State of the Union Clean Energy Overview

State of the Union 2011 Fact Sheets: overview, clean energy, R+D, manufacturing, patents

Author(s): 

Miriam Berg

In his State of the Union delivered Jan. 25, 2011, President Barack Obama highlighted energy-saving measures to stimulate the economy. Want to learn the facts? Read the full text and check out these fact sheets from the White House Office of Public Engagement, including details on energy-related programs that Obama aims to strengthen:

• Overview Fact Sheet: "The State of the Union: President Obama's Plan to Win the Future." In his State of the Union, Obama spoke of the need to maintain America's leadership in a rapidly changing world so that the U.S. economy is competitive – growing and working for all Americans.
• Clean Energy R&D Fact Sheet: "President Obama's Plan to Win the Future by Investing in Clean Energy Research and Development (R&D)." In his State of the Union, Obama called for "winning the future" through new investments in R&D that will grow the U.S. economy and allow America to remain competitive in the 21st century.
• Clean Energy Standard (CES) Fact Sheet: "President Obama's Plan to Win the Future by Producing More Electricity Through Clean Energy." In his State of the Union, Obama said a global race is underway to develop and manufacture clean energy technologies, and Americans are competing with other countries that are playing to win.
• Manufacturing Fact Sheet: "President Obama's Plan to Win the Future by Investing in Advanced Manufacturing Technologies." In his State of the Union, Obama recognized that manufacturing is critical to long-term economic competitiveness and the United States' ability to "win the future."
• Patents Fact Sheet: "President Obama's Plan to Win the Future by Catalyzing Invention, Innovation and Economic Growth through Patent Reform." In his State of the Union, Obama noted that American inventors live with an unnecessarily frustrating and costly patent system. Obama's patent reform program is key to winning the future by allowing inventions to move to the market more quickly and stimulating faster innovation.

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Insulating the Crawlspace

Author(s): 

Tom Simchak

Return to the introduction

Thinking about making energy efficient home improvements? Home insulation is a classic homeowner example that comes to mind. Despite long-held aspirations, it was only recently that I tackled the project of insulating the crawlspace beneath my dining room. Cold floors during winter months finally convinced me it was time for insulation.

As crawlspaces go, this space was relatively accessible, even if it did require crawling about in dust, stones, nails and wisps of old fiberglass insulation (a more extensive use of gloves, a dust mask and safety goggles would have been a good idea). It was evident that others in the past had the same idea as me — various odd bits of fiberglass insulation had been messily attached by various means between the floor joists and there was a lot of chicken wire along with odd scraps of wood and vinyl siding. Article continues here

Scotts Contracating is now accepting New Contracts for Weatherization and Home Improvement Projects.
contact information:

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Energy & Environment Consumer Survey

75% of Consumers Have a Favorable View of Solar and Wind Energy,

According to New Survey from Pike Research

Monday, February 07, 2011 5:01 AM

(Source: Business Wire)

The future of the U.S. energy supply is a topic of fierce debate in the political and business arenas, and consumer opinion is a vital component of the broader discussion about the pros and cons of various paths toward a clean energy future. According to a new survey from Pike Research, consumer support for renewable energy sources, such as solar and wind, is extremely high.

•  In a survey of more than 1,000 U.S. adults, the cleantech market intelligence firm found that
  
• 79% of consumers have a favorable view of solar energy, and
  
• 75% have a favorable view of wind energy --
•  in terms of overall support, these were the top two highest ranked areas in a survey that asked consumers about their views on 12 energy and environmental concepts. The results are summarized in a free white paper, which is available for download on Pike Research's website.

The percentagesof survey respondents stating that they had either a "very favorable" or "favorable" view for each of the 12 concepts were as follows:

1. Solar Energy: 79%
2. Wind Energy: 75%
3. Hybrid Vehicles: 64%
4. Electric Cars: 57%
5. Biofuels: 47%
6. Clean Coal: 47%
7. Nuclear Power: 42%
8. Smart Meters: 37%
9. Smart Grid: 37%
10. Carbon Offsets/Credits: 24%
11. LEED Certification: 19%
12. Cap and Trade: 15%

Cap and Trade and Nuclear Power were tied in terms of the largest percentage of "strongly unfavorable" or "somewhat unfavorable" views from survey participants, each with a 19% unfavorable rating, followed closely by Carbon Offsets/Credits with 18%. LEED Certification, the green building certification program administered by the U.S. Green Building Council, suffered from a very low level of familiarity among respondents -- 53% stated that they were unfamiliar with the program, the lowest level of familiarity of any of the 12 energy and environment concepts.

Pike Research's white paper, "Energy & Environment Consumer Survey", analyzes consumer attitudes and awareness about 12 energy and environmental concepts. In addition to favorable and unfavorable opinions, the number of respondents unfamiliar with a concept is also considered to compare the level of consumer awareness within each topic. The study includes charts summarizing the survey results, along with commentary on notable trends and patterns for each area. A full copy of the white paper is available for free download on the firm's website.

Pike Research is a market research and consulting firm that provides in-depth analysis of global clean technology markets. The company's research methodology combines supply-side industry analysis, end-user primary research and demand assessment, and deep examination of technology trends to provide a comprehensive view of the Smart Energy, Smart Grid, Smart Transportation, Smart Industry, and Smart Buildings sectors. For more information, visit www.pikeresearch.com or call +1.303.997.4619.

A service of YellowBrix, Inc.

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Westinghouse Solar Information

 Westinghouse Solar

• The trusted way to go solar

Westinghouse has always been a part of your home. Westinghouse Solar continues that tradition with solar panels that are safe, powerful and reliable. Energy from the sun is clean and affordable. And now you can get it from a name you’ve always counted on.

• Power for the way you live

The Westinghouse Solar Power System is good for your planet, and even better for your budget. It will not only decrease your dependency on fossil-fueled energy sources, but will dramatically reduce - in some cases even eliminate - your energy bill. 

• The Westinghouse warranty

You have our word on it. Every Westinghouse Solar Power System is backed by the proven reliability of the Westinghouse name. Our warranty covers panels for 25 years, inverters for 15 years.

• 5-25% more energy than other solar panels

Advanced monocrystalline solar cell technology efficiently captures and converts more of the sun’s energy into more usable power for you, while technology on each panel ensures you achieve maximum power production 

• Safe, reliable AC power

Unlike the high-voltage DC current powering ordinary systems, Westinghouse Solar Power systems feature a built-in technology that delivers safe AC power. In addition, our innovative design guards the system from the corrosive effects of sun, wind and rain to provide decades of optimal performance. 

• Sleek, efficient design

The clean, contemporary look of Westinghouse Solar Panels complements any roof and style of home. But the benefits extend beyond beauty. The entire system requires 80% fewer parts to install and maintain, ensuring years of worry-free operation.

• DIY or Scotts Contracting can assist click here to email scottscontracting for additional Information

Britians Military- Fossil F to Green Energy Sources for Frontline Military Bases

Green energy plan at military bases

(UKPA) – 13 hours ago

British military bases on the front line in Afghanistan could be run on solar and wind energy in future under Ministry of Defence plans.

The move would cut the need for expensive and dangerous convoys to supply diesel for the electricity generators at forward operating bases deep in Taliban territory.

The MoD's Defence Equipment and Support (DE&S) agency has invited contractors to put forward ideas for how remote bases could switch to renewable energy sources.

Firms have also been asked to look at everything from introducing more efficient generators to reducing the power used for laundry.

Insurgents have regularly targeted tankers carrying fuel into Afghanistan, and the military seeks to keep diesel resupply convoys to a minimum because they are vulnerable to attacks with improvised explosive devices (IEDs).

Ray Fielding, of DE&S's programmes and technology group, said: "Alternative power systems must provide a similar level of electrical power with the same degree of robustness and remove the logistics burden of transporting fuel to the base. There must be no compromise to the effectiveness of the operations."

He added: "Although more efficient generators offer one possible solution, to minimise regular resupplies of diesel, renewable technologies are of great interest. While a single technology may not be the answer it may be possible to combine a number of approaches to supply the power needed."

The programme is being run with the British Antarctic Survey and Canada's Department of National Defence, which are also seeking to reduce the need to supply isolated bases with fuel.

The MoD is currently buying portable solar panels which will be issued to British personnel at smaller bases in Helmand Province in southern Afghanistan within the next six months.

The panels - which look like large mats and can be folded up and stored in a bag - are intended to cut the weight of the kit troops carry by reducing the need for heavy batteries.

Copyright © 2011 The Press Association. All rights reserved.http://www.google.com/hostednews/ukpress/article/ALeqM5i6iNNJCz4DvOcyo9XtORdqN5VbQw?docId=N0572261296961450571A

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NFLs Green Energy Initiative

The Super Bowl 2011 NFL Championship Game will be tomorrow, February 6, 2011. The game will kick off at 6:25 pm Eastern Time; 5:25 pm Central Time on FOX
Pittsburgh Steelers  vs. Green Bay Packers Sunday, February 6, 2011 - 5:30pm CST on FOX

NFL- National Football League- Green Energy Initiative.  Kudos to the NFL and the On-going Green Initiative!  Besides this years Super Bowl Game between the Green Bay Packers and the Pittsburgh Steelers is being advertised as the 'Greenest Super Bowl of All-Time'.





 In addition to this Green Energy initiative, the NFL has launched several other projects designed to address environmental impacts associated with the production of Super Bowl XLV. For instance:

• In partnership with the US Forest Service, Texas Trees Foundation and the Texas Forest Service, thousands of trees are being planted in a dozen communities throughout North Texas as part of the overall "greening" of Super Bowl XLV. "Super Grow XLV" tree planting events are taking place at local schools, parks and playgrounds.
• As part of an ongoing program with federal and state agencies and nonprofit community organizations, the environmental impact of the thousands of trees planted over the past seven years in connection with Super Bowl (and Pro Bowl) will be monitored and reported on an annual basis. Annual calculations of environmental benefits will be certified by researchers from the US Forest Service/USDA.
• Biofuels for transportation and field generators will be used wherever possible and practical. This includes a significant number of the buses in the Super Bowl transportation fleet.
• Solid waste will be diverted from local landfills through recycling projects at major event venues including Cowboys Stadium, the Super Bowl stadium compound, the Super Bowl XLV Media Center and the NFL Super Bowl headquarters offices.
• Extra prepared food from Super Bowl events will be collected and donated to community agencies. Several local agencies will participate under the leadership of the North Texas Food Bank and the Tarrant Area Food Bank. Tens of thousands of pounds of prepared food are expected to be recovered from sanctioned and non-sanctioned events. Food is distributed to shelters, community kitchens and churches throughout North Texas immediately after each participating event.
• All leftover, usable materials from Super Bowl events will be inventoried and donated to local non-profit agencies in North Texas. The Salvation Army is handling the sorting and distribution of recovered material. Donations include decorative materials, building materials, office supplies and equipment. For the second year in a row miles of decor material into re-manufactured products. A portion of the profit from sales of those products goes to support community youth programs.
• The "Super Kids –Super Sharing" project provides an opportunity for local school children to donate their gently used books, sports equipment, board games and school supplies to children in need in North Texas. Partners include the Dallas Cowboys, the Salvation Army, the Catholic Dioceses of Dallas and Fort Worth, and school districts throughout North Texas. More than 100 North Texas schools have registered in advance to participate, and all donated items will be sorted, inventoried and distributed to local schools in need and to local youth programs.

According to Jack Groh, the NFL's Environmental Program Director, these projects are designed to address the immediate environmental impact and, wherever possible, leave a tangible benefit to the local host community. Plus, all projects are developed in partnership with the local North Texas Super Bowl XLV Host Committee and with a number of national, regional and local organizations.

(The above was posted at: http://www.examiner.com/science-nature-in-national/super-bowl-xlv-will-be-greenest-nfl-championship-ever)
Continue reading on Examiner.com: Super Bowl XLV Will Be Greenest NFL Championship Ever - National Science & Nature | Examiner.com http://www.examiner.com/science-nature-in-national/super-bowl-xlv-will-be-greenest-nfl-championship-ever#ixzz1D8uWS5XM

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6 Trends That Will Shape Green Homes

From energy efficiency to water conservation to density, here are the issues that will matter most to sustainable builders and consumers in 2011. 6 Trends That Will Shape Green Homes Brought to you via: St Louis Renewable Energy - Eco Home