Secretary Steven Chu helps create a few thousands jobs

Secretary of Energy Steven Chu and the Obama Administration made history today, offering the first loan guarantee from the Department of Energy, a loan guarantee that will help Solyndra, a solar energy company, build a new factory to produce solar panels. Not only will those panels reduce our dependence on dirty sources of energy like coal and oil, building and installing them will create thousands of jobs in California and across the country:

From Solyndra's estimates:

* The construction of this complex will employ approximately 3,000 people.

* The operation of the facility will create over 1,000 jobs in the United States.

* The installation of these panels will create hundreds of additional jobs in the United States.

* The commercialization of this technology is expected to then be duplicated in multiple other manufacturing facilities.

This is what we've been talking about. This is how investing in clean energy and reducing global warming pollution can help kick-start our economy. This is a great start.

Read the Department of Energy release here.

Solar energy production more than doubled in 2008

A new report from Solarbuzz shows that 2008 was a record setting year for the production of clean, renewable energy production worldwide. Though solar energy production more than doubled, the US came in third in overall solar production.

America should be the world's leader in renewable energy, but it will take meaningful investments in new technologies. That's one reason why LCV supports President Obama's budget, which includes $150 billion in clean energy investments.

Read about the record production of 2008 at Sustainable Energy Transition.

Coal: The Not So Clean Alternative to Oil

Oil prices have hit $135 a barrel as of today, which has led energy suppliers to look towards coal to lessen the cost. Many glorify the petroleum alternative, happy to save money and to decrease dependence on foreign oil.

Mentioned in a New York Times article this morning, the revival of coal mines in Bibai, Japan has brought “hope” to workers who have not seen production of this magnitude in nearly four decades.

But what is often pushed aside when considering the use of coal as an energy alternative to oil is the adverse environmental impacts of its mining.

The World Coal Institute, a non-profit, non-governmental organization of coal enterprises and associations, says that surface coal mining requires large areas of land to be disturbed, which encourages soil erosion, dust, noise and water pollution, and harmfully effects local biodiversity.

While oil is having negative consequences on foreign affairs, the environment, and our wallets, Coal is no better a solution if we want to minimize our destructive impact on the environment.

More dedication should be paid to the uses of renewable energy alternatives such as, wind, solar, and tidal if we expect to lessen the influences of oil while concurrently working towards a clean and safe environment.

Another Great Reason to Walk to Work

Scientists have invented a knee brace which generates electricity as you walk, so that soon you’ll be able to auto-charge your phone on an afternoon stroll. It works on similar principles as a hybrid car, which collect energy whenever the vehicle slows. When hybrid cars brake, their regenerative brakes store energy which would have been released as heat. Similarly, the innovating knee brace collects the energy released at the knee whenever the leg slows. Cool!

Rep. Maloney Supports Clean Energy

Last week New York Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney (D-14), who scored 100% on LCV’s 2007 environmental scorecard, voted for a bill that would cut billions of dollars in tax breaks for oil companies and invest them in clean renewable energy. At the same time she commented that while most New Yorkers were burdened by record high oil prices (in the last year a gallon of gasoline at pumps in NYC has risen from $2.55 to $3.31), the five largest oil companies reported record profits for 2007.

The Renewable Energy and Energy Conservation Tax Act of 2008 passed by a 236-182 vote. It includes solar energy tax credits that could reduce carbon dioxide pollution by 240 million tons. Rep. Maloney said that the Geothermal Energy Association estimates that just geothermal provisions could “create tens of thousands of new jobs and stimulate tens of billions of new investments in geothermal energy production.” It would also bring new jobs in the wind, solar, and fuel cell technology sectors.

LCV Staff Retreats to Chesapeake Bay

LCV staff members were lucky to have the chance to take a full-day retreat to the ultra-hip and super-eco-friendly Merrill Environmental Center at the Chesapeake Bay Foundation. We discussed our 2007 highs and lows, set goals for 2008 and beyond and enjoyed a day away from the bustle of downtown D.C.

The Chesapeake Bay Foundation Headquarters building is recognized as one of the "greenest" buildings ever constructed. Sustainability issues ranging from energy use to material selection were given serious consideration throughout design and construction of this facility. It was the first building to receive a Platinum rating through the U.S. Green Building Council's LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Rating System, version 1.0.

Covered in recycled cans and cars and heated by solar panels, the building is capable of using 70 percent less energy than a typical office building.

While we were there, Kerry snapped some great photos of the building itself, and of the beautiful waters which the Foundation works to protect.

Action: The Solar Electric Light Fund

Those of you who are interested in solar power and alleviating poverty might be interested in doing the following:

The Solar Electric Light Fund (SELF), a non-profit organization here in D.C., brings solar panels to rural villagers in developing countries including South Africa, India, China, Tanzania and Brazil. With these solar panels, villagers are harnessing electricity for lighting, refridgeration, water pumps and other tools that significantly improve health, education, and small businesses.

The Hinkle Charitable Foundation has agreed to donate $100 to SELF every time someone skims three brief articles on reducing energy waste.

When you have a moment, visit www.self.org and click on the "Pure Waste Challenge."

Thanks!
Courtenay
LCV Communications Intern