Energy Production Companies Receive Direct Cash in Place of Tax Credits-

The United States government is doing its part to incite venture capital investments in clean and renewable energy by offering cash awards to energy production companies in place of earned tax credits. In a recent announcement, U.S. Treasury Secretary Tim Geithner and U.S. Energy Secretary Dr. Steven Chu awarded $502 million in the first round of funding in an effort to help produce upfront capital – allowing companies to create jobs and begin construction that may have been put on hold. Twelve projects were awarded grants. Penascal wind farm in Sarita, Texas received the largest grant, over $114 million. The 12 winning projects would be able to produce 840 megawatts of electricity, representing a 3 percent increase in total U.S. renewable energy generation capacity. “These grants will help America’s business launch clean energy projects, putting Americans back to work in good construction and manufacturing jobs. The initiative will help double our renewable energy capacity over the next few years and make sure America leads the world in creating the clean energy economy of the future,” said Secretary of Energy Chu. Treasury Secretary Geithner said, “This renewable energy program will spur the manufacture and development of clean energy in urban and rural America, allowing us to protect our environment, create good jobs and revitalize our nation’s economy.” The agenda, introduced under Section 1602 of the Recovery Act, is anticipated to generate more than $3 billion in fiscal support for clean energy projects by supplying direct payments in place of tax credits. Over the life of the program, these direct payments will sustain around 5,000 renewable energy production facilities of all forms throughout the nation. More than 2,000 Americans will have access to jobs in the renewable energy industry as a result of this first round of funding – both in construction and manufacturing – and will bring the nation one step closer toward the goal of a clean energy economy.

DOE-funded Geothermal Company Makes Discovery-

Vancouver-based Sierra Geothermal Power Corp has announced a geothermal discovery at its 100 percent owned Alum project in Esmeralda County, Nevada. The finding comes from Sierra’s slim well 26-19, which was drilled to a maximum depth of 1,484 meters (4,868 feet). The preliminary bottom hole temps reached 146 degrees Celsius (295 degrees Fahrenheit), with several zones of high permeability encountered between 1,116 and 1,325 meters (3,663 and 4,349 feet). After coring through the 209 meter permeable zone, a geothermal water sample was air lifted and flowed for three days and samples were collected for analysis. The temperature log returned a maximum of 130 degrees Celsius (266 degrees Fahrenheit) at 630 meters (2,067 feet). Under the 2009 Geothermal Technologies Program grant award, the Department of Energy (DOE) financed half the cost of the wells – with the total cash award from the DOE for the Alum project totaling $5,000,000. The Alum project was acquired from Geo-Energy Partners 1983 Ltd in 2006.“We are grateful for the financial support that we are receiving from the DOE in advancing our Alum project, as it has helped us make a discovery at Alum with less capital than we would have otherwise employed. Numerous people were employed during the drilling of these wells, showing that the DOE grant program is working. We look forward to advancing the Alum project to the next level which is drilling full sized production assessment wells,” said Gary R. Thompson, President and CEO of Sierra.

Cleantech Investments Increase in U.S-

According to a recently published report, venture capitalists have invested significantly more money in renewable energy compared to the same time last year. The majority of funds were dedicated toward clean technologies intended to make energy use more efficient, from green buildings to electric vehicles. Many market analysts agree that clean energy investing will only increase as more consumers and government officials support renewable sources of energy to combat rising greenhouse gas levels and replace expensive fossil fuels. In the first quarter, venture capital investments in clean technology totaled $733.3 million – an increase of 68 percent from $435.8 million in the year-prior quarter, according to a report from Ernst & Young LLP. The total stalled the first quarter of 2008 when investments reached $844.7 million. “It is just part of the overall recovery of the economy,” said Gil Forer, Ernst & Young’s global cleantech leader. Renewables comprise just a small portion of all energy consumed in the United States, although solar and wind are among the fastest growing sources of energy in the country.

Egg Systems Provide Cost-Effective Geothermal Heating & Cooling-

Geothermal energy, power extracted from heat stored in the earth, has been utilized for centuries from bathing in the Paleolithic era to space heating during Roman times – and the technology has evolved so much throughout the years that the capabilities have broadened to include electricity generation. Egg Systems, a geothermal heating and cooling company, has been offering their expertise in this field for over 19 years to show consumers how they can save the environment and their bottom line simultaneously. Their unique heating and cooling systems provide year round comfort simply using the earth’s stable temperatures, can be an exceptional cost-effective alternative to standard pool heating – and, not to mention, offers a Seasonal Energy Efficiency Rating (SEER) in the 30’s. The company asserts that the potential return on investment, coupled with current state and federal tax incentives for utilizing geothermal HVAC technologies, could extend to around 50 percent or more; a remarkable savings for the average consumer looking to go green. To receive additional information on these remarkable geothermal heating and cooling systems, visit GoEggSystems.com. Video below, courtesy of WTVT Fox 13 News, illustrates the energy efficient and cost-effective incentives behind Egg Geothermal Heating and Cooling technology.

Mayor of Los Angeles Suggests Rate Increases to Support Renewable Energy Citywide-

Mayor of Los Angeles, Antonio Villaraigosa, plans to increase energy utility fees to help fund renewable energy sources for the city. A survey released by the mayor asked Department of Water and Power consumers if they would be willing to pay a monthly surcharge of $2.50 to assist the city in terminating its dependence on coal-fired power plants – with 64 percent stating they would comply with the rate hike. Nevertheless, Deputy Mayor Sean Clegg disclosed that the mayor has not yet come to decide on a specific amount for the rate increase. Villaraigosa plans for the DWP to obtain 20 percent of its electricity from renewable energy sources such as solar, geothermal and wind energy by the end of 2010. City Councilwoman Jan Perry maintains that the supplementary fees will be difficult to validate to most DWP patrons, especially as the unstable economy and lack of jobs continue to strain countless Los Angeles residents.

Intergovernmental Budget Request to Offer Clean Energy Funds Nationwide-

On February 1st, President Obama announced a $28.4 billion budget request for the Department of Energy (DOE) to utilize in 2011, which includes $2.36 billion toward the new DOE Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE). Maintaining America’s shift toward clean energy and conservation, the proposed plan targets untenable energy use, renewable energy sources, and clean energy research. The budget consists of significant increases for several EERE projects; with a 53 percent increase for wind energy, 43 percent for the Weatherization and Intergovernmental program, 32 percent for the Federal Energy Management Program, 25 percent for geothermal energy, and a 22 percent boost for solar energy. An additional $57.5 million will also be applied for facility and infrastructure development at DOE’s National Renewable Energy Laboratory, and $50 million will go towards a new program called ‘Regaining our Energy Science and Engineering Edge’ (Re-Energyse) which will educate and guide students, as well as workers, to pursue careers in science, engineering, and entrepreneurship related to renewable energy; professions which are seriously lacking in America. Moreover, Obama’s initiative necessitates a 43 percent increase in funding for program management; virtually doubling the total amount exhausted for program support. Budget resources will grant the DOE $500 million to support approximately $3-5 billion in loan guarantees for energy efficiency and renewable energy projects, along with $10 million to support the continued management of the Advanced Technology Vehicles Manufacturing Loan Program. $35 million of the proposed funds will also work to develop clean energy transmission and reliability, $39.3 million will be applied toward Smart Grid research and improvement, and $40 million will be used to develop energy storage on the electrical grid. The Advanced Research Project Agency (ARPA-E) is also included in the budget proposal with $300 million to aid in transformational energy research; while Energy Frontier Research Centers are anticipated to receive a whopping $140 million for two new facilities, and $107 million for Energy Innovation Hubs. Both the U.S. Departments of Agriculture and Interior are planning to increase renewable energy funding and energy efficiency program fulfillment in their budget requests for 2011 which span from wildlife protection to biofuel production, and are available in-depth by visiting Energy.gov.

Green Shipping Partners with Bonneville Environmental Foundation to Certify Shipments as Carbon Neutral-


The Bonneville Environmental Foundation (BEF) has partnered with Green Shipping to offer an exceptional web service which enables both individuals and businesses to offset carbon emissions that are naturally discharged from utilizing their current shipping services. These days, shipping is certainly not green from any standpoint because of wasted paper, CO2 production from machinery, commercial trucks and other forms of transport – and, not to mention, much valued energy is consumed throughout the process. Greenshipping.com offers a simple solution to help mitigate global warming issues; by acquiring customer shipment tracking numbers that are given by FedEx, UPS and USPS, and analyzing the weight of the parcel, mode of transport and route of travel, they may accurately determine the greenhouse gas pollutants that are discharged because of each shipment. After the calculation, customers purchase carbon offset credits – which fund renewable energy projects and developments, as well as certify their packages as carbon neutral. Shippers that use the service regularly can set their user account to offset all shipments automatically, and participating businesses have the treat of carrying the GreenShipper logo on their websites, packages and invoices. There is also an iTrack module available to place on your website for easy customer tracking, enabling businesses to achieve more traffic and sales. Greenshipping.com is particularly unique in that it contributes customer payments toward renewable energy generation, methane capture and combustion, energy efficiency and reforestation development efforts.

Renewable energy generation efforts include development and utilization of wind energy, solar, hydroelectric, geothermal and biomass energy; vital for our nation’s future sustainability. Methane capture and combustion is also extremely crucial, as the global warming potential is 23 times that of carbon dioxide – so to burn and trap this potentially dangerous gas not only generates energy but also decreases greenhouse gas emissions by 96 percent. Energy efficiency, being one of the most cost effective methods to reduce carbon production, helps to broaden the use of emerging efficient technologies such as CFLs and LEDs, which aids Green Shipping to utilize less energy throughout the day. Reforestation efforts are unquestionably needed for offsetting carbon pollution and providing a sustainable future for the world, especially seeing that tropical deforestation accounts for a staggering 20 percent of the world’s carbon emissions. Planting more trees helps to restore the earth’s natural balance, as trees and other plants absorb carbon during their photosynthesis process. The Bonneville Environmental Foundation, well-known for their efforts in developing and marketing emergent renewable technologies, has taken part in this extraordinary enterprise to offer its renewable energy certificates (RECs) and certified carbon offsets for the company to pass on to its customers. In addition to the assistance provided to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and development of new renewable energy facilities, the BEF also donates its proceeds to long-term watershed restoration and renewable energy education for students and communities throughout the country. With sustainable and renewable energy developments budding at such a swift rate, it is particularly inspirational to see these innovative and savvy concepts make their way to the mainstream.

Settlement between the U.S. and China Offers Sustainable Developments-

United States Energy Secretary Steven Chu recently announced a new accord between the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) and the Chinese Ministry of Urban-Rural Development (MOHURD) which will promote an interpersonal partnership to maintain more efficient building designs and sustainable municipalities.

“Making buildings more efficient represents one of the greatest, and most immediate opportunities we have to create jobs, save money, save energy and reduce carbon pollution,” said Secretary Chu. “Our goal should be buildings that are 80 percent more efficient. Doing so will save families money and create millions of jobs in both countries.” The settlement will entail the United States and China to trade one another’s energy technicians and specialists to learn comprehensive recommendations in efficient building design, including insulation, geothermal heating pumps, high-performance HVAC, cold storage, solar thermal systems and photovoltaics.


The U.S. Government will also afford assistance to construct MOHURD’s eco-cities development for incorporated green cities that utilize sustainable design, renewable energy and offer efficient and modern transportation systems. In addition, the two countries will work mutually to investigate the practicability of a cooperative development in China which would exhibit green buildings, renewable energy technologies and building energy savings. The concord on energy efficient buildings and communities was authorized Wednesday on behalf of the United States by David B. Sandalow, Assistant Secretary of Policy and International Affairs at the Department of Energy, and on behalf of China by Qiu Baoxing, Vice Minister of MOHURD.

Green Job Prospects Mounting in America-

Over the past decade, the renewable energy sector has grown at a solid pace; accumulating new green jobs at more than twice the normal rate, according to a study by the Pew Charitable Trusts. “The Clean Energy Economy: Repowering Jobs, Businesses and Investments across America” report shows a first ever tally of actual green jobs, venture capital investments and companies which supply the increasing marketplace need for eco friendly products and services throughout the U.S. The report discovered that green energy jobs are in position to develop considerably due to ever-increasing customer need, state and federal policy reforms and venture capital funding. “The clean energy economy is poised for explosive growth,” affirmed Lori Grange, interim deputy director of the Pew Center on the States. The study also found that energy efficient light bulb manufacturers, solar and wind power companies and environmental engineering groups stretched their workforce by 9.1 percent from 1998-2007, whereas standard job growth in all other trades reached a mere 3.7 percent. “There is bipartisan support and a growing market demand for transitioning to the clean energy economy,” stated the director of U.S. Global Warming Campaign at the Pew Environment Group, Phyllis Cuttino. It is an excellent prospect to see the transition from typical jobs to green energy jobs, as it creates new opportunities for business growth and helps protect our planet by cutting our reliance on fossil fuels.

State Legislators Push Senate and Assembly Bills for Sustainable Green Energy-


Examined in Assembly Ways and Means on Friday, Assembly Bill 522 was proposed to initiate a Nevada State Energy Commission, which will help educate the public about saving energy, ease and accelerate the permit/lease process developers need from the Federal Bureau of Land Management to begin renewable energy projects, collect information about the companies to certify they meet tax decrease specifications and manage rebate programs for renewable energy development ventures. Previously, such duties have been spread among a variety of task services, committees, and agencies. If passed, AB 522 will help fortify current tax cut qualifications and present more accountability for companies delving into the renewable energy revolution. Businesses in large counties will be required to produce at least seventy-five new green energy jobs in the second quarter of its construction period and those jobs will need to compensate 110 percent of the statewide average of about $19/hour. Organizations will also need to make a principal investment of $10 million, increased from the present stipulation of $1 million. The discount for sales tax would also adjust so that businesses must pay local school support taxes, however, property tax reduction won’t involve any portion of the sales tax that supports education. North Las Vegas Assemblywoman, Marilyn Kirpatrick-D, studied the state’s existing tax abatements used to attract businesses in the meeting, stating, “We have to stay competitive, stay on the cutting edge, but at the same time we have to make sure that Nevada workers are part of the process.” She also went on to say that the new commission representative will be required to collect data which will help track businesses fulfillment with the obligations put in place. “There’s an accountability measure now, so we can go back and track them, and they’re not necessarily guaranteed the abatement unless they follow the rules,” said Kirkpatrick.

Nevada’s green energy potential is more than sufficient; the state is often referred to as the “Saudi Arabia of alternative energy”. Generous wind energy, solar power and plentiful hot springs have given Nevada an exceptional advantage in progressing statewide renewable energy investment opportunities. Despite their green energy generating capabilities, a significant issue hindering state renewable energy development is inadequate transmission lines connecting northern and southern power grids, a vital communication tool necessary to export renewable energy to other areas. Furthermore, the process for certification and development is much more difficult in Nevada, since 86 percent of the state is federally owned land. “You can have all the abatements in the world, but unless you have a system where you can move the projects forward smoothly, and without transmission lines, there’s no way,” affirmed Ausra Solar lobbyist, Alfredo Alonso. A further concern for statewide renewable energy is that not all companies will benefit from the AB 522 bill; currently, geothermal power plants are excluded due to budget cuts for that specific alternative energy. There are many legislators who support leaving geothermal power out of property tax cuts; although Assemblyman Chad Christensen, R-Las Vegas – who helped create the bill – would like to see it incorporated as a dependable form of renewable energy, stating, “We’re still working that out. I would like to see geothermal included, because Nevada is the place to put a geothermal project.” Senate Bill 358 also attempts to simplify the current measure by supplying a State Commissioner and offering more liberal tax discounts, which was brought forth by Senate Majority Leader Steven Horsford, D-North Las Vegas. Another proposal submitted by Horsford is the green jobs action, SB 152, which recommends using federal stimulus dollars to create renewable energy job prospects, train the upcoming renewable energy workforce and integrate smarter inter-state transmission lines. Many hope that the bills will pass, as Nevada is one of the states with the most renewable energy production ability; it will definitely take utmost persistence and perseverance from city and government officials to make Nevada’s green energy dream a reality.