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US Representative Mark Udall, a Colorado Democrat, is one of America's most visible proponents of renewable energy and energy efficiency measures. Don Smith, who has observed Udall's growing influence, profiles the man who could be set for the US Senate in just over a year's time.
After years of recalcitrance and even outright hostility by the administration of President George Bush to regulating the emission of American-generated greenhouse gases, the long – and in many circles, maddening – wait for the US federal government to take action may finally be over.
After years of often powerful rhetoric about the need to diversify American energy supplies, but relatively few tangible results at the federal level, the US may now be poised to move ahead on renewable energy and energy efficiency legislation, explains US Correspondent Don C. Smith.
The U.S. Department of Energy's National Renewable Energy Laboratory and Xcel Energy have launched a ground-breaking two-year project aimed at using electricity generated from wind turbines to produce and store pure hydrogen, thus offering what may become a significant new template for future energy production. Don C. Smith considers the project, and delves into what implications this could have for...
Earlier this year, the California Public Utilities Commission established the largest solar program of its kind in the United States. The California Solar Energy Initiative, a $2.9 billion 10-year program, is designed to move the state towards a cleaner energy future while helping reduce the costs of solar electricity for California consumers. The program's objective is to have 3,000 MW of installed...
Historically the state of Texas - which Texans proudly refer to as the Lone Star State - has been known for its enthusiastic embrace of the oil and gas industry. In recent years however it surprised many perhaps by installing over 1000MW of onshore wind. Now it looks as if Texas may be poised to reassert itself again in the renewable energy sector with an ambitious offshore wind development plan off...
The Bush Administration's five-year struggle for an energy bill reached fruition in early August when the president signed into law the Energy Policy Act of 2005, the first national energy plan in more than a decade. The struggle, often marked by contention and partisan bickering, reached a conclusion coincidentally as world oil prices were soaring above $60 per barrel. In some respects the energy...
Late last year, Lakeland Electric teamed with Sterling Planet, a major trader in renewable energy credits, to package and sell 50 megawatt hours of green tags consisting of 25 megawatt hours attributable to solar water heaters and 25 megawatt hours attributable to photovoltaic systems. The transaction marked the first time renewable energy credits in the U.S. had been derived from solar water heating...
Historically the U.S. skiing industry has not been known for its environmental leadership. However, some organizations in the industry are placing environmental policy at the core of how they do business and renewable energy is playing a key role. Perhaps the number one player in this regard is the Aspen Ski Company based in Colorado, USA. Don C. Smith, Refocus U.S. Correspondent, considered Aspen's...
The financial disclosure playing field in the context of climate change risk for publicly traded companies may be headed for a fundamental change. Thirteen major US public pension fund leaders, collectively managing assets of nearly $800 billion, have called on the US Securities & Exchange Commission (SEC) to require publicly traded companies to disclose in their securities filings the financial...
A small Canadian-based company is seeking to establish itself as a major player in the green fuels sector. The company's aim is to make a major impression in global energy markets by developing and commercializing fuels produced from biomass. While it is too early to say whether it will be successful, the firm, DynaMotive, is attracting considerable attention from both the private and public sectors...
Future U.S. energy policy, as proposed by the two major candidates for the American presidency, is likely to involve consideration of domestic issues as well as foreign policy issues. In some ways, the policies being proposed represent as clear a choice between the major candidates as exists in the upcoming general election. Don C. Smith considers the energy policy positions of President George W...
Despite the on-going intransigence of the Bush Administration with respect to addressing global climate change, there are growing indications that the issue will be put front and centre in American public policy debate through a series of legal actions now pending before U.S. federal courts. While clearly the Bush Administration has a veritable strangle hold on any legislation or US Environment Protection...
Business groups in many US states are moving ahead with efforts to promote renewable energy and energy efficiency initiatives despite the on-going luke-warm interest of the Bush administration in such measures. Don C. Smith, Refocus US correspondent, recently visited one such group, the Colarado Coalition, and talked with executive director Craig Cox who explained the coalition's objectives and the...
Perhaps the biggest revelation following the recent wave of power cuts is that anyone purports to have been surprised that they took place. Indeed, not only was it no surprise that the power cuts happened, but it is clear, albeit unfortunate, that they will happen again with perhaps even more catastrophic consequences next time. For years many experts have been issuing a clarion call related to the...
The use of biotechnology in energy production presents opportunities to produce renewable fuels more efficiently and effectively. Refocus U.S. Correspondent Don C. Smith reports from a recent symposium that has been addressing this area now for a quarter of a century.
In addition to having one of the top environmental law programs in the United States, the University of Denver College of Law now has a building that demonstrates the institution 'practices what it preaches' when it comes to concern for the environment. Built on the front range of the Colorado Rocky Mountains, the 181,000 square foot, $63 million facility which opened in August will be the first certified...
Despite a history of 'starts and stops' relating to political support and funding over its first 25 years, the U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE) Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) is now poised for stable growth as it seeks to retain its world leadership position in renewable energy technology development. Since its inception in 1977, NREL's sole mission has been to develop renewable energy and energy...
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