How climate change will impact states like Missouri-via U. S. National Climate Assessment

 

U. S. National Climate Assessment outlines how climate change will impact states like Missouri.  

States are taking action

Before issuing this proposal, EPA heard from states, utilities, labor unions, nongovernmental organizations, consumer groups, industry and others to learn more about what programs are already working to reduce carbon pollution.  We learned that states are leading the way– especially through programs that expand energy efficiency and renewable energy. Missouri already has programs in place that could be part of its individual or regional plan to reduce carbon pollution, including: 

• Energy efficiency standards or goals
• Demand-side energy efficiency programs that advance energy efficiency improvements for electricity use
• Renewable energy portfolio standards or goals

Proposed state goals build on state leadership

To set state-specific goals, EPA analyzed the practical and affordable strategies that states and utilities are already using to lower carbon pollution from the power sector. These include improving energy efficiency, improving power plant operations, and encouraging reliance on low-carbon and zero-emitting electricity generation. Together, these make up the best system for reducing carbon pollution. They achieve meaningful reductions at a lower cost. 

The Agency applied these strategies consistently, but each state’s energy mix ultimately leads to a different goal that is unique to the state.

 

In 2012, Missouri’s power sector CO2 emissions were approximately 71 million metric tons from sources covered by the rule. The amount of energy produced by fossil-fuel fired plants, and certain low or zero emitting plants was approximately 80 terawatt hours (TWh)*. So, Missouri’s 2012 emission rate was 1,963 pounds/megawatt hours (lb/MWh).  

EPA is proposing that Missouri develop a plan to lower its carbon pollution to meet its proposed emission rate goal of 1,544 lb/MWh in 2030.

*includes existing non-hydro renewable energy generation and approximately 6% of nuclear generation. The 2012 emission rate shown here has not been adjusted for any incremental end-use energy efficiency improvements that states may make as part of their plans to reach these state goals. 

States decide how to cut carbon pollution 

The state goals are not requirements on individual electric generating units. Missouri will choose how to meet the goal through whatever combination of measures reflects its particular circumstances and policy objectives. A state does not have to put in place the same mix of strategies that EPA used to set the goal.

Missouri may work alone or in cooperation with other states to comply with the proposed rule.  EPA estimates that states could achieve their goals most cost effectively if they work with others.  

EPA encourages states to look broadly across their electricity system to identify strategies for their plans to reduce carbon pollution.  Strategies can include:   

• Demand-side energy efficiency programs
• Renewable energy standards
• Efficiency improvements at plants
• Dispatch changes
• Co-firing or switching to natural gas
• Construction of new Natural Gas Combined-Cycle plants
• Transmission efficiency improvements
• Energy storage technology
• Retirements
• Expanding renewables like wind and solar
• Expanding nuclear
• Market-based trading programs
• Energy conservation programs

Missouri's Energy Mix in 2012 (in percentage)

Hover over the chart to see more info. (Source: The EIA form 923)

Missouri's Role in New Carbon Plan-proposed emission rate goal of 1,544 lb per MWh in 2030

• 2012, Missouri’s power sector CO2 emissions were approximately 71 million metric tons from sources covered by the rule. The amount of energy produced by fossil-fuel fired plants, and certain low or zero emitting plants was approximately 80 terawatt hours (TWh)*. So, Missouri’s 2012 emission rate was 1,963 pounds/megawatt hours (lb/MWh).
  EPA is proposing that Missouri develop a plan to lower its carbon pollution to meet its proposed emission rate goal of 1,544 lb/MWh in 2030

Clean Power Plan - States

The science shows that climate change is already posing risks to our health and our economy.

Nationwide by 2030, the Clean Power Plan will help cut carbon emissions from the power sector by 30 percent below 2005 levels.

The proposal also would cut pollution that leads to the formation of soot and smog by over 25 percent in 2030.

States, cities and businesses across our country are already taking action. They have set energy efficiency targets, increased their use of renewable energy, made agreements and implemented programs to cut carbon pollution.

Read More at:

• http://cleanpowerplanmaps.epa.gov/CleanPowerPlan/
•  http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/06/06/epa-map-co2-emissions_n_5461848.html?utm_hp_ref=green

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Cardinal baseball

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SolarPower Feed Bunk Cover Shade

Do you have a Livestock Feedlot?  Have you ever considered a Solar Power Feed Bunk Cover Shade for your feedlot?  With a clean energy solar system such this CAD Solar System design by Scotty you will be not only providing cover and shade for your livestock when they are feeding, it will generate income from the Sun for your operation.

The Solar Feed Bunk Cover Shade in these pictures is designed with American SunPower Solar Panels, covers 4000 sq feet, and is estimated to produce 59,680 watts of clean pollution free energy (based on 230w panels that produce 14.92 w/sq ft- (Other higher Output power producing solar panels are available-I used the 230w solar panels since they were already integrated into my computer drafting program from past Solar Projects I've designed.  To get the most bang for the buck I recommend the 300 or 400 watt solar panels )

  The following CAD designs are examples of the Solar Power Feedbunk Cover - Shade designed by Scotts Contracting-StLouis Renewable Energy that could be added to your existing structure or could be site built to fit your cattle feeding operation.  This example uses my Fathers Missouri Beef Cattle Operation.

 Solar Power Feedbunk Cover - Shade 

The Solar Power Feed Bunk Cover Shade can be added to an existing beef cattle feedlot such as the one pictured below. 

If an existing Feedlot shading system is not already in place it is possible to design build a Solar Power Shade to fit over your existing feed bunks.

it is possible to design build a Solar Power Shade to fit over your existing feed bunks

Birds Eye view of the SolarPower Feed Bunk Cover Shade, Cattle Pens, Barns, and Silo 

Birds Eye view of the SolarPower Feed Bunk Cover Shade, Cattle Pens, Barns, and Silo 

The following Diagram is the Suns yearly path over the SolarPower Feed Bunk Cover Shade

I found some interesting and easy to understand information about the REAP program- Rural Energy For America from FarmEnergy.Org who supports clean energy and rural economic Development

Rural Energy for America Program -

Rural Energy for America Program (REAP)- Renewable Energy System and Energy Efficiency Improvement Guaranteed Loan and Grant Program – Financing  The maximum amount of a REAP Guaranteed Loan is $25 million per loan request. The minimum loan amount is $5,000. Up to 75 percent of total eligible project costs can be covered through the REAP Guaranteed Loan Program. The Program provides guarantees to commercial lenders who make loans to rural small businesses or agricultural producers for energy projects. The rates and terms of these loans are negotiated between the lenders and the borrowers. The following guarantee limits apply: 85 percent for loans of $600,000 or less 80 percent for loans greater than $600,000 up to $5 million 70 percent for loans greater than $5 million up to $10 million 60 percent for loans greater than $10 million up to $25 million The following grant amounts apply: The minimum Renewable Energy System Grant request is $2,500 up to a maximum of 25 percent of eligible project costs or $500,000, whichever is less. The minimum Energy Efficiency Improvement Grant request is $1,500 up to a maximum of 25 percent of eligible project costs or $250,000, whichever is less. The following amounts apply to combination guaranteed loan and grant limits apply: The combined request cannot exceed 75 percent of total eligible project cost The above guarantee limits apply The maximum  REAP Guaranteed Loan is $25 million per loan request The maximum Renewable Energy System Grant request is 25 percent of eligible project costs or $500,000, whichever is less The maximum Energy Efficiency Improvement Grant request is 25 percent of eligible project costs or $250,000, whichever is less $250,000 The minimum combined funding request allowed is $5,000, with the grant portion of the funding request being at least $1,500 see http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/BCP_ReapResEei_Financing.html Renewable Energy System and Energy Efficiency Improvement Guaranteed Loan and Grant Program – Eligibility Guaranteed Loan and grant eligibility is limited to rural small businesses and agricultural producers. An agricultural producer is an individual or entity directly engaged in the production of agricultural products (crops, livestock, forestry products, hydroponics, nursery, and aquaculture) whereby 50 percent + or greater of their gross income is derived from the operations.  A private entity is considered a small business in accordance with Small Business Administration’s Small Business Size Standards. The lender must be eligible for the program. Most lenders are eligible, including Federal and State-chartered banks, Farm Credit System banks, and savings and loan associations. Other lenders may be eligible if approved by USDA. For both loan guarantees and grants, project must meet the following conditions: The loan/grant must go towards the purchase of a renewable energy system or to make energy efficiency improvements The technology is pre-commercial or commercially available, and replicable The project must have technical merit, as specified in Rural Development Regulation 4280 subpart B A rural small business must be located in a rural area, though an agriculture producer may be located in a rural or non-rural area The applicant must be the owner of the project and control the revenues, expenses, operations, and maintenance of the project Sites must be controlled by the agricultural producer or small business for the financing term of any associated Federal loans or loan guarantees The project must have satisfactory sources of revenue, for the life of the project, that will be used for the operation, management, maintenance, and debt service of the project Eligible project costs for Renewable Energy Systems and Energy Efficiency Improvements are: Post-application purchase and installation of equipment (new, refurbished, or remanufactured), except agricultural tillage equipment, used equipment, and vehicles Post-application construction or improvements, except residential Energy audits or assessments Permit and license fees Professional service fees, except for application preparation Feasibility studies and Technical Reports Business Plans and Retrofitting Construction of a new energy efficient facility only when: the facility is used for the same purpose; is approximately the same size; and, based on the energy audit, will provide more energy savings than improving an existing facility.  Only costs identified in the energy audit for energy efficiency improvements are allowed.  New  equipment as long as it is of similar size to the equipment being replaced Working capital (applicable for guaranteed loan only) Land acquisition (applicable for guaranteed loan only) see http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/BCP_ReapResEei_Eligibility.html Renewable Energy System and Energy Efficiency Improvement Guaranteed Loan and Grant Program – Technology Renewable Energy System and Energy Efficiency Improvement Grants must be used towards the project cost for the purchase, installation and construction of renewable energy generation systems. Eligible technologies under the program are divided into two categories: 1.) Renewable Energy Projects Biomass, bio-energy: produces fuel (e.g., biodiesel, ethanol), thermal energy, or electric power from a biomass source (crops, trees, wood, plants, their residues and fats, oils, and greases, and other biodegradable waste material) Biomass, anaerobic digesters: produces thermal energy or electric power via anaerobic digestion using animal waste & other organic substrates Geothermal, electric generation: electric power from the thermal potential of a geothermal source Geothermal, direct use: produces thermal energy directly from a geothermal source Hydrogen: renewable energy systems using hydrogen as an energy transport medium Solar, small: electric projects with rated power ≤ 10 kW; thermal projects with rated storage ≤ 240 gallons Solar, large: electric projects with rated power >10 kW; thermal projects with rated storage >240 gallons Wind, small: systems with a ≤ 100 kW-rated wind turbine & with a generator hub height of ≤ 120 feet Wind, large: systems with a >100 kW-rated wind turbine Hydroelectric: electric power from small hydro projects of 30 MW or less Ocean: energy generation from tidal, wave, current, and thermal sources – but not for R&D technologies Flexible Fuel Pump: a retail pump that combines and dispenses a blended liquid transportation fuel or dispenses a blended liquid transportation fuel 2.) Energy Efficiency Improvements Projects include any energy savings measures to businesses or agricultural operations including but not limited to replacement of inefficient equipment, retrofitting, insulation or any recommended improvement identified in the energy assessment or energy audit. REAP Application Resources and Templates via Farm Energy .Org http://farmenergy.org/tools/tools-and-templates This and related pages are being updated to reflect changes in the new Rural Energy for America Program – REAP from the 2014 Farm Bill. The materials and links on this page will help applicants more efficiently prepare effective REAP applications. Is it important that applicants contact their state USDA Energy Coordinator early in the application process. Your state Energy Coordinator needs to perform an environmental review at the project site that must be completed for your application. They can help to review your project for program eligibility, for application assistance and to learn about additional resources specific to your state and region. (Plus, the State offices directly allocate some REAP funds). The Missouri Office and Contact Person is: Matt Moore, USDA Rural Development 601 Business Loop 70 West Parkade Center, Suite 235 Columbia, MO 65203 573.876.9321 matt.moore@mo.usda.gov

While I pride myself for being inventive, futuristic, and having the entrepreneurial spirit.  I realized today while searching Google Beef Feedlot images that I wasn't the first one to realize the potential of bringing solar panels to the Feedlot and Beef Cattle Industry.

I tip my hat to Feed Central!

 Ecofriend published an article: 

Cattle Feedlot Solar Field: A new concept in solar energy development and claims the title: World’s First Cattle Feedlot Solar Field that is located in Australia.  

www.feedcentral.com.au/contact.asp‎

10775 Warrego Highway

Charlton QLD 4350, Australia

+61 7 4630 4899

feedcentral.com.au‎

Thank You for stopping by-Share and Comment below. If additional information in needed or you have a question let me know. Together we can make a difference. Build a Green StLouis Get Your Green Building Tips and Resources at St Louis Renewable Energy Green Blog

My Number 1 Reason the USA needs more Solar Energy

copied from G+ post comments: The points I will make are the reasons that matter to me and not necessarily the points that other Clean Energy Pros might give as their first reasons on "why to have solar panels on your home".  Starting with my Number 1 Reason the USA needs more renewable energy.

Reducing and Eliminating Wars over Oil--In a recent blog post I'm sick and tired of my Brothers and Sisters being hurt or killed for OIL  I touched on the Army Soldiers positive attitude and how the Medical Professionals treatment is enabling the Soldier to have as normal of life as possible after a road side bomb caused both his arms and legs to be amputated.  Both the Army Soldier and Medical Team deserve props!

Everyone knows; but, few will admit- the Republican Warmongers (in addition to #HillaryClinton (added 7/2/16)) with their Republican Lies started the fights in the Middle East over  under the guise of searching for Weapons of Mass Destruction.   These wars over oil have and are costing $millions$ of dollars-billed to we the taxpayers.  

--Maybe the Military can put a price tag on payouts to dead soldiers families but I can't put a price tag on the value that the loss of life brings from loosing a family member.  Money will not and cannot replace the loss of a loved one.

--What really chaps my ass is the new law where the Republican led Congress-Government, who put these soldiers in harms way is now abandoning the injured soldiers by cutting their Postwar Benefits.  They may have helped the Soldier mentioned above but how many are they abandoning (IMO they helped this Soldier as an experiment of sorts when you read between the lines sure they want to help him-but the greedy medical companies are doing it for future profits.)  

They throw the Soldiers into battle then fail to help them when they get home.  The Soldiers have emotional scars as well as physical scars.  Many of the Soldiers who come home can't find work and when you can't find work or a job a person tends to dwell on the situation and its hopelessness.  This is what I feel is the main reason behind all the Military Suicides.  I can lend a little credibility to this fact from observing my own actions-when I'm working I don't have time to dwell on life's problems-I have to pay attention to what I'm working on.  Then somehow my mind subconsciously figures out, mends, solves, or comes up with a solution and way of dealing with the problem or issue.

This subject is one of the hardest subjects for me to write or talk about.  I care.  I care what happens to my Brothers and Sisters of America.  I want whats best for us all and I'll say it again:

I'm sick and tired of my brothers and sisters

 being hurt and killed for OIL. To all the Soldiers

 that were injured and died in Wars Over Oil I'm

 truly sorry that our Government efforts led by

Republican Lies by Republican WarMongers

put you in this situation.

How many  just preached we need to go to war against #Russia over their issues with  in .  Does this sound familiar to anyone?  

For everyone who says I'm a peace sympathizer or whatever. I joined the US Army Long ago to fight in what I thought was going to be a showdown with Iran during the Iran-Contra Affair.  

Yeah I was young and dumb and thought the USA was always right.  

end part 1.






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