Let the Spending Begin
by Teresa Hansen, editor in chief
The electric utility industry, specifically the power-delivery side of the industry, soon will be responsible for creating tens of thousands of jobs and improving customer service and reliability in 49 states. At least that’s the intent of $3.4 billion that the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) recently awarded to 100 companies to build the smart grid.
These awards are important enough to the administration that President Obama made the announcement. The winning projects are split into four categories: advanced metering infrastructure, electric distribution systems, electric transmission systems and equipment manufacturing. Most press releases I’ve seen report that this money will support installation of about 18 million smart meters, 700 automated substations and 200 advanced transformers.
Energy Secretary Steven Chu told GridWeek attendees in September that the $4.5 billion his department plans to distribute as part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act will be the down payment on the clean energy economy. The recent awards represent the first round of those funds.
The 100 awardees must match the stimulus money they’re receiving with an equal amount of private funding. This will bring the total amount to be invested in the smart grid as a result of this announcement to about $7 billion. In addition, this money should begin to enter the market right away and must be spent in its entirety within the next 36 months. This is good news for the industry, especially for those companies receiving the funding and their vendor partners.
Investments of $7 billion in the next three years should help stimulate the economy, but how far will it go to transform the current grid, which was built to deliver electricity generated from fossil fuel, into the grid that will transport and distribute the green, sustainable energy Chu envisions? I’ve heard several experts say that it will cost $50 billion or more to prepare the grid for renewables integration, electricity storage devices, distributed generation (such as rooftop solar), plug-in vehicles and energy efficiency technologies. That means close to $45 billion of private money needs to be invested in the grid in the next few years.
Given that the entire American Recovery and Reinvestment Act will divvy up more than $700 billion, $45 billion doesn’t sound like that much. It’s easy for us to become desensitized when we hear "billions" and "trillions" being spouted off in news reports every night. Nevertheless, $45 billion is a lot of money, and for that matter, $3.4 billion is a lot of money.
Many people still are concerned whether this money will result in successful implementations, especially when questions exist about standards and the DOE’s funding stipulations. I understand these concerns, but I try to remember that the main purpose of this money is to stimulate the economy, create jobs and develop a clean energy economy. I hope the taxpayer money and private investments lead to well-planned and executed projects that perform according to plan, a tall order for recipients.
I congratulate the investor-owned utilities, municipalities, cooperatives and public utilities, as well as the handful of equipment manufacturers that received this first round of stimulus funding. Now go forth, raise capital, create jobs and build the grid that will allow our industry, its customers and our nation to flourish.
11.01.2009
Water Saver
Dual Flush Retro-Fit Toilet Kit---FLUSH CHOICE™
In today's economy, we are all trying to cut costs and save money. Conserving water is not only helping reduce our costs in our homes and businesses, it is also allowing us to become eco-friendly conscious.
A Dual Flush Toilet is one that allows you to choose to flush with half the normal amount of water or a full flush when needed. The vast majority of toilet flushes only require a small amount of water to clean the bowl. For a family of four it is estimated that a Dual Flush Toilet can save up to 20,000 gallons per year! Why flush your money down the drain year after year with rising water costs?
Over the last few years, we have seen the new dual flush toilets come into new construction/remodels for homes as well as businesses. The only problem with these new toilets is that they seem to be quite high in price, therefore, it takes awhile to see our ROI (return on investment).
Currently, the majority of homes and businesses have the 2 piece toilets and in order to have a dual flush toilet, it was/is required that you replace your existing toilet. This can become quite costly with the purchase, installation and take into account that your bathroom flooring will have to be re-done to match the new style of toilet.
Dual flush retrofit valve kits give the following benefits:
.Saves money on your water utility bill
.Saves our precious water resources
.Reduces the polluted septic water
.Cuts down on required chemical and energy used in the purification process
.Retro-fits and upgrades existing toilets-no need to buy new toilets
.Fits almost all two piece toilets
.You can select and vary the amount of water used
.Can be installed by anyone using the simple instructions
.Can be professionally installed for much less cost of a new toilet.
Your overall savings will depend on the age of your toilet. If you currently have older toilets, and most of us do, with a 5 gallon capacity tank-your savings will shock you. For any of the newer model tanks, say 3.5 or 1.6 gallon size, savings will be more than substantial.
One study documented dual flush water savings with flush volumes reduced by 68 per cent in single-family dwellings, 56 per cent in office washrooms, and 52 per cent in restaurants. Total water savings will vary depending on frequency of use (for example, a coffee shop registered an average of 143 flushes per day).So that's how this revolutionary new product works and how it can start saving you money from the day it's installed.
Installing a dual flush toilet kit is one of the easiest ways to become eco-friendly and save money and water at the same time. You will defiantly see your ROI in just a few short months. If you consider yourself handy around the house and can follow simple step by step instructions, you will see your ROI much sooner. If you would rather have it professionally installed, your local plumber can install it for the cost of a service call.
When choosing your dual flush kit, you will find there are a several different brands on the market and you will want to make sure you find one with a good warranty. Having a good warranty of at least 5 years on the product will assure you the brand you choose is going to last. Remember, the unit is going to live in water and having the warranty of at least 5 years will assure you that the manufacturer is confident in their product.
Re Power America by Al Gore
Dear Scotty,
When a clean energy economy finally becomes a reality in America, people will look back to the day that together, you and I launched The Repower America Wall.
The Wall is a place where literally thousands and thousands of people committed to a revolutionary new energy future for our nation and the world are coming together -- to express our hopes, share our resolve, and step up to a leadership role in building a grassroots movement for change like nothing America has ever seen. It's an opportunity for you to be part of the climate movement in a new way, in a way that takes us beyond ourselves.
By asking people from all over the country to share their thoughts and images on the Wall, we are fueling a campaign that brings together the power of national media with the strength and connection of on-the-ground organizing in a way that no one has ever done before. Your voice, and the voices of your friends, neighbors and colleagues, will become the language of our campaign on TV, in print, on billboards, online, and in brand new ways that you will help us invent as we create the Wall.
We know that the political will to transition America to a clean energy economy already exists. You are part of it. But now we must make sure our leaders know it too. The Wall will become our collective voice and thus transform the debate into action.
It's an ambitious strategy -- and it has to be.Nothing short of every one of us joined together is needed to overcome the resistance of the powerful special interests blocking our path to a clean energy future, settling for the dangerous status quo.
But the time for politics is over. We have the power to force change in America. Together, you and I will use the Wall as the foundation for all of our activism in the days and weeks ahead.
But first, I need you to meet me at the Wall.Share your voice on The Repower America Wall right now.
The Wall is a revolutionary approach to standing up for what we believe in -- for what our country needs. It combines the power of your voice with the force of a multi-media campaign, to build a collective call for change so loud it's undeniable. The messages you and many thousands of others leave at the Wall are the tidal wave that will break on Washington, and put us on the path to victory.
Our grassroots organizers in the states will use the Wall -- your Wall -- as proof that all of our friends and neighbors are as committed to clean energy as we are -- that we are joined together in this commitment.
Content shared on the Wall will be used to create ads and other forms of communication that will go directly to your elected officials so that everywhere they look they will see the very people they represent, their constituents, calling for action now on clean energy -- in the local newspaper, on television, on billboards, on the radio, and on important local and national websites. There will be no place to hide. The Wall will be everywhere.
When our opponents throw roadblocks in our way, we'll gather at the Wall to fight back. And when key decisions are at hand, we'll light up the Wall to let politicians who side with powerful interests against clean energy do so at their own peril.
The time to demand a clean energy future for America is now. But we must stand together. Unless we do everything in our power to make our voices heard, the change we seek will not happen.
Stand up and be a part of the generation that makes future generations proud -- join the movement and share your voice on The Repower America Wall today.
This is just the beginning. Next week we will take this campaign to the airwaves with new Repower America national television ads featuring real messages from the Wall. By acting now to share your own personal message on the Repower America Wall, you can insure that you were there at the start.
What you and I do today will determine everything about our country's future and the world our children will inherit. The time for action is right now and the cause deserves your best efforts.
If you want to win and insure our clean energy future, I'll see you at the Wall. Together we can make this happen.
Thank you,
Al Gore
When a clean energy economy finally becomes a reality in America, people will look back to the day that together, you and I launched The Repower America Wall.
The Wall is a place where literally thousands and thousands of people committed to a revolutionary new energy future for our nation and the world are coming together -- to express our hopes, share our resolve, and step up to a leadership role in building a grassroots movement for change like nothing America has ever seen. It's an opportunity for you to be part of the climate movement in a new way, in a way that takes us beyond ourselves.
By asking people from all over the country to share their thoughts and images on the Wall, we are fueling a campaign that brings together the power of national media with the strength and connection of on-the-ground organizing in a way that no one has ever done before. Your voice, and the voices of your friends, neighbors and colleagues, will become the language of our campaign on TV, in print, on billboards, online, and in brand new ways that you will help us invent as we create the Wall.
We know that the political will to transition America to a clean energy economy already exists. You are part of it. But now we must make sure our leaders know it too. The Wall will become our collective voice and thus transform the debate into action.
It's an ambitious strategy -- and it has to be.Nothing short of every one of us joined together is needed to overcome the resistance of the powerful special interests blocking our path to a clean energy future, settling for the dangerous status quo.
But the time for politics is over. We have the power to force change in America. Together, you and I will use the Wall as the foundation for all of our activism in the days and weeks ahead.
But first, I need you to meet me at the Wall.Share your voice on The Repower America Wall right now.
The Wall is a revolutionary approach to standing up for what we believe in -- for what our country needs. It combines the power of your voice with the force of a multi-media campaign, to build a collective call for change so loud it's undeniable. The messages you and many thousands of others leave at the Wall are the tidal wave that will break on Washington, and put us on the path to victory.
Our grassroots organizers in the states will use the Wall -- your Wall -- as proof that all of our friends and neighbors are as committed to clean energy as we are -- that we are joined together in this commitment.
Content shared on the Wall will be used to create ads and other forms of communication that will go directly to your elected officials so that everywhere they look they will see the very people they represent, their constituents, calling for action now on clean energy -- in the local newspaper, on television, on billboards, on the radio, and on important local and national websites. There will be no place to hide. The Wall will be everywhere.
When our opponents throw roadblocks in our way, we'll gather at the Wall to fight back. And when key decisions are at hand, we'll light up the Wall to let politicians who side with powerful interests against clean energy do so at their own peril.
The time to demand a clean energy future for America is now. But we must stand together. Unless we do everything in our power to make our voices heard, the change we seek will not happen.
Stand up and be a part of the generation that makes future generations proud -- join the movement and share your voice on The Repower America Wall today.
This is just the beginning. Next week we will take this campaign to the airwaves with new Repower America national television ads featuring real messages from the Wall. By acting now to share your own personal message on the Repower America Wall, you can insure that you were there at the start.
What you and I do today will determine everything about our country's future and the world our children will inherit. The time for action is right now and the cause deserves your best efforts.
If you want to win and insure our clean energy future, I'll see you at the Wall. Together we can make this happen.
Thank you,
Al Gore
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