Senator Murkowski introduces bills to boost hydropower generation
WASHINGTON, D.C., U.S. 7/14/10 (PennWell) --
U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, has introduced two pieces of legislation aimed at increasing the production of electricity from renewable hydropower and creating jobs in America’s energy sector. The "Hydropower Improvement Act" and the "Hydropower Renewable Energy Development Act" would boost federal support for hydropower projects.
The Hydropower Improvement Act, co-sponsored by Sen. Patty Murray, D-Wash; Sen. Maria Cantwell, D-Wash; and Sen. Mike Crapo, R-Idaho, aims to increase the capacity of our nation’s hydropower sources to generate clean, renewable electricity by up to 75,000 megawatts.
Click above link for full story
Thursday, July 15, 2010
Saturday, June 26, 2010
The Alaska Journal of Commerce - Parnell zapped for energy fund cuts 06/18/10
The Alaska Journal of Commerce - Parnell zapped for energy fund cuts 06/18/10
Gov. Sean Parnell is taking flak for his June 3 vetoes of state funds for energy projects.
"The governor has talked a lot about how we have to be fiscally conservative, but these are projects that will make our communities more self-reliant and less dependent on diesel, and state Power Cost Equalization funds, in five to 10 years," when petroleum revenues will be sharply lower, said Bob Venables, energy director for the Southeast Conference, the economic development association for Southeast Alaska.
Click on above link to read the full story in the Alaska Journal of Commerce
Gov. Sean Parnell is taking flak for his June 3 vetoes of state funds for energy projects.
"The governor has talked a lot about how we have to be fiscally conservative, but these are projects that will make our communities more self-reliant and less dependent on diesel, and state Power Cost Equalization funds, in five to 10 years," when petroleum revenues will be sharply lower, said Bob Venables, energy director for the Southeast Conference, the economic development association for Southeast Alaska.
Click on above link to read the full story in the Alaska Journal of Commerce
Northern Cross touts solution to Yukon’s energy pinch | Yukon News
Northern Cross touts solution to Yukon’s energy pinch | Yukon News
As far as fossil fuels go, it’s cheap, clean and plentiful.
If Northern Cross has its way, the stuff will help power Yukon’s next generation of mines. It may even one day help propel the trucking fleet that carries goods up the Alaska Highway.
It’s natural gas. There’s an estimated 5 trillion cubic feet of it beneath Eagle Plain, and Northern Cross, a small, privately-held Calgary company, wants to pump it to the surface, chill it to minus 160 degrees Celsius so it condenses to liquid, and truck it to energy-hungry mines within the territory.
Click above link to read the full story in Yukon News
As far as fossil fuels go, it’s cheap, clean and plentiful.
If Northern Cross has its way, the stuff will help power Yukon’s next generation of mines. It may even one day help propel the trucking fleet that carries goods up the Alaska Highway.
It’s natural gas. There’s an estimated 5 trillion cubic feet of it beneath Eagle Plain, and Northern Cross, a small, privately-held Calgary company, wants to pump it to the surface, chill it to minus 160 degrees Celsius so it condenses to liquid, and truck it to energy-hungry mines within the territory.
Click above link to read the full story in Yukon News
Thursday, April 22, 2010
Power line goes to review, Vancouver Sun
Power line goes to review
A proposed $404-million power line would create "major" economic opportunity including mining and renewable power projects in northwest British Columbia, according to BC Transmission Corp.
The Crown agency says in a new submission to the B.C. environmental assessment office that the impact on forests, fish and wildlife from construction of a 335-kilometre Northwest Transmission Line are not generally not significant with the exception of clearing of old-growth cedar in some areas along the route.
The 287-kilovolt line would run between the Terrace substation to Bob Quinn Lake, roughly following the Highway 37 corridor, in a 38-metre-wide right of way.
A proposed $404-million power line would create "major" economic opportunity including mining and renewable power projects in northwest British Columbia, according to BC Transmission Corp.
The Crown agency says in a new submission to the B.C. environmental assessment office that the impact on forests, fish and wildlife from construction of a 335-kilometre Northwest Transmission Line are not generally not significant with the exception of clearing of old-growth cedar in some areas along the route.
The 287-kilovolt line would run between the Terrace substation to Bob Quinn Lake, roughly following the Highway 37 corridor, in a 38-metre-wide right of way.
Sunday, March 28, 2010
B.C. ready to support ocean power, minister says, Vancouver Sun
B.C. ready to support ocean power, minister says
British Columbia is preparing to make a push to become a leading proponent of ocean energy resource development, B.C. Energy Minister Blair Lekstrom said on Friday at the Globe 2010 conference in Vancouver.
Lekstrom, appearing as a panelist at a session that looked at opportunities and obstacles to commercialize electricity generation using tidal and wave energy, said his ministry has "just completed work on an ocean policy."
Click link above for full Vancouver Sun story.
British Columbia is preparing to make a push to become a leading proponent of ocean energy resource development, B.C. Energy Minister Blair Lekstrom said on Friday at the Globe 2010 conference in Vancouver.
Lekstrom, appearing as a panelist at a session that looked at opportunities and obstacles to commercialize electricity generation using tidal and wave energy, said his ministry has "just completed work on an ocean policy."
Click link above for full Vancouver Sun story.
The power line which will deliver a means to remain in traditional territories
This video pretty well covers the benefits which will be derived from the different areas of the North Coast Mountain Region. Renewable energy jobs are maintenance intensive and profitable. Work from this field will be ideal for BC and Yukon First Nation Citizens and to Alaska Natives as well as for other Alaskans and British Columbian residing in their respective areas.
Thursday, March 11, 2010
B.C. group touts green economic solution
B.C. group touts green economic solution
B.C. could pull in about $4.3 billion annually and eliminate its debt over several years by tapping into and selling its vast green-energy potential, said a report released yesterday.
Bio-energy, run-of-river, wind, geothermal, tidal, wave and solar energy could all be developed to help the environment and to work towards wiping out B.C.'s debt in 15 years or less, said the B.C. Citizens for Green Energy's 76-page report.
"B.C. is widely recognized as having a natural abundance of renewable green energy resources. However, this natural abundance is currently going virtually untapped as are the economic and environmental benefits that developing them could bring to our province," said the report, titled A Triple Legacy for Future Generations: B.C.'s Potential as a Renewable Green Energy Powerhouse.
Read more by clicking above link.
B.C. could pull in about $4.3 billion annually and eliminate its debt over several years by tapping into and selling its vast green-energy potential, said a report released yesterday.
Bio-energy, run-of-river, wind, geothermal, tidal, wave and solar energy could all be developed to help the environment and to work towards wiping out B.C.'s debt in 15 years or less, said the B.C. Citizens for Green Energy's 76-page report.
"B.C. is widely recognized as having a natural abundance of renewable green energy resources. However, this natural abundance is currently going virtually untapped as are the economic and environmental benefits that developing them could bring to our province," said the report, titled A Triple Legacy for Future Generations: B.C.'s Potential as a Renewable Green Energy Powerhouse.
Read more by clicking above link.
Tides come in (environmentalresearchweb blog) - environmentalresearchweb
Tides come in (environmentalresearchweb blog) - environmentalresearchweb
The use of tidal energy for generating electricity is moving ahead rapidly around the world, and the potential for expansion is significant, with the emphasis being on tidal current turbines, although some tidal barrages are also being developed or planned – for example, various barrage and lagoon scheme are still under consideration for the Severn estuary. A decision on which to go for should emerge later this year.
The global potential is quite large. Trade network Tidal Today’s second annual ‘Tidal Summit’, held in London last November, heard from a speaker from the Fraunhofer Institute for Wind Energy and Energy System Technology (IWES) who relayed some estimates of tidal energy potentials: China: 50 TWh p.a; Ireland: 10 TWh; UK: 31 TWh; France: 10 TWh; Norway: 3 TWh; US: 115 TWh. The big ones, in terms of capacity, included Canada: >40 GW and South Korea: 1000 GW.
Click on the link above to read the full story.
The use of tidal energy for generating electricity is moving ahead rapidly around the world, and the potential for expansion is significant, with the emphasis being on tidal current turbines, although some tidal barrages are also being developed or planned – for example, various barrage and lagoon scheme are still under consideration for the Severn estuary. A decision on which to go for should emerge later this year.
The global potential is quite large. Trade network Tidal Today’s second annual ‘Tidal Summit’, held in London last November, heard from a speaker from the Fraunhofer Institute for Wind Energy and Energy System Technology (IWES) who relayed some estimates of tidal energy potentials: China: 50 TWh p.a; Ireland: 10 TWh; UK: 31 TWh; France: 10 TWh; Norway: 3 TWh; US: 115 TWh. The big ones, in terms of capacity, included Canada: >40 GW and South Korea: 1000 GW.
Click on the link above to read the full story.
Saturday, March 6, 2010
CBC News - North - Feds failing wind energy industry, Whitehorse engineer says
CBC News - North - Feds failing wind energy industry, Whitehorse engineer says
A Whitehorse engineer who organized a wind energy conference in Ottawa this week says governments should spend more money on alternative energy industries, not on infrastructure and bailing out car manufacturers.
J.P. Pinard, who hosted the 2009 Wind-Diesel Workshop on Monday and Tuesday, said the federal government cut incentive programs this year for wind energy, including a wind subsidy program and a plan to assist northern communities wanting to supplement diesel-generated power with wind energy.
Read more: http://www.cbc.ca/canada/north/story/2009/06/03/wind-energy.html#ixzz0hQNeOf0z or click above link
A Whitehorse engineer who organized a wind energy conference in Ottawa this week says governments should spend more money on alternative energy industries, not on infrastructure and bailing out car manufacturers.
J.P. Pinard, who hosted the 2009 Wind-Diesel Workshop on Monday and Tuesday, said the federal government cut incentive programs this year for wind energy, including a wind subsidy program and a plan to assist northern communities wanting to supplement diesel-generated power with wind energy.
Read more: http://www.cbc.ca/canada/north/story/2009/06/03/wind-energy.html#ixzz0hQNeOf0z or click above link
CBC News - North - Yukon Energy urged to release alternative power studies
CBC News - North - Yukon Energy urged to release alternative power studies
The Yukon's public power utility should release feasibility studies it had done on wind and geothermal energy, says NDP MLA Steve Cardiff.
Cardiff is calling on Yukon Energy Corp. to release the studies, which he said the utility has been withholding to date.
"These studies were paid for with public funds. The energy corporation belongs to Yukon citizens," Cardiff told CBC News on Friday.
Read more: http://www.cbc.ca/canada/north/story/2010/03/05/yukon-alt-power.html#ixzz0hQMDeREq or click above link.
The Yukon's public power utility should release feasibility studies it had done on wind and geothermal energy, says NDP MLA Steve Cardiff.
Cardiff is calling on Yukon Energy Corp. to release the studies, which he said the utility has been withholding to date.
"These studies were paid for with public funds. The energy corporation belongs to Yukon citizens," Cardiff told CBC News on Friday.
Read more: http://www.cbc.ca/canada/north/story/2010/03/05/yukon-alt-power.html#ixzz0hQMDeREq or click above link.
Sunday, February 28, 2010
2010 Vancouver Winter Olympics
Congratulations to Canada and British Columbia for a successful hosting of the 2010 Winter Olympics!
Thursday, February 25, 2010
(Petersburg Mayor) Al Dwyer’s comments stir talk of continuation of TBPA - Wrangell Sentinel
Wrangell Sentinel - the oldest continuously published paper in Alaska.
It came as a surprise to both the Wrangell Assembly and Thomas Bay Power Authority (TBPA) when Petersburg Mayor Al Dwyer announced that he was considering cutting Petersburg’s $50,000.
Dwyer made the comment during the February 8 Petersburg Council Meeting. He suggested that Southeast Alaska Power Agency (SEAPA) would better manage TBPA’s current load, and that Wrangell unofficially expressed an interest in such a changeover.
Wrangell Mayor Don McConachie commented that he had not hosted any discussion on the topic. Regarding Dwyer’s comments, McConachie stated, “Quiet frankly that comes as a big surprise to me.”
Click link above to read full story in the Wrangell Sentinel
It came as a surprise to both the Wrangell Assembly and Thomas Bay Power Authority (TBPA) when Petersburg Mayor Al Dwyer announced that he was considering cutting Petersburg’s $50,000.
Dwyer made the comment during the February 8 Petersburg Council Meeting. He suggested that Southeast Alaska Power Agency (SEAPA) would better manage TBPA’s current load, and that Wrangell unofficially expressed an interest in such a changeover.
Wrangell Mayor Don McConachie commented that he had not hosted any discussion on the topic. Regarding Dwyer’s comments, McConachie stated, “Quiet frankly that comes as a big surprise to me.”
Click link above to read full story in the Wrangell Sentinel
Wednesday, February 24, 2010
A deeper shade of green | Oilweek Magazine
A deeper shade of green | Oilweek Magazine
Calgary-based pipeline and power giant Enbridge Inc. has already invested heavily in such renewable electricity areas as wind and solar; now it has turned its attention to geothermal energy projects in British Columbia and elsewhere in North America.
"We believe there is meaningful potential for geothermal energy production in Canada," Chuck Szmurlo, vice-president of alternative and emerging technology with Canada´s largest pipeline company, told Oilweek.
"It´s on our radar screen. Canada is still in its infancy [in terms of naturally occurring geothermal power]. But there is an attractive resource in B.C."
Read more: http://www.oilweek.com/articles.asp?ID=715#ixzz0gV97Sa4q
Calgary-based pipeline and power giant Enbridge Inc. has already invested heavily in such renewable electricity areas as wind and solar; now it has turned its attention to geothermal energy projects in British Columbia and elsewhere in North America.
"We believe there is meaningful potential for geothermal energy production in Canada," Chuck Szmurlo, vice-president of alternative and emerging technology with Canada´s largest pipeline company, told Oilweek.
"It´s on our radar screen. Canada is still in its infancy [in terms of naturally occurring geothermal power]. But there is an attractive resource in B.C."
Read more: http://www.oilweek.com/articles.asp?ID=715#ixzz0gV97Sa4q
Small wind farm pays big
Small wind farm pays big
On Tuesday, the village of Unalakleet, seated on Alaska's northwest coast, celebrated the town's newest energy force -- turbine number six. The awakening of the high-tech wind catcher completes the installation of the town's new wind farm, which has already saved the village tens of thousands of dollars since the first turbines powered up a few months ago.
Since November, Unalakleet has cut utility costs by nearly $55,000 and generated enough electricity to power 86 homes for an entire year, according the wind farm's new Web site. The site also claims the wind energy has significantly reduced carbon dioxide emissions that would otherwise have been pumped into the atmosphere through more traditional, diesel-only power generation -- the equivalent of more than 580,000 miles of driving in the family car. According to our calculations, that's about 111 one-way trips between Anchorage and Key West, Florida.
Click above links to read Jill Burke's full Alaska Dispatch story.
On Tuesday, the village of Unalakleet, seated on Alaska's northwest coast, celebrated the town's newest energy force -- turbine number six. The awakening of the high-tech wind catcher completes the installation of the town's new wind farm, which has already saved the village tens of thousands of dollars since the first turbines powered up a few months ago.
Since November, Unalakleet has cut utility costs by nearly $55,000 and generated enough electricity to power 86 homes for an entire year, according the wind farm's new Web site. The site also claims the wind energy has significantly reduced carbon dioxide emissions that would otherwise have been pumped into the atmosphere through more traditional, diesel-only power generation -- the equivalent of more than 580,000 miles of driving in the family car. According to our calculations, that's about 111 one-way trips between Anchorage and Key West, Florida.
Click above links to read Jill Burke's full Alaska Dispatch story.
Monday, February 22, 2010
BC Hydro subsidiary battles U.S. poacher
BC Hydro subsidiary battles U.S. poacher
Efforts by a Wall Street financial giant to poach employees and business from a lucrative government-owned energy trading operation in Vancouver are proving expensive for British Columbia taxpayers.
BC Hydro subsidiary corporation Powerex has lost 10 energy trading team members in a continuing employee raid by New York-based financial services firm Morgan Stanley, according to an internal memo obtained by The Vancouver Sun...
Click link above for entire story from the Vancouver Sun
Efforts by a Wall Street financial giant to poach employees and business from a lucrative government-owned energy trading operation in Vancouver are proving expensive for British Columbia taxpayers.
BC Hydro subsidiary corporation Powerex has lost 10 energy trading team members in a continuing employee raid by New York-based financial services firm Morgan Stanley, according to an internal memo obtained by The Vancouver Sun...
Click link above for entire story from the Vancouver Sun
Saturday, February 20, 2010
Fairbanks Daily News-Miner - Alaska must invest in itself; in state gas line needed
Fairbanks Daily News-Miner - Alaska must invest in itself in state gas line needed
Alaska’s economic future is clouded by our lack of economic diversity, declining gross state product and the decline of Alaskan’s per capita income. For the past 30 years, two-thirds of Alaska’s economy has been driven by the oil industry and government spending. Recently, we have seen declining crude oil production on Alaska’s North Slope and decreased federal spending on Alaska projects.
Click above links for full op-ed piece
Alaska’s economic future is clouded by our lack of economic diversity, declining gross state product and the decline of Alaskan’s per capita income. For the past 30 years, two-thirds of Alaska’s economy has been driven by the oil industry and government spending. Recently, we have seen declining crude oil production on Alaska’s North Slope and decreased federal spending on Alaska projects.
Click above links for full op-ed piece
Google gets US approval to buy and sell energy | Green IT - InfoWorld
Google gets US approval to buy and sell energy | Green IT - InfoWorld
Google has received federal approval to buy and sell energy on the open market, giving it more options for the way it powers its data centers and opening the door to a potential move into the energy-trading business.
Google has received federal approval to buy and sell energy on the open market, giving it more options for the way it powers its data centers and opening the door to a potential move into the energy-trading business.
GE Energy Finance Unit May Expand B.C. Wind Farm (Update1) - BusinessWeek
GE Energy Finance Unit May Expand B.C. Wind Farm (Update1) - BusinessWeek
Feb. 14 (Bloomberg) -- General Electric Co.’s energy finance unit said it may double the capacity of a wind farm in British Columbia, increasing its bet on renewable-power in Canada’s westernmost province.
GE and Vancouver-based Plutonic Power Corp. last year bought the unfinished, 144-megawatt Dokie Ridge Wind Project, the first equity investment in wind energy in Canada for both companies.
“British Columbia has tremendous natural resources that are ideal for large-scale renewable energy projects,” Alex Urquhart, who runs the energy financial services unit, a division of Fairfield, Connecticut-based General Electric’s GE Capital division, said in a statement today.
Click link above for full story
Feb. 14 (Bloomberg) -- General Electric Co.’s energy finance unit said it may double the capacity of a wind farm in British Columbia, increasing its bet on renewable-power in Canada’s westernmost province.
GE and Vancouver-based Plutonic Power Corp. last year bought the unfinished, 144-megawatt Dokie Ridge Wind Project, the first equity investment in wind energy in Canada for both companies.
“British Columbia has tremendous natural resources that are ideal for large-scale renewable energy projects,” Alex Urquhart, who runs the energy financial services unit, a division of Fairfield, Connecticut-based General Electric’s GE Capital division, said in a statement today.
Click link above for full story
Wednesday, February 17, 2010
Electricity: A new industrial pillar for the B. C economy
Electricity: A new industrial pillar for the B. C economy
To say that the atmosphere in Vancouver is electric is something of a double entendre. Certainly, thousands of visitors surging through the streets to take in the Olympic Games and related activities have recharged our sleepy little town, but a series of announcements tied to Premier Gordon Campbell's clean-energy program this week may do more in the long run to bring power to the people.
Click links above for full story
To say that the atmosphere in Vancouver is electric is something of a double entendre. Certainly, thousands of visitors surging through the streets to take in the Olympic Games and related activities have recharged our sleepy little town, but a series of announcements tied to Premier Gordon Campbell's clean-energy program this week may do more in the long run to bring power to the people.
Click links above for full story
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