Re: MegaVote: MO 3rd, 10/8/2010

On Fri, Oct 8, 2010 at 6:38 PM, <megavote@mailmanager.net> wrote:

presented by: Solar Nation

October 8, 2010 In this MegaVote for Missouri's 3rd Congressional District: Recent Congressional Votes Senate: Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, Reconciliation Senate: Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act Senate: Education Jobs and Medicaid Assistance Act Senate: Nomination of Elena Kagan to the Supreme Court Senate: 2011 Defense Authorization, Cloture House: Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act House: Patrick Murphy of Pennsylvania Amendment; National Defense Authorization Act, FY2011 House: Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act House: Education Jobs and Medicaid Assistance Act Editor's Note: This is a special pre-election edition of MegaVote, featuring some of the most-asked-about votes of 2010. The House is in recess and is expected to reconvene Monday, Nov. 15. The Senate is in a series of pro forma sessions over the next month and is expected to also return Nov. 15. Recent Senate Votes Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, Reconciliation - Vote Passed (56-43, 1 Not Voting) The Senate passed the final version of a bill to overhaul the nation's health care system in March using a procedure known as reconciliation, which allows the Senate to bypass a filibuster with a simple majority. The bill mandates that individuals buy health insurance with exceptions for certain religious groups and those who cannot afford coverage. Those who do not buy insurance will be subject to a tax. Under the bill, beginning in 2014 insurance companies cannot deny coverage based on pre-existing medical conditions, and cannot drop coverage of people who become ill. In addition, a section of the bill makes the federal government the sole originator of student loans. Sen. Christopher Bond voted NO......send e-mail or see bio Sen. Claire McCaskill voted YES......send e-mail or see bio Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act - Vote Agreed to (60-39) The Senate passed the final version of the financial regulation reform legislation in July. The bill creates new regulatory procedures to assess risks posed by large financial institutions and facilitate the orderly dissolution of failing firms that pose a threat to the economy. It will also create a new federal agency to oversee consumer financial products, bring the derivatives market under significant federal regulation and give shareholders and regulators greater say on executive pay. Sen. Christopher Bond voted NO......send e-mail or see bio Sen. Claire McCaskill voted YES......send e-mail or see bio Education Jobs and Medicaid Assistance Act - Vote Agreed to (61-39) The Senate passed this bill in August to provide $16.1 billion to extend increased Medicaid assistance to states and $10 billion in funding for states to create or retain teachers' jobs. The cost of the programs will be offset by changing foreign tax provisions, ending increased food stamp benefits beginning in April 2014 and rescinding previously enacted spending. Sen. Christopher Bond voted NO......send e-mail or see bio Sen. Claire McCaskill voted YES......send e-mail or see bio Nomination of Elena Kagan to the Supreme Court - Vote Confirmed (63-37) The Senate confirmed Elena Kagan to be an Associate Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court in August. The former dean of Harvard Law School, Kagan had served as Obama's solicitor general since March of 2009 and was the first woman to hold the position. She replaced Justice John Paul Stevens, who had been appointed by President Gerald Ford in 1975. Sen. Christopher Bond voted NO......send e-mail or see bio Sen. Claire McCaskill voted YES......send e-mail or see bio 2011 Defense Authorization, Cloture - Vote Rejected (56-43, 1 Not Voting) The Senate rejected this attempt to end debate on the 2011 Defense spending bill, which would authorize $725.7 billion in discretionary funding for defense programs. The bill would have also repealed a 1993 law that codified the "don't ask, don't tell" policy banning military service by openly gay men and women. Sen. Christopher Bond voted NO......send e-mail or see bio Sen. Claire McCaskill voted YES......send e-mail or see bio Recent House Votes Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act - Vote Passed (219-212) In March, the House passed this bill, which would overhaul the nation's health insurance system and require most individuals to buy health insurance by 2014. Rep. Russ Carnahan voted YES......send e-mail or see bio Patrick Murphy of Pennsylvania Amendment; National Defense Authorization Act, FY2011 - Vote Agreed to (234-194, 10 Not Voting) During the defense authorization bill debate in May, the House adopted this amendment that would repeal the "don't ask, don't tell" law that prohibits openly gay men and women from serving in the military. Rep. Russ Carnahan voted YES......send e-mail or see bio Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act - Vote Passed (237-192, 4 Not Voting) The House passed the final version of the financial regulation reform legislation in June. Rep. Russ Carnahan voted YES......send e-mail or see bio Education Jobs and Medicaid Assistance Act - Vote Passed (247-161, 25 Not Voting) In August, the House passed this bill to provide $16.1 billion to extend increased Medicaid assistance to states and $10 billion in funding for states to create or retain teachers' jobs. Rep. Russ Carnahan voted YES......send e-mail or see bio

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USA vs China in Slow Climate Change Talks

US, China blame each other for slow climate talks

AP – A Chinese woman cycles through a pavement shrouded with haze in Beijing Saturday, Oct. 9, 2010. Hopes …

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By TINI TRAN, Associated Press Writer Tini Tran, Associated Press Writer – 42 mins ago

TIANJIN, China – Modest progress at U.N. climate talks Saturday was overshadowed by a continuing deadlock between China and the United States, clouding prospects for a major climate conference in Mexico in less than two months' time.

Marred by an atmosphere of mistrust, negotiations have made limited headway as the world's two largest emitters of greenhouse gases blamed each other for holding up talks.

Chief U.S. negotiator Jonathan Pershing said he was disappointed by the resistance of China and other developing nations to a major issue: allowing the monitoring and verification of their efforts to curb the greenhouse gas emissions that are blamed for global warming.

"We have made very little progress on the key issue that confronts us," he said. "These elements are a part of the deal. The lack of progress on these gives us concern about the prospects for Cancun."

Meanwhile his Chinese counterpart, Su Wei, hit back, charging developed countries with failing to commit to substantial reductions in carbon emissions while making unfair demands of developing nations. He accused the U.S. of using the transparency issue to avoid its own responsibilities to cut emissions and provide financing and technology to poor countries.

 [Scotty Notes: Why is the USA footing the bill alone in the Climate Change Issue?]

"After five years of negotiation, we have seen slow or no progress. The developed countries are trying every means possible to avoid discussion of the essential issue — that is emission reductions," he said.

The public rift over long-standing divisions between rich and poor nations threatens to jeopardize the possibility of progress at the Cancun meeting.

Delegates from more than 150 nations have been negotiating in China's northeastern city of Tianjin for the past week, working to lay the groundwork for the meeting in Mexico that starts Nov. 29.

The U.N. talks aim to secure a binding deal to curb greenhouse gases that cause global warming, but countries disagree on how to split the burden of emission cuts and how to verify them. The talks are intended to find a replacement for the Kyoto Protocol, which legally mandated modest emissions reductions and expires in 2012.

Since a binding global deal is largely out of reach for this year's meeting, negotiators have been focusing on less contentious initiatives that can lay the foundation for a legal framework that could be approved later, possibly in South Africa in 2011.

On their final day of talks, negotiators said modest progress had been made on establishing a climate fund to help poor nations, drawing up guidelines on sharing technology and deforestation issues, but expressed frustration at the overall gridlock.

"We have over the last week seen some progress but progress was slow and uneven," said EU negotiator Peter Wittoeck. "We think that a big effort will still be needed to crystallize options ... in Cancun.

Environmental groups were divided in their assessment of the week's talks, with many openly criticizing the bickering and posturing that characterized negotiations.

"At times, it has been like watching children in a kindergarten," said Wendel Trio, international climate policy director with Greenpeace.

However, others were less pessimistic, arguing that the detailed work of putting together draft proposals for Cancun has moved forward.

"We have heard of a lot of division and argument, but much of that has been performance and part of the negotiations here. Behind the scenes, they have been getting down to work this week," said Julie-Ann Richards of Climate Action Network.

Expectations had not been high coming into these negotiations, but U.N. climate chief Christiana Figueres said that despite disagreements, progress had been made in Tianjin.

"This week has got us closer to a structured set of decisions that can be agreed to in Cancun. Governments addressed what is doable in Cancun, and what may have to be left to later," she said.

Last year's U.N. climate summit in Copenhagen disappointed many environmentalists and political leaders when it failed to produce a legally binding treaty on curbing the greenhouse gases.

Scientists have warned that global warming could lead to widespread drought, floods, higher sea levels and worsening storms. Even a 3.6-degree-Fahrenheit (2-degree-Celsius) temperature rise could subject up to 2 billion people to water shortages by 2050, a U.N. panel has said.

___

Associated Press Writer Joe McDonald contributed to this report.

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Naperville Ill Solar Electricity Project

SOLAR PANELS INSTALLED AT NAPERVILLE'S FORT HILL ELECTRIC SUBSTATION

US State News
October 2, 2010

NAPERVILLE, Ill., Oct. 1 -- The City of Naperville issued the following news release:

The City of Naperville is pleased to announce that the Department of Public Utilities-Electric (DPU-E) has expanded its use of renewable energy by adding solar power to one of its substations. DPU-E, along with solar project developer SoCore Energy of Chicago, has installed 25 solar photovoltaic panels at the Fort Hill Electric Substation, located near the intersection of 75th Street and Fort Hill Drive.

The array will generate solar energy to offset the substation building's energy requirements and was donated and installed by SoCore Energy. This project will build public awareness and knowledge of solar power and help promote renewable energy sources in the community.

"Naperville's residents are energy conscious, and our utility customers have expressed an interest in ways they can conserve energy," Director of Public Utilities-Electric Mark Curran said. "We are pleased to be able to promote renewable energy to our customers and help show them possible ways to reduce their carbon footprint."

The solar panels' estimated yearly energy production is 4,500 kWh, and residents and interested parties can visit the city's website to see the amount of energy the solar panels are producing in real-time. The panels have currently produced 2.2 MWh, or the equivalent of powering 6,816 light bulbs and 2,249 computers for one day since being installed in April of this year. The carbon offset of 3,856.9 pounds by the panels has contributed the equivalent of 45 trees planted and 199 gallons of gas. To view these figures and for more information, visit www.naperville.il.us/solarpower.aspx.

These panels will also be used as a tool for teaching local students about alternative energy sources, energy conservation methods and the economics of energy demand and consumption. In addition, this project will build upon Naperville's ENERGY STAR partnership that began in April 2009.

Renewable Energy systems, such as wind turbines and solar panels, are relatively new trends, and the city's existing zoning ordinance does not directly address their installation and maintenance. In an effort to provide guidelines for installation of these types of renewable energy systems, the City of Naperville has undertaken proposed zoning amendments related to wind and solar energy. The Small Wind and Solar Renewable Energy Ordinance is scheduled for public hearing again before the Plan Commission on Wednesday, October 6 and is anticipated to go before the City Council later this year. Anyone interested in learning more about this proposed ordinance should visit www.naperville.il.us/renewableenergy.aspx.

For more information on the City of Naperville's environmental initiatives, visit www.naperville.il.us/environment.aspx. Sign up to receive Green e-News for periodic updates on Naperville's environmental initiatives at www.naperville.il.us/enews.aspx. For any query with respect to this article or any other content requirement, please contact Editor at htsyndication@hindustantimes.com

Copyright 2010 HT Media Ltd.All Rights Reserved

US State News

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49.9 MW solar array to be built on strip-mined land adjacent to The Wilds nature conservancy

Transformative 49.9 MW Solar Array to be Developed on Reclaimed Ohio Strip Mine; Spain's Leading Solar Manufacturers to Build Ohio Production Facilities; Gov. Strickland, American Electric Power CEO, Turning Point Solar and Others Sign Memoranda to Create $250 Million Solar Farm

Business Wire
October 5, 2010

Ohio Governor Ted Strickland today announced agreements to create Turning Point Solar, a 49.9 MW solar array to be built on strip-mined land adjacent to The Wilds nature conservancy. At signing ceremonies in Governor Strickland's cabinet room, American Electric Power (AEP) CEO Michael G. Morris signed a memorandum of understanding with project developers New Harvest Ventures and Agile Energy to enter into a 20-year purchase agreement for the facility's power.

Pending approval of incentives to be provided by state and local governments, two prominent Spanish solar power component manufacturers, Prius Energy S.L. and Isofoton, have agreed to open new manufacturing facilities in Ohio to help construct the 239,400 panel solar array. If operating today, Turning Point would be the largest photovoltaic solar array in the United States. Approximately 300 jobs will be needed to build the project at peak construction. In addition, Prius and Isofoton have agreed to locate their North American operations in Ohio, creating more than 300 permanent manufacturing jobs.

"This project is compelling on several fronts," said David Wilhelm, New Harvest Ventures partner. "Turning Point Solar will bring renewable energy to Ohioans at a reasonable rate, utilize reclaimed mine land in an innovative way, and bring new construction and manufacturing jobs to Appalachian Ohio."

Last week, Gov. Strickland signed an executive order eliminating Ohio's tangible personal property tax and real property tax for advanced and renewable energy project facilities, making it easier for energy companies to do business and create jobs in Ohio. In 2008, Strickland signed a landmark energy reform bill, SB 221, that calls for 25 percent of all energy consumed by Ohioans to come from advanced energy sources by 2025. Of that, .5 percent must be solar energy.

"We recognized the future when we established our state's aggressive renewable portfolio standard, invested in the energy industry and eliminated taxes for new energy facilities to create jobs and grow Ohio's advanced energy industry," said Governor Strickland. "Today, the future has recognized Ohio. One of the largest solar farms in the nation is going to be built here in Ohio, with solar panels and solar trackers made in Ohio, built by Ohioans with the know-how taught in Ohio colleges."

Gov. Strickland, accompanied by state and federal lawmakers and project stakeholders looked on as Turning Point Solar developers signed memoranda of understanding with AEP, Prius, Isofoton, and the University System of Ohio. Prius produces sun tracking equipment and racks for panels. Isofoton manufacturers large, 275 w solar photovoltaic panels.

"This is not your typical fixed solar array. To maximize output, Turning Point expects to deploy high-efficiency photovoltaic panels controlled by Prius Energy's state of the art solar tracking equipment," said JoséCarlosSánchez-Muliterno, partner and board member for Albacete, Spain based Prius Energy S.L.

Isofoton CEO Angel Luis Serrano added, "Isofoton, the reference Spanish photovoltaic manufacturer and worldwide pioneer in solar energy since 1981, is committed to setting up a next generation factory model here in Ohio. The factory will be built with local suppliers for local end-users, and with a mandate to create good and green local jobs in close partnership with Ohio's public sector energy leaders and private sector utilities. We understand that 'Made in USA' is an attribute to be proud of. We are honored to join Ohio's corporate community, renewable energy sector and growing solar cluster, together with Turning Point Solar. We look forward to becoming a dedicated contributor to Ohio's economy, putting locally manufactured Isofoton PV cells on Prius trackers and helping to make the green economy vision a reality."

Turning Point Solar is using a tract of at least 500 acres of reclaimed land mined by the Central Ohio Coal Company between 1969 and 1991. The land was infamously strip-mined by the Big Muskie, then the world's largest dragline, and one of the world's largest mobile earth-moving machines. Big Muskie removed more than 608,000,000cubic yards (465,000,000 m3) of overburden , which is twice as much earth as was moved during construction of the Panama Canal .

A wildlife park called The Wilds , which opened in 1994, was created from 10,000acres of the land stripped by Big Muskie and reclaimed. Turning Point Solar is adjacent to The Wilds, on about 1,000 fallow acres of the reclaimed land owned by the nature conservancy and the AEP. Prairie planting tests are currently being conducted as part of plans to transform the land under the solar panels into an organic carbon sink.

"This announcement is the next chapter in a great story of transforming Ohio's reclaimed mine lands," said Wilds Executive Director Evan Blumer. "We see today that with responsible stewardship and visionary leadership, we can restore our land while we improve our energy diversity and security, and bring the green collar economy to Appalachia."

Zane State University and Hocking College have both developed programs to train workers in a variety of green jobs programs including the essential skills needed to build and maintain solar operations such as Turning Point.

Congressman Zack Space (OH-18), in whose district the project will be located, concluded, "Today's announcement of more than 300 jobs coming to Southeastern Ohio provides an enormous boost for our economy in the short-term, and paves the way for the kind of long-term development that will help Appalachian Ohio reverse the economic disparity that has been so devastating to our towns and communities."

About New Harvest Ventures

New Harvest is a renewable energy development company led by David Wilhelm and Craig Overmyer, co-founders of Woodland Venture Management, which has previously launched path breaking, regionally-focused venture capital funds in the Appalachian and Great Lakes regions of the United States. They have earned a reputation for investing in strong companies located off the beaten path, often in rural areas of the country-places like Nelsonville, Ohio, Altoona, Penn., and Marquette, Mich. The mission of New Harvest builds on that work: to advance promising projects and proven energy technologies in environmentally- and economically-challenged regions of the United States.

About Agile Energy

Agile Energy, based in San Bruno, CA, develops utility scale photovoltaic ("PV") plants in North America. The company was founded in 2009, coincident with the closing of its Series A investment by Good Energies, Inc. For more on Agile's history and team, please refer to its website at www.agileenergy.com . Agile's co-founders, Mr. Glen Davis and Mr. Robert Morgan have spent their careers in the power industry, first at AES Corporation for a combined 32 years and then at Ausra, Inc. The Agile team brings over 60 years of combined experience in power project development and has collectively secured over $5 billion in debt and equity project financing spanning five continents. Members of Agile's team have developed several solar PV projects over the last several years.

Copyright 2010 Business Wire, Inc.

Business Wire

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world's largest photovoltaic facility-80-megawatt Sarnia Solar Project

Enbridge, First Solar complete world's largest photovoltaic facility

October 4, 2010

Source: Enbridge Inc. and First Solar, Inc.


Enbridge Inc. (NYSE: ENB) and First Solar, Inc. (NASDAQ: FSLR) have achieved commercial operation of the 80-megawatt (MW) Sarnia Solar Project, making it the largest operating photovoltaic facility in the world. 

The project complements Enbridge's significant and growing portfolio of green energy assets that includes interests in seven wind farms, a geothermal project, four waste heat recovery facilities and a commercial application of integrated energy recovery and fuel cell technology. 

"Our investments in green energy are an increasingly important part of Enbridge's business," said Al Monaco, Executive Vice President, Major Projects and Green Energy, Enbridge Inc. "Over the last year, we added four new projects totaling $1.5 billion, increasing our total green energy investment to $2 billion and establishing a solid platform for attractive and sustainable long-term growth with a risk-return profile consistent with our Liquids Pipelines and natural gas businesses." 

"At the same time, our green energy assets deliver strong environmental benefits," added Mr. Monaco. "Enbridge intends to stabilize our environmental footprint at 2009 levels under a program that includes a commitment to generate a kilowatt of renewable energy for every kilowatt of power our operations consume. We will achieve this goal through projects like the Sarnia Solar Project." 

The total generating capacity (in operation and under construction) of the green energy projects in which Enbridge has invested is almost 850 MW, which is enough energy to meet the needs of about 292,000 homes.
First Solar, a leading manufacturer of photovoltaic (PV) solar panels and provider of solar solutions, will operate and maintain the Sarnia Solar Project for Enbridge under a long-term contract. First Solar developed, engineered, and constructed the facility, using its advanced thin film solar panels. 

"Completing the world's largest PV power plant demonstrates the migration of solar PV toward utility scale," said Frank De Rosa, First Solar's senior vice president of North American project development. "With this project, we expect to install 145 MW this year in North America." 

In addition to generating about 120,000 MWh per year of emissions-free power, the Sarnia Solar Project produces no waste and uses PV technology that was designed to create the smallest carbon footprint of any PV technology available. Enbridge expects the facility to generate enough power to meet the needs of about 12,800 homes. 

Enbridge will sell the power output of the facility to the Ontario Power Authority pursuant to 20-year Power Purchase Agreements under the terms of the Ontario government's Renewable Energy Standard Offer Program.
Development of the Sarnia Solar Project aligns not only with Enbridge's and First Solar's objectives, but with those of the Government of Ontario. 

"The Sarnia Solar Project is an example of the kinds of renewable energy projects that have been developed under the Government of Ontario's Green Energy Act," said the Honourable Brad Duguid, Ontario Minister of Energy. "Ontario can now boast the largest solar farm in North America - it is projects like this one that are making us a leader in renewable energy and helping us all move towards a cleaner energy future." 

"This is a significant project that not only helps power local homes and businesses with clean, renewable energy, but improves our air quality at the same time," said Maria Van Bommel, MPP for Lambton-Kent-Middlesex. "I'm proud that a McGuinty government policy is helping Sarnia-Lambton take the lead on solar power." 

Sarnia Solar Energy at a glance:
Capacity peak: about 80 MW of emissions-free power
Power purchaser: Ontario Power Authority
Facility size: Located on 950 acres
Panel surface area: about 966,000 square metres, which is about 1.3 million thin film panels (First Solar)
Annual yield: about 120,000 MWh
CO2 saving: over 39,000 tonnes per year
Jobs created: About 800 jobs created at construction peak, as well as indirect benefits to dozens of businesses in the Sarnia area, including engineering and design firms, construction subcontractors, suppliers and service providers.

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Re: Hey, Big Oil: We Don't Want More Dirty Energy!

On Fri, Oct 8, 2010 at 7:55 AM, Natasha, Care2 Action Alerts <actionalerts@care2.com> wrote:

Care2 subscriber since Aug 29, 2010

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you have 53 butterfly credits

Hey, Big Oil: Consumers Don't Want Dirty Energy! » Dear Scotty, Early voting has started this week in California, and the giant oil companies are running their slick TV ads in hopes of convincing voters to kill the state's innovative clean energy law. This is a fight for all of us in the United States. Tell Big Oil that consumers don't want more dirty energy! » Valero and Tesoro Oil are among the nation's largest toxic polluters, and their refineries in California are among the top 10 polluters in the state. California's four-year-old clean energy law is being held up as a national model for other states, and the oil companies know it. And this isn't just an environmental issue. If we let Big Oil win on California's ballot this fall, we'll be taking a step backwards for our health and clean energy jobs as well. Tell Texas oil companies to take a hike, and let's clean up our air and energy choices. » Thanks for taking action! Natasha Care2 Campaign Team Take action link: http://www.care2.com/go/z/e/AF4I6/zKKt/BJ1xQ

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