening when many lights, tv's, and computers are switched on, and ovens and kettles are being used to prepare meals. In the middle of the night demands drops right off.
A smart meter offers two way communication between the utility company (electricity supplier) and the consumer. When demand is high (and therefore wholesale electricity prices are very expensive) the utility company can pass high costs onto the consumer. When demand is low (and therefore wholesale electricity prices are very cheap) the utility company can pass savings to the consumer. This motivates consumers to use electricity when demand is least so that they can save money.
This video shows the 'In Home Energy Display' by General Electric
Long Island Power Authority Approves 50 MW Solar Project
The Long Island Power Authority (LIPA) Board of Trustees has approved power purchase agreements (PPAs) with BP Solar and enXco Development Corporation, creating the state's largest source of solar power on Long Island. LIPA's Solar Energy Project will introduce approximately 50 megawatts (MW) of renewable energy generated on Long Island onto LIPA's electric grid. LIPA will enter into PPAs with BP Solar and enXco Development Corp. to provide 32 MW and 17 MW of energy, respectively.In February 2009, LIPA officials announced the results of a competitive procurement process to install photovoltaic arrays, selecting BP Solar and enXco Development Corp. to provide LIPA with capacity, energy and associated renewable energy credits (RECs) from solar arrays to meet LIPA’s renewable energy goals. Both PPAs require the companies to construct, operate and maintain the project and achieve full operation by mid 2011.
BP Solar will construct its ground-mounted solar system at a cost of $298 million over the contracted 20-year term. enXco will install solar systems on car ports within existing parking lots, at railroad stations and other facilities owned by Suffolk County owned parking lots at a cost of $125 million over the contracted 20-year term.
The effect of the costs of The Long Island Solar Energy Project to LIPA customers is equivalent to approximately .83 cents per month per customer. To defray some of the costs of the solar project, LIPA is actively pursuing funding under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act in the amount of $15 million dollars and has already secured federal appropriations in the amount of $1.75 million. (RenewableEnergyWorld.com, 12/18/09)
Tuesday, December 15, 2009
Governor Paterson Releases Final NY State Energy Plan
The 2009 New York State Energy Plan (Plan or Energy Plan) sets forth a vision for a robust and innovative clean energy economy that will stimulate investment, create jobs and meet the energy needs of residents and businesses over its 10-year planning horizon. To that end, the Plan provides the framework within which the State will try to meet its future energy needs in a cost-effective and sustainable manner, establishes policy objectives to guide State agencies and authorities as they address energyrelated issues and sets forth strategies and recommendations to achieve these objectives.
The Plan‘s strategies and recommendations have been designed to meet five policy objectives:
Assure that New York has reliable energy and transportation systems;
Support energy and transportation systems that enable the State to significantly reduce
greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, both to do the State‘s part in responding to the dangers posed
by climate change and to position the State to compete in a national and global carbonconstrained economy;
Address affordability concerns of residents and businesses caused by rising energy bills, and
improve the State‘s economic competitiveness;
Reduce health and environmental risks associated with the production and use of energy across all sectors; and
Improve the State‘s energy independence and fuel diversity by developing in-state energy supply resources.
Five strategies are outlined in the Plan, which simultaneously achieve these multiple policy objectives. The strategies are: (1) produce, deliver and use energy more efficiently; (2) support development of instate energy supplies; (3) invest in energy and transportation infrastructure; (4) stimulate innovation in a clean energy economy; and (5) engage others in achieving the State‘s policy objectives.
Wednesday, December 9, 2009
Large Wind Project Proposed Offshore
The New York City Offshore Wind Collaborative (OWC), a group of utilities and government agencies, is requesting proposals next year from developers for a 350-megawatt wind farm near the Rockaway Peninsula in the Atlantic Ocean 13 miles from Queens. It is estimated that the project could cost more than $1 billion and involve more than 100 turbines. The OWC wants developers to finance the project and recoup their costs selling power to nearby utilities, beginning in 2015.
The Center supports the project. (WSJ, 12/9/09)
Monday, December 7, 2009
Holloway New Director of NY Department of Environment
Mayor Bloomberg has appointed Caswell F. Holloway IV, left, as the new commissioner of the New York Department of Environmental Protection. The position has a salary of $205,000. Caswell F. Holloway IV, 36, served as chief of staff to Deputy Mayor Edward Skyler since 2006, Mr. Holloway pushed through a plan for a citywide waste management system, oversaw the collection of human remains found at ground zero years after the attack; and drew up plans to revive the unsightly Gowanus Canal.
The Department of Environmental Protection has a budget of $1 billion, a work force of 6,000 and is responsible for maintaining the safety of the city’s air and water supply and collecting sewage. The agency does not develop environmental policy, a task handled by the mayor’s sustainability office. But the agency plays a crucial role in shaping and enforcing those policies. (NYT, 11/30/09)
Friday, December 4, 2009
RGGI States Complete Sixth Successful CO2 Auction
2012 Vintage Allowances Sold at $1.86
Proceeds Support Weatherization of Buildings and Other Consumer Benefit Programs
The states participating in the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI) today announced the results of the sixth regional auction of carbon dioxide (CO2) allowances, held Wednesday, December 2nd. The auction yielded $61,587,120.90, increasing the total amount of proceeds from RGGI auctions to more than $494.4 million. All of the 28,591,698 allowances for the 2009 vintage offered in Wednesday’s auction sold at a price of $2.05.
In a parallel offering, the RGGI states also auctioned allowances for the second three-year control period beginning January 1, 2012. A total of 1,599,000 of the 2,172,540 allowances for the 2012 vintage sold at a price of $1.86. Unsold allowances for the 2012 vintage year may be sold in future auctions according to each state’s regulations.
RGGI is showing that cap-and-trade works: six successful auctions, more than 100 bidders and $494 million for green energy and green jobs. States have chosen to auction nearly all allowances and to invest the proceeds in a variety of programs that reduce emissions, save consumers money, create jobs, and build the clean energy economy. The approach of winter highlights investments states are making to improve heating energy efficiency in homes and businesses. Across the region states are investing in programs to upgrade inefficient heating equipment, improve insulation, and replace old windows and doors.
To learn more about how each state is investing RGGI auction proceeds, please visit:
Additional details about RGGI Auction 6 may be found in the Market Monitor Report for Auction 6
About the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative
The 10 Northeast and Mid-Atlantic states participating in RGGI (Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New Hampshire, New York, Rhode Island and Vermont) have designed and implemented the first market-based, mandatory cap-and-trade program in the U.S. to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Power sector CO2 emissions are capped at 188 million short tons per year through 2014. The cap will then be reduced by 2.5 percent in each of the four years 2015 through 2018, for a total reduction of 10 percent. A CO2 allowance represents a limited authorization to emit one ton of CO2, as issued by a respective participating state. A regulated power plant must hold CO2 allowances equal to its emissions to demonstrate compliance at the end of each three-year control period.The first control period for fossil fuel-fired electric generators under each state’s CO2 Budget Trading Program took effect on January 1, 2009 and extends through December 31, 2011. Allowances issued by any participating state are usable across all state programs, so that the ten individual state CO2 Budget Trading Programs, in aggregate, form one regional compliance market for CO2 emissions.
RGGI, Inc. was created to provide technical and administrative services to the states participating in the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative. RGGI, Inc. is a 501(c) 3 nonprofit organization. The RGGI auctions are administered by RGGI, Inc. and run on an on-line platform provided by World Energy Solutions, Inc. (TSX: XWE).
Monday, November 23, 2009
RGGI Announces Election of New Executive Committee
The Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative, Inc. (RGGI, Inc.) today announced the election of new members to the Executive Committee of its Board of Directors. The new members will serve a one-year term from November 1, 2009. The Executive Committee acts on behalf of the Board of Directors to oversee the activities of RGGI, Inc. The Committee draws upon commissioners of environmental and energy agencies from across the RGGI region.
For 2009-2010 the Executive Committee will comprise:
David Littell, Commissioner of the Maine Department of Environmental Protection will serve as Chair;
Pete Grannis, Commissioner of the New York Department of Environmental Conservation will serve as a Vice Chair;
Clifton Below of the New Hampshire Public Utilities Commission will also serve as a Vice Chair;
Susanne Brogan, Commissioner of the Maryland Public Service Commission, will serve as Treasurer;
Michael Sullivan, Director of the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management, will serve as Secretary;
Laurie Burt, Commissioner of the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection will serve as a Member at Large of the Executive Committee;
Mark Mauriello, Commissioner of the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, will also serve as a Member at Large of the Executive Committee.
Biographies of Executive Committee & Board of Directors
About the Regional Greenhouse Gas InitiativeThe 10 Northeast and Mid-Atlantic states participating in RGGI (Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New Hampshire, New York, Rhode Island and Vermont) have designed and implemented the first market-based, mandatory cap-and-trade program in the U.S. to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Power sector CO2 emissions are capped at 188 million short tons per year through 2014. The cap will then be reduced by 2.5 percent in each of the four years 2015 through 2018, for a total reduction of 10 percent.
A CO2 allowance represents a limited authorization to emit one ton of CO2, as issued by a respective participating state. A regulated power plant must hold CO2 allowances equal to its emissions to demonstrate compliance at the end of each three-year control period. The first control period for fossil fuel-fired electric generators under each state’s CO2 Budget Trading Program took effect on January 1, 2009 and extends through December 31, 2011. Allowances issued by any participating state are usable across all state programs, so that the ten individual state CO2 Budget Trading Programs, in aggregate, form one regional compliance market for CO2 emissions.